Summary

Default configuration of JavaSound cannot be customized.

Problem

There is no way to provide location of "sound.properties", which is by default located in the jdk/conf folder. For the similar purpose for logging the next property is used: "java.util.logging.config.file" which points to "logging.properties"

Solution

The new optional "javax.sound.config.file" system property can be added, which specified default location of the "sound.properties".

Specification

 src/java.desktop/share/classes/javax/sound/midi/MidiSystem.java

  * Properties can be used to specify default MIDI devices. Both system
  * properties and a properties file are considered. The "sound.properties"
  * properties file is read from an implementation-specific location (typically
- * it is the {@code conf} directory in the Java installation directory). If a
+ * it is the {@code conf} directory in the Java installation directory).
+ * The optional "javax.sound.config.file" system property can be used to specify
+ * the properties file that will be read as the initial configuration. If a
  * property exists both as a system property and in the properties file, the

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src/java.desktop/share/classes/javax/sound/sampled/AudioSystem.java

  * Both system properties and a properties file are considered. The
  * "sound.properties" properties file is read from an implementation-specific
  * location (typically it is the {@code conf} directory in the Java installation
- * directory). If a property exists both as a system property and in the
+ * directory). The optional "javax.sound.config.file" system property can be
+ * used to specify the properties file that will be read as the initial
+ * configuration. If a property exists both as a system property and in the
  * properties file, the system property takes precedence. If none is specified,

Reference for convenience http://cr.openjdk.java.net/~serb/8201279/webrev.02/