trnscrb - Transcribing meetings offline for macOS

trnscrb is an offline meeting transcription tool designed for macOS that operates locally without relying on cloud services. It automatically detects meetings and transcribes audio using the Whisper model, ensuring privacy and data security. Users can easily access and search their transcripts through Claude Desktop, making it a convenient solution for professionals who need accurate meeting notes.

1. Auto-Detection of Meetings

   trnscrb automatically detects when a meeting is taking place by monitoring microphone activity and the presence of applications like Google Meet, Zoom, Slack, Teams, or FaceTime.

2. Local Recording

   The tool captures audio locally, either from the microphone alone or in combination with system audio using the BlackHole virtual driver.

3. On-Device Transcription

   Transcription is performed on-device using the Whisper small model, which requires no internet connection, ensuring that all data remains private.

4. Integration with Claude Desktop

   After installation, trnscrb works seamlessly with Claude Desktop, allowing users to control recordings and search transcripts easily.

5. Searchable Transcripts

   Transcripts are saved as plain .txt files in the ~/meeting-notes/ directory, making them easily searchable through MCP tools.

6. Action Item Tracking

   Users can quickly retrieve action items from meetings, enhancing productivity and accountability.

7. Privacy Assurance

   All audio and transcripts are stored locally, with no data sent to external servers unless the user opts to enrich transcripts via the Claude API.

1. Install trnscrb using Homebrew or Python as per your preference.
2. Ensure that the microphone is active for at least 5 seconds to detect meetings.
3. Use the BlackHole virtual driver for capturing both your audio and system audio.
4. Familiarize yourself with MCP tools for managing and retrieving transcripts effectively.
5. Remember that while transcription is offline, enriching transcripts requires an internet connection.

What is trnscrb?

trnscrb is a local transcription tool for macOS that captures and transcribes meetings without using cloud services, ensuring user privacy.

How does trnscrb work?

It detects meetings through microphone activity and records audio locally. The Whisper model transcribes the audio on-device, and transcripts are saved for easy access.

Can I use trnscrb with different meeting platforms?

Yes, trnscrb supports various platforms including Google Meet, Zoom, Slack, Teams, and FaceTime.

Do I need an internet connection to use trnscrb?

No, trnscrb operates fully offline for recording and transcription. Internet is only required for enriching transcripts.

Where are the transcripts stored?

Transcripts are saved as plain .txt files in the ~/meeting-notes/ directory on your device.

Price data is not available yet, please go to the official website to check.

1. trnscrb effectively provides a local solution for meeting transcription, ensuring user privacy and data security.
2. The auto-detection feature simplifies the process of starting recordings, making it user-friendly.
3. However, the reliance on the BlackHole driver for capturing system audio may pose a challenge for some users.
4. While the Whisper model offers good transcription quality, performance may vary on Intel Macs compared to Apple Silicon.
5. Overall, trnscrb is a valuable tool for professionals seeking efficient and private meeting transcription, but it may require some technical setup for optimal use.