Listening Rooms

The current D:\ECHO Listening page connects to an independent server. After a host explicitly starts sharing, the native audio host can encode and forward the current local PCM audio to guests. Guests do not need the same file in their own libraries. This differs from an older same-track synchronization description. Availability depends on client, server protocol, output device, and installed build.

Share only audio you have the right to play to the room. Read the first-use terms before deciding whether to accept. Built-in availability in current source is independent of Steam Workshop subscriptions.

Connect and create

1. Open Listening, enter a supported wss:// server address or connection code, and choose a display name.
2. After connecting, check server status, the public rooms, and capacity.
3. Create a room with optional name, password, capacity, and hidden status. Hidden rooms need an ID or invitation.
4. Give invited people the ID or invitation. Password-protected rooms still require the password.

Guests may select a public room or enter its ID and password. Treat full-room, wrong-password, protocol, and network errors separately.

Share and receive audio

The host first plays a local file through the native audio host, then presses Start Sharing inside the room. Creating a room alone sends no audio. Current source accepts eligible local PCM playback; DSD/DoP, SDM, protected or network sources, and unsupported output modes may be rejected. Stop sharing before leaving. Ending a room removes its members.

Guests wait for buffering and set their own receive volume. Where both client and server support it, Opus 128, 256, or 320 kbps choices are available; older servers may offer only the standard tier. This is lossy real-time audio, not a file transfer or lossless, zero-latency playback. Joining may stop personal playback but keeps the personal queue. Leaving does not necessarily resume the previous track automatically.

Optional room features

Chat is visible to the server and current room members and is cleared from the client session after leaving or disconnecting. Song information and lyrics appear only when the server supports them and the host already has a match. Steam invitations may be available through ECHO’s friends view, while a room ID works separately. Host transfer requires server support; the new host must choose a track and restart sharing.

Troubleshoot

Symptom	Check
Cannot connect	wss:// address, TLS/network, server version and capacity
Room is silent	Host actually started sharing; native PCM is flowing; guest device and volume
Track title but no sound	Title is metadata; inspect send/receive audio status
Chat or quality selector missing	Server may not advertise those capabilities
Repeated disconnects	Network congestion, heartbeat, and the app’s retry status

See Browse and Search for personal playback and Using the Steam Edition for account privacy.