Open-source Linux audio player

PCM Transport

A lightweight Linux desktop audio player focused on transparent PCM transport, native FLAC playback, direct ALSA output, predictable DSP and honest signal-path diagnostics.

Download release View on GitHub

Screenshots

PCM Transport keeps the interface compact while exposing the active playback path, DSP state, level/clip diagnostics and processing controls.

PCM Transport main window showing playback controls and diagnostics
Main playback window
PCM Transport DSP Studio window with bass, treble, Deep Bass and diagnostics
DSP Studio

What it is

PCM Transport is a compact Linux desktop audio player focused on direct PCM playback, transparent signal-path reporting, native FLAC decoding and optional DSP processing.

Native FLAC playback

Uses libFLAC for native FLAC decoding, with a clean playback path when no resampling or bit-depth conversion is required.

Additional formats via FFmpeg

Uses FFmpeg and FFprobe at runtime for MP3, M4A, WAV, APE, WV, metadata probing and conversion-based processing paths.

Direct ALSA output

Designed for Linux playback with GTK 3 and ALSA, without requiring a mandatory PulseAudio or PipeWire layer.

Transparent signal path

Shows the real active playback chain, including ALSA negotiation, FLAC/libFLAC notes and possible conversion stages.

DSP Studio

Includes Baxandall-like bass/treble, Deep Bass, soft volume, automatic Pre-EQ Headroom and optional processing rules.

Diagnostics and indicators

Provides level metering, real clip detection, SIMD availability, self-test status and usage counters for runtime diagnostics.

Why another Linux audio player?

PCM Transport is built for users who want a small Linux FLAC player with a visible signal path, native libFLAC decoding, direct ALSA output and optional DSP that can be fully bypassed.

The goal is not to replace large music library managers. PCM Transport is closer to a focused playback tool for local lossless audio: simple controls, honest runtime reporting and a clear distinction between native playback, conversion paths and optional processing.

It may be useful for Linux users interested in a lightweight open-source audio player, an ALSA-based FLAC player, a GTK desktop player, or a compact tool for experimenting with transparent DSP and playback diagnostics.

Build and run

Build instructions follow the current project README. Install the required development packages, build with CMake, then run the generated binary.

Arch Linux Build dependencies 
sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel cmake pkgconf alsa-lib flac gtk3 ffmpeg
Debian / Ubuntu Build dependencies 
sudo apt install build-essential cmake pkg-config \
    libasound2-dev libflac++-dev libgtk-3-dev ffmpeg
Build Configure and compile 
cmake -S . -B build
cmake --build build -j
Run Start the player 
./build/pcm_transport

Runtime dependencies include ALSA, GTK 3, libFLAC++, FFmpeg and FFprobe. Native FLAC playback can work without FFmpeg. FFmpeg/FFprobe are required for MP3, M4A, WAV, APE, WV, metadata probing and FLAC processing paths involving conversion.

Project goals

The project is developed as a small, understandable and conservative Linux player: stable playback first, transparent signal path, predictable DSP behavior and no hidden processing.

Source code

Source code, changelog and releases are available on GitHub: github.com/andreyberestov/pcm-transport.

License

PCM Transport is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0. See the LICENSE file in the repository for details.

Support

PCM Transport is an independent open-source project. If you enjoy PCM Transport, you can buy the author a cup of coffee.

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