RtAudio is a set of C++ classes that provides a common API (Application Programming Interface) for realtime audio input/output across Linux (native ALSA, JACK, PulseAudio and OSS), Macintosh OS X and Windows (DirectSound, ASIO and WASAPI) operating systems. RtAudio significantly simplifies the process of interacting with computer audio hardware. It was designed with the following objectives:

- object-oriented C++ design
- simple, common API across all supported platforms
- only one source and one header file for easy inclusion in programming
    projects
- allow simultaneous multi-api support
- support dynamic connection of devices
- provide extensive audio device parameter control
- allow audio device capability probing
- automatic internal conversion for data format, channel number
    compensation, (de)interleaving, and byte-swapping

RtAudio incorporates the concept of audio streams, which represent audio output (playback) and/or input (recording). Available audio devices and their capabilities can be enumerated and then specified when opening a stream. Where applicable, multiple API support can be compiled and a particular API specified when creating an RtAudio instance.