About Virtual Audio Driver
Virtual Audio Driver is a powerful software solution that creates virtual audio devices for Windows systems. It allows you to create a virtual speaker output device and a virtual microphone input device, both of which function just like physical audio hardware but exist only in software.
Perfect for headless servers, remote desktop streaming, audio testing, and advanced audio routing scenarios, this driver gives you complete flexibility in handling audio without being limited by physical hardware constraints. The user-mode driver design ensures system stability while providing professional-grade audio capabilities.
Currently in beta but actively maintained, Virtual Audio Driver is an open-source project under the MIT license, making it completely free to use, modify, and integrate into your own projects.
Key Features
Virtual Audio Devices
Create virtual speaker output and microphone input devices that Windows recognizes just like physical audio hardware.
Flexible Audio Formats
Support for 8-bit to 32-bit audio with sampling rates from 8,000 Hz to 192,000 Hz, including quality presets like "Telephone Quality" and "Studio Quality."
Windows Sonic Integration
Full support for Windows Sonic spatial sound, providing immersive audio experiences for compatible applications.
Exclusive Mode Support
Applications can take exclusive control of the virtual audio devices for the highest quality and lowest latency audio processing.
Per-Application Volume
Control the volume of different applications independently, giving you granular control over your audio environment.
User Mode Operation
Operates in user mode rather than kernel mode for improved system stability and security without sacrificing performance.
Supported Audio Formats
Virtual Audio Driver supports a wide range of audio formats to meet various use cases, from low-quality telephony to professional studio recording. Here are the main format configurations available:
| Quality Level | Bit Depth | Sample Rate | Channels | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telephone Quality | 8-bit | 8,000 Hz | Mono | Voice chat, VoIP applications |
| Standard Quality | 16-bit | 44,100 Hz | Stereo | Music playback, general use |
| High Quality | 24-bit | 96,000 Hz | Stereo | Audio production, gaming |
| Studio Quality | 32-bit | 192,000 Hz | Multi-channel | Professional audio work, mastering |
Common Use Cases
Podcasting & Streaming
Route audio between applications, capture system sounds, and create custom audio mixes for professional streaming and podcast production.
Headless Servers
Enable audio capabilities on servers without physical audio hardware, perfect for remote desktop and virtual machine scenarios.
Software Development
Test audio applications without requiring physical audio devices, making development and debugging more efficient.
Gaming & VR
Create advanced audio routing setups for gaming, especially useful for streamers who need to separate game audio from communication channels.
System Requirements
Minimum Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 (Build 1903+) or Windows 11
- Architecture: x64 (tested), ARM64 compatible
- Disk Space: 20 MB available space
- Memory: Minimal impact on system RAM
Compatibility Notes
- Audio Software: Compatible with most audio applications
- Streaming: Works with OBS, StreamLabs, XSplit
- VoIP: Compatible with Discord, Teams, Zoom
- DAWs: Works with most digital audio workstations
Community & Support
Virtual Audio Driver is maintained by a community of developers led by MikeTheTech. We encourage user feedback, contributions, and feature requests to continually improve the software.