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Getting started

Download

Get the latest release from GitHub Releases:

  • macOS (14.6 or newer, Apple silicon and Intel): Das-Meter-<version>.dmg.
  • Windows (10 and 11, x64): Das-Meter-<version>-windows-x64-setup.exe.
  • Linux (x86_64, e.g. Arch): das-meter-<version>-linux-x86_64.tar.gz. Unpack it and run ./das-meter. System Capture needs PipeWire (the default on Arch, Fedora and current Ubuntu). The Bar is an ordinary always-on-top window there (Wayland doesn't let apps dock themselves), there's no menu bar or tray icon, and no Send Plugin for Linux yet.

Install on macOS

Open the DMG and drag Das-Meter to Applications.

Install on Windows

Run the installer and allow it to make changes (it installs for everyone on the PC). Untick CLAP or VST3 if your DAW doesn't need that Send Plugin format. Double-clicking a .dasmeter-preset file afterwards imports it.

Until the installer is code-signed, Windows SmartScreen asks once: choose More info ▸ Run anyway.

Open Anyway

The first time you open Das-Meter, macOS says it can't check the app for malicious software. That's expected, and you only need to do this once:

  1. Open Das-Meter once and close the message.
  2. Open System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security and scroll down.
  3. Next to "Das-Meter was blocked…", click Open Anyway, then confirm.

Why: Apple only skips this step for apps signed with a paid Apple Developer ID and sent to Apple for checking ("notarized"). Das-Meter is open source and signed with its own certificate instead, so you can read exactly what it does. Once there's a Developer ID, this step goes away.

The Send Plugin comes inside the app, so this is the only step like it: Das-Meter copies the Send Plugin into your plug-in folders itself (see Send Plugins).

First launch

Das-Meter opens as a Bar docked to the top of your screen (the Producing Top-Bar 1.0 Preset), with a welcome card next to it:

  • Start listening starts System Capture. On macOS, this is when macOS asks for permission. Das-Meter never records or saves audio.
  • Install Send Plugin… (macOS) puts the Send Plugin in your plug-in folders for your DAW.
  • ✕ closes the card without listening; each Meter then shows a small Start listening button.

You can bring the card back with Help ▸ Show Welcome.

Right-click any Meter for its settings. The settings panel (Das-Meter ▸ Settings…, ⌘,) has everything else.

On macOS, Das-Meter also has an icon in the menu bar, so you can turn off Show in Dock. Launch at Login is off until you turn it on.