How to stream music on your own private radio 12-02-2012, 08:36 PM
#1
Introduction
Recently I have really gotten into streaming music to an audience, but when I started it was hard to find a TUT that put it in good detail. So I'm going to help you set-up your own private radio.
What You Need, and How to Get It
This is a list of what I personally recommend:
Let's start explaining from the top of the list. SAM broadcaster is one of the best DJ softwares out there. Although it is very expensive, so if you're against torrents then Winamp is a great alternative. I will discuss how to set up both. I shouldn't have to explain MP3. The reason you'll need it though is that is the audio format supported by SAM Broadcaster. This is not the case in Winamp though, it will import your iTunes library for you. Back to SAM, If you have iTunes all your music is in AAC format. To convert it you'll have to open your iTunes and select all your music (ctrl + a). Now right click and select "convert to MP3" now you get to wait. While your waiting let's set-up your Free Stream Hosting account. So click on that link, and navigate your browser to your new favorite page. Over to your right you'll see a "Client Area" tap. Click that and choose register. Follow the instructions on making your account. Now you should have all you need.
Configuring your station
Now before you click the "Start" button lets click the "Configure" one instead. You should now see:
![[Image: Configure.png]](https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18819048/AF%20TUTS/Radio/Configure.png)
There are only 8 parts that really matter, at least to get started anyway. First of, let's take a look at what's under the "Server Setting" heading.
Address: This is the address we direct our DJ software to.
Port: This also has to be included to get your DJ software to the right place.
Bitrate (Max): This is the max amount of information you can send per second to the server.
This information will be needed later, when setting up your server.
Now let's take a look at what's under the "Public Information" heading.
Station Name: This can be whatever you want, it is how other people will see your station.
Station Description: This will be shown on the radio page for others to read.
You can fill in all this information now.
Now let's take a look at the 3 important parts of the "Configure" heading.
Display Name: This is the address people have to navigate to to find your server.
Stream Password: You'll have to type this in to broadcast on your channel, listeners do not need to know it.
Background Image: You can put a link to a picture to show behind your player at the Display Name's address.
Now once you've typed all this in you can click "Summit" and start up your server on the home page.
Setting Up SAM Broadcaster
This is just a brief over view. I'm not going to go in depth on SAM's features. First of we need to open SAM and come to Desktop A:
![[Image: Desktop1.png]](https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18819048/AF%20TUTS/Radio/Desktop1.png)
Now lets explain our arrows. Arrow 1 points to Deck 1 and 2. These show what song is playing. Arrow 2 points towards your Que. These are the songs that are coming up. To add to this either press the + button, or right click a song in the history (keep reading). Arrow 3 points towards your history, if your brain dead, that's all the songs you've played.
Now let's head over to Desktop B (right under arrow 1). You should see this:
![[Image: DesktopB.png]](https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18819048/AF%20TUTS/Radio/DesktopB.png)
Star 1 is next to our Statistic Relay, this shows information on our radio such as viewers. Let's set it up. Click the + button to add a new relay. select the shoutcast server option, then enter in the information from the configuration of your server. Now it should connect, and your all done with that.
Star 2 is next to our encoders. This is how we send music to the server. So let's click the + button and set on up. Select the "MP3 (Normal)" option and you should see:
Here we only need to change one option, "Format". The format to read the format is [<speed>, <quality>, < Stereo, Mono>] The top of the drop down is all your different mono possible selections, you have to keep scrolling to find Stereo (which is most likely what you want). Now if you remember we are allowed a max speed of 128Kbps, so it's probably a good idea to go one option below that and choose 112kbps. The quality is completely up to you, personally I like 44.1kHz. So the recommended format is: [128Kbps, 44.1kHz, Stereo]. Next let's go to the "Server Setting" tab:
![[Image: Step2Encoder.png]](https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18819048/AF%20TUTS/Radio/Step2Encoder.png)
Type in your server information like you did with the relay under the "Server Details" header. Now the Station Details don't really matter, they are shown at the bottom of your broadcasting page. Click okay and right click the encoder to start it. Now head back over to Desktop A to start playing music. Congrats! Your Radio is now set-up!
Setting Up Winamp
Now for those of you that like free stuff. First you'll have to download and install Winamp. Once you've done that close the program using the top left box. If you accidently close the playlist editor like did, you can open it back-up under the "View" tab. Now your going to have to download Free Stream Hosting's plugin. This will allow you to play to your radio from Winamp. After installing it, open up Winamp. The configuration screen for the plugin should pop-up, but if not, go to Options >> Preferences >> Plugins >> DSP/Effect. Now, double-click on "Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source DSP" and you should see:
![[Image: 2_mrs.jpg]](http://secure.bellonline.co.uk/images/tutorials/sc_dsp2/2_mrs.jpg)
Now lets enter all our server information we got while configuring the station. MAKE sure to have the "Use SHOUTcast v1 mode (for legacy servers)" box checked, other wise you will get errors. Next click on the "Directory" tab. You should see this:
![[Image: 3.jpg]](http://secure.bellonline.co.uk/images/tutorials/sc_dsp2/3.jpg)
This stuff doesn't matter that much, it is shown at the bottom of your Radio's page. Next we need to set-up the encoder. Moezy on over to the "Encoder" tab, and you should see this:
Personal for your "Encoder Type" I recommend MP3, If you disagree then post about it. If you do select MP3 you'll see your "Encoder Settings" change. This is where you select the speed and quality of your output. The format is [<speed>, <quality>, <Mono/Stereo>]. Now if you remember we are allowed a max speed of 128Kbps, so it's probably a good idea to go one option below that and choose 112kbps. In Winamp we have to deal with the 44100Hz (which is actually good). You'll want to scroll to the bottom and select stereo (Usually this is the better choice). Now we're almost done, head over to the "Input" tab and you should see this:
![[Image: 5.jpg]](http://secure.bellonline.co.uk/images/tutorials/sc_dsp2/5.jpg)
![[Image: 6.jpg]](http://secure.bellonline.co.uk/images/tutorials/sc_dsp2/6.jpg)
Most likely you'll just choose "Winamp" as your input and be done. This will allow you to play from Winamp. But if you are DJing live with external equipment (turntables / CD player / mixer etc) or hosting a talk show, then you will want to select the "Soundcard Input" option. Now you can close that, and start streaming. The GUI is very self explanatory so I won't go into detail on the other functions of Winamp.
How to listen to your Radio
Now you might be thinking, "I'm not an idiot, all I have to do is go to the Display Name's address." Well, hate to blow your bubble, but your still an idiot. First navigate to the DN's address. Now you may hear music start playing, but in many cases it will only play for a second or 2. To fix this error we have to right click the play/stop button and select "Listen using default player" Now you can sit-back and enjoy.
If you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to PM me.
Recently I have really gotten into streaming music to an audience, but when I started it was hard to find a TUT that put it in good detail. So I'm going to help you set-up your own private radio.
What You Need, and How to Get It
This is a list of what I personally recommend:
- SAM Broadcaster
- Music in MP3 Format
- An account at Free Stream Hosting
Let's start explaining from the top of the list. SAM broadcaster is one of the best DJ softwares out there. Although it is very expensive, so if you're against torrents then Winamp is a great alternative. I will discuss how to set up both. I shouldn't have to explain MP3. The reason you'll need it though is that is the audio format supported by SAM Broadcaster. This is not the case in Winamp though, it will import your iTunes library for you. Back to SAM, If you have iTunes all your music is in AAC format. To convert it you'll have to open your iTunes and select all your music (ctrl + a). Now right click and select "convert to MP3" now you get to wait. While your waiting let's set-up your Free Stream Hosting account. So click on that link, and navigate your browser to your new favorite page. Over to your right you'll see a "Client Area" tap. Click that and choose register. Follow the instructions on making your account. Now you should have all you need.
Configuring your station
Now before you click the "Start" button lets click the "Configure" one instead. You should now see:
Spoiler:
![[Image: Configure.png]](https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18819048/AF%20TUTS/Radio/Configure.png)
There are only 8 parts that really matter, at least to get started anyway. First of, let's take a look at what's under the "Server Setting" heading.
Address: This is the address we direct our DJ software to.
Port: This also has to be included to get your DJ software to the right place.
Bitrate (Max): This is the max amount of information you can send per second to the server.
This information will be needed later, when setting up your server.
Now let's take a look at what's under the "Public Information" heading.
Station Name: This can be whatever you want, it is how other people will see your station.
Station Description: This will be shown on the radio page for others to read.
You can fill in all this information now.
Now let's take a look at the 3 important parts of the "Configure" heading.
Display Name: This is the address people have to navigate to to find your server.
Stream Password: You'll have to type this in to broadcast on your channel, listeners do not need to know it.
Background Image: You can put a link to a picture to show behind your player at the Display Name's address.
Now once you've typed all this in you can click "Summit" and start up your server on the home page.
Setting Up SAM Broadcaster
This is just a brief over view. I'm not going to go in depth on SAM's features. First of we need to open SAM and come to Desktop A:
Spoiler:
![[Image: Desktop1.png]](https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18819048/AF%20TUTS/Radio/Desktop1.png)
Now lets explain our arrows. Arrow 1 points to Deck 1 and 2. These show what song is playing. Arrow 2 points towards your Que. These are the songs that are coming up. To add to this either press the + button, or right click a song in the history (keep reading). Arrow 3 points towards your history, if your brain dead, that's all the songs you've played.
Now let's head over to Desktop B (right under arrow 1). You should see this:
Spoiler:
![[Image: DesktopB.png]](https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18819048/AF%20TUTS/Radio/DesktopB.png)
Star 1 is next to our Statistic Relay, this shows information on our radio such as viewers. Let's set it up. Click the + button to add a new relay. select the shoutcast server option, then enter in the information from the configuration of your server. Now it should connect, and your all done with that.
Star 2 is next to our encoders. This is how we send music to the server. So let's click the + button and set on up. Select the "MP3 (Normal)" option and you should see:
Spoiler:
Here we only need to change one option, "Format". The format to read the format is [<speed>, <quality>, < Stereo, Mono>] The top of the drop down is all your different mono possible selections, you have to keep scrolling to find Stereo (which is most likely what you want). Now if you remember we are allowed a max speed of 128Kbps, so it's probably a good idea to go one option below that and choose 112kbps. The quality is completely up to you, personally I like 44.1kHz. So the recommended format is: [128Kbps, 44.1kHz, Stereo]. Next let's go to the "Server Setting" tab:
Spoiler:
![[Image: Step2Encoder.png]](https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18819048/AF%20TUTS/Radio/Step2Encoder.png)
Type in your server information like you did with the relay under the "Server Details" header. Now the Station Details don't really matter, they are shown at the bottom of your broadcasting page. Click okay and right click the encoder to start it. Now head back over to Desktop A to start playing music. Congrats! Your Radio is now set-up!
Setting Up Winamp
Now for those of you that like free stuff. First you'll have to download and install Winamp. Once you've done that close the program using the top left box. If you accidently close the playlist editor like did, you can open it back-up under the "View" tab. Now your going to have to download Free Stream Hosting's plugin. This will allow you to play to your radio from Winamp. After installing it, open up Winamp. The configuration screen for the plugin should pop-up, but if not, go to Options >> Preferences >> Plugins >> DSP/Effect. Now, double-click on "Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source DSP" and you should see:
Spoiler:
![[Image: 2_mrs.jpg]](http://secure.bellonline.co.uk/images/tutorials/sc_dsp2/2_mrs.jpg)
Now lets enter all our server information we got while configuring the station. MAKE sure to have the "Use SHOUTcast v1 mode (for legacy servers)" box checked, other wise you will get errors. Next click on the "Directory" tab. You should see this:
Spoiler:
![[Image: 3.jpg]](http://secure.bellonline.co.uk/images/tutorials/sc_dsp2/3.jpg)
This stuff doesn't matter that much, it is shown at the bottom of your Radio's page. Next we need to set-up the encoder. Moezy on over to the "Encoder" tab, and you should see this:
Spoiler:
Personal for your "Encoder Type" I recommend MP3, If you disagree then post about it. If you do select MP3 you'll see your "Encoder Settings" change. This is where you select the speed and quality of your output. The format is [<speed>, <quality>, <Mono/Stereo>]. Now if you remember we are allowed a max speed of 128Kbps, so it's probably a good idea to go one option below that and choose 112kbps. In Winamp we have to deal with the 44100Hz (which is actually good). You'll want to scroll to the bottom and select stereo (Usually this is the better choice). Now we're almost done, head over to the "Input" tab and you should see this:
Spoiler:
![[Image: 5.jpg]](http://secure.bellonline.co.uk/images/tutorials/sc_dsp2/5.jpg)
![[Image: 6.jpg]](http://secure.bellonline.co.uk/images/tutorials/sc_dsp2/6.jpg)
Most likely you'll just choose "Winamp" as your input and be done. This will allow you to play from Winamp. But if you are DJing live with external equipment (turntables / CD player / mixer etc) or hosting a talk show, then you will want to select the "Soundcard Input" option. Now you can close that, and start streaming. The GUI is very self explanatory so I won't go into detail on the other functions of Winamp.
How to listen to your Radio
Now you might be thinking, "I'm not an idiot, all I have to do is go to the Display Name's address." Well, hate to blow your bubble, but your still an idiot. First navigate to the DN's address. Now you may hear music start playing, but in many cases it will only play for a second or 2. To fix this error we have to right click the play/stop button and select "Listen using default player" Now you can sit-back and enjoy.
If you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to PM me.




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