How to start an internet radio station
1. Get SHOUTcast Hosting
You might be asking yourself which plan should I purchase.
24Kbps per second will sound like an old AM radio station and 128Kbps will give you CD quality sound.
If you are just starting out and don’t have a lot money to spend we recommend that you get the 48Kbps package. However, the best sound quality for you listeners will be 128Kpbs.
2. Set up Your Computer for Broadcasting
Now that you have got your Museter SHOUTcast server. It is time to start broadasting your online radio station.
The steps belows will get your online radio station set up and streaming live.
a. To begin Install Winamp Standard.
You can download Winamp Standard by clicking here.
b. Now Install the SHOUTcast DSP Plugin.
Now download and install (using the default settings) the SHOUTcast DSP Plugin.
You can download this plugin by clicking here.
c. Enable the SHOUTcast DSP Plugin.
2. Open “Preferences”. (Options -> Preferences, or CTRL+P).
3. In the left menu scroll and find “DSP/Effect”. Select it and then in the right window select “Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source DSP v2.0.2 [dsp_sc.dll]“.
4. Close the Preferences window by clicking the Close button.
5. You will now see a Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source window running right next to Winamp. Now everytime you start Winamp this window will open with it.
d. Next we will configure SHOUTcast Source which is the the SHOUTcast SourcePlugin.
The first settings you will need to modify are the connection settings.
1. Select the “Output” tab.
2. Input your server information here.
3. Select “Yellowpages”, and fill in your online radio station information.
4. Click the “Encoder” tab, and select “MP3 Encoder” and your bitrate settings. Make sure you select a bitrate that is equal to or less than your account max bitrate. Otherwise your station will have problems connecting and your account could be suspended.
e. Here is how you DJ.
1. Click the “Input” tab.
2. If you are going to stream music only then select the Winamp(Recommended) under input Device. If you are doing a talk show and want to stream live from your microphone select Soundcar Input.
3. If you want to talk between songs you can switch to Soundcard Input. When you are done talking and want to continue your streaming music broadcast switch back to Winamp(Recommended).
4. The Soundcard Input selection will allow you to broadcast from your microphone or a Line Input. You would use the Microphone setting for talk shows and when you dj between songs.
The Microphone can also be used to broadcast live shows. I.e. live music in the field, live interviews, sports, and news coverage. The Line Input can also be used for the same purpose.
f. Start Broadcasting.
To start broadcasting live click the Connect button. You are now streaming whatever music you in your winamp palyer to the world.
3. Now that you are streaming music to the world you need allow listeners to tune in.
There are a many ways that a listener can tune in to your online radio station. If you have your own web page Muster provides you with links, scripts and players to place on your online radio station site. These can be found within the Museter control panel. The best way to have your listeners tune is to send them to your station page. Your station page is located at the following address: http://streams.museter.com/start/YOUR_USERNAME/ What are you wating for?
Here is a good example of an online radio station Radio Free Vermont they use Museter.com for their SOUTcast hosting provider.
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