Linux System Audio Capture

WireTap

Audio Control Center

Capture, inspect, monitor, and export the audio already flowing through your Linux system. WireTap operates entirely at the PipeWire or PulseAudio layer, leaving browsers and websites untouched.

No browser extension No cloud processing Local audio export

User Edition

A focused audio console, not a browser add-on.

WireTap is designed for users who want precise control over system audio capture without browser access, injected scripts, remote services, or unnecessary editing complexity.

DarkMatter WireTap application branding

Application Identity

DarkMatter WireTap

The interface combines live signal analysis, recording controls, source selection, theme profiles, and export configuration in one self-contained PySide6 desktop application.

Its dashboard is built around visibility. The active source, signal state, waveform, peak levels, RMS levels, recording duration, file size, format, and output location remain visible while you work.

Core Structure

The signal path stays local and understandable.

WireTap captures from the monitor source associated with your selected Linux output device. The browser is simply another application producing sound.

01

Applications Produce Audio

Browsers, media players, games, and desktop software send audio to PipeWire or PulseAudio.

02

WireTap Detects the Monitor

The application discovers available output-monitor sources and follows the default output when enabled.

03

Audio Is Recorded Locally

FFmpeg captures the selected monitor and exports directly to your configured recording directory.

Control Surface

Designed around the information that matters.

LIVE

Real Peak and RMS Meters

Actual stereo PCM data drives the level meters, peak values, RMS readouts, and signal state.

WAVE

Waveform Monitor

A live waveform visualization shows the shape and activity of the selected system audio signal.

AUTO

Automatic Source Detection

WireTap finds output-monitor sources and can follow the current default sink automatically.

CTRL

Recording Controls

Record, pause, resume, stop, discard, open the output folder, or operate through configured shortcuts.

SAVE

Persistent Preferences

Theme, modules, format, source behavior, output directory, filenames, and hotkeys are remembered.

MOD

Modular Dashboard

Waveform, signal meters, and session information can be enabled or hidden to suit your workspace.

Theme System

Four control-room personalities.

Each theme changes the application’s visual language while preserving the same control layout, recording workflow, and data hierarchy.

DarkMatter
DarkMatter Console

Deep black, graphite panels, electric blue instrumentation, green signal states, and red recording alerts.

Broadcast
Broadcast Console

Warm studio tones, amber instrumentation, dark bronze panels, and classic broadcast-console contrast.

Terminal
Terminal Console

Near-black surfaces, phosphor green readouts, compact controls, and an old-school signal-terminal character.

LightStudio
LightStudio Console

A bright editing-room layout with clean white panels, restrained blue controls, and crisp daylight readability.

Modules

Show the instruments you use. Hide the rest.

WireTap’s interface is modular, allowing the dashboard to remain compact or expand into a more detailed monitoring console.

Signal MetersLive left and right peak levels, RMS data, and signal state.
Waveform MonitorA real-time view of the current stereo PCM signal.
Session InformationOutput path, capture engine, backend, sample rate, and channels.
Hotkey ControlsConfigurable keyboard shortcuts for record, pause, resume, and stop.

Audio Export

Choose the format that fits the job.

FLAC

Lossless compression and an excellent default for archival recordings.

WAV

Uncompressed PCM for editing, analysis, mastering, and maximum compatibility.

MP3

Compact, widely compatible output for everyday listening and distribution.

OPUS

Efficient modern compression with strong quality at lower bitrates.

OGG

Open-format Vorbis audio for portable, compact, standards-friendly exports.

Private and Local

No browser access. No cloud. No injected code.

WireTap works at the Linux audio layer. It does not inspect browser tabs, read page content, install extensions, alter websites, or send recordings to a remote service.

  • Standalone PySide6 desktop application
  • Local PipeWire or PulseAudio monitor capture
  • Local FFmpeg encoding
  • User-selected output directory
  • Persistent local preferences
  • No account required

DarkMatter Software

Precision audio capture without browser entanglement.

WireTap turns the Linux output-monitor stream into a controlled, visible, exportable recording workflow.