add 2.7.0 to CHANGELOG

{VbanCmd}.sendtext():
- remove the @script decorator which I'm sure nobody has ever used anyway
- if rt listeners are disabled and it's a matrix query request, attempt to read a response.

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -11,6 +11,24 @@ Before any major/minor/patch bump all unit tests will be run to verify they pass
 
 -   [x]
 
+## [2.7.0] - 2026-03-01
+
+### Added
+
+-   new kind `matrix` has been added, it does two things:
+    -   scales the interface according to `potato` kind, in practice this has no affect but it's required by the builder classes.
+    -   disables the rt listener threads since we aren't expecting to receive any from a Matrix VBAN server.
+        -   however, matrix responses may still be received with the {VbanCmd}.sendtext() method.
+
+### Changed
+
+-   `outbound` kwarg has been renamed to `disable_rt_listeners`. Since it's job is to disable the listener threads for incoming RT packets this new name is more descriptive.
+-   dataclasses representing packet headers and packets with ident:0 and ident:1 have been moved into an internal packet module.
+
+### Removed
+
+-   {VbanCmd}.sendtext() @script decorator removed. It's purpose was to attempt to convert a dictionary to a script but it was poorly implemented and there exists the {VbanCmd}.apply() method already.
+
 ## [2.6.0] - 2026-02-26
 
 ### Added

README.md

@@ -8,19 +8,19 @@
 
 # VBAN CMD
 
-This python interface allows you to transmit Voicemeeter parameters over a network.
+This python interface allows you to send Voicemeeter/Matrix commands over a network.
 
-It may be used standalone or to extend the [Voicemeeter Remote Python API](https://github.com/onyx-and-iris/voicemeeter-api-python)
+It offers the same public API as [Voicemeeter Remote Python API](https://github.com/onyx-and-iris/voicemeeter-api-python).
 
-There is no support for audio transfer in this package, only parameters.
+Only the VBAN SERVICE/TEXT subprotocols are supported, there is no support for AUDIO or MIDI in this package.
 
 For an outline of past/future changes refer to: [CHANGELOG](CHANGELOG.md)
 
 ## Tested against
 
--   Basic 1.0.8.8
+-   Basic 1.1.2.2
--   Banana 2.0.6.8
+-   Banana 2.1.2.2
--   Potato 3.0.2.8
+-   Potato 3.1.2.2
 
 ## Requirements
 
@@ -29,7 +29,9 @@ For an outline of past/future changes refer to: [CHANGELOG](CHANGELOG.md)
 
 ## Installation
 
-`pip install vban-cmd`
+```console
+pip install vban-cmd
+```
 
 ## `Use`
 
@@ -113,6 +115,8 @@ Pass the kind of Voicemeeter as an argument. KIND_ID may be:
 -   `banana`
 -   `potato`
 
+A fourth kind `matrix` has been added, if you pass it as a KIND_ID you are expected to use the [{VbanCmd}.sendtext()](https://github.com/onyx-and-iris/vban-cmd-python?tab=readme-ov-file#vbansendtextscript) method for sending text requests.
+
 ## `Available commands`
 
 ### Strip
@@ -511,7 +515,8 @@ You may pass the following optional keyword arguments:
 -   `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).
--   `outbound`: boolean=False, set `True` if you are only interested in sending commands. (no rt packets will be received)
+-   `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.
 
 #### `vban.pdirty`
 
@@ -529,6 +534,14 @@ Sends a script block as a string request, for example:
 vban.sendtext('Strip[0].Mute=1;Bus[0].Mono=1')
 ```
 
+You can even use it to send matrix commands:
+
+```python
+vban.sendtext('Point(ASIO128.IN[1..4],ASIO128.OUT[1]).dBGain = -3.0')
+
+vban.sendtext('Command.Version = ?')
+```
+
 ## Errors
 
 -   `errors.VBANCMDError`: Base VBANCMD Exception class.

pyproject.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [project]
 name = "vban-cmd"
-version = "2.6.0"
+version = "2.7.0"
 description = "Python interface for the VBAN RT Packet Service (Sendtext)"
 authors = [{ name = "Onyx and Iris", email = "code@onyxandiris.online" }]
 license = { text = "MIT" }

vban_cmd/factory.py

@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class FactoryBase(VbanCmd):
             'channel': 0,
             'ratelimit': 0.01,
             'timeout': 5,
-            'outbound': False,
+            'disable_rt_listeners': False,
             'sync': False,
             'pdirty': False,
             'ldirty': False,
@@ -202,7 +202,13 @@ def vbancmd_factory(kind_id: str, **kwargs) -> VbanCmd:
             _factory = BasicFactory
         case 'banana':
             _factory = BananaFactory
-        case 'potato':
+        case 'potato' | 'matrix':
+            # matrix is a special kind where:
+            # - we don't need to scale the interface with the builder (in other words kind is arbitrary).
+            # - we don't ever need to use real-time listeners, so we disable them to avoid confusion
+            if kind_id == 'matrix':
+                kwargs['disable_rt_listeners'] = True
+                kind_id = 'potato'
             _factory = PotatoFactory
         case _:
             raise ValueError(f"Unknown Voicemeeter kind '{kind_id}'")

vban_cmd/packet/headers.py

@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ VBAN_PROTOCOL_SERVICE = 0x60
 VBAN_SERVICE_RTPACKETREGISTER = 32
 VBAN_SERVICE_RTPACKET = 33
 VBAN_SERVICE_MASK = 0xE0
+VBAN_PROTOCOL_MASK = 0xE0
+VBAN_SERVICE_REQUESTREPLY = 0x02
+VBAN_SERVICE_FNCT_REPLY = 0x02
 
 MAX_PACKET_SIZE = 1436
 HEADER_SIZE = 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 16
@@ -92,6 +95,38 @@ class VbanSubscribeHeader:
         return bytes(data)
 
 
+def _parse_vban_service_header(data: bytes) -> dict:
+    """Common parsing and validation for VBAN service protocol headers."""
+    if len(data) < HEADER_SIZE:
+        raise ValueError('Data is too short to be a valid VBAN header')
+
+    if data[:4] != b'VBAN':
+        raise ValueError('Invalid VBAN magic bytes')
+
+    format_sr = data[4]
+    format_nbs = data[5]
+    format_nbc = data[6]
+    format_bit = data[7]
+
+    # Verify this is a service protocol packet
+    protocol = format_sr & VBAN_PROTOCOL_MASK
+    if protocol != VBAN_PROTOCOL_SERVICE:
+        raise ValueError(f'Not a service protocol packet: {protocol:02x}')
+
+    # Extract stream name and frame counter
+    name = data[8:24].rstrip(b'\x00').decode('utf-8', errors='ignore')
+    framecounter = int.from_bytes(data[24:28], 'little')
+
+    return {
+        'format_sr': format_sr,
+        'format_nbs': format_nbs,
+        'format_nbc': format_nbc,
+        'format_bit': format_bit,
+        'name': name,
+        'framecounter': framecounter,
+    }
+
+
 @dataclass
 class VbanResponseHeader:
     """Represents the header of a response packet"""
@@ -101,6 +136,7 @@ class VbanResponseHeader:
     format_nbs: int = 0
     format_nbc: int = VBAN_SERVICE_RTPACKET
     format_bit: int = 0
+    framecounter: int = 0
 
     @property
     def vban(self) -> bytes:
@@ -112,18 +148,64 @@ class VbanResponseHeader:
 
     @classmethod
     def from_bytes(cls, data: bytes):
-        if len(data) < HEADER_SIZE:
+        """Parse a VbanResponseHeader from bytes."""
-            raise ValueError('Data is too short to be a valid VbanResponseHeader')
+        parsed = _parse_vban_service_header(data)
 
-        name = data[8:24].rstrip(b'\x00').decode('utf-8')
+        # Validate this is an RTPacket response
-        return cls(
+        if parsed['format_nbc'] != VBAN_SERVICE_RTPACKET:
-            name=name,
+            raise ValueError(
-            format_sr=data[4] & VBAN_SERVICE_MASK,
+                f'Not a RTPacket response packet: {parsed["format_nbc"]:02x}'
-            format_nbs=data[5],
-            format_nbc=data[6],
-            format_bit=data[7],
             )
 
+        return cls(**parsed)
+
+
+@dataclass
+class VbanMatrixResponseHeader:
+    """Represents the header of a matrix response packet"""
+
+    name: str = 'Request Reply'
+    format_sr: int = VBAN_PROTOCOL_SERVICE
+    format_nbs: int = VBAN_SERVICE_FNCT_REPLY
+    format_nbc: int = VBAN_SERVICE_REQUESTREPLY
+    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 matrix response packet from bytes."""
+        parsed = _parse_vban_service_header(data)
+
+        # Validate this is a service reply packet
+        if parsed['format_nbs'] != VBAN_SERVICE_FNCT_REPLY:
+            raise ValueError(f'Not a service reply packet: {parsed["format_nbs"]:02x}')
+
+        return cls(**parsed)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def extract_payload(cls, data: bytes) -> str:
+        """Extract the text payload from a matrix response packet."""
+        if len(data) <= HEADER_SIZE:
+            return ''
+
+        payload_bytes = data[HEADER_SIZE:]
+        return payload_bytes.rstrip(b'\x00').decode('utf-8', errors='ignore')
+
+    @classmethod
+    def parse_response(cls, data: bytes) -> tuple['VbanMatrixResponseHeader', str]:
+        """Parse a complete matrix response packet returning header and payload."""
+        header = cls.from_bytes(data)
+        payload = cls.extract_payload(data)
+        return header, payload
+
 
 @dataclass
 class VbanRequestHeader:

vban_cmd/util.py

@@ -63,27 +63,6 @@ def depth(d):
     return 0
 
 
-def script(func):
-    """Convert dictionary to script"""
-
-    def wrapper(*args):
-        remote, script = args
-        if isinstance(script, dict):
-            params = ''
-            for key, val in script.items():
-                obj, m2, *rem = key.split('-')
-                index = int(m2) if m2.isnumeric() else int(*rem)
-                params += ';'.join(
-                    f'{obj}{f".{m2}stream" if not m2.isnumeric() else ""}[{index}].{k}={int(v) if isinstance(v, bool) else v}'
-                    for k, v in val.items()
-                )
-                params += ';'
-            script = params
-        return func(remote, script)
-
-    return wrapper
-
-
 def comp(t0: tuple, t1: tuple) -> Iterator[bool]:
     """
     Generator function, accepts two tuples of dB values.

vban_cmd/vbancmd.py

@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ from typing import Union
 from .enums import NBS
 from .error import VBANCMDError
 from .event import Event
-from .packet.headers import VbanRequestHeader
+from .packet.headers import VbanMatrixResponseHeader, VbanRequestHeader
 from .subject import Subject
-from .util import bump_framecounter, deep_merge, script
+from .util import bump_framecounter, deep_merge
 from .worker import Producer, Subscriber, Updater
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ class VbanCmd(abc.ABC):
         self.logout()
 
     def login(self) -> None:
-        """Starts the subscriber and updater threads (unless in outbound mode)"""
+        """Starts the subscriber and updater threads (unless disable_rt_listeners is True) and logs into Voicemeeter."""
-        if not self.outbound:
+        if not self.disable_rt_listeners:
             self.event.info()
 
             self.stop_event = threading.Event()
@@ -139,11 +139,20 @@ class VbanCmd(abc.ABC):
         self._send_request(f'{cmd}={val};')
         self.cache[cmd] = val
 
-    @script
+    def sendtext(self, script) -> str | None:
-    def sendtext(self, script):
         """Sends a multiple parameter string over a network."""
         self._send_request(script)
         self.logger.debug(f'sendtext: {script}')
+
+        if self.disable_rt_listeners and script.endswith(('?', '?;')):
+            try:
+                response = VbanMatrixResponseHeader.extract_payload(
+                    self.sock.recv(1024)
+                )
+                return response
+            except ValueError as e:
+                self.logger.warning(f'Error extracting matrix response: {e}')
+
         time.sleep(self.DELAY)
 
     @property

vban_cmd/worker.py

@@ -7,8 +7,6 @@ from .enums import NBS
 from .error import VBANCMDConnectionError
 from .packet.headers import (
     HEADER_SIZE,
-    VBAN_PROTOCOL_SERVICE,
-    VBAN_SERVICE_RTPACKET,
     VbanPacket,
     VbanResponseHeader,
     VbanSubscribeHeader,
@@ -89,15 +87,19 @@ class Producer(threading.Thread):
             data, _ = self._remote.sock.recvfrom(2048)
             if len(data) < HEADER_SIZE:
                 return
+        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}'
+            ) from e
 
-            response_header = VbanResponseHeader.from_bytes(data[:HEADER_SIZE])
+        try:
-            if (
+            header = VbanResponseHeader.from_bytes(data[:HEADER_SIZE])
-                response_header.format_sr != VBAN_PROTOCOL_SERVICE
+        except ValueError as e:
-                or response_header.format_nbc != VBAN_SERVICE_RTPACKET
+            self.logger.warning(f'Error parsing response packet: {e}')
-            ):
+            return None
-                return
 
-            match response_header.format_nbs:
+        match header.format_nbs:
             case NBS.zero:
                 return VbanPacketNBS0.from_bytes(
                     nbs=NBS.zero, kind=self._remote.kind, data=data
@@ -107,12 +109,8 @@ class Producer(threading.Thread):
                 return VbanPacketNBS1.from_bytes(
                     nbs=NBS.one, kind=self._remote.kind, data=data
                 )
+
         return None
-        except TimeoutError as e:
-            self.logger.exception(f'{type(e).__name__}: {e}')
-            raise VBANCMDConnectionError(
-                f'timeout waiting for RtPacket from {self._remote.ip}'
-            ) from e
 
     def stopped(self):
         return self.stop_event.is_set()