downloadable sounds (MIDI) (DLS)

Downloadable Sounds(DLS) are standardized sound files of musical instruments, sound effects and dialogs used by musicians, composers and game developers to create soundscapes.

MIDI files with the downloadable DLS files are ideal for composers who want to have predictable playback or digital audio, but at the same time want the compactness and interactivity of standard MIDI files.

DLS files ensure that playback achieves the same sound on fully-comman different audio devices. A DLS-compatible synthesizer thus becomes an interactive device that produces the sound intended by the composer.

The DLS Level 1 specifications describe the necessary synthesizer architecture required to play DLS files. Later specifications target the advanced functions and features and are aware of different synthesizer functions.