separate ping from pong

this separates concerns and allows the pong_timeout to strictly handle timeouts for pongs.

patch bump

.gitignore

@@ -159,3 +159,5 @@ config.toml
 vban.toml
 
 .vscode/
+
+PING_FEATURE.md

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -11,6 +11,16 @@ Before any major/minor/patch bump all unit tests will be run to verify they pass
 
 -   [x]
 
+## [2.9.0] - 2026-03-02
+
+### Added
+
+-   Recorder class, see [Recorder](https://github.com/onyx-and-iris/vban-cmd-python?tab=readme-ov-file#recorder) in README.
+-   Ping/pong implemented. If a pong is not received {VbanCmd}.login() will fail fast. This prevents the rt listener threads from starting up.
+    -   It has the added benefit of automatically detecting the type of VBAN server (Voicemeeter or Matrix).
+-   A thread lock around the framecounter to improve thread safety since it can be accessed by both the main thread and the Producer thread.
+
+
 ## [2.7.0] - 2026-03-01
 
 ### Added

README.md

@@ -41,14 +41,14 @@ Load VBAN connection info from toml config. A valid `vban.toml` might look like
 
 ```toml
 [connection]
-ip = "gamepc.local"
+host = "localhost"
 port = 6980
 streamname = "Command1"
 ```
 
 It should be placed in \<user home directory\> / "Documents" / "Voicemeeter" / "configs"
 
-Alternatively you may pass `ip`, `port`, `streamname` as keyword arguments.
+Alternatively you may pass `host`, `port`, `streamname` as keyword arguments.
 
 #### `__main__.py`
 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def main():
     KIND_ID = 'banana'
 
     with vban_cmd.api(
-        KIND_ID, ip='gamepc.local', port=6980, streamname='Command1'
+        KIND_ID, host='localhost', port=6980, streamname='Command1'
     ) as vban:
         do = ManyThings(vban)
         do.things()
@@ -349,6 +349,40 @@ vban.strip[0].fadeto(-10.3, 1000)
 vban.bus[3].fadeby(-5.6, 500)
 ```
 
+### Recorder
+
+The following methods are available
+
+-   `play()`
+-   `stop()`
+-   `pause()`
+-   `record()`
+-   `ff()`
+-   `rew()`
+-   `load(filepath)`: raw string
+-   `goto(time_string)`: time string in format `hh:mm:ss`
+
+The following properties are available
+
+-   `samplerate`: int, (22050, 24000, 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000, 176400, 192000)
+-   `bitresolution`: int, (8, 16, 24, 32)
+-   `channel`: int, from 1 to 8
+-   `kbps`: int, (32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, 320)
+-   `gain`: float, from -60.0 to 12.0
+
+example:
+
+```python
+vban.recorder.play()
+vban.recorder.stop()
+
+# filepath as raw string
+vban.recorder.load(r'C:\music\mytune.mp3')
+
+# set the goto time to 1m 30s
+vban.recorder.goto('00:01:30')
+```
+
 ### Command
 
 Certain 'special' commands are defined by the API as performing actions rather than setting values. The following methods are available:
@@ -440,7 +474,7 @@ example:
 import vban_cmd
 
 opts = {
-    'ip': '<ip address>',
+    'host': '<ip address>',
     'streamname': 'Command1',
     'port': 6980,
 }
@@ -507,14 +541,15 @@ print(vban.event.get())
 
 You may pass the following optional keyword arguments:
 
--   `ip`: str='localhost', ip or hostname of remote machine
+-   `host`: str='localhost', ip or hostname of remote machine
 -   `port`: int=6980, vban udp port of remote machine.
 -   `streamname`: str='Command1', name of the stream to connect to.
 -   `bps`: int=256000, bps rate of the stream.
 -   `channel`: int=0, channel on which to send the UDP requests.
 -   `pdirty`: boolean=False, parameter updates
 -   `ldirty`: boolean=False, level updates
--   `timeout`: int=5, amount of time (seconds) to wait for an incoming RT data packet (parameter states).
+-   `script_ratelimit`: float=0.05, default to 20 script requests per second. This affects vban.sendtext() specifically.
+-   `timeout`: int=5, timeout for socket operations.
 -   `disable_rt_listeners`: boolean=False, set `True` if you don't wish to receive RT packets.
     -   You can still send Matrix string requests ending with `?` and receive a response.
 
@@ -557,7 +592,7 @@ import vban_cmd
 
 logging.basicConfig(level=logging.DEBUG)
 
-opts = {'ip': 'ip.local', 'port': 6980, 'streamname': 'Command1'}
+opts = {'host': 'localhost', 'port': 6980, 'streamname': 'Command1'}
 with vban_cmd.api('banana', **opts) as vban:
     ...
 ```

pyproject.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [project]
 name = "vban-cmd"
-version = "2.7.0"
+version = "2.9.6"
 description = "Python interface for the VBAN RT Packet Service (Sendtext)"
 authors = [{ name = "Onyx and Iris", email = "code@onyxandiris.online" }]
 license = { text = "MIT" }
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ requires-python = ">=3.10"
 dependencies = ["tomli (>=2.0.1,<3.0) ; python_version < '3.11'"]
 
 [tool.poetry.requires-plugins]
-poethepoet = "^0.35.0"
+poethepoet = ">=0.42.0"
 
 [tool.poetry.group.dev.dependencies]
 pytest = "^8.3.4"

tests/__init__.py

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from vban_cmd.kinds import request_kind_map as kindmap
 KIND_ID = os.environ.get('KIND', 'potato')
 
 opts = {
-    'ip': os.getenv('VBANCMD_IP', 'localhost'),
+    'host': os.getenv('VBANCMD_HOST', 'localhost'),
     'streamname': os.getenv('VBANCMD_STREAMNAME', 'Command1'),
     'port': int(os.getenv('VBANCMD_PORT', 6980)),
 }

vban_cmd/factory.py

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ from .error import VBANCMDError
 from .kinds import KindMapClass
 from .kinds import request_kind_map as kindmap
 from .macrobutton import MacroButton
+from .recorder import Recorder
 from .strip import request_strip_obj as strip
 from .vban import request_vban_obj as vban
 from .vbancmd import VbanCmd
@@ -26,7 +27,7 @@ class FactoryBuilder:
     """
 
     BuilderProgress = IntEnum(
-        'BuilderProgress', 'strip bus command macrobutton vban', start=0
+        'BuilderProgress', 'strip bus command macrobutton vban recorder', start=0
     )
 
     def __init__(self, factory, kind: KindMapClass):
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ class FactoryBuilder:
             f'Finished building commands for {self._factory}',
             f'Finished building macrobuttons for {self._factory}',
             f'Finished building vban in/out streams for {self._factory}',
+            f'Finished building recorder for {self._factory}',
         )
         self.logger = logger.getChild(self.__class__.__name__)
 
@@ -72,24 +74,30 @@ class FactoryBuilder:
         self._factory.vban = vban(self._factory)
         return self
 
+    def make_recorder(self):
+        self._factory.recorder = Recorder.make(self._factory)
+        return self
+
 
 class FactoryBase(VbanCmd):
     """Base class for factories, subclasses VbanCmd."""
 
     def __init__(self, kind_id: str, **kwargs):
         defaultkwargs = {
-            'ip': 'localhost',
+            'host': 'localhost',
             'port': 6980,
             'streamname': 'Command1',
             'bps': 256000,
             'channel': 0,
-            'ratelimit': 0.01,
-            'timeout': 5,
+            'script_ratelimit': 0.05,  # 20 commands per second, to avoid overloading Voicemeeter
+            'timeout': 5,  # timeout on socket operations, in seconds
             'disable_rt_listeners': False,
             'sync': False,
             'pdirty': False,
             'ldirty': False,
         }
+        if 'ip' in kwargs:
+            defaultkwargs['host'] = kwargs.pop('ip')  # for backwards compatibility
         if 'subs' in kwargs:
             defaultkwargs |= kwargs.pop('subs')  # for backwards compatibility
         kwargs = defaultkwargs | kwargs
@@ -166,7 +174,7 @@ class BananaFactory(FactoryBase):
     @property
     def steps(self) -> Iterable:
         """steps required to build the interface for a kind"""
-        return self._steps
+        return self._steps + (self.builder.make_recorder,)
 
 
 class PotatoFactory(FactoryBase):
@@ -188,7 +196,7 @@ class PotatoFactory(FactoryBase):
     @property
     def steps(self) -> Iterable:
         """steps required to build the interface for a kind"""
-        return self._steps
+        return self._steps + (self.builder.make_recorder,)
 
 
 def vbancmd_factory(kind_id: str, **kwargs) -> VbanCmd:

vban_cmd/iremote.py

@@ -1,83 +1,9 @@
 import abc
 import logging
-import time
-from dataclasses import dataclass
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-@dataclass
-class Modes:
-    """Channel Modes"""
-
-    _mute: hex = 0x00000001
-    _solo: hex = 0x00000002
-    _mono: hex = 0x00000004
-    _mc: hex = 0x00000008
-
-    _amix: hex = 0x00000010
-    _repeat: hex = 0x00000020
-    _bmix: hex = 0x00000030
-    _composite: hex = 0x00000040
-    _tvmix: hex = 0x00000050
-    _upmix21: hex = 0x00000060
-    _upmix41: hex = 0x00000070
-    _upmix61: hex = 0x00000080
-    _centeronly: hex = 0x00000090
-    _lfeonly: hex = 0x000000A0
-    _rearonly: hex = 0x000000B0
-
-    _mask: hex = 0x000000F0
-
-    _on: hex = 0x00000100  # eq.on
-    _cross: hex = 0x00000200
-    _ab: hex = 0x00000800  # eq.ab
-
-    _busa: hex = 0x00001000
-    _busa1: hex = 0x00001000
-    _busa2: hex = 0x00002000
-    _busa3: hex = 0x00004000
-    _busa4: hex = 0x00008000
-    _busa5: hex = 0x00080000
-
-    _busb: hex = 0x00010000
-    _busb1: hex = 0x00010000
-    _busb2: hex = 0x00020000
-    _busb3: hex = 0x00040000
-
-    _pan0: hex = 0x00000000
-    _pancolor: hex = 0x00100000
-    _panmod: hex = 0x00200000
-    _panmask: hex = 0x00F00000
-
-    _postfx_r: hex = 0x01000000
-    _postfx_d: hex = 0x02000000
-    _postfx1: hex = 0x04000000
-    _postfx2: hex = 0x08000000
-
-    _sel: hex = 0x10000000
-    _monitor: hex = 0x20000000
-
-    @property
-    def modevals(self):
-        return (
-            val
-            for val in [
-                self._amix,
-                self._repeat,
-                self._bmix,
-                self._composite,
-                self._tvmix,
-                self._upmix21,
-                self._upmix41,
-                self._upmix61,
-                self._centeronly,
-                self._lfeonly,
-                self._rearonly,
-            ]
-        )
-
-
 class IRemote(abc.ABC):
     """
     Common interface between base class and extended (higher) classes
@@ -89,7 +15,6 @@ class IRemote(abc.ABC):
         self._remote = remote
         self.index = index
         self.logger = logger.getChild(self.__class__.__name__)
-        self._modes = Modes()
 
     def getter(self, param):
         cmd = self._cmd(param)
@@ -123,6 +48,8 @@ class IRemote(abc.ABC):
     def apply(self, data):
         """Sets all parameters of a dict for the channel."""
 
+        script = ''
+
         def fget(attr, val):
             if attr == 'mode':
                 return (f'mode.{val}', 1)
@@ -138,14 +65,9 @@ class IRemote(abc.ABC):
                         val = 1 if val else 0
 
                     self._remote.cache[self._cmd(attr)] = val
-                    self._remote._script += f'{self._cmd(attr)}={val};'
+                    script += f'{self._cmd(attr)}={val};'
             else:
                 target = getattr(self, attr)
                 target.apply(val)
 
-        self._remote.sendtext(self._remote._script)
-        return self
-
-    def then_wait(self):
-        self._remote._script = str()
-        time.sleep(self._remote.DELAY)
+        self._remote.sendtext(script)

vban_cmd/meta.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from functools import partial
 
 from .enums import NBS, BusModes
+from .packet.enums import ChannelModes
 from .util import cache_bool, cache_float, cache_int, cache_string
 
 
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ def channel_bool_prop(param):
         elif param.lower() == 'mc':
             return channel_state.mc
         else:
-            return channel_state.get_mode(getattr(self._modes, f'_{param.lower()}'))
+            return channel_state.get_mode(getattr(ChannelModes, param.upper()).value)
 
     def fset(self, val):
         self.setter(param, 1 if val else 0)
@@ -55,7 +56,9 @@ def channel_int_prop(param):
             bit_9 = (channel_state._state >> 9) & 1
             return (bit_9 << 1) | bit_2
         else:
-            return channel_state.get_mode_int(getattr(self._modes, f'_{param.lower()}'))
+            return channel_state.get_mode_int(
+                getattr(ChannelModes, param.upper()).value
+            )
 
     def fset(self, val):
         self.setter(param, val)
@@ -89,7 +92,7 @@ def strip_output_prop(param):
 
         strip_state = self.public_packets[NBS.zero].states.strip[self.index]
 
-        return strip_state.get_mode(getattr(self._modes, f'_bus{param.lower()}'))
+        return strip_state.get_mode(getattr(ChannelModes, f'BUS{param.upper()}').value)
 
     def fset(self, val):
         self.setter(param, 1 if val else 0)

vban_cmd/packet/enums.py

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+from enum import Flag
+
+
+class ChannelModes(Flag):
+    """Channel Modes - Bit flags that can be combined"""
+
+    MUTE = 0x00000001
+    SOLO = 0x00000002
+    MONO = 0x00000004
+    MC = 0x00000008
+
+    AMIX = 0x00000010
+    REPEAT = 0x00000020
+    BMIX = 0x00000030
+    COMPOSITE = 0x00000040
+    TVMIX = 0x00000050
+    UPMIX21 = 0x00000060
+    UPMIX41 = 0x00000070
+    UPMIX61 = 0x00000080
+    CENTERONLY = 0x00000090
+    LFEONLY = 0x000000A0
+    REARONLY = 0x000000B0
+
+    MASK = 0x000000F0
+
+    ON = 0x00000100  # eq.on
+    CROSS = 0x00000200
+    AB = 0x00000800  # eq.ab
+
+    BUSA = 0x00001000
+    BUSA1 = 0x00001000
+    BUSA2 = 0x00002000
+    BUSA3 = 0x00004000
+    BUSA4 = 0x00008000
+    BUSA5 = 0x00080000
+
+    BUSB = 0x00010000
+    BUSB1 = 0x00010000
+    BUSB2 = 0x00020000
+    BUSB3 = 0x00040000
+
+    PAN0 = 0x00000000
+    PANCOLOR = 0x00100000
+    PANMOD = 0x00200000
+    PANMASK = 0x00F00000
+
+    POSTFX_R = 0x01000000
+    POSTFX_D = 0x02000000
+    POSTFX1 = 0x04000000
+    POSTFX2 = 0x08000000
+
+    SEL = 0x10000000
+    MONITOR = 0x20000000

vban_cmd/packet/headers.py

@@ -8,11 +8,15 @@ VBAN_PROTOCOL_SERVICE = 0x60
 
 VBAN_SERVICE_RTPACKETREGISTER = 32
 VBAN_SERVICE_RTPACKET = 33
+VBAN_SERVICE_PING = 0
+VBAN_SERVICE_PONG = 0  # PONG uses same service type as PING
 VBAN_SERVICE_MASK = 0xE0
 VBAN_PROTOCOL_MASK = 0xE0
 VBAN_SERVICE_REQUESTREPLY = 0x02
 VBAN_SERVICE_FNCT_REPLY = 0x02
 
+PINGPONG_PACKET_SIZE = 704  # Size of the PING/PONG header + payload in bytes
+
 MAX_PACKET_SIZE = 1436
 HEADER_SIZE = 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 16
 
@@ -154,7 +158,7 @@ class VbanResponseHeader:
         # Validate this is an RTPacket response
         if parsed['format_nbc'] != VBAN_SERVICE_RTPACKET:
             raise ValueError(
-                f'Not a RTPacket response packet: {parsed["format_nbc"]:02x}'
+                f'Not an RTPacket response packet: {parsed["format_nbc"]:02x}'
             )
 
         return cls(**parsed)
@@ -207,6 +211,92 @@ class VbanMatrixResponseHeader:
         return header, payload
 
 
+@dataclass
+class VbanPingHeader:
+    """Represents the header of a PING packet"""
+
+    name: str = 'PING0'
+    format_sr: int = VBAN_PROTOCOL_SERVICE
+    format_nbs: int = 0
+    format_nbc: int = VBAN_SERVICE_PING
+    format_bit: int = 0
+    framecounter: int = 0
+
+    @property
+    def vban(self) -> bytes:
+        return b'VBAN'
+
+    @property
+    def streamname(self) -> bytes:
+        return self.name.encode('ascii')[:16].ljust(16, b'\x00')
+
+    @classmethod
+    def to_bytes(cls, framecounter: int = 0) -> bytes:
+        """Creates the PING header bytes only."""
+        header = cls(framecounter=framecounter)
+
+        data = bytearray()
+        data.extend(header.vban)
+        data.extend(header.format_sr.to_bytes(1, 'little'))
+        data.extend(header.format_nbs.to_bytes(1, 'little'))
+        data.extend(header.format_nbc.to_bytes(1, 'little'))
+        data.extend(header.format_bit.to_bytes(1, 'little'))
+        data.extend(header.streamname)
+        data.extend(header.framecounter.to_bytes(4, 'little'))
+        return bytes(data)
+
+
+@dataclass
+class VbanPongHeader:
+    """Represents the header of a PONG response packet"""
+
+    name: str = 'PING0'
+    format_sr: int = VBAN_PROTOCOL_SERVICE
+    format_nbs: int = 0
+    format_nbc: int = VBAN_SERVICE_PONG
+    format_bit: int = 0
+    framecounter: int = 0
+
+    @property
+    def vban(self) -> bytes:
+        return b'VBAN'
+
+    @property
+    def streamname(self) -> bytes:
+        return self.name.encode('ascii')[:16].ljust(16, b'\x00')
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_bytes(cls, data: bytes):
+        """Parse a PONG response packet from bytes."""
+        parsed = _parse_vban_service_header(data)
+
+        # PONG responses use the same service type as PING (0x00)
+        # and are identified by having payload data
+        if parsed['format_nbc'] != VBAN_SERVICE_PONG:
+            raise ValueError(f'Not a PONG response packet: {parsed["format_nbc"]:02x}')
+
+        return cls(**parsed)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def is_pong_response(cls, data: bytes) -> bool:
+        """Check if packet is a PONG response by analyzing the actual response format."""
+        try:
+            parsed = _parse_vban_service_header(data)
+
+            # Validate this is a service protocol packet with PING/PONG service type
+            if parsed['format_nbc'] != VBAN_SERVICE_PONG:
+                return False
+
+            if parsed['name'] not in ['PING0', 'VBAN Service']:
+                return False
+
+            # PONG should have payload data (same size as PING)
+            return len(data) >= PINGPONG_PACKET_SIZE
+
+        except (ValueError, Exception):
+            return False
+
+
 @dataclass
 class VbanRequestHeader:
     """Represents the header of a request packet"""
@@ -238,7 +328,7 @@ class VbanRequestHeader:
 
     @property
     def streamname(self) -> bytes:
-        return self.name.encode() + bytes(16 - len(self.name))
+        return self.name.encode()[:16].ljust(16, b'\x00')
 
     @classmethod
     def to_bytes(

vban_cmd/packet/nbs0.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from vban_cmd.enums import NBS
 from vban_cmd.kinds import KindMapClass
 from vban_cmd.util import comp
 
+from .enums import ChannelModes
 from .headers import VbanPacket
 
 
@@ -31,57 +32,57 @@ class ChannelState:
     # Common boolean modes
     @property
     def mute(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00000001) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.MUTE.value) != 0
 
     @property
     def solo(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00000002) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.SOLO.value) != 0
 
     @property
     def mono(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00000004) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.MONO.value) != 0
 
     @property
     def mc(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00000008) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.MC.value) != 0
 
     # EQ modes
     @property
     def eq_on(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00000100) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.ON.value) != 0
 
     @property
     def eq_ab(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00000800) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.AB.value) != 0
 
     # Bus assignments (strip to bus routing)
     @property
     def busa1(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00001000) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.BUSA1.value) != 0
 
     @property
     def busa2(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00002000) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.BUSA2.value) != 0
 
     @property
     def busa3(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00004000) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.BUSA3.value) != 0
 
     @property
     def busa4(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00008000) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.BUSA4.value) != 0
 
     @property
     def busb1(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00010000) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.BUSB1.value) != 0
 
     @property
     def busb2(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00020000) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.BUSB2.value) != 0
 
     @property
     def busb3(self) -> bool:
-        return (self._state & 0x00040000) != 0
+        return (self._state & ChannelModes.BUSB3.value) != 0
 
 
 class States(NamedTuple):

vban_cmd/packet/ping0.py

@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from enum import Enum
+
+from .headers import VbanPingHeader
+
+# VBAN PING bitType constants
+VBANPING_TYPE_RECEPTOR = 0x00000001  # Simple receptor
+VBANPING_TYPE_TRANSMITTER = 0x00000002  # Simple Transmitter
+VBANPING_TYPE_RECEPTORSPOT = 0x00000004  # SPOT receptor
+VBANPING_TYPE_TRANSMITTERSPOT = 0x00000008  # SPOT transmitter
+VBANPING_TYPE_VIRTUALDEVICE = 0x00000010  # Virtual Device
+VBANPING_TYPE_VIRTUALMIXER = 0x00000020  # Virtual Mixer
+VBANPING_TYPE_MATRIX = 0x00000040  # MATRIX
+VBANPING_TYPE_DAW = 0x00000080  # Workstation
+VBANPING_TYPE_SERVER = 0x01000000  # VBAN SERVER
+
+# VBAN PING bitfeature constants
+VBANPING_FEATURE_AUDIO = 0x00000001
+VBANPING_FEATURE_AOIP = 0x00000002
+VBANPING_FEATURE_VOIP = 0x00000004
+VBANPING_FEATURE_SERIAL = 0x00000100
+VBANPING_FEATURE_MIDI = 0x00000300
+VBANPING_FEATURE_FRAME = 0x00001000
+VBANPING_FEATURE_TXT = 0x00010000
+
+
+class VbanServerType(Enum):
+    """VBAN server types detected from PONG responses"""
+
+    UNKNOWN = 0
+    VOICEMEETER = VBANPING_TYPE_VIRTUALMIXER
+    MATRIX = VBANPING_TYPE_MATRIX
+
+
+@dataclass
+class VbanPing0Payload:
+    """Represents the VBAN PING0 payload structure as defined in the VBAN protocol documentation."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.bit_type = VBANPING_TYPE_RECEPTOR
+        self.bit_feature = VBANPING_FEATURE_TXT
+        self.bit_feature_ex = 0x00000000
+        self.preferred_rate = 48000
+        self.min_rate = 8000
+        self.max_rate = 192000
+        self.color_rgb = 0x00FF0000
+        self.version = b'\x01\x02\x03\x04'
+        self.gps_position = b'\x00' * 8
+        self.user_position = b'\x00' * 8
+        self.lang_code = b'EN\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00'
+        self.reserved = b'\x00' * 8
+        self.reserved_ex = b'\x00' * 64
+        self.distant_ip = b'\x00' * 32
+        self.distant_port = 0
+        self.distant_reserved = 0
+        self.device_name = b'VBAN-CMD-Python\x00'.ljust(64, b'\x00')
+        self.manufacturer_name = b'Python-VBAN\x00'.ljust(64, b'\x00')
+        self.application_name = b'vban-cmd\x00'.ljust(64, b'\x00')
+        self.host_name = b'localhost\x00'.ljust(64, b'\x00')
+        self.user_name = b'Python User\x00'.ljust(128, b'\x00')
+        self.user_comment = b'VBAN CMD Python Client\x00'.ljust(128, b'\x00')
+
+    @classmethod
+    def to_bytes(cls) -> bytes:
+        """Convert payload to bytes"""
+        payload = cls()
+
+        data = bytearray()
+        data.extend(payload.bit_type.to_bytes(4, 'little'))
+        data.extend(payload.bit_feature.to_bytes(4, 'little'))
+        data.extend(payload.bit_feature_ex.to_bytes(4, 'little'))
+        data.extend(payload.preferred_rate.to_bytes(4, 'little'))
+        data.extend(payload.min_rate.to_bytes(4, 'little'))
+        data.extend(payload.max_rate.to_bytes(4, 'little'))
+        data.extend(payload.color_rgb.to_bytes(4, 'little'))
+        data.extend(payload.version)
+        data.extend(payload.gps_position)
+        data.extend(payload.user_position)
+        data.extend(payload.lang_code)
+        data.extend(payload.reserved)
+        data.extend(payload.reserved_ex)
+        data.extend(payload.distant_ip)
+        data.extend(payload.distant_port.to_bytes(2, 'little'))
+        data.extend(payload.distant_reserved.to_bytes(2, 'little'))
+        data.extend(payload.device_name)
+        data.extend(payload.manufacturer_name)
+        data.extend(payload.application_name)
+        data.extend(payload.host_name)
+        data.extend(payload.user_name)
+        data.extend(payload.user_comment)
+        return bytes(data)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def create_packet(cls, framecounter: int) -> bytes:
+        """Creates a complete PING packet with header and payload."""
+        data = bytearray()
+        data.extend(VbanPingHeader.to_bytes(framecounter))
+        data.extend(cls.to_bytes())
+        return bytes(data)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def detect_server_type(pong_data: bytes) -> VbanServerType:
+        """Detect server type from PONG response packet.
+
+        Args:
+            pong_data: Raw bytes from PONG response packet
+
+        Returns:
+            VbanServerType enum indicating the detected server type
+        """
+        try:
+            if len(pong_data) >= 32:
+                frame_counter_bytes = pong_data[28:32]
+                frame_counter = int.from_bytes(frame_counter_bytes, 'little')
+
+                if frame_counter == VbanServerType.MATRIX.value:
+                    return VbanServerType.MATRIX
+                elif frame_counter == VbanServerType.VOICEMEETER.value:
+                    return VbanServerType.VOICEMEETER
+
+            return VbanServerType.UNKNOWN
+
+        except Exception:
+            return VbanServerType.UNKNOWN

vban_cmd/recorder.py

@@ -0,0 +1,138 @@
+import os
+import re
+
+from .error import VBANCMDError
+from .iremote import IRemote
+from .meta import action_fn
+
+
+class Recorder(IRemote):
+    """
+    Implements the common interface
+
+    Defines concrete implementation for recorder
+    """
+
+    @classmethod
+    def make(cls, remote):
+        """
+        Factory function for recorder class.
+
+        Returns a Recorder class of a kind.
+        """
+        Recorder_cls = type(
+            f'Recorder{remote.kind}',
+            (cls,),
+            {
+                **{
+                    param: action_fn(param)
+                    for param in [
+                        'play',
+                        'stop',
+                        'pause',
+                        'replay',
+                        'record',
+                        'ff',
+                        'rew',
+                    ]
+                },
+            },
+        )
+        return Recorder_cls(remote)
+
+    def __str__(self):
+        return f'{type(self).__name__}'
+
+    @property
+    def identifier(self) -> str:
+        return 'recorder'
+
+    @property
+    def samplerate(self) -> int:
+        return
+
+    @samplerate.setter
+    def samplerate(self, val: int):
+        opts = (22050, 24000, 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000, 176400, 192000)
+        if val not in opts:
+            self.logger.warning(f'samplerate got: {val} but expected a value in {opts}')
+        self.setter('samplerate', val)
+
+    @property
+    def bitresolution(self) -> int:
+        return
+
+    @bitresolution.setter
+    def bitresolution(self, val: int):
+        opts = (8, 16, 24, 32)
+        if val not in opts:
+            self.logger.warning(
+                f'bitresolution got: {val} but expected a value in {opts}'
+            )
+        self.setter('bitresolution', val)
+
+    @property
+    def channel(self) -> int:
+        return
+
+    @channel.setter
+    def channel(self, val: int):
+        if not 1 <= val <= 8:
+            self.logger.warning(f'channel got: {val} but expected a value from 1 to 8')
+        self.setter('channel', val)
+
+    @property
+    def kbps(self):
+        return
+
+    @kbps.setter
+    def kbps(self, val: int):
+        opts = (32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, 320)
+        if val not in opts:
+            self.logger.warning(f'kbps got: {val} but expected a value in {opts}')
+        self.setter('kbps', val)
+
+    @property
+    def gain(self) -> float:
+        return
+
+    @gain.setter
+    def gain(self, val: float):
+        self.setter('gain', val)
+
+    def load(self, file: os.PathLike):
+        try:
+            # Convert to string, use forward slashes, and wrap in quotes for spaces
+            file_path = f'"{os.fspath(file).replace(chr(92), "/")}"'
+            self.setter('load', file_path)
+        except UnicodeError:
+            raise VBANCMDError('File full directory must be a raw string')
+
+    def goto(self, time_str):
+        def get_sec():
+            """Get seconds from time string"""
+            h, m, s = time_str.split(':')
+            return int(h) * 3600 + int(m) * 60 + int(s)
+
+        time_str = str(time_str)  # coerce the type
+        if (
+            re.match(
+                r'^(?:[01]\d|2[0123]):(?:[012345]\d):(?:[012345]\d)$',
+                time_str,
+            )
+            is not None
+        ):
+            self.setter('goto', get_sec())
+        else:
+            self.logger.warning(
+                "goto expects a string that matches the format 'hh:mm:ss'"
+            )
+
+    def filetype(self, val: str):
+        opts = {'wav': 1, 'aiff': 2, 'bwf': 3, 'mp3': 100}
+        try:
+            self.setter('filetype', opts[val.lower()])
+        except KeyError:
+            self.logger.warning(
+                f'filetype got: {val} but expected a value in {list(opts.keys())}'
+            )

vban_cmd/util.py

@@ -1,5 +1,62 @@
+import socket
+import time
 from typing import Iterator
 
+from .error import VBANCMDConnectionError
+
+
+def ratelimit(func):
+    """ratelimit decorator for {VbanCmd}.sendtext, to prevent flooding the network with script requests."""
+
+    def wrapper(*args, **kwargs):
+        self, *rem = args
+        if self.script_ratelimit > 0:
+            now = time.time()
+            elapsed = now - self._last_script_request_time
+            if elapsed < self.script_ratelimit:
+                time.sleep(self.script_ratelimit - elapsed)
+            self._last_script_request_time = time.time()
+        return func(*args, **kwargs)
+
+    return wrapper
+
+
+def pong_timeout(func):
+    """pong_timeout decorator for {VbanCmd}._handle_pong, to handle timeout logic and socket management."""
+
+    def wrapper(self, timeout: float = None):
+        if timeout is None:
+            timeout = min(self.timeout, 3.0)
+
+        original_timeout = self.sock.gettimeout()
+        self.sock.settimeout(0.5)
+
+        try:
+            start_time = time.time()
+            response_count = 0
+
+            while time.time() - start_time < timeout:
+                try:
+                    response_count += 1
+
+                    if func(self):
+                        return
+
+                except socket.timeout:
+                    continue
+
+            self.logger.debug(
+                f'PING timeout after {timeout}s, received {response_count} non-PONG packets'
+            )
+            raise VBANCMDConnectionError(
+                f'PING timeout: No response from {self.host}:{self.port} after {timeout}s'
+            )
+
+        finally:
+            self.sock.settimeout(original_timeout)
+
+    return wrapper
+
 
 def cache_bool(func, param):
     """Check cache for a bool prop"""

vban_cmd/vbancmd.py

@@ -5,14 +5,19 @@ import threading
 import time
 from pathlib import Path
 from queue import Queue
-from typing import Union
+from typing import Mapping, Union
 
 from .enums import NBS
-from .error import VBANCMDError
+from .error import VBANCMDConnectionError, VBANCMDError
 from .event import Event
-from .packet.headers import VbanMatrixResponseHeader, VbanRequestHeader
+from .packet.headers import (
+    VbanMatrixResponseHeader,
+    VbanPongHeader,
+    VbanRequestHeader,
+)
+from .packet.ping0 import VbanPing0Payload, VbanServerType
 from .subject import Subject
-from .util import bump_framecounter, deep_merge
+from .util import bump_framecounter, deep_merge, pong_timeout, ratelimit
 from .worker import Producer, Subscriber, Updater
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -33,26 +38,27 @@ class VbanCmd(abc.ABC):
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         self.logger = logger.getChild(self.__class__.__name__)
         self.event = Event({k: kwargs.pop(k) for k in ('pdirty', 'ldirty')})
-        if not kwargs['ip']:
+        if not kwargs['host']:
             kwargs |= self._conn_from_toml()
         for attr, val in kwargs.items():
             setattr(self, attr, val)
 
         self._framecounter = 0
+        self._framecounter_lock = threading.Lock()
         self.sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_DGRAM)
         self.sock.setsockopt(socket.SOL_SOCKET, socket.SO_REUSEADDR, 1)
+        self.sock.settimeout(self.timeout)
         self.subject = self.observer = Subject()
         self.cache = {}
         self._pdirty = False
         self._ldirty = False
-        self._script = str()
         self.stop_event = None
         self.producer = None
+        self._last_script_request_time = 0
 
     @abc.abstractmethod
     def __str__(self):
         """Ensure subclasses override str magic method"""
-        pass
 
     def _conn_from_toml(self) -> dict:
         try:
@@ -86,7 +92,12 @@ class VbanCmd(abc.ABC):
         self.logout()
 
     def login(self) -> None:
-        """Starts the subscriber and updater threads (unless disable_rt_listeners is True) and logs into Voicemeeter."""
+        """Sends a PING packet to the VBAN server to verify connectivity and detect server type.
+        If the server is detected as Matrix, RT listeners will be disabled for compatibility.
+        """
+        self._ping()
+        self._handle_pong()
+
         if not self.disable_rt_listeners:
             self.event.info()
 
@@ -102,7 +113,7 @@ class VbanCmd(abc.ABC):
             self.producer.start()
 
         self.logger.info(
-            "Successfully logged into VBANCMD {kind} with ip='{ip}', port={port}, streamname='{streamname}'".format(
+            "Successfully logged into VBANCMD {kind} with host='{host}', port={port}, streamname='{streamname}'".format(
                 **self.__dict__
             )
         )
@@ -120,6 +131,72 @@ class VbanCmd(abc.ABC):
     def stopped(self):
         return self.stop_event is None or self.stop_event.is_set()
 
+    def _get_next_framecounter(self) -> int:
+        """Thread-safe method to get and increment framecounter."""
+        with self._framecounter_lock:
+            current = self._framecounter
+            self._framecounter = bump_framecounter(self._framecounter)
+            return current
+
+    def _ping(self):
+        """Initiates the PING/PONG handshake with the VBAN server."""
+        ping_packet = VbanPing0Payload.create_packet(self._get_next_framecounter())
+
+        try:
+            self.sock.sendto(ping_packet, (socket.gethostbyname(self.host), self.port))
+            self.logger.debug(f'PING sent to {self.host}:{self.port}')
+
+        except socket.gaierror as e:
+            raise VBANCMDConnectionError(
+                f'Unable to resolve hostname {self.host}'
+            ) from e
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise VBANCMDConnectionError(f'PING failed: {e}') from e
+
+    @pong_timeout
+    def _handle_pong(self) -> bool:
+        """Handles incoming packets during the PING/PONG handshake, looking for a valid PONG response to confirm connectivity and detect server type.
+
+        Returns True if a valid PONG is received, False otherwise."""
+        data, addr = self.sock.recvfrom(2048)
+
+        if VbanPongHeader.is_pong_response(data):
+            self.logger.debug(f'PONG received from {addr}, connectivity confirmed')
+
+            server_type = VbanPing0Payload.detect_server_type(data)
+            self._handle_server_type(server_type)
+
+            return True
+        else:
+            if len(data) >= 8:
+                if data[:4] == b'VBAN':
+                    protocol = data[4] & 0xE0
+                    nbc = data[6]
+                    self.logger.debug(
+                        f'Non-PONG VBAN packet: protocol=0x{protocol:02x}, nbc=0x{nbc:02x}'
+                    )
+                else:
+                    self.logger.debug('Non-VBAN packet received')
+
+            return False
+
+    def _handle_server_type(self, server_type: VbanServerType) -> None:
+        """Handle the detected server type by adjusting settings accordingly."""
+        match server_type:
+            case VbanServerType.VOICEMEETER:
+                self.logger.debug(
+                    'Detected Voicemeeter VBAN server - RT listeners supported'
+                )
+            case VbanServerType.MATRIX:
+                self.logger.info(
+                    'Detected Matrix VBAN server - disabling RT listeners for compatibility'
+                )
+                self.disable_rt_listeners = True
+            case _:
+                self.logger.debug(
+                    f'Unknown server type ({server_type}) - using default settings'
+                )
+
     def _send_request(self, payload: str) -> None:
         """Sends a request packet over the network and bumps the framecounter."""
         self.sock.sendto(
@@ -127,18 +204,18 @@ class VbanCmd(abc.ABC):
                 name=self.streamname,
                 bps_index=self.BPS_OPTS.index(self.bps),
                 channel=self.channel,
-                framecounter=self._framecounter,
+                framecounter=self._get_next_framecounter(),
                 payload=payload,
             ),
-            (socket.gethostbyname(self.ip), self.port),
+            (socket.gethostbyname(self.host), self.port),
         )
-        self._framecounter = bump_framecounter(self._framecounter)
 
     def _set_rt(self, cmd: str, val: Union[str, float]):
         """Sends a string request command over a network."""
         self._send_request(f'{cmd}={val};')
         self.cache[cmd] = val
 
+    @ratelimit
     def sendtext(self, script) -> str | None:
         """Sends a multiple parameter string over a network."""
         self._send_request(script)
@@ -146,14 +223,15 @@ class VbanCmd(abc.ABC):
 
         if self.disable_rt_listeners and script.endswith(('?', '?;')):
             try:
-                response = VbanMatrixResponseHeader.extract_payload(
-                    self.sock.recv(1024)
-                )
-                return response
+                data, _ = self.sock.recvfrom(2048)
+                return VbanMatrixResponseHeader.extract_payload(data)
             except ValueError as e:
                 self.logger.warning(f'Error extracting matrix response: {e}')
-
-        time.sleep(self.DELAY)
+            except TimeoutError as e:
+                self.logger.exception(f'Timeout waiting for matrix response: {e}')
+                raise VBANCMDConnectionError(
+                    f'Timeout waiting for response from {self.host}:{self.port}'
+                ) from e
 
     @property
     def type(self) -> str:
@@ -185,12 +263,8 @@ class VbanCmd(abc.ABC):
         while self.pdirty:
             time.sleep(self.DELAY)
 
-    def apply(self, data: dict):
-        """
-        Sets all parameters of a dict
-
-        minor delay between each recursion
-        """
+    def apply(self, data: Mapping):
+        """Set all parameters of a dict"""
 
         def target(key):
             match key.split('-'):
@@ -210,7 +284,8 @@ class VbanCmd(abc.ABC):
                     raise ValueError(ERR_MSG)
             return target[int(index)]
 
-        [target(key).apply(di).then_wait() for key, di in data.items()]
+        for key, di in data.items():
+            target(key).apply(di)
 
     def apply_config(self, name):
         """applies a config from memory"""

vban_cmd/worker.py

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import logging
-import socket
 import threading
 import time
 
@@ -13,7 +12,6 @@ from .packet.headers import (
 )
 from .packet.nbs0 import VbanPacketNBS0
 from .packet.nbs1 import VbanPacketNBS1
-from .util import bump_framecounter
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -26,24 +24,18 @@ class Subscriber(threading.Thread):
         self._remote = remote
         self.stop_event = stop_event
         self.logger = logger.getChild(self.__class__.__name__)
-        self._framecounter = 0
 
     def run(self):
         while not self.stopped():
-            try:
             for nbs in NBS:
-                    sub_packet = VbanSubscribeHeader().to_bytes(nbs, self._framecounter)
-                    self._remote.sock.sendto(
-                        sub_packet, (self._remote.ip, self._remote.port)
+                sub_packet = VbanSubscribeHeader().to_bytes(
+                    nbs, self._remote._get_next_framecounter()
+                )
+                self._remote.sock.sendto(
+                    sub_packet, (self._remote.host, self._remote.port)
                 )
-                    self._framecounter = bump_framecounter(self._framecounter)
 
             self.wait_until_stopped(10)
-            except socket.gaierror as e:
-                self.logger.exception(f'{type(e).__name__}: {e}')
-                raise VBANCMDConnectionError(
-                    f'unable to resolve hostname {self._remote.ip}'
-                ) from e
         self.logger.debug(f'terminating {self.name} thread')
 
     def stopped(self):
@@ -66,7 +58,6 @@ class Producer(threading.Thread):
         self.queue = queue
         self.stop_event = stop_event
         self.logger = logger.getChild(self.__class__.__name__)
-        self._remote.sock.settimeout(self._remote.timeout)
         self._remote._public_packets = [None] * (max(NBS) + 1)
         _pp = self._get_rt()
         self._remote._public_packets[_pp.nbs] = _pp
@@ -77,27 +68,22 @@ class Producer(threading.Thread):
 
     def _get_rt(self) -> VbanPacket:
         """Attempt to fetch data packet until a valid one found"""
-
         while True:
-            if resp := self._fetch_rt_packet():
-                return resp
-
-    def _fetch_rt_packet(self) -> VbanPacket | None:
             try:
                 data, _ = self._remote.sock.recvfrom(2048)
                 if len(data) < HEADER_SIZE:
-                return
+                    continue
             except TimeoutError as e:
                 self.logger.exception(f'{type(e).__name__}: {e}')
                 raise VBANCMDConnectionError(
-                f'timeout waiting for response from {self._remote.ip}:{self._remote.port}'
+                    f'timeout waiting for response from {self._remote.host}:{self._remote.port}'
                 ) from e
 
             try:
                 header = VbanResponseHeader.from_bytes(data[:HEADER_SIZE])
             except ValueError as e:
-            self.logger.warning(f'Error parsing response packet: {e}')
-            return None
+                self.logger.debug(f'Error parsing response packet: {e}')
+                continue
 
             match header.format_nbs:
                 case NBS.zero:
@@ -110,8 +96,6 @@ class Producer(threading.Thread):
                         nbs=NBS.one, kind=self._remote.kind, data=data
                     )
 
-        return None
-
     def stopped(self):
         return self.stop_event.is_set()
 
@@ -138,7 +122,6 @@ class Producer(threading.Thread):
                 self.queue.put('pdirty')
             if self._remote.event.ldirty:
                 self.queue.put('ldirty')
-            # time.sleep(self._remote.ratelimit)
         self.logger.debug(f'terminating {self.name} thread')
         self.queue.put(None)