Abstract: A two-way audio communication system is designed to allow basic audio communication between two users on a common computer network. The audio communication system of the present invention is designed to work in the background of the computer, so the user can work on other software applications simultaneously. In a half-duplex embodiment (i.e., only one user can talk at a time), if at least two users try to talk at the same time, an arbitration scheme is employed to settle the dispute. The winner of the arbitration can send a message, and the loser's message is discarded. The communication system reduces the time delay between when a message is sent on one end, and received at the other. In addition, the system provides for high quality audio reproduction of the message on the other end by minimizing the number of audible gaps or other artifacts transmitted along with the message.