M5Stack Atom Echo
March 9, 2026 · View on GitHub
A high-quality RTSP audio streaming server for the M5Stack Atom Echo, streaming live audio to BirdNET-Go or any RTSP-compatible client.
Buy: M5Stack Store | Amazon
Features
- Dual-core architecture — Core 1 handles full audio pipeline, Core 0 handles Web UI and RTSP negotiation
- mDNS discovery —
atomecho.local, no IP needed - Web UI — configure settings, view signal levels, logs, and diagnostics
- AGC — automatic gain control for varying bird distances
- High-pass filter — 2nd-order Butterworth (default 300Hz) removes wind/traffic
- Thermal protection — configurable auto-shutdown on overheating
- LED indicator — Off / Static / Level modes
- WiFiManager — captive portal for initial WiFi setup
- Persistent settings — saved to flash
Quick Start
1. Flash
pio run --target upload
2. Connect to WiFi
On first boot, connect to the ESP32-RTSP-Mic-AP access point and configure your WiFi. The LED turns blue when ready.
3. Stream
vlc rtsp://atomecho.local:8554/audio
# or
ffplay -rtsp_transport tcp rtsp://atomecho.local:8554/audio
BirdNET-Go: set audio source to rtsp://atomecho.local:8554/audio
Web UI: http://atomecho.local/
Recommended Settings
| Setting | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Rate | 16000 Hz | Optimal for PDM on Atom Echo |
| Gain | 3.0x | Good for outdoor use |
| AGC | OFF | Enable for varying bird distances |
| High-Pass | ON, 300 Hz | Removes rumble, keeps bird calls |
| Buffer | 1024 samples | 64ms latency, stable streaming |
| CPU | 160 MHz | Sufficient, reduces heat |
| I2S Shift | 0 bits | Fixed for PDM — do not change |
LED Status
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Starting up |
| Blue | Ready, waiting for connection |
| Green | Streaming |
| Orange | Signal hot, >70% (level mode) |
| Red | Clipping or thermal protection |
Building
pio run # Build
pio run --target upload # Flash
pio device monitor -b 115200 # Serial monitor
Dependencies
lib_deps =
tzapu/WiFiManager @ ^2.0.17
m5stack/M5Atom @ ^0.1.3
fastled/FastLED @ ^3.10.3
Documentation
- Architecture & Troubleshooting Guide — dual-core design, audio tuning, troubleshooting, version history
Acknowledgments
This project is largely based on birdnetgo-esp32-rtsp-mic by @Sukecz — thank you for the excellent foundation!
- M5Stack for the Atom Echo hardware
- BirdNET-Go community