DownLoadable Samples. A standard which allows multimedia games or other programs to contain samples which would be downloaded to the playback hardware. This is a hybrid between streaming digital audio (direct audio from CD-ROM, for example) and MIDI, which alters predefined sounds. DLS is an attempt to solve the problems inherent in the ambiguity of the GM specification and the somewhat random sounds produced by the playback hardware. DLS-1 specifies: 16-zone multisampled soundbanks with 128 zones for drum banks, pitch-shifting, ADSR for amplitude and pitch, and LFO for amplitude or pitch. DLS-1 was ratified by the MMA in 1997. See DLS-2.