# reAL: a dsound.dll checked against Windows and ALchemy

> A drop-in dsound.dll that reimplements Creative ALchemy and DirectSound behavior, including DirectMusic pieces the README names. ./build.sh builds the DLL and runs the native unit tests. The README says comparisons with Microsoft's DLLs are line-by-line and event-by-event.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Binary
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-04
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/PlayNeth/reAL>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/PlayNeth/reAL/blob/b68e4d12c526c0155af702e92b95dcf78c0e790b/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/real-dsound-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/real-dsound-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/real-dsound-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** ./build.sh builds dsound.dll, the tracers, the test programs, and runs the native unit tests. The README says the repository contains no Creative or Microsoft code or binaries, so a comparison with those DLLs needs the DLLs from a Windows install.
- **Scope:** The README describes DirectSound answers checked against Windows 7, and SetFX effects it calls bit-exact ports of Microsoft's effects. It also describes an optional HRTF path. The built-in set is the MIT KEMAR measurements it credits.
- **Testing evidence:** The README says test programs are run against both implementations and their output is compared line by line, and that offline captures are compared event by event. It names tests/comcmp.sh and tests/fuzzcmp.py.
- **License:** LICENSE is the MIT License, copyright 2026 Neth. The README says ALchemy is copyright Creative Technology.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/PlayNeth/reAL/blob/b68e4d12c526c0155af702e92b95dcf78c0e790b/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/PlayNeth/reAL/blob/b68e4d12c526c0155af702e92b95dcf78c0e790b/build.sh>
3. <https://github.com/PlayNeth/reAL/blob/b68e4d12c526c0155af702e92b95dcf78c0e790b/LICENSE>

## More in Native binaries

- [Konami's Game Master: a matching MSX utility-cartridge disassembly](https://awesomerea.org/resources/konamis-game-master-disassembly-case/index.md) · Case study
- [dolnetbp: reconstructing GameCube network SDK libraries](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dolnetbp-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Dolphin SDK 2004 Libraries: decompiling GameCube SDK archives](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dolphin-sdk-2004-libraries-case/index.md) · Case study
- [dolsocketlibrary: reconstructing Dolphin networking libraries](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dolsocketlibrary-case/index.md) · Case study
- [open_rvl: decompiling the Wii SDK used in Wii Sports](https://awesomerea.org/resources/open-rvl-sdk-case/index.md) · Case study
- [NW Eft: decompiling the Wii U NintendoWare Eft library](https://awesomerea.org/resources/nw4f-eft-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.