ALSA: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

ALSA (an acronym for Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) is a Linux kernel module that replaces several different kernel drivers for sound cards with a single driver which handles the diversity of sound cards internally. It replaces all older sound drivers for the Linux kernel, notably the Open Sound System (OSS).

Led by Jaroslav Kysela, the project started from a Linux driver for the Gravis Ultrasound in 1998, and was developed separately from the Linux kernel until it was introduced in the 2.5 development series in 2002. In the 2.6 version it obsoletes OSS by default.

ALSA also contains LADSPA which aids in the development of professional high-performance sound applications such as software synthesizers and digital audio recorders.