diff --git a/juce_amalgamated.cpp b/juce_amalgamated.cpp
index eaec33c9aa..6816d42c5f 100644
--- a/juce_amalgamated.cpp
+++ b/juce_amalgamated.cpp
@@ -435,45 +435,42 @@
  #pragma warning (pop)
 #endif
 
-template <class T>
+template <class ComClass>
 class ComSmartPtr
 {
 public:
-	ComSmartPtr() throw() : p (0)			   {}
-	ComSmartPtr (T* const p_) : p (p_)		  { if (p_ != 0) p_->AddRef(); }
-	ComSmartPtr (const ComSmartPtr<T>& p_) : p (p_.p)   { if (p != 0) p->AddRef(); }
-	~ComSmartPtr()					  { if (p != 0) p->Release(); }
+	ComSmartPtr() throw() : p (0)				   {}
+	ComSmartPtr (ComClass* const p_) : p (p_)		   { if (p_ != 0) p_->AddRef(); }
+	ComSmartPtr (const ComSmartPtr<ComClass>& p_) : p (p_.p)	{ if (p != 0) p->AddRef(); }
+	~ComSmartPtr()						  { if (p != 0) p->Release(); }
 
-	operator T*() const throw()	 { return p; }
-	T& operator*() const throw()	{ return *p; }
-	T** operator&() throw()	 { return &p; }
-	T* operator->() const throw()   { return p; }
+	operator ComClass*() const throw()	 { return p; }
+	ComClass& operator*() const throw()	{ return *p; }
+	ComClass** operator&() throw()	 { return &p; }
+	ComClass* operator->() const throw()   { return p; }
 
-	T* operator= (T* const newP)
+	ComClass* operator= (ComClass* const newP)
 	{
-		if (newP != 0)
-			newP->AddRef();
-
-		if (p != 0)
-			p->Release();
-
+		if (newP != 0)  newP->AddRef();
+		if (p != 0)	 p->Release();
 		p = newP;
 		return newP;
 	}
 
-	T* operator= (const ComSmartPtr<T>& newP)  { return operator= (newP.p); }
+	ComClass* operator= (const ComSmartPtr<ComClass>& newP)  { return operator= (newP.p); }
 
-	HRESULT CoCreateInstance (REFCLSID rclsid, DWORD dwClsContext)
+	HRESULT CoCreateInstance (REFCLSID rclsid, DWORD dwClsContext = CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER)
 	{
 #ifndef __MINGW32__
 		operator= (0);
-		return ::CoCreateInstance (rclsid, 0, dwClsContext, __uuidof(T), (void**) &p);
+		return ::CoCreateInstance (rclsid, 0, dwClsContext, __uuidof (ComClass), (void**) &p);
 #else
 		return S_FALSE;
 #endif
 	}
 
-	T* p;
+private:
+	ComClass* p;
 };
 
 template <class ComClass>
@@ -12155,6 +12152,12 @@ const String& StringArray::operator[] (const int index) const throw()
 	return String::empty;
 }
 
+String& StringArray::getReference (const int index) throw()
+{
+	jassert (((unsigned int) index) < (unsigned int) strings.size());
+	return strings.getReference (index);
+}
+
 void StringArray::add (const String& newString)
 {
 	strings.add (newString);
@@ -46807,7 +46810,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		if (isEnabled() && owner.getModel() != 0 && ! (e.mouseWasClicked() || isDragging))
 		{
-			const SparseSet <int> selectedRows (owner.getSelectedRows());
+			const SparseSet<int> selectedRows (owner.getSelectedRows());
 
 			if (selectedRows.size() > 0)
 			{
@@ -47097,7 +47100,7 @@ void ListBox::updateContent()
 
 	if (selected [selected.size() - 1] >= totalItems)
 	{
-		selected.removeRange (totalItems, std::numeric_limits<int>::max() - totalItems);
+		selected.removeRange (Range <int> (totalItems, std::numeric_limits<int>::max()));
 		lastRowSelected = getSelectedRow (0);
 		selectionChanged = true;
 	}
@@ -47132,7 +47135,7 @@ void ListBox::selectRowInternal (const int row,
 			if (deselectOthersFirst)
 				selected.clear();
 
-			selected.addRange (row, 1);
+			selected.addRange (Range<int> (row, row + 1));
 
 			if (getHeight() == 0 || getWidth() == 0)
 				dontScroll = true;
@@ -47181,7 +47184,7 @@ void ListBox::deselectRow (const int row)
 {
 	if (selected.contains (row))
 	{
-		selected.removeRange (row, 1);
+		selected.removeRange (Range <int> (row, row + 1));
 
 		if (row == lastRowSelected)
 			lastRowSelected = getSelectedRow (0);
@@ -47195,7 +47198,7 @@ void ListBox::setSelectedRows (const SparseSet<int>& setOfRowsToBeSelected,
 							   const bool sendNotificationEventToModel)
 {
 	selected = setOfRowsToBeSelected;
-	selected.removeRange (totalItems, std::numeric_limits<int>::max() - totalItems);
+	selected.removeRange (Range <int> (totalItems, std::numeric_limits<int>::max()));
 
 	if (! isRowSelected (lastRowSelected))
 		lastRowSelected = getSelectedRow (0);
@@ -47219,10 +47222,10 @@ void ListBox::selectRangeOfRows (int firstRow, int lastRow)
 		firstRow = jlimit (0, jmax (0, numRows), firstRow);
 		lastRow = jlimit (0, jmax (0, numRows), lastRow);
 
-		selected.addRange (jmin (firstRow, lastRow),
-						   abs (firstRow - lastRow) + 1);
+		selected.addRange (Range <int> (jmin (firstRow, lastRow),
+										jmax (firstRow, lastRow) + 1));
 
-		selected.removeRange (lastRow, 1);
+		selected.removeRange (Range <int> (lastRow, lastRow + 1));
 	}
 
 	selectRowInternal (lastRow, false, false, true);
@@ -50202,7 +50205,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		if (isEnabled() && owner.getModel() != 0 && ! (e.mouseWasClicked() || isDragging))
 		{
-			const SparseSet <int> selectedRows (owner.getSelectedRows());
+			const SparseSet<int> selectedRows (owner.getSelectedRows());
 
 			if (selectedRows.size() > 0)
 			{
@@ -90835,7 +90838,7 @@ void Image::createSolidAreaMask (RectangleList& result, const float alphaThresho
 	if (hasAlphaChannel())
 	{
 		const uint8 threshold = (uint8) jlimit (0, 255, roundToInt (alphaThreshold * 255.0f));
-		SparseSet <int> pixelsOnRow;
+		SparseSet<int> pixelsOnRow;
 
 		const BitmapData srcData (*this, 0, 0, getWidth(), getHeight());
 
@@ -90849,7 +90852,7 @@ void Image::createSolidAreaMask (RectangleList& result, const float alphaThresho
 				for (int x = 0; x < imageWidth; ++x)
 				{
 					if (((const PixelARGB*) lineData)->getAlpha() >= threshold)
-						pixelsOnRow.addRange (x, 1);
+						pixelsOnRow.addRange (Range<int> (x, x + 1));
 
 					lineData += srcData.pixelStride;
 				}
@@ -90859,7 +90862,7 @@ void Image::createSolidAreaMask (RectangleList& result, const float alphaThresho
 				for (int x = 0; x < imageWidth; ++x)
 				{
 					if (*lineData >= threshold)
-						pixelsOnRow.addRange (x, 1);
+						pixelsOnRow.addRange (Range<int> (x, x + 1));
 
 					lineData += srcData.pixelStride;
 				}
@@ -90867,10 +90870,8 @@ void Image::createSolidAreaMask (RectangleList& result, const float alphaThresho
 
 			for (int i = 0; i < pixelsOnRow.getNumRanges(); ++i)
 			{
-				int x, w;
-
-				if (pixelsOnRow.getRange (i, x, w))
-					result.add (Rectangle<int> (x, y, w, 1));
+				const Range<int> range (pixelsOnRow.getRange (i));
+				result.add (Rectangle<int> (range.getStart(), y, range.getLength(), 1));
 			}
 
 			result.consolidate();
@@ -212224,7 +212225,7 @@ const File File::getLinkedTarget() const
 		return result;
 
 	ComSmartPtr <IShellLink> shellLink;
-	if (SUCCEEDED (shellLink.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_ShellLink, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER)))
+	if (SUCCEEDED (shellLink.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_ShellLink)))
 	{
 		ComSmartPtr <IPersistFile> persistFile;
 		if (SUCCEEDED (shellLink->QueryInterface (IID_IPersistFile, (LPVOID*) &persistFile)))
@@ -226110,7 +226111,7 @@ private:
 	bool createDevices()
 	{
 		ComSmartPtr <IMMDeviceEnumerator> enumerator;
-		if (! OK (enumerator.CoCreateInstance (__uuidof (MMDeviceEnumerator), CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER)))
+		if (! OK (enumerator.CoCreateInstance (__uuidof (MMDeviceEnumerator))))
 			return false;
 
 		ComSmartPtr <IMMDeviceCollection> deviceCollection;
@@ -226170,7 +226171,7 @@ public:
 		inputDeviceIds.clear();
 
 		ComSmartPtr <IMMDeviceEnumerator> enumerator;
-		if (! OK (enumerator.CoCreateInstance (__uuidof (MMDeviceEnumerator), CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER)))
+		if (! OK (enumerator.CoCreateInstance (__uuidof (MMDeviceEnumerator))))
 			return;
 
 		const String defaultRenderer = getDefaultEndpoint (enumerator, false);
@@ -226352,7 +226353,7 @@ public:
 		activeImage (0),
 		loadingImage (0)
 	{
-		HRESULT hr = graphBuilder.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_FilterGraph, CLSCTX_INPROC);
+		HRESULT hr = graphBuilder.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_FilterGraph);
 		if (FAILED (hr))
 			return;
 
@@ -226383,7 +226384,7 @@ public:
 		if (FAILED (hr))
 			return;
 
-		hr = smartTee.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SmartTee, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER);
+		hr = smartTee.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SmartTee);
 		if (FAILED (hr))
 			return;
 
@@ -226395,7 +226396,7 @@ public:
 			return;
 
 		ComSmartPtr <IBaseFilter> sampleGrabberBase;
-		hr = sampleGrabberBase.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SampleGrabber, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER);
+		hr = sampleGrabberBase.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SampleGrabber);
 		if (FAILED (hr))
 			return;
 
@@ -226434,7 +226435,7 @@ public:
 		height = pVih->bmiHeader.biHeight;
 
 		ComSmartPtr <IBaseFilter> nullFilter;
-		hr = nullFilter.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_NullRenderer, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER);
+		hr = nullFilter.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_NullRenderer);
 		hr = graphBuilder->AddFilter (nullFilter, _T("Null Renderer"));
 
 		if (connectFilters (sampleGrabberBase, nullFilter)
@@ -226562,7 +226563,7 @@ public:
 		firstRecordedTime = Time();
 		recordNextFrameTime = true;
 
-		HRESULT hr = asfWriter.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_WMAsfWriter, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER);
+		HRESULT hr = asfWriter.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_WMAsfWriter);
 
 		if (SUCCEEDED (hr))
 		{
@@ -227029,7 +227030,7 @@ static ComSmartPtr <IBaseFilter> enumerateCameras (StringArray* const names,
 	ComSmartPtr <IBaseFilter> result;
 
 	ComSmartPtr <ICreateDevEnum> pDevEnum;
-	HRESULT hr = pDevEnum.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SystemDeviceEnum, CLSCTX_INPROC);
+	HRESULT hr = pDevEnum.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SystemDeviceEnum);
 
 	if (SUCCEEDED (hr))
 	{
@@ -227100,7 +227101,7 @@ CameraDevice* CameraDevice::openDevice (int index,
 										int maxWidth, int maxHeight)
 {
 	ComSmartPtr <ICaptureGraphBuilder2> captureGraphBuilder;
-	HRESULT hr = captureGraphBuilder.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_CaptureGraphBuilder2, CLSCTX_INPROC);
+	HRESULT hr = captureGraphBuilder.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_CaptureGraphBuilder2);
 
 	if (SUCCEEDED (hr))
 	{
diff --git a/juce_amalgamated.h b/juce_amalgamated.h
index 8fddfdb549..42545efd05 100644
--- a/juce_amalgamated.h
+++ b/juce_amalgamated.h
@@ -1868,7 +1868,7 @@ private:
 public:
 	static int compareElements (ParameterType first, ParameterType second)
 	{
-		return (first < second) ? -1 : ((first < second) ? 1 : 0);
+		return (first < second) ? -1 : ((second < first) ? 1 : 0);
 	}
 };
 
@@ -3997,6 +3997,8 @@ public:
 
 	const String& operator[] (int index) const throw();
 
+	String& getReference (int index) throw();
+
 	bool contains (const String& stringToLookFor,
 				   bool ignoreCase = false) const;
 
@@ -4886,7 +4888,7 @@ public:
 	void setStart (const ValueType newStart) throw()
 	{
 		start = newStart;
-		if (newStart > end)
+		if (end < newStart)
 			end = newStart;
 	}
 
@@ -4956,7 +4958,7 @@ public:
 
 	bool contains (const ValueType position) const throw()
 	{
-		return position >= start && position < end;
+		return start <= position && position < end;
 	}
 
 	ValueType clipValue (const ValueType value) const throw()
@@ -4966,7 +4968,7 @@ public:
 
 	bool intersects (const Range& other) const throw()
 	{
-		return other.start < end && other.end > start;
+		return other.start < end && start < other.end;
 	}
 
 	const Range getIntersectionWith (const Range& other) const throw()
@@ -4984,7 +4986,7 @@ public:
 	const Range constrainRange (const Range& rangeToConstrain) const throw()
 	{
 		const ValueType otherLen = rangeToConstrain.getLength();
-		return otherLen >= getLength()
+		return getLength() <= otherLen
 				? *this
 				: rangeToConstrain.movedToStartAt (jlimit (start, end - otherLen, rangeToConstrain.getStart()));
 	}
@@ -5802,20 +5804,20 @@ class SparseSet
 {
 public:
 
-	SparseSet() throw()
+	SparseSet()
 	{
 	}
 
-	SparseSet (const SparseSet<Type>& other) throw()
+	SparseSet (const SparseSet<Type>& other)
 		: values (other.values)
 	{
 	}
 
-	~SparseSet() throw()
+	~SparseSet()
 	{
 	}
 
-	void clear() throw()
+	void clear()
 	{
 		values.clear();
 	}
@@ -5825,43 +5827,37 @@ public:
 		return values.size() == 0;
 	}
 
-	Type size() const throw()
+	Type size() const
 	{
-		Type num = 0;
+		Type total (0);
 
 		for (int i = 0; i < values.size(); i += 2)
-			num += values[i + 1] - values[i];
+			total += values.getUnchecked (i + 1) - values.getUnchecked (i);
 
-		return num;
+		return total;
 	}
 
-	Type operator[] (int index) const throw()
+	Type operator[] (Type index) const
 	{
 		for (int i = 0; i < values.size(); i += 2)
 		{
-			const Type s = values.getUnchecked(i);
-			const Type e = values.getUnchecked(i + 1);
+			const Type start (values.getUnchecked (i));
+			const Type len (values.getUnchecked (i + 1) - start);
 
-			if (index < e - s)
-				return s + index;
+			if (index < len)
+				return start + index;
 
-			index -= e - s;
+			index -= len;
 		}
 
-		return (Type) 0;
+		return Type (0);
 	}
 
-	bool contains (const Type valueToLookFor) const throw()
+	bool contains (const Type valueToLookFor) const
 	{
-		bool on = false;
-
 		for (int i = 0; i < values.size(); ++i)
-		{
-			if (values.getUnchecked(i) > valueToLookFor)
-				return on;
-
-			on = ! on;
-		}
+			if (valueToLookFor < values.getUnchecked(i))
+				return (i & 1) != 0;
 
 		return false;
 	}
@@ -5871,67 +5867,64 @@ public:
 		return values.size() >> 1;
 	}
 
-	bool getRange (const int rangeIndex,
-				   Type& startValue,
-				   Type& numValues) const throw()
+	const Range<Type> getRange (const int rangeIndex) const
 	{
 		if (((unsigned int) rangeIndex) < (unsigned int) getNumRanges())
-		{
-			startValue = values [rangeIndex << 1];
-			numValues = values [(rangeIndex << 1) + 1] - startValue;
-
-			return true;
-		}
-
-		return false;
+			return Range<Type> (values.getUnchecked (rangeIndex << 1),
+								values.getUnchecked ((rangeIndex << 1) + 1));
+		else
+			return Range<Type>();
 	}
 
-	bool getTotalRange (Type& lowestValue,
-						Type& highestValue) const throw()
+	const Range<Type> getTotalRange() const
 	{
 		if (values.size() > 0)
 		{
-			lowestValue = values.getUnchecked (0);
-			highestValue = values.getUnchecked (values.size() - 1);
-			return true;
+			jassert ((values.size() & 1) == 0);
+			return Range<Type> (values.getUnchecked (0),
+								values.getUnchecked (values.size() - 1));
 		}
 
-		return false;
+		return Range<Type>();
 	}
 
-	void addRange (const Type firstValue,
-				   const Type numValuesToAdd) throw()
+	void addRange (const Range<Type>& range)
 	{
-		jassert (numValuesToAdd >= 0);
-
-		if (numValuesToAdd > 0)
+		jassert (range.getLength() >= 0);
+		if (range.getLength() > 0)
 		{
-			removeRange (firstValue, numValuesToAdd);
+			removeRange (range);
 
-			values.addUsingDefaultSort (firstValue);
-			values.addUsingDefaultSort (firstValue + numValuesToAdd);
+			values.addUsingDefaultSort (range.getStart());
+			values.addUsingDefaultSort (range.getEnd());
 
 			simplify();
 		}
+
+		String s;
+		for (int i = 0; i < values.size(); ++i)
+			s << values[i] << " ";
+		DBG (s);
 	}
 
-	void removeRange (const Type firstValue,
-					  const Type numValuesToRemove) throw()
+	void removeRange (const Range<Type>& rangeToRemove)
 	{
-		jassert (numValuesToRemove >= 0);
+		jassert (rangeToRemove.getLength() >= 0);
 
-		if (numValuesToRemove >= 0
-			 && firstValue < values.getLast())
+		if (rangeToRemove.getLength() > 0
+			 && values.size() > 0
+			 && rangeToRemove.getStart() < values.getUnchecked (values.size() - 1)
+			 && values.getUnchecked(0) < rangeToRemove.getEnd())
 		{
-			const bool onAtStart = contains (firstValue - 1);
-			const Type lastValue = firstValue + jmin (numValuesToRemove, values.getLast() - firstValue);
+			const bool onAtStart = contains (rangeToRemove.getStart() - 1);
+			const Type lastValue (jmin (rangeToRemove.getEnd(), values.getLast()));
 			const bool onAtEnd = contains (lastValue);
 
 			for (int i = values.size(); --i >= 0;)
 			{
 				if (values.getUnchecked(i) <= lastValue)
 				{
-					while (values.getUnchecked(i) >= firstValue)
+					while (values.getUnchecked(i) >= rangeToRemove.getStart())
 					{
 						values.remove (i);
 
@@ -5943,55 +5936,38 @@ public:
 				}
 			}
 
-			if (onAtStart)
-				values.addUsingDefaultSort (firstValue);
-
-			if (onAtEnd)
-				values.addUsingDefaultSort (lastValue);
+			if (onAtStart)   values.addUsingDefaultSort (rangeToRemove.getStart());
+			if (onAtEnd)	 values.addUsingDefaultSort (lastValue);
 
 			simplify();
 		}
 	}
 
-	void invertRange (const Type firstValue,
-					  const Type numValues)
+	void invertRange (const Range<Type>& range)
 	{
 		SparseSet newItems;
-		newItems.addRange (firstValue, numValues);
+		newItems.addRange (range);
 
 		int i;
 		for (i = getNumRanges(); --i >= 0;)
-		{
-			const int start = values [i << 1];
-			const int end = values [(i << 1) + 1];
+			newItems.removeRange (getRange (i));
 
-			newItems.removeRange (start, end);
-		}
-
-		removeRange (firstValue, numValues);
+		removeRange (range);
 
 		for (i = newItems.getNumRanges(); --i >= 0;)
-		{
-			const int start = newItems.values [i << 1];
-			const int end = newItems.values [(i << 1) + 1];
-
-			addRange (start, end);
-		}
+			addRange (newItems.getRange(i));
 	}
 
-	bool overlapsRange (const Type firstValue,
-						const Type numValues) throw()
+	bool overlapsRange (const Range<Type>& range)
 	{
-		jassert (numValues >= 0);
-
-		if (numValues > 0)
+		if (range.getLength() > 0)
 		{
 			for (int i = getNumRanges(); --i >= 0;)
 			{
-				if (firstValue >= values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1))
+				if (values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1) <= range.getStart())
 					return false;
 
-				if (firstValue + numValues > values.getUnchecked (i << 1))
+				if (values.getUnchecked (i << 1) < range.getEnd())
 					return true;
 			}
 		}
@@ -5999,20 +5975,17 @@ public:
 		return false;
 	}
 
-	bool containsRange (const Type firstValue,
-						const Type numValues) throw()
+	bool containsRange (const Range<Type>& range)
 	{
-		jassert (numValues >= 0);
-
-		if (numValues > 0)
+		if (range.getLength() > 0)
 		{
 			for (int i = getNumRanges(); --i >= 0;)
 			{
-				if (firstValue >= values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1))
+				if (values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1) <= range.getStart())
 					return false;
 
-				if (firstValue >= values.getUnchecked (i << 1)
-					 && firstValue + numValues <= values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1))
+				if (values.getUnchecked (i << 1) <= range.getStart()
+					 && range.getEnd() <= values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1))
 					return true;
 			}
 		}
@@ -6036,13 +6009,13 @@ private:
 	// alternating start/end values of ranges of values that are present.
 	Array<Type, DummyCriticalSection> values;
 
-	void simplify() throw()
+	void simplify()
 	{
 		jassert ((values.size() & 1) == 0);
 
 		for (int i = values.size(); --i > 0;)
 			if (values.getUnchecked(i) == values.getUnchecked (i - 1))
-				values.removeRange (i - 1, 2);
+				values.removeRange (--i, 2);
 	}
 };
 
diff --git a/src/containers/juce_ElementComparator.h b/src/containers/juce_ElementComparator.h
index 930fef71fe..8e28417c81 100644
--- a/src/containers/juce_ElementComparator.h
+++ b/src/containers/juce_ElementComparator.h
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ private:
 public:
     static int compareElements (ParameterType first, ParameterType second)
     {
-        return (first < second) ? -1 : ((first < second) ? 1 : 0);
+        return (first < second) ? -1 : ((second < first) ? 1 : 0);
     }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/containers/juce_Range.h b/src/containers/juce_Range.h
index b69aa9d00e..3fe17d6990 100644
--- a/src/containers/juce_Range.h
+++ b/src/containers/juce_Range.h
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ public:
     void setStart (const ValueType newStart) throw()
     {
         start = newStart;
-        if (newStart > end)
+        if (end < newStart)
             end = newStart;
     }
 
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ public:
     /** Returns true if the given position lies inside this range. */
     bool contains (const ValueType position) const throw()
     {
-        return position >= start && position < end;
+        return start <= position && position < end;
     }
 
     /** Returns the nearest value to the one supplied, which lies within the range. */
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ public:
     /** Returns true if the given range intersects this one. */
     bool intersects (const Range& other) const throw()
     {
-        return other.start < end && other.end > start;
+        return other.start < end && start < other.end;
     }
 
     /** Returns the range that is the intersection of the two ranges, or an empty range
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ public:
     const Range constrainRange (const Range& rangeToConstrain) const throw()
     {
         const ValueType otherLen = rangeToConstrain.getLength();
-        return otherLen >= getLength()
+        return getLength() <= otherLen
                 ? *this
                 : rangeToConstrain.movedToStartAt (jlimit (start, end - otherLen, rangeToConstrain.getStart()));
     }
diff --git a/src/containers/juce_SparseSet.h b/src/containers/juce_SparseSet.h
index 01536dbf61..42ef1601f8 100644
--- a/src/containers/juce_SparseSet.h
+++ b/src/containers/juce_SparseSet.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #define __JUCE_SPARSESET_JUCEHEADER__
 
 #include "juce_ArrayAllocationBase.h"
+#include "juce_Range.h"
 #include "../threads/juce_CriticalSection.h"
 
 
@@ -47,24 +48,24 @@ class SparseSet
 public:
     //==============================================================================
     /** Creates a new empty set. */
-    SparseSet() throw()
+    SparseSet()
     {
     }
 
     /** Creates a copy of another SparseSet. */
-    SparseSet (const SparseSet<Type>& other) throw()
+    SparseSet (const SparseSet<Type>& other)
         : values (other.values)
     {
     }
 
     /** Destructor. */
-    ~SparseSet() throw()
+    ~SparseSet()
     {
     }
 
     //==============================================================================
     /** Clears the set. */
-    void clear() throw()
+    void clear()
     {
         values.clear();
     }
@@ -84,14 +85,14 @@ public:
         are a lot of items in the set. Use isEmpty() for a quick test of whether there
         are any items.
     */
-    Type size() const throw()
+    Type size() const
     {
-        Type num = 0;
+        Type total (0);
 
         for (int i = 0; i < values.size(); i += 2)
-            num += values[i + 1] - values[i];
+            total += values.getUnchecked (i + 1) - values.getUnchecked (i);
 
-        return num;
+        return total;
     }
 
     /** Returns one of the values in the set.
@@ -99,41 +100,34 @@ public:
         @param index    the index of the value to retrieve, in the range 0 to (size() - 1).
         @returns        the value at this index, or 0 if it's out-of-range
     */
-    Type operator[] (int index) const throw()
+    Type operator[] (Type index) const
     {
         for (int i = 0; i < values.size(); i += 2)
         {
-            const Type s = values.getUnchecked(i);
-            const Type e = values.getUnchecked(i + 1);
+            const Type start (values.getUnchecked (i));
+            const Type len (values.getUnchecked (i + 1) - start);
 
-            if (index < e - s)
-                return s + index;
+            if (index < len)
+                return start + index;
 
-            index -= e - s;
+            index -= len;
         }
 
-        return (Type) 0;
+        return Type (0);
     }
 
     /** Checks whether a particular value is in the set. */
-    bool contains (const Type valueToLookFor) const throw()
+    bool contains (const Type valueToLookFor) const
     {
-        bool on = false;
-
         for (int i = 0; i < values.size(); ++i)
-        {
-            if (values.getUnchecked(i) > valueToLookFor)
-                return on;
-
-            on = ! on;
-        }
+            if (valueToLookFor < values.getUnchecked(i))
+                return (i & 1) != 0;
 
         return false;
     }
 
     //==============================================================================
     /** Returns the number of contiguous blocks of values.
-
         @see getRange
     */
     int getNumRanges() const throw()
@@ -142,94 +136,78 @@ public:
     }
 
     /** Returns one of the contiguous ranges of values stored.
-
         @param rangeIndex   the index of the range to look up, between 0
                             and (getNumRanges() - 1)
-        @param startValue   on return, the value at the start of the range
-        @param numValues    on return, the number of values in the range
-
         @see getTotalRange
     */
-    bool getRange (const int rangeIndex,
-                   Type& startValue,
-                   Type& numValues) const throw()
+    const Range<Type> getRange (const int rangeIndex) const
     {
         if (((unsigned int) rangeIndex) < (unsigned int) getNumRanges())
-        {
-            startValue = values [rangeIndex << 1];
-            numValues = values [(rangeIndex << 1) + 1] - startValue;
-
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        return false;
+            return Range<Type> (values.getUnchecked (rangeIndex << 1),
+                                values.getUnchecked ((rangeIndex << 1) + 1));
+        else
+            return Range<Type>();
     }
 
-    /** Returns the lowest and highest values in the set.
-
+    /** Returns the range between the lowest and highest values in the set.
         @see getRange
     */
-    bool getTotalRange (Type& lowestValue,
-                        Type& highestValue) const throw()
+    const Range<Type> getTotalRange() const
     {
         if (values.size() > 0)
         {
-            lowestValue = values.getUnchecked (0);
-            highestValue = values.getUnchecked (values.size() - 1);
-            return true;
+            jassert ((values.size() & 1) == 0);
+            return Range<Type> (values.getUnchecked (0),
+                                values.getUnchecked (values.size() - 1));
         }
 
-        return false;
+        return Range<Type>();
     }
 
     //==============================================================================
     /** Adds a range of contiguous values to the set.
-
-        e.g. addRange (10, 4) will add (10, 11, 12, 13) to the set.
-
-        @param firstValue       the start of the range of values to add
-        @param numValuesToAdd   how many values to add
+        e.g. addRange (Range \<int\> (10, 14)) will add (10, 11, 12, 13) to the set.
     */
-    void addRange (const Type firstValue,
-                   const Type numValuesToAdd) throw()
+    void addRange (const Range<Type>& range)
     {
-        jassert (numValuesToAdd >= 0);
-
-        if (numValuesToAdd > 0)
+        jassert (range.getLength() >= 0);
+        if (range.getLength() > 0)
         {
-            removeRange (firstValue, numValuesToAdd);
+            removeRange (range);
 
-            values.addUsingDefaultSort (firstValue);
-            values.addUsingDefaultSort (firstValue + numValuesToAdd);
+            values.addUsingDefaultSort (range.getStart());
+            values.addUsingDefaultSort (range.getEnd());
 
             simplify();
         }
+
+        String s;
+        for (int i = 0; i < values.size(); ++i)
+            s << values[i] << " ";
+        DBG (s);
     }
 
     /** Removes a range of values from the set.
-
-        e.g. removeRange (10, 4) will remove (10, 11, 12, 13) from the set.
-
-        @param firstValue           the start of the range of values to remove
-        @param numValuesToRemove    how many values to remove
+        e.g. removeRange (Range\<int\> (10, 14)) will remove (10, 11, 12, 13) from the set.
     */
-    void removeRange (const Type firstValue,
-                      const Type numValuesToRemove) throw()
+    void removeRange (const Range<Type>& rangeToRemove)
     {
-        jassert (numValuesToRemove >= 0);
+        jassert (rangeToRemove.getLength() >= 0);
 
-        if (numValuesToRemove >= 0
-             && firstValue < values.getLast())
+        if (rangeToRemove.getLength() > 0
+             && values.size() > 0
+             && rangeToRemove.getStart() < values.getUnchecked (values.size() - 1)
+             && values.getUnchecked(0) < rangeToRemove.getEnd())
         {
-            const bool onAtStart = contains (firstValue - 1);
-            const Type lastValue = firstValue + jmin (numValuesToRemove, values.getLast() - firstValue);
+            const bool onAtStart = contains (rangeToRemove.getStart() - 1);
+            const Type lastValue (jmin (rangeToRemove.getEnd(), values.getLast()));
             const bool onAtEnd = contains (lastValue);
 
             for (int i = values.size(); --i >= 0;)
             {
                 if (values.getUnchecked(i) <= lastValue)
                 {
-                    while (values.getUnchecked(i) >= firstValue)
+                    while (values.getUnchecked(i) >= rangeToRemove.getStart())
                     {
                         values.remove (i);
 
@@ -241,57 +219,40 @@ public:
                 }
             }
 
-            if (onAtStart)
-                values.addUsingDefaultSort (firstValue);
-
-            if (onAtEnd)
-                values.addUsingDefaultSort (lastValue);
+            if (onAtStart)   values.addUsingDefaultSort (rangeToRemove.getStart());
+            if (onAtEnd)     values.addUsingDefaultSort (lastValue);
 
             simplify();
         }
     }
 
     /** Does an XOR of the values in a given range. */
-    void invertRange (const Type firstValue,
-                      const Type numValues)
+    void invertRange (const Range<Type>& range)
     {
         SparseSet newItems;
-        newItems.addRange (firstValue, numValues);
+        newItems.addRange (range);
 
         int i;
         for (i = getNumRanges(); --i >= 0;)
-        {
-            const int start = values [i << 1];
-            const int end = values [(i << 1) + 1];
+            newItems.removeRange (getRange (i));
 
-            newItems.removeRange (start, end);
-        }
-
-        removeRange (firstValue, numValues);
+        removeRange (range);
 
         for (i = newItems.getNumRanges(); --i >= 0;)
-        {
-            const int start = newItems.values [i << 1];
-            const int end = newItems.values [(i << 1) + 1];
-
-            addRange (start, end);
-        }
+            addRange (newItems.getRange(i));
     }
 
-    /** Checks whether any part of a given range overlaps any part of this one. */
-    bool overlapsRange (const Type firstValue,
-                        const Type numValues) throw()
+    /** Checks whether any part of a given range overlaps any part of this set. */
+    bool overlapsRange (const Range<Type>& range)
     {
-        jassert (numValues >= 0);
-
-        if (numValues > 0)
+        if (range.getLength() > 0)
         {
             for (int i = getNumRanges(); --i >= 0;)
             {
-                if (firstValue >= values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1))
+                if (values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1) <= range.getStart())
                     return false;
 
-                if (firstValue + numValues > values.getUnchecked (i << 1))
+                if (values.getUnchecked (i << 1) < range.getEnd())
                     return true;
             }
         }
@@ -300,20 +261,17 @@ public:
     }
 
     /** Checks whether the whole of a given range is contained within this one. */
-    bool containsRange (const Type firstValue,
-                        const Type numValues) throw()
+    bool containsRange (const Range<Type>& range)
     {
-        jassert (numValues >= 0);
-
-        if (numValues > 0)
+        if (range.getLength() > 0)
         {
             for (int i = getNumRanges(); --i >= 0;)
             {
-                if (firstValue >= values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1))
+                if (values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1) <= range.getStart())
                     return false;
 
-                if (firstValue >= values.getUnchecked (i << 1)
-                     && firstValue + numValues <= values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1))
+                if (values.getUnchecked (i << 1) <= range.getStart()
+                     && range.getEnd() <= values.getUnchecked ((i << 1) + 1))
                     return true;
             }
         }
@@ -339,13 +297,13 @@ private:
     // alternating start/end values of ranges of values that are present.
     Array<Type, DummyCriticalSection> values;
 
-    void simplify() throw()
+    void simplify()
     {
         jassert ((values.size() & 1) == 0);
 
         for (int i = values.size(); --i > 0;)
             if (values.getUnchecked(i) == values.getUnchecked (i - 1))
-                values.removeRange (i - 1, 2);
+                values.removeRange (--i, 2);
     }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/gui/components/controls/juce_ListBox.cpp b/src/gui/components/controls/juce_ListBox.cpp
index 745b0419f7..05a01bca33 100644
--- a/src/gui/components/controls/juce_ListBox.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/components/controls/juce_ListBox.cpp
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ public:
     {
         if (isEnabled() && owner.getModel() != 0 && ! (e.mouseWasClicked() || isDragging))
         {
-            const SparseSet <int> selectedRows (owner.getSelectedRows());
+            const SparseSet<int> selectedRows (owner.getSelectedRows());
 
             if (selectedRows.size() > 0)
             {
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ void ListBox::updateContent()
 
     if (selected [selected.size() - 1] >= totalItems)
     {
-        selected.removeRange (totalItems, std::numeric_limits<int>::max() - totalItems);
+        selected.removeRange (Range <int> (totalItems, std::numeric_limits<int>::max()));
         lastRowSelected = getSelectedRow (0);
         selectionChanged = true;
     }
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ void ListBox::selectRowInternal (const int row,
             if (deselectOthersFirst)
                 selected.clear();
 
-            selected.addRange (row, 1);
+            selected.addRange (Range<int> (row, row + 1));
 
             if (getHeight() == 0 || getWidth() == 0)
                 dontScroll = true;
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ void ListBox::deselectRow (const int row)
 {
     if (selected.contains (row))
     {
-        selected.removeRange (row, 1);
+        selected.removeRange (Range <int> (row, row + 1));
 
         if (row == lastRowSelected)
             lastRowSelected = getSelectedRow (0);
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ void ListBox::setSelectedRows (const SparseSet<int>& setOfRowsToBeSelected,
                                const bool sendNotificationEventToModel)
 {
     selected = setOfRowsToBeSelected;
-    selected.removeRange (totalItems, std::numeric_limits<int>::max() - totalItems);
+    selected.removeRange (Range <int> (totalItems, std::numeric_limits<int>::max()));
 
     if (! isRowSelected (lastRowSelected))
         lastRowSelected = getSelectedRow (0);
@@ -549,10 +549,10 @@ void ListBox::selectRangeOfRows (int firstRow, int lastRow)
         firstRow = jlimit (0, jmax (0, numRows), firstRow);
         lastRow = jlimit (0, jmax (0, numRows), lastRow);
 
-        selected.addRange (jmin (firstRow, lastRow),
-                           abs (firstRow - lastRow) + 1);
+        selected.addRange (Range <int> (jmin (firstRow, lastRow),
+                                        jmax (firstRow, lastRow) + 1));
 
-        selected.removeRange (lastRow, 1);
+        selected.removeRange (Range <int> (lastRow, lastRow + 1));
     }
 
     selectRowInternal (lastRow, false, false, true);
diff --git a/src/gui/components/controls/juce_TableListBox.cpp b/src/gui/components/controls/juce_TableListBox.cpp
index 454721f068..7486ea4a55 100644
--- a/src/gui/components/controls/juce_TableListBox.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/components/controls/juce_TableListBox.cpp
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ public:
     {
         if (isEnabled() && owner.getModel() != 0 && ! (e.mouseWasClicked() || isDragging))
         {
-            const SparseSet <int> selectedRows (owner.getSelectedRows());
+            const SparseSet<int> selectedRows (owner.getSelectedRows());
 
             if (selectedRows.size() > 0)
             {
diff --git a/src/gui/graphics/imaging/juce_Image.cpp b/src/gui/graphics/imaging/juce_Image.cpp
index e4b275d427..aa77798f9c 100644
--- a/src/gui/graphics/imaging/juce_Image.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/graphics/imaging/juce_Image.cpp
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ void Image::createSolidAreaMask (RectangleList& result, const float alphaThresho
     if (hasAlphaChannel())
     {
         const uint8 threshold = (uint8) jlimit (0, 255, roundToInt (alphaThreshold * 255.0f));
-        SparseSet <int> pixelsOnRow;
+        SparseSet<int> pixelsOnRow;
 
         const BitmapData srcData (*this, 0, 0, getWidth(), getHeight());
 
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ void Image::createSolidAreaMask (RectangleList& result, const float alphaThresho
                 for (int x = 0; x < imageWidth; ++x)
                 {
                     if (((const PixelARGB*) lineData)->getAlpha() >= threshold)
-                        pixelsOnRow.addRange (x, 1);
+                        pixelsOnRow.addRange (Range<int> (x, x + 1));
 
                     lineData += srcData.pixelStride;
                 }
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ void Image::createSolidAreaMask (RectangleList& result, const float alphaThresho
                 for (int x = 0; x < imageWidth; ++x)
                 {
                     if (*lineData >= threshold)
-                        pixelsOnRow.addRange (x, 1);
+                        pixelsOnRow.addRange (Range<int> (x, x + 1));
 
                     lineData += srcData.pixelStride;
                 }
@@ -404,10 +404,8 @@ void Image::createSolidAreaMask (RectangleList& result, const float alphaThresho
 
             for (int i = 0; i < pixelsOnRow.getNumRanges(); ++i)
             {
-                int x, w;
-
-                if (pixelsOnRow.getRange (i, x, w))
-                    result.add (Rectangle<int> (x, y, w, 1));
+                const Range<int> range (pixelsOnRow.getRange (i));
+                result.add (Rectangle<int> (range.getStart(), y, range.getLength(), 1));
             }
 
             result.consolidate();
diff --git a/src/native/windows/juce_win32_CameraDevice.cpp b/src/native/windows/juce_win32_CameraDevice.cpp
index 9376e20cb5..1eba9366f3 100644
--- a/src/native/windows/juce_win32_CameraDevice.cpp
+++ b/src/native/windows/juce_win32_CameraDevice.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public:
         activeImage (0),
         loadingImage (0)
     {
-        HRESULT hr = graphBuilder.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_FilterGraph, CLSCTX_INPROC);
+        HRESULT hr = graphBuilder.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_FilterGraph);
         if (FAILED (hr))
             return;
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ public:
         if (FAILED (hr))
             return;
 
-        hr = smartTee.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SmartTee, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER);
+        hr = smartTee.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SmartTee);
         if (FAILED (hr))
             return;
 
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ public:
             return;
 
         ComSmartPtr <IBaseFilter> sampleGrabberBase;
-        hr = sampleGrabberBase.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SampleGrabber, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER);
+        hr = sampleGrabberBase.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SampleGrabber);
         if (FAILED (hr))
             return;
 
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ public:
         height = pVih->bmiHeader.biHeight;
 
         ComSmartPtr <IBaseFilter> nullFilter;
-        hr = nullFilter.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_NullRenderer, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER);
+        hr = nullFilter.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_NullRenderer);
         hr = graphBuilder->AddFilter (nullFilter, _T("Null Renderer"));
 
         if (connectFilters (sampleGrabberBase, nullFilter)
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ public:
         firstRecordedTime = Time();
         recordNextFrameTime = true;
 
-        HRESULT hr = asfWriter.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_WMAsfWriter, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER);
+        HRESULT hr = asfWriter.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_WMAsfWriter);
 
         if (SUCCEEDED (hr))
         {
@@ -737,7 +737,7 @@ static ComSmartPtr <IBaseFilter> enumerateCameras (StringArray* const names,
     ComSmartPtr <IBaseFilter> result;
 
     ComSmartPtr <ICreateDevEnum> pDevEnum;
-    HRESULT hr = pDevEnum.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SystemDeviceEnum, CLSCTX_INPROC);
+    HRESULT hr = pDevEnum.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_SystemDeviceEnum);
 
     if (SUCCEEDED (hr))
     {
@@ -808,7 +808,7 @@ CameraDevice* CameraDevice::openDevice (int index,
                                         int maxWidth, int maxHeight)
 {
     ComSmartPtr <ICaptureGraphBuilder2> captureGraphBuilder;
-    HRESULT hr = captureGraphBuilder.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_CaptureGraphBuilder2, CLSCTX_INPROC);
+    HRESULT hr = captureGraphBuilder.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_CaptureGraphBuilder2);
 
     if (SUCCEEDED (hr))
     {
diff --git a/src/native/windows/juce_win32_Files.cpp b/src/native/windows/juce_win32_Files.cpp
index 1de88c9182..f7701a7a3f 100644
--- a/src/native/windows/juce_win32_Files.cpp
+++ b/src/native/windows/juce_win32_Files.cpp
@@ -502,7 +502,7 @@ const File File::getLinkedTarget() const
         return result;
 
     ComSmartPtr <IShellLink> shellLink;
-    if (SUCCEEDED (shellLink.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_ShellLink, CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER)))
+    if (SUCCEEDED (shellLink.CoCreateInstance (CLSID_ShellLink)))
     {
         ComSmartPtr <IPersistFile> persistFile;
         if (SUCCEEDED (shellLink->QueryInterface (IID_IPersistFile, (LPVOID*) &persistFile)))
diff --git a/src/native/windows/juce_win32_NativeIncludes.h b/src/native/windows/juce_win32_NativeIncludes.h
index db1abf18ec..d513fb5806 100644
--- a/src/native/windows/juce_win32_NativeIncludes.h
+++ b/src/native/windows/juce_win32_NativeIncludes.h
@@ -187,48 +187,47 @@
 /** A simple COM smart pointer.
     Avoids having to include ATL just to get one of these.
 */
-template <class T>
+template <class ComClass>
 class ComSmartPtr
 {
 public:
-    ComSmartPtr() throw() : p (0)                       {}
-    ComSmartPtr (T* const p_) : p (p_)                  { if (p_ != 0) p_->AddRef(); }
-    ComSmartPtr (const ComSmartPtr<T>& p_) : p (p_.p)   { if (p != 0) p->AddRef(); }
-    ~ComSmartPtr()                                      { if (p != 0) p->Release(); }
+    ComSmartPtr() throw() : p (0)                               {}
+    ComSmartPtr (ComClass* const p_) : p (p_)                   { if (p_ != 0) p_->AddRef(); }
+    ComSmartPtr (const ComSmartPtr<ComClass>& p_) : p (p_.p)    { if (p != 0) p->AddRef(); }
+    ~ComSmartPtr()                                              { if (p != 0) p->Release(); }
 
-    operator T*() const throw()     { return p; }
-    T& operator*() const throw()    { return *p; }
-    T** operator&() throw()         { return &p; }
-    T* operator->() const throw()   { return p; }
+    operator ComClass*() const throw()     { return p; }
+    ComClass& operator*() const throw()    { return *p; }
+    ComClass** operator&() throw()         { return &p; }
+    ComClass* operator->() const throw()   { return p; }
 
-    T* operator= (T* const newP)
+    ComClass* operator= (ComClass* const newP)
     {
-        if (newP != 0)
-            newP->AddRef();
-
-        if (p != 0)
-            p->Release();
-
+        if (newP != 0)  newP->AddRef();
+        if (p != 0)     p->Release();
         p = newP;
         return newP;
     }
 
-    T* operator= (const ComSmartPtr<T>& newP)  { return operator= (newP.p); }
+    ComClass* operator= (const ComSmartPtr<ComClass>& newP)  { return operator= (newP.p); }
 
-    HRESULT CoCreateInstance (REFCLSID rclsid, DWORD dwClsContext)
+    HRESULT CoCreateInstance (REFCLSID rclsid, DWORD dwClsContext = CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER)
     {
 #ifndef __MINGW32__
         operator= (0);
-        return ::CoCreateInstance (rclsid, 0, dwClsContext, __uuidof(T), (void**) &p);
+        return ::CoCreateInstance (rclsid, 0, dwClsContext, __uuidof (ComClass), (void**) &p);
 #else
         return S_FALSE;
 #endif
     }
 
-    T* p;
+private:
+    ComClass* p;
 };
 
 //==============================================================================
+/** Handy base class for writing COM objects, providing ref-counting and a basic QueryInterface method.
+*/
 template <class ComClass>
 class ComBaseClassHelper   : public ComClass
 {
diff --git a/src/native/windows/juce_win32_WASAPI.cpp b/src/native/windows/juce_win32_WASAPI.cpp
index c4b6fa54fa..b35bc5ede3 100644
--- a/src/native/windows/juce_win32_WASAPI.cpp
+++ b/src/native/windows/juce_win32_WASAPI.cpp
@@ -912,7 +912,7 @@ private:
     bool createDevices()
     {
         ComSmartPtr <IMMDeviceEnumerator> enumerator;
-        if (! OK (enumerator.CoCreateInstance (__uuidof (MMDeviceEnumerator), CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER)))
+        if (! OK (enumerator.CoCreateInstance (__uuidof (MMDeviceEnumerator))))
             return false;
 
         ComSmartPtr <IMMDeviceCollection> deviceCollection;
@@ -976,7 +976,7 @@ public:
         inputDeviceIds.clear();
 
         ComSmartPtr <IMMDeviceEnumerator> enumerator;
-        if (! OK (enumerator.CoCreateInstance (__uuidof (MMDeviceEnumerator), CLSCTX_INPROC_SERVER)))
+        if (! OK (enumerator.CoCreateInstance (__uuidof (MMDeviceEnumerator))))
             return;
 
         const String defaultRenderer = getDefaultEndpoint (enumerator, false);
diff --git a/src/text/juce_StringArray.cpp b/src/text/juce_StringArray.cpp
index c27a6f5995..917497c09b 100644
--- a/src/text/juce_StringArray.cpp
+++ b/src/text/juce_StringArray.cpp
@@ -116,6 +116,12 @@ const String& StringArray::operator[] (const int index) const throw()
     return String::empty;
 }
 
+String& StringArray::getReference (const int index) throw()
+{
+    jassert (((unsigned int) index) < (unsigned int) strings.size());
+    return strings.getReference (index);
+}
+
 void StringArray::add (const String& newString)
 {
     strings.add (newString);
diff --git a/src/text/juce_StringArray.h b/src/text/juce_StringArray.h
index 5509babb68..e835b8b46e 100644
--- a/src/text/juce_StringArray.h
+++ b/src/text/juce_StringArray.h
@@ -108,6 +108,12 @@ public:
     */
     const String& operator[] (int index) const throw();
 
+    /** Returns a reference to one of the strings in the array.
+        This lets you modify a string in-place in the array, but you must be sure that
+        the index is in-range.
+    */
+    String& getReference (int index) throw();
+
     /** Searches for a string in the array.
 
         The comparison will be case-insensitive if the ignoreCase parameter is true.