Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

ASIO 2.3
Audio Streaming Input Output
Development Kit

Documentation Release #3

Page 1 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

Steinberg Audio Stream I/O API

(c) 1997-2013, Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH

ASIO Interface Specification v 2.3

Contents
I. Overview
1. Introduction
2. The Goal
3. The Design
II. Implementation Guide
1. Instantiation
2. Operation
3. Driver Query by the Host Application
4. Host Query by the Driver
5. Audio Streaming
6. Media Synchronisation (Sampleposition and System Time)
7. Driver Notifications to the Host Application
III. Function Reference
1. Initialization/Termination
2. Start/Stop
3. Inquiry methods and sample rate
4. Buffer preparation
5. Miscellaneous
6. Callbacks
7. Type definitions
IV. Host Utility API Reference
1. AsioDrivers Class
V. Appendix
A. Using the bufferSwitchTimeInfo() callback
B. Latency vs. Sample Placement
C. Test methods
D. Platform/OS Differences
E. ASIODriver class for the driver implementation
F. Sony DSD Support
G. Microsoft Windows 64 bit

Page 2 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

I. Overview
1. Introduction
This document presents an overview of the design goals and implementation tradeoffs for an
efficient personal computer based audio processing system. Due to technological advances in the
computer industry in the recent years, and the ever-growing use of the Steinberg Virtual Studio
Technology (VST) as a standard for plug-in effects, it is clear that the personal computer will be a
major target platform for a vast number of (previously impractical) audio-processing tasks.

2. The Goal
The personal computer platform really misses a relatively simple way of accessing multiple audio
inputs and outputs. Today's operating system's audio support is designed for stereo input and stereo
output only. There is no provision to extend this without creating major problems, i.e.
synchronization issues between the different input and output channels.
With the Steinberg Audio Stream I/O (ASIO) Steinberg wants to help hardware and software
manufacturers to create hardware and driver software which extends the personal computer's audio
connectivity and meets the expectations of the customer (musician and audio engineer).
The Audio Stream I/O API addresses the areas of efficient audio processing, high data throughput,
synchronization, low latency and extensibility on the audio hardware side. The interface is not
bound to any fixed number of input and output channels (of course this numbers is limited by the
processing power and data throughput of the computer system itself). It puts no limitation on the
sample rate (32 kHz to 96 kHz or higher), sample format (16, 24, 32 bit or 32/64 bit floating point
formats). It takes advantage of today's computer architectures for high data throughput (PCI,
FireWire). It supports sophisticated hardware solutions for additional audio processing but it
remains simple in comparison to other approaches.

3. The Design
The audio subsystem/hardware is treated as a software component (called audio driver). That is
ASIO requires that the hardware manufacturers provide a driver, which abstracts the audio
hardware in the way ASIO can deal with.
For efficient processing and great flexibility ASIO implements channels (input and output) as
circular buffers with blocks of data. Actually a double buffer mechanism is used, which can be
easily adapted to a great number of different buffer implementations. One buffer contains always
data for one single channel only. This approach allows the host application to implement additional
processing algorithms very effectively (opposed to an interleaved buffer model). The size of the
data blocks is ascertained from the audio driver, to allow the best support for the audio hardware.
The audio driver allocates the memory for the actual data blocks. This allows the hardware
manufacturer to select the best memory access method for their audio I/O solution. DMA or
memory mapped I/O can be supported with equal efficiency. This is one of the keys for achieving
Page 3 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

low latency in audio processing. Since current operating systems are in transition towards multitasking, with all the advantages and tradeoffs, ASIO supports all features (timestamped event
notification and adaptive data pre-fetch/processing) necessary for asynchronous operation, usually
occurring in preemptive multitasking operating systems such as MacOS X, Windows 95/NT, IRIX,
BeOS. This will become also important for multi processor machines (SMP) or network distributed
processing. (A direction in which personal computer systems will be heading to in the near future.)

Page 4 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

II. Implementation Guide

1. Instantiation
The host application loads the driver and "links" it to itself. Depending on the Operating System,
different methods are necessary. Please refer to the Chapter 4 "Host Utility API Reference" and the
provided code.

2. Operation
The Finite State Machine diagram illustrates the states of the operation.
Loaded:

Driver code is accessible by the application

LOADED
INIT

EXIT

INITIALIZED
DISPOSE
BUFFERS

CREATE
BUFFERS

PREPARED

STOP
START

RUNNING

Initialized:

Prepared:
Running:

Driver is allocated by the application and inquiries from the application

can be accepted. It is not necessary that the hardware be already
allocated.
Audio buffers are allocated and the driver is prepared for running
The hardware is running and the audio streaming takes place

The commands altering the states are:

Init
CreateBuffers
Start
Page 5 of 50

Initialize the driver for use by the application. Optionally acquire

hardware or load additional driver components. ASIOInit()
Allocate memory for the audio buffers and allocate hardware resources
for the audio channels. ASIOCreateBuffers()
Starts the audio streaming process. ASIOStart()

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

Stop
DisposeBuffers
Exit

Stops the streaming process. ASIOStop()

Deallocates hardware resources for the used channels and disposes the
memory for the audio buffers. ASIODisposeBuffers()
Deallocates any remaining resources and puts the driver back into the
uninitialized state. ASIOExit()

3. Driver Query by the Host Application

The ASIO API provides several inquiry functions for the host application and the driver.
After the driver is initialized, the application will query for all or some of the following capabilities:
ASIOGetChannels()
ASIOGetBufferSize()
ASIOCanSampleRate()
ASIOGetSampleRate()
ASIOGetClockSources()
ASIOGetChannelInfo()
ASIOSetSampleRate()
ASIOSetClockSource()
ASIOGetLatencies()

query for the number of available audio channels

get the supported audio buffer sizes
ask whether a specific sample rate is supported by the driver/hardware
get the current sample rate
get the possible clock source options of the audio hardware
get information about a specific channel (sample type, name, word
clock group)
Set a sample rate of the internal clock, should be used as base sample
rate if an external clock source is selected.
set the clock source of the card.
query for the constant audio latencies relative to the bufferSwitch()
callback.

Note: As ASIOGetLatencies() will also have to include the audio buffer size of the
ASIOCreateBuffers() call, the application has to call this function after the buffer creation. In the
case that the call occurs beforehand the driver should assume preferred buffer size.
Additional queries introduced with ASIO 2.0. These queries will occur via the ASIOFuture() call.
kAsioCanTimeInfo
kAsioCanTimeCode
kAsioCanInputMonitor

query for support of the new bufferSwitchTimeInfo() callback

query for time code support of the audio hardware
query for direct input monitoring support

Additional queries introduced with ASIO 2.3. They also occur via the ASIOFuture() call.
kAsioCanReportOverload

query if the driver can detect overload conditions. If the driver

returns ASE_SUCCESS it has the sole responsibility to detect any
drop-out in the audio stream and report them to the host. This is
done via the asioMessage() callback and the kAsioOverload
message selector.
kAsio GetInternalBufferSamples
query for the internal buffering of the driver. The authors
of ASIO once assumed that drivers work directly with the by
ASIO demanded double buffer, but driver designers might choose
to add additional internal buffering due to technical constraints

Page 6 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

(e.g. USB audio interfaces). Knowing about such internal

buffering, a host may optimize its own performance accordingly
or derive e.g. more precise headroom information.
4. Host Query by the Driver
After the Prepared state the driver can query the application for the following information via the
asioMessage() callback:
kAsioSelectorSupported query whether the asioMessage selector is supported by the application
kAsioEngineVersion
query the host application for the ASIO version it implements. The
application will return the highest implemented version. The host
application is expected to always support lower version
implementations.

Page 7 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

5. Audio Streaming
The audio streaming starts after the ASIOStart() call. Prior to starting the hardware streaming the
driver will issue one or more bufferSwitch() or bufferSwitchTimeInfo() callbacks to fill its first
output buffer(s). Since the hardware did not provide any input data yet the input channels' buffers
should be filled with silence by the driver.
After the driver started the hardware streaming the bufferSwitch() or bufferSwitchTimeInfo()
callbacks will always be called when the hardware requires more data. The driver passes the index
of the double buffer half, which has to be processed, to the application. Upon return of the callback
the application has read all input data and provided all output data.
Note: In order to reduce the amount of temporary buffers for a driver/hardware solution which has
to further process the audio data, e.g. copy the data to the hardware, the ASIO API provides the
ASIOOutputReady() method. ASIOOutputReady() is called immediately when the application has
finished the processing of the buffers. This is a provision for drivers which require an immediate
return of the bufferSwitch() or bufferSwitchTimeInfo() callback on interrupt driven systems like the
Apple Macintosh, which cannot spend too long in the callback at a low level interrupt time. Instead
the application will process the data at an interruptible execution level and inform the driver once it
finished the processing. On a thread based system like Windows 95/98/NT or 2000 the callback can
always process the data.

6. Media Synchronization (Sampleposition and System Time)

In order to provide proper media synchronization information to the host application a driver should
fetch, at the occurrence of the bufferSwitch() or bufferSwitchTimeInfo() callback invocation event
(interrupt or timed event), the current system time and sample position of the first sample of the
audio buffer, which will be past to the callback. The host application retrieves this information
during the bufferSwitch() callback with ASIOGetSamplePosition() or in the case of the
bufferSwitchTimeInfo() callback this information is part or the parameters to the callback.
The following table shows the callback sequence and its values for the bufferSwitchTimeInfo()
callback (1024 samples audio buffer size at 44100 Hz, System Time at Start is 2000 ms).
Callback No:
BufferIndex:
SystemTime(ms):
SamplePosition:

0
0
2000
0

1
1
2000
1024

2
0
2023
2048

3
1
2046
3072

4
0
2069
4096

5
1
2092
5120

6
0
2116
6144

Please note in the above table the same system time is used for the first two callbacks, as the
hardware did not start yet. Since ASIO implements a constant streaming model, the time
information of the first few bufferSwitch callbacks has to be ignored. The media synchronization
process will start once the host application detects the constant streaming process. (It can be
assumed that the streaming will be constant after the third bufferSwitch callback, more

Page 8 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

sophisticated detection methods however are preferred as some driver/hardware combinations

might retrieve more audio data for the hardware output processing.)
Note: The system time timestamp is a reference time of the operating system. Please see the
Appendix D. "Platform / OS Differences" for the used system time information on the operating
system.

7. Driver Notifications to the Host Application

The driver can notify the host application of the occurrence of some events which need special
treatment by the host application. The following notification messages will be send via the
asioMessage() callback.
kAsioResetRequest

the driver needs a reset, in case of an unexpected event or a

reconfiguration
kAsioBufferSizeChange the buffer sizes will change, issued by the user (however few
applications support this yet, hence it is recommended to issue the
kAsioResetRequest instead)
kAsioResyncRequest
the driver detected underruns and requires a resynchronization
kAsioLatenciesChanged the driver detected a latency change

Note: A host application has to defer processing of these notifications to a later "secure" time as the
driver has to finish its processing of the notification. Especially on the kAsioResetRequest it is a
bad idea to unload the driver during the asioMessage callback since the callback has to return back
into the driver, which would then be no longer present.
sampleRateDidChange() informs the host application that the driver detected a sample rate
change. Usually only used for an external clock source which changes
its sample rate.
kAsioOverload

Page 9 of 50

informs the host application that the driver detected an overload

condition, i.e. a drop-out in the audio stream occurred. Though once an
overload occurred, it cant be healed anymore, but at least the host can
warn the user by some appropriate notification (e.g. flashing GUI
element)

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

III. Function Reference

Initialization/Termination
ASIOError ASIOInit(ASIODriverInfo *info);
ASIOError ASIOExit(void);

Start/Stop
ASIOError ASIOStart(void);
ASIOError ASIOStop(void);

Inquiry methods and sample rate

ASIOError ASIOGetChannels(long *numInputChannels, long *numOutputChannels);
ASIOError ASIOGetLatencies(long *inputLatency, long *outputLatency);
ASIOError ASIOGetBufferSize(long *minSize, long *maxSize, long *preferredSize, long
*granularity);
ASIOError ASIOCanSampleRate(ASIOSampleRate sampleRate);
ASIOError ASIOGetSampleRate(ASIOSampleRate *currentRate);
ASIOError ASIOSetSampleRate(ASIOSampleRate sampleRate);
ASIOError ASIOGetClockSources(ASIOClockSource *clocks, long *numSources);
ASIOError ASIOSetClockSource(long reference);
ASIOError ASIOGetSamplePosition (ASIOSamples *sPos, ASIOTimeStamp *tStamp);
ASIOError ASIOGetChannelInfo(ASIOChannelInfo *info);

Buffer preparation
ASIOError ASIOCreateBuffers(ASIOBufferInfo *bufferInfos, long numChannels, long bufferSize,
ASIOCallbacks *callbacks);
ASIOError ASIODisposeBuffers(void);
ASIOError ASIOOutputReady(void);

Miscellaneous
ASIOError ASIOControlPanel(void);
ASIOError ASIOFuture(long selector, void *params);

Callbacks
void (*bufferSwitch) (long doubleBufferIndex, ASIOBool directProcess);
ASIOTime* (*bufferSwitchTimeInfo) (ASIOTime* params, long doubleBufferIndex, ASIOBool
directProcess);
void (*sampleRateDidChange) (ASIOSampleRate sRate);
long (*asioMessage) (long selector, long value, void* message, double* opt);

Page 10 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

1. Initialization/Termination
-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOInit(ASIODriverInfo *info);
Purpose:
Initialize the AudioStreamIO.
Parameter:
info

pointer to an ASIODriverInfo structure.

Returns:
If neither input nor output is present ASE_NotPresent will be returned. ASE_NoMemory,
ASE_HWMalfunction are other possible error conditions

struct ASIODriverInfo
{
long
asioVersion;

'on input' - the host version. This is 0 for earlier ASIO

implementations. The asioMessage callback is implemented
only if asioVersion is 2 or greater. (Sorry but due to a design
oversight the driver doesn't have access to the host version in
ASIOInit, see also Appendix E.).
Added selector for host (engine) version in the asioMessage
callback so we're ok from now on.
'on return', - ASIO implementation version. Older versions
are 1. If you support this version (namely,
ASIOOutputReady() ) this should be 2 or higher. also see the
note in ASIOGetSamplePosition() !

long

driverVersion;

on return, the driver version (format is driver specific)

char

name[32];

char

errorMessage[124];

on return, a null-terminated string containing the driver's

name
on return, should contain a user message describing the type
of error that occurred during ASIOInit(), if any.

void

*sysRef;

};

Page 11 of 50

on input: system reference (Windows: application main

window handle)

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOExit(void);
Purpose:
Terminates the AudioStreamIO.
Parameter:
None.
Returns:
If neither input nor output is present ASE_NotPresent will be returned.
Notes:
This implies ASIOStop() and ASIODisposeBuffers(), meaning that no host callbacks must be
accessed after ASIOExit().

Page 12 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

2. Start/Stop
-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOStart(void);
Purpose:
Start input and output processing synchronously.
This will
- reset the sample counter to zero
- start the hardware (both input and output)

The first call to the hosts' bufferSwitch(index == 0) then tells the host to read from input buffer A
(index 0), and start processing to output buffer A while output buffer B (which has been filled by
the host prior to calling ASIOStart()) is possibly sounding (see also ASIOGetLatencies())
Parameter:
None.
Returns:
If neither input nor output is present, ASE_NotPresent will be returned. If the hardware fails to
start, ASE_HWMalfunction will be returned.
Notes:
There is no restriction on the time that ASIOStart() takes to perform (that is, it is not considered a
real-time trigger).

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOStop(void);
Purpose:
Stops input and output processing altogether.
Parameter:
None.
Returns:
If neither input nor output is present ASE_NotPresent will be returned.
Notes:
On return from ASIOStop(), the driver must not call the hosts bufferSwitch() routine. On a preemptive multitasking OS you have to make sure that no pending events will call bufferSwitch()
after the driver returned from this function.

Page 13 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

3. Inquiry methods and sample rate

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOGetChannels(long *numInputChannels, long *numOutputChannels);
Purpose:
Returns number of individual input/output channels.
Parameter:
numInputChannels
numOutputChannels

will hold the number of available input channels.

will hold the number of available output channels.

Returns:
If no input/output is present ASE_NotPresent will be returned. If only inputs, or only outputs are
available, the according other parameter will be zero, and ASE_OK is returned.

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOGetLatencies(long *inputLatency, long *outputLatency);

Purpose:
Returns the input and output latencies. This includes device specific delays, like FIFOs etc.
Parameter:
inputLatency

outputLatency

on return will hold the 'age' of the first sample frame in the input buffer when
the hosts reads it in bufferSwitch() (this is theoretical, meaning it does not
include the overhead and delay between the actual physical switch, and the
time when bufferSwitch() enters). This will usually be the size of one block in
sample frames, plus device specific latencies.
on return will specify the time between the buffer switch, and the time when
the next play buffer will start to sound. The next play buffer is defined as the
one the host starts processing after (or at) bufferSwitch(), indicated by the
index parameter (0 for buffer A, 1 for buffer B).
It will usually be either one block, if the host writes directly to a DMA buffer
or two or more blocks if the buffer is 'latched' by the driver. As an example,
on ASIOStart(), the host will have filled the play buffer at index 1 already;
when it gets the callback (with the parameter index == 0), this tells it to read
from the input buffer 0, and start to fill the play buffer 0 (assuming that now
play buffer 1 is already sounding). In this case, the output latency is one
block. If the driver decides to copy buffer 1 at that time, and pass it to the
hardware at the next slot (which is most commonly done, but should be
avoided), the output latency becomes two blocks instead, resulting in a total
i/o latency of at least 3 blocks. As memory access is the main bottleneck in
native DSP processing, and to achieve lower latency, it is highly
recommended to try to avoid copying (this is also why the driver is the owner
of the buffers). To summarize, the minimum i/o latency can be achieved if the

Page 14 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

input buffer is processed by the host into the output buffer which will
physically start to sound on the next time slice. Also note that the host expects
the bufferSwitch() callback to be accessed for each time slice in order to
retain sync, possibly recursively; if it fails to process a block in time, it will
suspend its operation for some time in order to recover.
Returns:
If no input/output is present ASE_NotPresent will be returned.

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOGetBufferSize(long *minSize, long *maxSize, long *preferredSize, long

*granularity);
Purpose:
Returns min, max, and preferred buffer sizes for input/output
Parameter:
minSize
maxSize
preferredSize
granularity

on return will hold the minimum buffer size

on return will hold the maximum possible buffer size
on return will hold the preferred buffer size (a size which best fits
performance and hardware requirements)
on return will hold the granularity at which buffer sizes may differ.
Usually, the buffer size will be a power of 2; in this case, granularity
will hold -1 on return, signaling possible buffer sizes starting from
minSize, increased in powers of 2 up to maxSize.

Returns:
If no input/output is present ASE_NotPresent will be returned.
Notes:
When minimum and maximum buffer size are equal, the preferred buffer size has to be the same
value as well; granularity should be 0 in this case.

Page 15 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOCanSampleRate(ASIOSampleRate sampleRate);

Purpose:
Inquires of the hardware if a specific available sample rate is available.
Parameter:
sampleRate

is the rate in question.

Returns:
If the stated sample rate is not supported, ASE_NoClock will be returned. If no input/output is
present ASE_NotPresent will be returned.

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOGetSampleRate(ASIOSampleRate *currentRate);

Purpose:
Get the current sample Rate.
Parameter:
currentRate

on return will hold the current sample rate on return.

Returns:
If sample rate is unknown, sampleRate will be 0 and ASE_NoClock will be returned.
If no input/output is present ASE_NotPresent will be returned.

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOSetSampleRate(ASIOSampleRate sampleRate);

Purpose:
Set the hardware to the requested sample Rate. If sampleRate == 0, enable external sync.
Parameter:
sampleRate

the requested rate

Returns:
If sampleRate is unknown ASE_NoClock will be returned. If the current clock is external, and
sampleRate is != 0, ASE_InvalidMode will be returned. If no input/output is present
ASE_NotPresent will be returned.

Page 16 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOGetClockSources(ASIOClockSource *clocks, long *numSources);

Purpose:
Get the available external audio clock sources
Parameter:
clocks
numSources

points to an array of ASIOClockSource structures.

on input: the number of allocated array members
on output: the number of available clock sources, at least 1 (internal clock
generator).

Returns:
If no input/output is present ASE_NotPresent will be returned.

struct ASIOClockSource {
long
index;

this is used to identify the clock source when

ASIOSetClockSource() is accessed, should be an index
counting from zero
long
associatedChannel; the first channel of an associated input group, if any.
long
associatedGroup; the group index of that channel. Groups of channels are
defined to separate, for instance analog, S/PDIF, AES/EBU,
ADAT connectors etc, when present simultaneously. Note that
associated channel is enumerated according to
numInputs/numOutputs, meaning it is independent from a
group (see also ASIOGetChannelInfo()) inputs are associated
to a clock if the physical connection transfers both data and
clock (like S/PDIF, AES/EBU, or ADAT inputs). If there is no
input channel associated with the clock source (like Word
Clock, or internal oscillator), both associatedChannel and
associatedGroup should be set to -1.
ASIOBool isCurrentSource; on exit, ASIOTrue if this is the current clock source,
ASIOFalse else
char
name[32];
a null-terminated string for user selection of the available
sources.

};

Page 17 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOSetClockSources(long index);

Purpose:
Set the audio clock source
Parameter:
index

as obtained from an inquiry to ASIOGetClockSources()

Returns:
If no input/output is present ASE_NotPresent will be returned. If the clock can not be selected
because an input channel which carries the current clock source is active, ASE_InvalidMode *may*
be returned (this depends on the properties of the driver and/or hardware).
Notes:
Should *not* return ASE_NoClock if there is no clock signal present at the selected source; this
will be inquired via ASIOGetSampleRate(). It should call the host callback procedure
sampleRateHasChanged(), if the switch causes a sample rate change, or if no external clock is
present at the selected source.

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOGetSamplePosition (ASIOSamples *sPos, ASIOTimeStamp *tStamp);

Purpose:
Inquires the sample position/time stamp pair.
Parameter:
sPos
tStamp

on return will hold the sample position on return. The sample position is
reset to zero when ASIOStart() gets called.
on return will hold the system time when the sample position was
latched.

Returns:
If no input/output is present, ASE_NotPresent will be returned. If there is no clock,
ASE_SPNotAdvancing will be returned.
Notes:
In order to be able to synchronize properly, the sample position / time stamp pair must refer to the
*current block*, that is, the engine will call ASIOGetSamplePosition() in its bufferSwitch()
callback and expect the time for the first sample of the current block. Thus, when requested in the
very first bufferSwitch after ASIOStart(), the sample position should be zero, and the time stamp
should refer to the very time where the stream was started. It also means that the sample position
must be block aligned. The driver must ensure proper interpolation if the system time can not be
determined for the block position. The driver is responsible for precise time stamps as it usually has
most direct access to lower level resources. Proper behavior of ASIOGetSamplePosition() and
ASIOGetLatencies() are essential for precise media synchronization!

Page 18 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOGetChannelInfo (ASIOChannelInfo *info);

Purpose:
Retrieve information about the nature of a channel.
Parameter:
info

is a pointer to one ASIOChannelInfo structure.

Returns:
If no input/output is present ASE_NotPresent will be returned.
Notes:
If possible, the string should be organized such that the first characters are most significantly
describing the nature of the port, to allow for identification even if the view showing the port name
is too small to display more than 8 characters, for instance.

struct ASIOChannelInfo
{
long
channel;
ASIOBool

isInput;

on input: the channel index of the channel in question.

on input: ASIOTrue if info for an input channel is
requested, else an output channel is addressed

ASIOBool

isActive;

on output: ASIOTrue if channel is active as it was

installed by ASIOCreateBuffers(), otherwise it is set to
ASIOFalse

long

channelGroup; on output: the channel group that the channel belongs to.
For drivers which support different types of channels, like
analog, S/PDIF, AES/EBU, ADAT etc interfaces, there
should be a reasonable grouping of these types. Groups
are always independent from a channel index, that is, a
channel index always counts from 0 to
numInputs/numOutputs regardless of the group it may
belong to. There will always be at least one group (group
0). Please also note that by default, the host may decide to
activate channels 0 and 1; thus, these should belong to the
most useful type (analog i/o, if present).

ASIOSampleType type;

on output: contains the sample type of the channel

char

on output: describing the type of channel in question.

Used to allow for user selection, and enabling of specific
channels. Examples: "Analog In", "SPDIF Out" etc.

};

Page 19 of 50

name[32];

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

4. Buffer preparation
-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOCreateBuffers(ASIOBufferInfo *bufferInfos, long numChannels, long
bufferSize, ASIOCallbacks *callbacks);
Purpose:
Allocates input/output buffers for all input and output channels to be activated.
Parameter:
bufferInfos

is a pointer to an array of ASIOBufferInfo structures.

numChannels

is the sum of all input and output channels to be created; thus bufferInfos is a
pointer to an array of numChannels ASIOBufferInfo structures.

bufferSize

selects one of the possible buffer sizes as obtained from

ASIOGetBufferSizes().

callbacks

is a pointer to an ASIOCallbacks structure.

Returns:
If not enough memory is available ASE_NoMemory will be returned. If no input/output is present
ASE_NotPresent will be returned. If bufferSize is not supported, or one or more of the bufferInfos
elements contain invalid settings, ASE_InvalidMode will be returned.
Notes:
If individual channel selection is not possible but requested, the driver has to handle this. Namely,
bufferSwitch() will only fill buffers of enabled outputs. If possible, processing and buss activities
overhead should be avoided for channels that were not enabled here.

struct ASIOBufferInfo
{
ASIOBool
isInput;

long

channelNum;

void

*buffers[2];

};

Page 20 of 50

on input: set to ASIOTrue if it describes an input buffer.

Otherwise it is an output buffer
on input: the index of the channel in question (counting from
0)
on output: 2 pointers to the two halves of the channels'
double-buffer. The sizes of the buffer(s) of course depend on
both the bufferSize and the ASIOSampleType of the device
for the channel. See also ASIOGetChannelInfo().

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIODisposeBuffers(void);
Purpose:
Releases all buffers for the device.
Parameter:
None.
Returns:
If no buffer were ever prepared, ASE_InvalidMode will be returned. If no input/output is present
ASE_NotPresent will be returned.

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOOutputReady(void);
Purpose:
This tells the driver that the host has completed processing the output buffers. If sample data format
required by the hardware differs from the supported ASIO sample formats, but the hardware buffers
are DMA buffers, the driver will have to convert the audio stream data. As the bufferSwitch
callback is usually issued at DMA block switch time, the driver will have to convert the *previous*
host buffer, which increases the output latency by one block.
When the host finds out that ASIOOutputReady() returns true, it will issue this call whenever it
completed output processing. Then the driver can convert the host data directly to the DMA buffer
to be played next, reducing output latency by one block.
Another way to look at it is, that the buffer switch is called in order to pass the *input* stream to
the host, so that it can process the input into the output, and the output stream is passed to the driver
when the host has completed its process.
Parameter:
None
Returns:
Only if the above mentioned scenario is given, and a reduction of output latency can be achieved by
this mechanism, should ASE_OK be returned. Otherwise (and usually) ASE_NotPresent should be
returned in order to prevent further calls to this function. Note that the host may want to determine
if it can use this when the system is not yet fully initialized, so ASE_OK should always be returned
if the mechanism makes sense.
Notes: Please remember to adjust ASIOGetLatencies() according to whether ASIOOutputReady()
was ever called or not, if your driver supports this scenario. Also note that the engine may fail to
call ASIOOutputReady() in time in overload cases. As already mentioned, bufferSwitch should be
called for every block regardless of whether a block could be processed in time.

Page 21 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

5. Miscellaneous
-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOControlPanel(void);
Purpose:
Request the driver to start a control panel component for device specific user settings. This might
not be accessible on all platforms.
Parameter:
None.
Returns:
If no panel is available ASE_NotPresent will be returned. Actually, the return code is ignored.
Notes:
If the user applied settings which require a re-configuration of parts or all of the engine and/or
driver (such as a change of the block size), the asioMessage callback can be used (see
ASIOCallbacks).

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOError ASIOFuture(long selector, void *params);

Purpose:
various
Parameter:
selector
params

operation Code as to be defined. Zero is reserved for testing purposes.

depends on the selector; usually pointer to a structure for passing and
retrieving any type and amount of parameters.

Returns:
The return value is also selector dependent. If the selector is unknown, ASE_InvalidParameter
should be returned to prevent further calls with this selector. On success, ASE_SUCCESS must be
returned
Notes:
See selectors defined below.

Page 22 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

ASIOFuture() selectors:
kAsioEnableTimeCodeRead
kAsioDisableTimeCodeRead
Purpose:
Enable or Disable the time code reader if the hardware device supports time code.
Parameter:
None.
Returns:
ASE_SUCCESS if request is accepted or ASE_NotPresent otherwise
Note:
If the hardware/driver does not support time code reader facilities ASE_NotPresent should be
returned.
kAsioSetInputMonitor
Purpose:
Set the direct input monitoring state.
Parameter:
params

pointer to ASIOInputMonitor structure.

Returns:
ASE_SUCCESS if request is accepted or otherwise ASE_NotPresent
Note:
If the hardware does not support patching and mixing a straight 1 to 1 routing is suggested. The
driver should ignore all the information of ASIOInputMonitor it cannot deal with, usually
these might be either or all of output, gain, pan.
Output is the base channel of a stereo channel pair, i.e. output is always an even channel
(0,2,4...). If an odd input channel should be monitored and no panning or output routing can be
applied, the driver has to use the next higher output (imply a hard right pan).
struct ASIOInputMonitor
{
long
input;
long
output;
long
gain;

this input was set to monitor (or off), -1: all

suggested output for monitoring the input (if so)
suggested gain, ranging 0 - 0x7fffffffL (-inf to

+12
dB, 0x20000000 equals 0 dB)
ASIOBool state;
long
pan;
};

Page 23 of 50

ASIOTrue => on, ASIOFalse => off

suggested pan, 0 => left, 0x7fffffff => right

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

kAsioSetIoFormat
Purpose:
Set the I/O format of the device.
Parameter:
params

pointer to ASIOIoFormat structure.

Returns:
ASE_SUCCESS if request is accepted or otherwise ASE_NotPresent
Note:
See Appendix F for further details.
kAsioGetIoFormat
Purpose:
Get the I/O format of the device.
Parameter:
params

pointer to ASIOIoFormat structure.

Returns:
ASE_SUCCESS if request is accepted or otherwise ASE_NotPresent
Note:
See Appendix F for further details.

kAsioCanDoIoFormat
Purpose:
Query the device for support of the given I/O format.
Parameter:
params

pointer to ASIOIoFormat structure.

Returns:
ASE_SUCCESS if request is accepted or otherwise ASE_NotPresent
Note:
See Appendix F for further details.
kAsioCanReportOverload
Purpose:
Page 24 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

Query the driver if the device can detect overload conditions and report them back to the host. It
is not a constraint to support this, but we encourage driver implementors to do so, as we think
that the driver is the best place to do this. It is essential for users to know if overloads and thus
drop-outs in the audio stream occurred. If the driver doesnt provide this information, the host
has to implement some overload detection itself, which will most likely be inferior and less
reliable.
Parameter:
params

ignore

Returns:
ASE_SUCCESS if the driver detects overload conditions and will
report them to the host.
Note:
If the driver returns ASE_SUCCESS the host will switch off its own overload detection and
solely relies on the drivers reports.
Overloads are reported to the host via the AsioMessage() callback and the kAsioOverload
message selector.
kAsioGetInternalBufferSamples
Purpose:
Query the driver for the internal buffering of the device. Additionally to the by ASIO demanded
double buffer, driver designs might provide for even further internal buffering due to technical
constraints. Knowing this additional buffering may help the host in e.g. projecting the systems
performance headroom. Though it is not mandatory, but we encourage every driver
manufacturer to support kAsioGetInternalBufferSamples.
Parameter:
params

pointer to ASIOInternalBufferInfo structure..

Returns:
ASE_SUCCESS if ASIOInternalBufferInfo structure got filled up with
pertinent information. Returns ASE_InvalidParameter if not supported.
Note:
struct ASIOInternalBufferInfo
{
long inputSamples; // size of driver's internal input buffering which
is included in ASIOGetLatencies
long outputSamples; // size of driver's internal output buffering
which is included in ASIOGetLatencies
};

Page 25 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

6. Callbacks

-------------------------------------------------------------------void (*bufferSwitch) (long doubleBufferIndex, ASIOBool directProcess);

Purpose:
bufferSwitch indicates that both, input and output are to be processed.
Parameter:
doubleBufferIndex The current buffer half index (0 or 1) determines the output buffer that the
host should start to fill. The other buffer will be passed to output hardware
regardless of whether it got filled in time or not. The addressed input buffer is
now filled with incoming data. Note that because of the synchronicity of i/o,
the input always has at least one buffer latency in relation to the output.
directProcess

suggests to the host whether it should immediately start processing

(directProcess == ASIOTrue), or whether its process should be deferred
because the call comes from a very low level (for instance, a high level
priority interrupt), and direct processing would cause timing instabilities for
the rest of the system. If in doubt, directProcess should be set to ASIOFalse.

Returns:
No return value.
Notes:
bufferSwitch() may be called at interrupt time for highest efficiency.

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOTime* (*bufferSwitchTimeInfo) (ASIOTime* params, long doubleBufferIndex,

ASIOBool directProcess);
Purpose:
bufferSwitchTimeInfo indicates that both input and output are to be processed. It also passes
extended time information (time code for synchronization purposes) to the host application and
back to the driver.
Parameter:
params
doubleBufferIndex

Page 26 of 50

pointer to ASIOTime structure

The current buffer half index (0 or 1) determines the output buffer that the
host should start to fill. The other buffer will be passed to output hardware
regardless of whether it got filled in time or not. The addressed input buffer is
now filled with incoming data. Note that because of the synchronicity of i/o,
the input always has at least one buffer latency in relation to the output.

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

directProcess

suggests to the host whether it should immediately start processing

(directProcess == ASIOTrue), or whether its process should be deferred
because the call comes from a very low level (for instance, a high level
priority interrupt), and direct processing would cause timing instabilities for
the rest of the system. If in doubt, directProcess should be set to ASIOFalse.

Returns:
Pointer to ASIOTime structure with "output" time code information.
Notes:
bufferSwitchTimeInfo() may be called at interrupt time for highest efficiency.
This new callback with time info makes ASIOGetSamplePosition() and various calls to
ASIOGetSampleRate obsolete, and allows for timecode sync etc. Therefore it is the preferred
callback; it will be used if the driver successfully calls asioMessage with selector
kAsioSupportsTimeInfo.

struct ASIOTime {
long

reserved[4];

must be 0

AsioTimeInfo

timeInfo;

required

ASIOTimeCode

timeCode;

optional, evaluated if (timeCode.flags & kTcValid)

};

struct AsioTimeInfo {
double
speed;

absolute speed (1. = nominal)

ASIOTimeStamp

systemTime;

system time related to samplePosition, in nanoseconds

On Windows, must be derived from timeGetTime()

ASIOSamples

samplePosition;

sample position since ASIOStart()

ASIOSampleRate sampleRate;

current rate unsigned

long

flags;

see AsioTimeInfoFlags

char

reserved[12];

must be 0

};

Page 27 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

AsioTimeInfoFlags
kSystemTimeValid
kSamplePositionValid
kSampleRateValid
kSpeedValid
kSampleRateChanged
kClockSourceChanged

set if system time field is valid - must always be valid

set if sample position valid - must always be valid
set if sample rate field is valid
set if speed field is valid
set if sample rate changed in between callbacks
set if clock source changed in between callbacks

struct ASIOTimeCode {
double
speed;
ASIOSamples
long
char

speed relation (fraction of nominal speed) optional;

set to 0. or 1. if not supported
timeCodeSamples; time in samples unsigned
flags;
see ASIOTimeCodeFlags
future[64];
set to 0

};
ASIOTimeCodeFlags
kTcValid
kTcRunning
kTcReverse
kTcOnspeed
kTcStill
kTcSpeedValid

Page 28 of 50

set if time code data is valid

set if time code is running
set if reverse time code is detected
set if time code is on speed (optional)
set if still frame time code is received
set if speed field is valid

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

-------------------------------------------------------------------void (*sampleRateDidChange) (ASIOSampleRate sRate);

Purpose:
This callback will inform the host application that a sample rate change was detected (e.g. sample
rate status bit in an incoming S/PDIF or AES/EBU signal changes).
Parameter:
sRate

The detected sample rate. 0 when sample rate is not known (for instance,
clock loss when externally synchronized).

Returns:
No return value.
Notes:
The host application usually will just store the information. Actual action of the host application is
not specified.

-------------------------------------------------------------------long (*asioMessage) (long selector, long value, void* message, double* opt);
Purpose:
Generic callback use for various purposes, see selectors below.
Parameter:
selector

what kind of message is send.

value

single value. Specific to each selector as defined below.

message

message parameter. Specific to each selector as defined below.

opt

optional parameter. Specific to each selector as defined below.

Returns:
Specific to the selector, undefined selectors will return 0.
Notes:
This callback was not implemented in the first ASIO host implementation of Cubase VST 3.0 for
Macintosh, all other ASIO host application will have this callback.

Page 29 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

asioMessage selectors
kAsioSelectorSupported
Purpose:
Test whether the host application supports a specific selector.
Parameter:
value

selector to be test for.

Host Application Returns:

1L if selector is supported or 0 otherwise

kAsioEngineVersion
Purpose:
Ask the host application for its ASIO implementation.
Parameter:
None.
Host Application Returns:
Host ASIO implementation version, 2 or higher

kAsioResetRequest
Purpose:
Requests a driver reset. If accepted, this will close the driver (ASIOExit() ) and re-open it again
(ASIOInit() etc.) at the next "safe" time (usually during the application IDLE time). Some
drivers need to reconfigure for instance when the sample rate changes, or some basic changes
have been made in ASIOControlPanel().
Parameter:
None.
Host Application Returns:
Return value is always 1L.
Note:
The request is merely passed to the application, there is no way to determine if it gets accepted
at this time (but it usually will be).

Page 30 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

kAsioBufferSizeChange
Purpose:
Informs the application that the driver has a new preferred buffer size.
Parameter:
value

new buffer size.

Host Application Returns:

1L if request is accepted or 0 otherwise
Note:
If the request is not accepted but the buffer size changed, the driver should send
kAsioResetRequest.

kAsioResyncRequest
Purpose:
The driver went out of sync, such that the timestamp is no longer valid. This is a request to restart the engine and slave devices (sequencer).
Parameter:
None.
Host Application Returns:
1L if request is accepted or 0 otherwise

kAsioLatenciesChanged
Purpose:
Informs the application that the driver's latencies have changed. The engine will re-fetch the
latencies.
Parameter:
None.
Host Application Returns:
Returns always 1L if the selector is supported is accepted or 0 otherwise

Page 31 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

kAsioSupportsTimeInfo
Purpose:
Ask the application whether it supports the bufferSwitchTimeInfo() callback.
Parameter:
None.
Host Application Returns:
1L if bufferSwitchTimeInfo() is supported or 0 otherwise

kAsioSupportsTimeCode
Purpose:
Ask the application whether it supports time code reading in the bufferSwitchTimeInfo()
callback.
Parameter:
None.
Host Application Returns:
1L if time code reading is supported or 0 otherwise
Note:
This requires that the bufferSwitchTimeInfo() callback is supported by the host application.

kAsioOverload
Purpose:
Notify the host that the driver detected an overload condition, i.e. an interrupt or drop-out in the
audio stream.
Parameter:
None.
Host Application Returns:
Nothing, respectively the return value can be ignored
Note:
It is not mandatory for a driver to send overload messages unless previously the driver returned
ASE_SUCCESS to kAsioCanReportOverload during an ASIOFuture() call.

Page 32 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

7. Type definitions
-------------------------------------------------------------------Sample Types
1. Big Endian formats
The basic types, sample data is left aligned in the data word. The most significant Byte of the data
word is stored first in memory.
ASIOSTInt16MSB

16 bit data word (fewer than 16 bits are not supported)

ASIOSTInt24MSB

This is the packed 24 bit format. 2 data words will spawn consecutive 6
bytes in memory. (Used for 18 and 20 bits as well, if they use this packed
format)

ASIOSTInt32MSB

This format should also be used for 24 bit data, if the sample data is left
aligned. Lowest 8 bit should be reset or dithered whatever the
hardware/software provides.

ASIOSTFloat32MSB

IEEE 754 32 bit float, as found on PowerPC implementation

ASIOSTFloat64MSB

IEEE 754 64 bit double float, as found on PowerPC implementation

Right aligned variations of the ASIOSTInt32MSB data type.

These are used for 32 bit data transfers with different alignment of the sample data inside the 32 bit
data word. This supports right aligned sample data in the 32-bit data word, most significant bits
should be sign extended. (32 bit PCI bus systems can be more easily used with these)
ASIOSTInt32MSB16

sample data fills the least significant 16 bits, the other bits are sign extended

ASIOSTInt32MSB18

sample data fills the least significant 18 bits, the other bits are sign extended

ASIOSTInt32MSB20

sample data fills the least significant 20 bits, the other bits are sign extended

ASIOSTInt32MSB24

sample data fills the least significant 24 bits, the other bits are sign extended

Page 33 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

2. Little Endian formats

The basic types, sample data is left aligned in the container. The least significant Byte of the data
word is stored first in memory.
ASIOSTInt16LSB

16 bit data word

ASIOSTInt24LSB

This is the packed 24 bit format. 2 data words will spawn consecutive 6
bytes in memory. (Used for 18 and 20 bits as well, if they use this packed
format)

ASIOSTInt32LSB

This format should also be used for 24 bit data, if the sample data is left
aligned. Lowest 8 bit should be reset or dithered whatever the
hardware/software provides.

ASIOSTFloat32LSB

IEEE 754 32 bit float, as found on Intel x86 architecture

ASIOSTFloat64LSB

IEEE 754 64 bit double float, as found on Intel x86 architecture

Right aligned variations of the ASIOSTInt32LSB data type.

These are used for 32 bit data transfers with different alignment of the sample data inside the 32 bit
data word. This supports right aligned sample data in the 32-bit data word, most significant bits
should be sign extended. (32 bit PCI bus systems can be more easily used with these)
ASIOSTInt32LSB16

32 bit data with 16 bit sample data right aligned

ASIOSTInt32LSB18

32 bit data with 18 bit sample data right aligned

ASIOSTInt32LSB20

32 bit data with 20 bit sample data right aligned

ASIOSTInt32LSB24

32 bit data with 24 bit sample data right aligned

Page 34 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

3. Sony DSD formats

See Appendix F for further explanations.
ASIOSTDSDInt8LSB1 DSD 1 bit data, 8 samples per byte. First sample in Least significant bit.
ASIOSTDSDInt8MSB1 DSD 1 bit data, 8 samples per byte. First sample in Most significant bit.
ASIOSTDSDInt8NER8 DSD 8 bit data, 1 sample per byte. No Endianness required.

Page 35 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOSamples ASIOTimeStamp
Number of samples - data type is 64-bit integer
Timestamp data type is 64-bit integer. The Time format is Nanoseconds.
Note:
The 64 bit data is passed via a structure with two 32-bit values.
struct {
unsigned long hi; // most significant bits (Bits 32..63)
unsigned long lo; // least significant bits (Bits 0..31)
};
Unfortunately the ASIO API was implemented it before compiler supported consistently 64 bit
integer types. By using the structure the data layout on a little-endian system like the Intel x86
architecture will result in a "non native" storage of the 64 bit data. The most significant 32 bit are
stored first in memory, the least significant bits are stored in the higher memory space. However
each 32 bit is stored in the native little-endian fashion.
-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOSampleRate
Sample rates are expressed in IEEE 754 64 bit double float, native format as host computer
-------------------------------------------------------------------ASIOBool ASIOFalse
indicates a false value
ASIOTrue
indicates a true value

Error codes
ASE_OK
ASE_SUCCESS
ASE_NotPresent
ASE_HWMalfunction
ASE_InvalidParameter
ASE_InvalidMode
ASE_SPNotAdvancing
ASE_NoClock
ASE_NoMemory

Page 36 of 50

This value will be returned whenever the call succeeded

unique success return value for ASIOFuture calls
hardware input or output is not present or available
hardware is malfunctioning (can be returned by any ASIO function)
input parameter invalid
hardware is in a bad mode or used in a bad mode
hardware is not running when sample position is inquired
sample clock or rate cannot be determined or is not present
not enough memory for completing the request

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

IV. Host Utility API Reference

1. AsioDrivers Class
The AsioDrivers class implements the unified driver enumeration and instantiation on the different
OS platforms. However the implementation is currently limited to one active driver. Also it implies
that a driver names will have max. 32 characters including the terminating '\\0'.
AsioDrivers();
~AsioDrivers();
Constructor/Destructor for the driver manager class
------------------------------------------------------------------bool loadDriver(char *name);
Purpose:
Instantiates an ASIO driver. Loads the driver executable into memory and resolves any OS specific
linkage between the host application executable and the driver executable. The driver will be
accessed via the global pointer theAsioDriver from inside "asio.cpp".
Parameter:
name

name of the driver to load, name is to be obtained from getDriverNames().

Returns:
Returns true if the driver was instantiated successfully, false
otherwise.
-------------------------------------------------------------------long getDriverNames(char **names, long maxDrivers);
Purpose:
Retrieves the names of the available drivers for the host
application.
Parameter:
names

an array of strings with up to 32 character each.

maxDrivers

number of entries in the names array.

Returns:
Returns the number of filled entries of the names array. The value 0 described the fact that no driver
is available.

Page 37 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

-------------------------------------------------------------------bool getCurrentDriverName(char *name);

Purpose:
Retrieves the name of the currently instantiated driver.
Parameter:
name

an array with space for 32 characters.

Returns:
Returns true if a driver is currently instantiated, false if no driver is instantiated.
-------------------------------------------------------------------long getCurrentDriverIndex();
Purpose:
Retrieves the index into the names array of the currently instantiated driver. See getDriverNames().
Parameter:
None.
Returns:
Returns index into the names array. If no driver is instantiated -1 will be returned.
-------------------------------------------------------------------void removeCurrentDriver();
Purpose:
Removes the currently instantiated driver from memory any further access to the driver will be
denied.
Parameter:
None.
Returns:
None.
Note:
Successful removal of the driver is implied, even if no driver was instantiated.

Page 38 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

V. Appendix
A. Using the bufferSwitchTimeInfo() callback
It is recommended to use the new method with time info even if the ASIO device does not support
timecode; continuous calls to ASIOGetSamplePosition() and ASIOGetSampleRate() are avoided,
and there is a defined relationship between callback time and the time info.
See the example code for a driver on the next page.
To initiate time info mode, after you have received the callbacks pointer in ASIOCreateBuffers(),
you will call the asioMessage() callback with kAsioSupportsTimeInfo as the argument. If this
returns 1, the host has accepted time info mode. Now the host expects the new callback
bufferSwitchTimeInfo to be used instead of the old bufferSwitch method. The ASIOTime structure
is assumed to be valid and accessible until the callback returns.

Using time code:

If the device supports reading time code, it will call the host's asioMessage() callback with
kAsioSupportsTimeCode as the selector. It may then fill the according fields and set the kTcValid
flag.
The host will call the future method with the kAsioEnableTimeCodeRead selector when it wants to
enable or disable time-code reading by the device.

Note:
The AsioTimeInfo/ASIOTimeCode pair is supposed to work in both directions. As a matter of
convention, the relationship between the sample position counter and the time code at buffer switch
time is (ignoring offset between time-code and sample position when time-code is running):
on input:
on output:

sample 0 -> input buffer sample 0 -> time code 0

sample 0 -> output buffer sample 0 -> time code 0

This means that for 'real' calculations, one has to take into account the according latencies.

Page 39 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

Example:
ASIOTime asioTime;
in createBuffers() {
memset(&asioTime, 0, sizeof(ASIOTime));
AsioTimeInfo* ti = &asioTime.timeInfo;
ti->sampleRate = theSampleRate;
ASIOTimeCode* tc = &asioTime.timeCode;
tc->speed = 1.; tc->frameRate = AsioFPS_30;
// frame rate
timeInfoMode = false;
canTimeCode = false;
if(callbacks->asioMessage(kAsioSupportsTimeInfo, 0, 0, 0) == 1) {
timeInfoMode = true;
#if kCanTimeCode
if(callbacks->asioMessage(kAsioSupportsTimeCode, 0, 0, 0) == 1)
canTimeCode = true;
#endif
}
}
void switchBuffers(long doubleBufferIndex, bool processNow) {
if(timeInfoMode) {
AsioTimeInfo* ti = &asioTime.timeInfo;
ti->flags = kSystemTimeValid | kSamplePositionValid | kSampleRateValid;
ti->systemTime = theNanoSeconds;
ti->samplePosition = theSamplePosition;
if(ti->sampleRate != theSampleRate)
ti->flags |= kSampleRateChanged;
ti->sampleRate = theSampleRate;
#if kCanTimeCode
if(canTimeCode && timeCodeEnabled) {
ASIOTimeCode* tc = &asioTime.timeCode;
tc->timeCodeSamples = tcSamples;
tc->flags = kTcValid | kTcRunning;
// if so...
}
ASIOTime* bb = callbacks->bufferSwitchTimeInfo(&asioTime,
doubleBufferIndex, processNow ? ASIOTrue : ASIOFalse);
#else
callbacks->bufferSwitchTimeInfo(&asioTime, doubleBufferIndex, processNow ?
ASIOTrue : ASIOFalse);
#endif
} else
callbacks->bufferSwitch(doubleBufferIndex, ASIOFalse);
}

Page 40 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

ASIOError ASIOFuture(long selector, void *params) {

switch(selector) {
case kAsioEnableTimeCodeRead:
timeCodeEnabled = true;
return ASE_SUCCESS;
case kAsioDisableTimeCodeRead:
timeCodeEnabled = false;
return ASE_SUCCESS;
}
return ASE_NotPresent;
};

Page 41 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

B. ASIOGetLatencies() vs. Sample Placement

This appendix covers the actual meaning of the latency values for ASIOGetLatencies(). To ease the
understanding of these latencies the first sample inside the audio data buffer of the bufferSwitch()
callback is used as reference into the continuous stream of audio samples.
The latency is required by the application to align the incoming audio data to the outgoing audio
data to the outside world. The application considers the audio data as continuous stream of samples.
It has to send the output data ahead of time to the driver in order to have the right samples at the
output at the right time. The incoming audio data needs to be placed at the appropriate position
during recording.
Below is a sample situation when a sample at sample position 256 is examined. The audio
driver/hardware reports an output latency of 230 samples and an input latency of 239 samples.
Output
---------------*
Buffers | 128
| 256 | 384 | 512 | ....
Input
*----------| will occur at position 495 in the stream

The output sample will appear at the output with a delay of 230 samples. Therefore it needs to be
placed by the application into the audio buffer at position 26.
Input signal at sample position 256 will appear at sample position 495 inside the audio buffers.
Since the driver informed the application about this delay it can place the input signal in relation to
its internal time line (time reference).

Output latency:
The output latency specifies the time in number sample frames a sample will reach the output after
it was passed from the application to the driver in an audio data buffer during a buffer switch. In
order to provide the correct latency value for ASIOGetLatencies() you have to perform the
following calculation:
(number of queued audio buffers * size of buffer) + hardware dependent latency
In case the hardware implements a double buffer and accesses the same memory as the
application/driver data buffer usually one audio buffer is queued up, only the hardware dependent
latency as found in digital transmitter or DAC's needs to be added to the audio buffer size.
If the hardware has to copy the data from the ASIO data buffers to another buffer you should look
at ASIOOutputReady() whether you can use this notification mechanism to keep one audio data
buffer as fixed latency.

Page 42 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

Input latency:
The input latency specifies the number of sample frames an incoming audio sample is passed to the
application during a buffer switch callback.
(number of queued audio buffers * size of buffer) + hardware dependent latency
In case the hardware implements a double buffer and accesses the same memory as the
application/driver data buffer usually one audio buffer is queued up, only the hardware dependent
latency as found in digital receivers or ADC's needs to be added to the audio buffer size.
In order to reduce the input latency if the driver needs to copy the audio data to the ASIO data
buffer, the copy operation should be executed immediately before the bufferSwitch() callback.

Note: The latency is always constant for a specific driver/hardware combination and audio data
buffer size. It is not affected by the time the buffer switch callback is actually issued and it does not
reflect the time the samples of the current bufferSwitch() callback will require to pass through the
system. This is due to the fact that the audio stream is continuously processed and the audio data
buffer of each buffer switch is adjacently joined to audio data from the previous buffer switch.

Page 43 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

C. Driver Test Methods

1. Audio input to output placement (bounce)
Recording audio output to input should be placed on time (+/- 1 ms)
1. Make sure that the output is routed back to the input. (outboard connection or patchbay)
2. In Cubase VST place a test signal (preferably a single impulse) 1 bar right to the left locator.
3. Move the song position 1 bar before the left locator.
4. Activate Auto-Punch In record
5. Start playback, when the song position reaches the left locator recording will start.
6. Stop after some time
7. Check that the recorded signal is placed at the same time as the source signal
Whenever the recorded signal is not aligned with the source signal, the input and/or output latency
has to be refined.

2. Audio to MIDI sync (Audio click/MIDI click and output latency)

Similar test as above, however a MIDI tone generator created signal should be recorded, too. We
suggest a stereo recording of left channel returned audio playback and right channel from the MIDI
tone generator. As audio source the audio click and for the MIDI tone generator the MIDI click can
be used (both can be found in the Metronome setting window of Cubase VST).
If MIDI and audio are not aligned, please check. the ASIOGetLatency results. Please note that
common tone generators like Yamaha MU-80 or Roland Sound Canvas have an inherent 5 ms delay
between the computer sending a MIDI event and the sound appearing at the tone modules output.
Therefore it is sufficient if the audio and MIDI signal are aligned with a deviation of 5 ms. If the
deviation looks more like a multiple of the audio buffer size, an incorrect result of ASIOGetLatency
is likely.

3. MIDI timing stability

Same test as above. Use Audio click as signal for the audio hardware (Metronome Dialog)
MIDI sound generator created audio events should deviate within +/- 2 ms from the audio click. If
MIDI notes are out of range, please check the results of ASIOGetSamplePosition(), also check that
the driver does not influence the systems reference timer or blocks the system for too long in other
ways.

Page 44 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

4. MIDI/Audio drift
Same test as above. Use Audio click as signal for the audio hardware (Metronome Dialog) MIDI
notes and audio clicks should not move apart. If they do, the timestamp/sample-position result from
ASIOGetSamplePos() needs to be checked.
1. MIDI/Audio offset
2. Stereo recording left channel audio click/right MIDI click
3. Bus assignment
4. Open last and first output/input bus and check for the right routing

Page 45 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

D. Platform/OS Differences
MacOS 8/9
Beginning with ASIO 2.3 support for MacOS 8/9 got dropped.
Windows
1. ASIO bufferSwitch() is usually implemented in its own thread, created by the driver. Thread
execution is either invoked by event notification from the kernel driver or by issuing an APC in the
thread context. The driver should set an appropriate high priority for the thread.
Starting with Windows Vista, Microsoft introduced the Multimedia Class Scheduler Service
(MMCSS). On Windows Vista or any newer Windows version, ASIO driver threads must be in the
Pro Audio class of MMCSS and their priority set to CRITICAL. This guarantees the highest
execution priority for the bufferSwitch().
It lies within the sole responsibility of the ASIO driver to set the priorities of the threads it owns.
An ASIO host shall by no means alter these priorities.
2. It is advised that the driver provides enough audio buffer size choices to avoid audio dropouts on
a busy system. Due to the implementation of the thread scheduler in Windows 95/98 low priority
threads can block the high priority callback thread. The time quantum is between 15 and 19 ms. We
observed that a buffer size of around 50 ms (2048 samples at 48 kHz sample rate) will provide
enough head room to avoid drop outs on a heavy loaded system. Though higher buffer sizes might
be required depending on the constraints of the driver. The driver can implement smaller audio
buffer sizes if the user can select them.
3. Win16Mutex contention should be avoided. Please keep in mind that calling the Win16 sub
system can block thread execution for a long time. Several Windows 95/98 sub-systems like GDI
and the window management are implemented in the Win16 sub-system which is secured against
re-entrancy by the Win16Mutex. Graphic animations like the "fading" Tool Tips will execute for
their entire duration in the Win16 sub system and can halt the Win16Mutex for a very long time
(we observed durations of up to 1.5 s). Therefore it is necessary to avoid Win16 sub system calls in
the driver threads.
4. On Windows the time reference for the timestamp is the multimedia timer, timeGetTime(), with
a resolution of 1 ms. The time base for this timer can be obtained at the kernel level with the
VMMCall GetSytemTime or GetUpdatedSystemTimeAddress.
5. The asioMessage() callback will be present for all Windows ASIO host applications. The initial
Macintosh ASIO host application, Cubase VST 3.0 for Macintosh, did not provide this callback.

Page 46 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

E. AsioDriver class for the driver implementation

class AsioDriver {
public:
AsioDriver(); ~AsioDriver();
ASIOBool init(void *);
void getDriverName(char *name);
long getDriverVersion();
void getErrorMessage(char *string);
ASIOError start();
ASIOError stop();
ASIOError getChannels(long *numInputChannels, long *numOutputChannels);
ASIOError getLatencies(long *inputLatency, long *outputLatency);
ASIOError getBufferSize(long *minSize, long *maxSize, long *preferredSize, long *granularity);
ASIOError canSampleRate(ASIOSampleRate sampleRate);
ASIOError getSampleRate(ASIOSampleRate *sampleRate);
ASIOError setSampleRate(ASIOSampleRate sampleRate);
ASIOError getClockSources(ASIOClockSource *clocks, long *numSources);
ASIOError setClockSource(long reference);
ASIOError getSamplePosition(ASIOSamples *sPos, ASIOTimeStamp *tStamp);
ASIOError getChannelInfo(ASIOChannelInfo *info);
ASIOError createBuffers(ASIOBufferInfo *bufferInfos, long numChannels,
long bufferSize, ASIOCallbacks *callbacks);
ASIOError disposeBuffers();
ASIOError controlPanel();
ASIOError future(long selector,void *opt);
ASIOError outputReady();
};

Differences to the ASIO C interface

Nearly all member functions match the ASIO-API name with the ASIO-prefix removed. The
exceptions are:
AsioDriver()
The constructor will actually just perform any system dependent tasks. On Windows it is actually
the constructor for the COM object of the driver. See the separate documentation about the COM
specific details on the Windows platform.
init(), getDriverName(), getDriverVersion()
These three member functions are a split up version of the ASIOInit() call. However not all
parameter of the ASIOInit() call are provided.
Missing are asioVersion and driverVersion from the ASIODriverInfo.
init(void *sysRef) receives on Windows the applications frame window handle.
Since the driver can not determine the host applications ASIO version until it receives the
Page 47 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

ASIOCallbacks structure via the createBuffers() method, it has to assume ASIO 1.0 compliance.
During the createBuffers() call the driver can query the host for its version via asioMessage with
the kAsioEngineVersion selector.
~AsioDriver()
The desctructor implies ASIOExit(). The driver will not receive the ASIOExit() call, instead the
destructor will be invoked.

Page 48 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

F. Sony DSD Support

Definition by Steinberg/Sony Oxford
1. DSD operation and buffer layout
We have tried to treat DSD as PCM and so keep a consistent structure across the ASIO interface.
DSD's sample rate is normally referenced as a multiple of 44.1Khz, so the standard sample rate is
referred to as 64Fs (or 2.8224Mhz). We looked at making a special case for DSD and adding a field
to the ASIOFuture that would allow the user to select the Over Sampling Rate (OSR) as a separate
entity but decided in the end just to treat it as a simple value of 2.8224Mhz and use the standard
interface to set it.
The second problem was the "word" size, in PCM the word size is always a greater than or equal to
8 bits (a byte). This makes life easy as we can then pack the samples into the "natural" size for the
machine. In DSD the "word" size is 1 bit. This is not a major problem and can easily be dealt with if
we ensure that we always deal with a multiple of 8 samples.
DSD brings with it another twist to the endianness religion. How are the samples packed into the
byte. It would be nice to just say the most significant bit is always the first sample, however there
would then be a performance hit on little endian machines. Looking at how some of the processing
goes...
Little endian machines like the first sample to be in the Least Significant Bit,
this is because when you write it to memory the data is in the correct format to be shifted in
and out of the words.
Big endian machine prefer the first sample to be in the Most Significant Bit,
again for the same reason.
And just when things were looking really muddy there is a proposed extension to DSD that uses 8
bit word sizes. It does not care what endianness you use.
2. Some notes on how to use ASIOIoFormatType.
The caller will fill the format with the request types. If the board can do the request then it will leave
the values unchanged. If the board does not support the request then it will change that entry to
Invalid (-1).
So to request DSD then:
ASIOIoFormat NeedThis={kASIODSDFormat};
if(ASE_SUCCESS != ASIOFuture(kAsioSetIoFormat,&NeedThis) )
{
If the driver did not accept one of the parameters then the whole call will fail and the failing
parameter will have had its value changes to -1.
}
Note: Switching between the formats need to be done before the "prepared" state (see ASIO 2 finite
state machine) is entered.
Page 49 of 50

Steinberg Audio Streaming Input Output Specification




 

G. Microsoft Windows 64 bit

Definition by Cakewalk / Steinberg
On Windows 64 bit systems with WOW6432 ASIO will work for both 32 bit and 64 bit host
applications. It is required that an ASIO drivers COM portion is available as 32 bit and 64 bit
binary.
A 32 bit host application will query the 32 bit Windows registry portion (Wow6432). A 64 bit host
application will query the normal Windows registry.
An ASIO driver is required to be available as 32 bit and 64 bit COM implementation. This will
ensure compatibility for 32 bit and 64 bit host applications on Windows 64 systems.

The Windows Registry

The 64 bit ASIO driver needs to add the following entries to the Registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ASIO
The 32 bit ASIO driver needs to add the following entries to the Registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \Software\Wow6432Node\ASIO
If the driver uses DllRegisterServer/DllUnregisterServer (like register.cpp in the SDK) for adding
itself to the Registry, Windows will automatically places the information in the right registry
locations.
If the driver uses a registry file .reg, the registry file need to contain information for
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ASIO
and
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \Software\Wow6432Node\ASIO
Windows will take care about selecting the appropiate Registry information for 32 bit and 64 bit
host applications.
Info:

The CLSID of the driver can be identical for the 32 bit and the 64 bit driver.
Both 32 bit and 64 bit registry entries will use the InprocServer32 value. There is no
InprocServer64 value.

Page 50 of 50