Creating Vibe: Multilingual Audio Transcription
The Cry for Help
It all started with a simple plea from a friend who missed crucial classes. He needed transcriptions, and I was determined to find an open-source solution to make the process painless. Little did I know, this quest would lead to the creation of Vibe.
The Void in the Open Source Landscape
My search for a user-friendly, open-source transcription tool left me empty-handed. Frustrated by the lack of options that suited my friend’s needs, the idea dawned on me — why not build one myself?
The Foundation: whisper.cpp and Rust Bindings
To kickstart the project, I turned to the robust whisper.cpp, an open-source gem. Given my affinity for Rust, I seamlessly integrated its bindings, laying the groundwork for what would become ‘Vibe.’
Crafting a Tauri Desktop Experience
Being a fan of Tauri desktop apps, I decided to harness their power in crafting a sleek and user-friendly interface for Vibe. The marriage of whisper-bindings and Tauri gave birth to an application that was as elegant as it was functional.
Expanding Horizons: Compiling for MacOS, Linux, and Windows
Ensuring accessibility for users across different operating systems became a priority. Through meticulous effort, I compiled Vibe for MacOS, Linux, and Windows, widening its reach and potential impact.
Turbocharging Performance: CPU and GPU Optimization
The quest for perfection didn’t end with basic functionality. To elevate Vibe’s performance, I delved into CPU optimization with openBLAS and tapped into GPU power with opencore. The results were astounding — a 30x speed boost that transformed Vibe into a powerhouse.
Vibe — More Than Just Transcription
What began as a response to a friend’s plea evolved into ‘Vibe’ — a multifaceted tool that not only bridges the transcription gap but does so with speed and elegance. The journey was challenging, filled with learning curves and triumphs, but Vibe now stands as a testament to the possibilities that arise when necessity meets creativity in the world of open source.
