Add Music to Steam: A Guide to the Steam Music Player
Steam's Integrated Music Player: A Comprehensive Overview
The Steam platform features a built-in music player, enabling users to incorporate MP3 files from their computers into a personalized local music library.
Playback is supported both within games and independently, accommodating various input methods like game controllers, keyboards, and mice.
Functionality and Use Cases
This functionality is especially advantageous for users of Steam Machines or gaming PCs configured for living room use, particularly when operating in Big Picture Mode.
The music player is designed for seamless integration with the Steam environment, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Platform Compatibility
The Steam music player operates across a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and SteamOS.
Users can manage their music library and initiate playback directly from the standard desktop interface.
Alternatively, the player is fully accessible and controllable through Big Picture Mode, providing a convenient experience for users on larger screens.
Adding music to the library is straightforward, allowing for a customized audio backdrop during gameplay or independent listening.
Integrating Your Local Music Collection with Steam
Related: A Guide to Configuring Your Windows Gaming PC to Launch Directly into Steam Big Picture Mode (Similar to a Steam Machine Experience)
The process begins by accessing the Steam settings. Click the "Steam" menu located within the Steam client, and then select "Settings" from the dropdown.
Navigate to the "Music" tab within the Settings window. This section controls Steam's music player functionality.
To incorporate your music, click the "Add" button. You can then specify one or more folders on your computer where your music files are stored.
Steam, by default, automatically indexes its own installation directory for soundtracks and the standard "Music" folder within your user account. After adding directories, initiate a scan by clicking "Scan Now".
For automatic updates to your music library, enable the "Scan at Startup" checkbox. This ensures Steam detects any newly added music each time it launches.
Alternatively, you can manually trigger a scan at any time by revisiting this settings window and clicking "Scan Now". This is useful if you prefer not to enable automatic scanning.
Further customization options are available within this window. You can configure Steam to automatically pause music playback when launching other applications.
Control over music pausing during Steam voice chat is also provided. Additionally, you can toggle notifications that appear when the currently playing track changes.
Enjoying Music Within Steam
Access to your personal music collection within Steam is facilitated through the "Library" tab. Navigate to this section, then select "Music" from the dropdown menu located to the right of the search bar. This will shift the display from your game library to your music library.
Alternatively, the music library can be directly accessed by choosing View > Music details from the Steam menu.
Soundtracks and Existing Music
It’s possible to encounter game soundtracks listed within the music player, even without explicitly adding personal music files. This occurs if games you have installed include integrated soundtracks.
Initiating music playback from your library automatically launches the music player interface.
The player can also be manually activated by selecting View > Music player from the Steam menu.
In-Game Music Control
A key benefit of Steam’s music player is the ability to manage playback while in-game, avoiding the need to Alt+Tab. Frequent switching between applications can sometimes disrupt gameplay.
To utilize this feature, activate the Steam overlay while playing a game. The standard shortcut for this is Shift+Tab.
Customizing the Steam Overlay Shortcut
The default Steam overlay shortcut (Shift+Tab) can be personalized. To modify it, go to Steam > Settings, then select "In-Game" within the Settings window. A new shortcut can then be assigned.
A "Music" link will appear at the bottom of the screen when the overlay is active. Clicking this link opens the music player within the overlay.
Playback can then be controlled directly from the overlay. Pressing the overlay shortcut again (Shift+Tab by default) will close the overlay and return focus to the game.
Integrating Your Music Collection Within Big Picture Mode
The functionality to incorporate your music library is also available directly from within Big Picture Mode. Configuration settings are synchronized, meaning that if you have already completed this setup on the standard desktop interface, repetition within Big Picture Mode is unnecessary.
However, for users with a Steam Machine or a PC connected to a television running Steam, Big Picture Mode offers a convenient method to configure this feature and manage playback exclusively with a game controller.
To enter Big Picture Mode, click the controller icon located in the top-right corner of the desktop interface. Then, utilize either your controller or mouse to navigate to and select the gear-shaped settings icon, also positioned at the top-right of the screen.
Within the Settings screen, select "Music" which is found under the Audio section.
This interface mirrors the options available for configuring your music library on the desktop. To incorporate new folders containing music files, choose "Setup music library" and then add the desired folders through the subsequent dialog box.
If you are using a Steam Machine and prefer to avoid direct file system manipulation, simply connect a USB flash drive or external hard drive containing your music to the device. The drive can then be selected from within this window. This method also functions on standard computers, enabling access to music stored on removable media.
Enjoying Music Within Big Picture Mode
The functionality of the Music Player remains consistent when operating within Big Picture Mode. Access to the player is achieved by navigating to the "Library" area and then selecting the "Local Music" category located on the left-hand side.
A visually organized list of albums, presented in a thumbnail format, will then be displayed, representing all music available on your computer. Choosing a specific album grants you the ability to play either the complete album or individual tracks.
Upon initiating playback, the Steam Music Player interface will become visible. A dedicated music note icon, positioned in the top-right corner of the main screen, provides quick access to the player while music is playing.
During gameplay, the Steam Overlay can be summoned using a keyboard shortcut, the Steam button on a Steam Controller, or the Xbox button on an Xbox Controller. A "Now Playing" section will appear, displaying the currently playing music.
Currently, this feature offers a relatively simple experience. However, future enhancements by Valve are possible. Potential additions include compatibility with popular music-streaming platforms like Spotify and Pandora.
Furthermore, expanded file format support beyond MP3s is a desirable improvement that Valve may implement in subsequent updates.