Feat/version 1.8 - Add real-time audio monitoring with PipeWire API #45 from Peter-L-SVK/stage

Implemented complete monitoring tab with real-time audio level meters using native PipeWire integration. Replaces simulated audio levels with actual system audio monitoring by capturing output from monitor sources.

**Key Features:**
- Real-time audio level monitoring via PipeWire monitor streams
- Stereo channel visualization with peak/RMS calculations
- Thread-safe communication between audio capture and UI threads
- Configurable update intervals for smooth meter animation
- CSS-styled visual feedback with safe/warning/danger levels

**Implementation Details:**
- PipeWire integration using `pipewire` and `libspa` crates
- Automatic connection to system monitor sources via `MEDIA_CATEGORY: "Monitor"`
- Proper error handling and graceful shutdown
- Support for F32LE audio format with configurable sample rates
- Non-blocking UI updates via GTK idle callbacks

**UI Components:**
- Status section with real-time monitoring indicators
- Configuration display for current audio settings
- Device information for input/output devices
- Dual-channel audio meters with dB display
- Visual level indicators with color-coded safety zones

**Note:** Requires PipeWire >= 1.4.0 and appropriate permissions for audio monitor access.

Author: Peter-L-SVK

Cargo.toml

@@ -1,25 +1,43 @@
 [package]
 name = "pro_audio_config"
-version = "1.7.0"
+version = "1.8.0"
 authors = ["Peter Leukanič"]
 edition = "2024"
 description = "A professional audio configuration tool for Linux systems"
 license = "MIT"
-repository = "https://github.com/Peter-L-SVK/pro-audio-config"
+repository = "https://github.com/Peter-L-SVK/pro_audio_config"
 readme = "README.md"
 
 [dependencies]
+anyhow = "1.0"
 gtk = { version = "0.18.2", features = ["v3_24"] }
 gio = "0.21"
 glib = { version = "0.21", features = ["v2_80"] }
 glob = "0.3"
+libspa = "0.8"
 dirs = "6.0"
 chrono = "0.4.42"
 directories = "6.0"
 whoami = "1.6"
 shellexpand = "3.1"
 toml = "0.9.8"
 serde = { version = "1.0", features = ["derive"] }
+serde_json = "1.0" 
+pipewire = { version = "0.8", optional = true }
+lazy_static = "1.4.0"
+bytemuck = "1.14"
+libc = "0.2"
+regex = "1.10"
+
+[features]
+default = ["pipewire-monitoring"]  # Default includes pipewire monitoring
+pipewire-monitoring = ["pipewire"]  # Enable the optional pipewire dependency
+simulation = []  # Simulation only mode (no pipewire dependency)
+
+[profile.release]
+lto = true
+codegen-units = 1
+opt-level = 3
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 mockall = "0.14"
@@ -35,7 +53,7 @@ copyright = "2025, Peter Leukanič"
 depends = "$auto, pipewire-alsa, wireplumber, policykit-1"
 section = "sound"
 assets = [
-    ["target/release/pro-audio-config", "usr/bin/", "755"],
+    ["target/release/pro_audio_config", "usr/bin/", "755"],
     ["icons/48x48/icon.png", "usr/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps/pro-audio-config.png", "644"],
     ["pro-audio-config.desktop", "usr/share/applications/", "644"],
 ]

README.md

@@ -13,8 +13,18 @@ After 10 years of using Fedora and other Linux distributions, I realized we're s
 
 ## Features
 
-All current features are showcased in the  [Gallery](https://github.com/Peter-L-SVK/pro_audio_config/blob/main/scrshots/README.md) 
-
+All current features are showcased in the  [Gallery](https://github.com/Peter-L-SVK/pro_audio_config/blob/main/scrshots/README.md)
+
+### 🎚️ **Real-time Audio Monitoring Tab**
+- **Live Audio Level Meters**: Visual monitoring of stereo channel output levels with real-time PipeWire integration
+- **Color-coded Visual Feedback**: Safe (green), warning (yellow), and clipping (red) zones with blinking indicators
+- **Real System Audio Monitoring**: Taps into PipeWire monitor sources for accurate system-wide audio level measurement
+- **Smooth Meter Animation**: 10 FPS updates with proper threading for responsive UI performance
+- **DB Scale Display**: Accurate decibel readings with peak and RMS calculations
+- **Auto-detection Fallback**: Intelligent fallback to simulation mode when PipeWire isn't available
+- **Professional Metering**: Studio-grade level monitoring with proper threshold matching industry standards
+
+### 🔧 **Device and Configuration Management**
 - **Device Detection**: Automatically detects and displays current audio devices (PipeWire, ALSA, PulseAudio)
 - **Sample Rate Configuration**: Support for rates from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz
 - **Bit Depth Settings**: 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit audio formats
@@ -24,12 +34,13 @@ All current features are showcased in the  [Gallery](https://github.com/Peter-L
 - **No Terminal Required**: Graphical interface that anyone can use
 - **Privilege Escalation**: Secure privilege escalation for system-level audio configuration
 
-### Multi-Tab Interface
+### 🗂️ **Multi-Tab Interface**
 - **Separate Input/Output Configuration**: Dedicated tabs for playback (output) and recording (input) devices
+- **Real-time Monitoring Tab**: Dedicated monitoring interface with live audio meters
 - **Independent Settings Management**: Configure input and output devices with different sample rates, bit depths, and buffer sizes
-- **Clear Visual Separation**: Intuitive tabbed interface that clearly distinguishes between recording and playback settings
+- **Clear Visual Separation**: Intuitive tabbed interface that clearly distinguishes between recording, playback, and monitoring functions
 
-### Advanced Tab Features
+### ⚡ **Advanced Tab Features**
 - **Configuration Modes**: Switch between Global System Settings and Exclusive Mode
 - **Professional Audio Settings**: Fine-tune buffer size ranges, thread priorities, and memory locking
 - **Exclusive Mode**: Direct hardware access for single applications (similar to ASIO/WASAPI exclusive mode)
@@ -38,12 +49,12 @@ All current features are showcased in the  [Gallery](https://github.com/Peter-L
 - **Resampling Control**: Adjust resampler quality or disable automatic resampling entirely
 - **Channel Management**: Option to disable automatic channel remixing for professional workflows
 
-### Configuration Scope
+### 🔍 **Configuration Scope**
 - **User-Specific Configuration**: Apply settings only for the current user (default)
 - **System-Wide Configuration**: Apply settings for all users on the system (requires admin privileges)
 - **Flexible Deployment**: Choose between user-specific or system-wide configuration based on your needs
 
-### Advanced Configuration
+### 🛠️ **Advanced Configuration**
 - **Dedicated WirePlumber Configs**: Separate configuration generators for input vs output devices
 - **Independent Signal Handlers**: Each tab manages its own settings and apply operations
 - **Comprehensive Testing**: Extensive test suite covering new input/output separation features
@@ -69,18 +80,16 @@ This tool is designed to grow with PipeWire and Linux audio:
 
 As audio companies improve their Linux driver support and PipeWire continues to evolve, this tool will be ready to leverage those advancements immediately.
 
-
 ## Roadmap
 
-- [ ] Package manager support (RPM/DEB/Flatpak)
+- [x] **Real-time Audio Monitoring** - Live level meters with PipeWire integration
 - [x] Setting all available devices in one session
 - [x] Separate input/output configuration tabs
 - [x] User vs system-wide configuration scope
+- [ ] Package manager support (RPM/DEB/Flatpak)
 - [ ] Additional audio backends (JACK)
 - [ ] Preset configurations
 - [x] Advanced audio routing
-- [ ] Real-time audio monitoring
-
 
 ## Installation
 
@@ -101,7 +110,7 @@ cd pro_audio_config
 
 2. Build and install:
 ```bash
-cargo build --release
+cargo build --release --features pipewire-monitoring
 sudo cp target/release/pro_audio_config /usr/local/bin/
 ```
 

data/styles.css

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+.level-safe progressbar trough,
+.level-safe progressbar progress {
+    background-color: #26A269; /* Green */
+}
+
+.level-warning progressbar trough,  
+.level-warning progressbar progress {
+    background-color: #E5A50A; /* Yellow */
+}
+
+.level-danger progressbar trough,
+.level-danger progressbar progress {
+    background-color: #C01C28; /* Red */
+}
+
+progressbar.clipping progress {
+    background-color: #FF0000; /* Bright red for clipping */
+    animation: blink 1s infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes blink {
+    0% { opacity: 1; }
+    50% { opacity: 0.5; }
+    100% { opacity: 1; }
+}
+
+/* NEW: Audio meter indicator styles */
+.level-safe {
+    background-color: #26A269; /* Green */
+}
+
+.level-warning {
+    background-color: #E5A50A; /* Yellow */
+}
+
+.level-danger {
+    background-color: #C01C28; /* Red */
+}
+
+/* Style for the small indicators in the key */
+.level-indicator {
+    min-width: 16px;
+    min-height: 16px;
+    border-radius: 2px;
+}
+
+/* Progress bar text styling */
+progressbar {
+    color: #FFFFFF;
+    font-weight: bold;
+}
+
+/* Make the progress bars look nicer */
+progressbar trough {
+    background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+    border-radius: 3px;
+}
+
+progressbar progress {
+    border-radius: 3px;
+}

install.sh

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ echo "=== Installing Pro Audio Config ==="
 
 # Build the release binary
 echo "Building the application..."
-cargo build --release
+cargo build --release --features pipewire-monitoring
 
 # Create directories if they don't exist
 echo "Creating installation directories..."

scrshots/README.md

@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@
 ![Running the program](scr9.png)  
 *(In the task manager)*  
 
+![Running the program](scr10.png)  
+*(Monitoring)*  
+
 ![About](scr7.png)  
 *(Help -> About)*