Claude
2ad21cad58
Features: - Real-time audio level monitoring via BlackHole virtual audio device - Classic VU meter display with dB scale (-60 to 0 dB) - Peak hold indicators with configurable hold time - System resource monitors: CPU, RAM, Disk, Network - SwiftUI interface with dark theme - Multi-device audio input selection - Settings window for configuration Built with AVAudioEngine for audio capture and Mach kernel APIs for system statistics.
146 lines
4.5 KiB
Markdown
146 lines
4.5 KiB
Markdown
# Audio VU Meter for macOS
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A native macOS SwiftUI application that displays real-time audio levels from BlackHole (or any audio input device) as a classic VU meter, along with system resource monitoring.
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## Features
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### Audio VU Meter
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- **Real-time audio level monitoring** - Displays Left and Right channel levels
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- **dB scale display** - Shows audio levels in decibels (-60 dB to 0 dB)
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- **Peak hold indicators** - Visual peak markers with configurable hold time
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- **BlackHole integration** - Automatically detects and selects BlackHole virtual audio device
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- **Multi-device support** - Switch between any available audio input device
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### System Resource Monitors
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- **CPU Usage** - Real-time CPU utilization percentage
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- **RAM Usage** - Memory consumption monitoring
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- **Disk Activity** - Disk I/O activity indicator
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- **Network Activity** - Network throughput monitoring
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## Requirements
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- macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later
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- Xcode 15.0 or later (for building)
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- [BlackHole](https://existential.audio/blackhole/) virtual audio driver (recommended)
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## Installation
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### Using BlackHole
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1. Install BlackHole from [existential.audio/blackhole](https://existential.audio/blackhole/)
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2. Configure BlackHole as a multi-output device in Audio MIDI Setup
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3. Build and run Audio VU Meter
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4. The app will automatically detect and select BlackHole
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### Building from Source
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1. Clone the repository
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2. Open `AudioVUMeter.xcodeproj` in Xcode
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3. Build and run (⌘R)
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```bash
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git clone <repository-url>
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cd AudioVUMeter
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open AudioVUMeter.xcodeproj
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```
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## Usage
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### Main Window
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- **Audio Levels**: The vertical VU meters show Left (L) and Right (R) channel audio levels
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- **dB Readings**: Numeric display of current audio levels in decibels
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- **System Meters**: Circular gauges showing CPU, RAM, Disk, and Network usage
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### Controls
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- **Start/Stop**: Toggle audio capture on/off
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- **Reset**: Clear peak hold indicators
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- **Settings**: Access device selection and preferences
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### Settings
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- **Input Device**: Select audio input source (BlackHole, microphone, etc.)
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- **Reference Level**: Adjust the 0 dB reference point
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- **Peak Hold Time**: Configure how long peak indicators remain visible
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## Architecture
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```
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AudioVUMeter/
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├── AudioVUMeterApp.swift # App entry point
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├── ContentView.swift # Main UI layout
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├── VUMeterView.swift # VU meter components
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├── AudioEngine.swift # Core Audio capture engine
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├── SystemMonitor.swift # System resource monitoring
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├── SettingsView.swift # Settings window
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└── Assets.xcassets/ # App icons and colors
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```
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### Key Components
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- **AudioEngine**: Uses AVAudioEngine to capture audio from the selected input device, calculates RMS levels, and converts to dB
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- **SystemMonitor**: Uses Mach kernel APIs to retrieve CPU, memory, disk, and network statistics
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- **VUMeterView**: SwiftUI views for classic vertical VU meters with segment-based display
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- **SystemMeterView**: Circular gauge components for system metrics
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## BlackHole Setup Guide
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1. **Install BlackHole**: Download and install from [existential.audio](https://existential.audio/blackhole/)
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2. **Create Multi-Output Device**:
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- Open Audio MIDI Setup (Applications → Utilities)
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- Click the `+` button → Create Multi-Output Device
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- Check both your speakers and BlackHole
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- Set as default output
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3. **Route Audio**:
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- System audio will now go to both speakers and BlackHole
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- Audio VU Meter captures from BlackHole input
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## API Reference
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### AudioEngine
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```swift
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// Start/stop audio capture
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audioEngine.start()
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audioEngine.stop()
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// Reset peak indicators
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audioEngine.resetPeaks()
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// Switch audio device
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audioEngine.selectedDeviceID = deviceID
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audioEngine.switchDevice()
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// Access levels
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audioEngine.leftLevel // 0.0 to 1.0
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audioEngine.rightLevel // 0.0 to 1.0
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audioEngine.leftLevelDB // -60 to 0 dB
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audioEngine.rightLevelDB // -60 to 0 dB
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```
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### SystemMonitor
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```swift
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// Start/stop monitoring
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systemMonitor.startMonitoring()
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systemMonitor.stopMonitoring()
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// Access metrics (0-100%)
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systemMonitor.cpuUsage
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systemMonitor.memoryUsage
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systemMonitor.diskActivity
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systemMonitor.networkActivity
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```
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## License
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MIT License - See LICENSE file for details.
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## Credits
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Inspired by [VU-Server](https://github.com/SasaKaranovic/VU-Server) by Sasa Karanovic.
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