Amplifier remote

Supported amplifiers

The remote controls Onkyo, Pioneer, Integra, Denon, Marantz and Yamaha (MusicCast) amplifiers on your local network: RustMusic finds them on its own, including those that don’t answer announcements, by querying each address on the local network. The amplifier must be on or in network standby, and on the same network as the computer.

The controls are the same for every brand: power, volume in half-decibel steps, inputs with their custom names, listening modes, bass and treble, zone 2. The amplifier’s model is shown under its name.

Turning the remote on

1. 1

   Open Settings → Remote

   Turn on “Enable the remote”. The search for amplifiers starts right away.

2. 2

   Pick the amplifier

   Under “Controlled amplifier”, click “Control” next to your amplifier (name, brand, model and IP address). “Search” runs the search again.

3. 3

   Check the connection

   “Connected to …” appears. “Stop controlling” releases the amplifier.

The chosen amplifier is reconnected every time RustMusic launches.

The panel and its display

Once an amplifier is chosen, the remote tucks itself against the right edge of the window. Its tab stays visible at all times: one click brings the remote out, another tucks it away.

At the top of the panel: the amplifier’s name, brand and address, the “Mini mode” button, “Remote settings” and the power button. Below, a display styled like an amplifier’s front panel shows the source, listening mode and volume, with indicators (STEREO, DOLBY, DTS, NET, ZONE2, MUTING) based on what the amplifier reports.

The remote adapts to the amplifier: its actual inputs, its volume and tone ranges, its zone 2 if it has one. Whatever you change on the amplifier itself, with its own remote or on the front panel, shows up at once.

Volume, power and standby

• Below the display: mute, −, slider and +. Holding − or + keeps the volume moving.
• The mouse wheel over the display also sets the volume. When the remote has focus, ↑ and ↓ set the volume and M mutes.
• Powering on takes one click on the power button.
• Standby needs a press and hold of a little under a second: the button fills with red. A short click shows “Hold to switch off”, so a stray click no longer turns the amplifier off.

The Sources, Sound and Navigation tabs

Zone 2

If the amplifier has a zone 2, the Sound tab shows it with its own switch. Once on, it has its own volume and source, independent of the main room.

Navigation (NET and USB)

On the NET (or USB) input, the Navigation tab shows the amplifier’s screen as its app does: services with their logo (Spotify, Deezer, TuneIn, DLNA, AirPlay…), folders and tracks. A line opens with one click. During playback you get the cover, the time, and play/pause, previous, next, shuffle and repeat.

The tab opens on its own when the amplifier switches to NET. On Denon, Marantz and Yamaha, the list and the current playback are shown too; on Yamaha, with the cover. A long list scrolls within its box and follows the cursor.

On other inputs, the direction controls drive the amplifier’s on-screen menu on the TV, and “Switch to NET” moves the amplifier to its network input. Two layouts to choose from: the “Wheel”, iPod-style (press the ring for a direction, circle it with your finger or the mouse wheel to scroll, “Select” in the center), or “Keys in a row”, more compact.

Mini mode

“Mini mode” shrinks the remote to the display, the power button, the source (previous or next) and the volume. A click on the display brings back the full remote. Your choice is remembered.

Standby, outages and reconnection

When the amplifier is in standby, the panel shows “Standby”: one click on the power button turns it back on. If the amplifier stops responding (power or network outage), the remote shows “Reconnecting…” and RustMusic retries every 5 seconds: the amplifier is picked up again on its own as soon as it is back. If its address on the network has changed (a new lease from the router), the remote looks for it and keeps its new address.