The SndObj Sound Object Library is a C++ object-oriented audio processingframework and toolkit. This article initially examines some of the currentlyavailable sound processing packages, including sound compilers, programminglibraries and toolkits. It reviews the processes involved in the use ofthese systems and their strengths and weaknesses. Some application examplesare also provided. In this context, the SndObj library is presented and itscomponents are discussed in detail. The article shows the library ascomposed of a set of classes that encapsulate all processes involved insynthesis, processing and IO operations. Programming examples are includedto show some uses of the system. These, together with library binaries,source code and complete documentation, are included in the downloadablepackage, available on the Internet. Possible future developments andapplications are considered. The library is demonstrated to provide auseful base for research and development of audio processing software.