Switch away from DirectSound.

[SiegeLord]

It's a pain to install, and has been so for some time. XAudio2 appears to be a replacement?

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/xaudio2/xaudio2-introduction

[fatcerberus]

It's a pain to install

Wait, it's not included in a stock Windows install anymore?

[ReiquelApplegate]

How big of a pain are we talking? Do we have steps listed anywhere?