22 August 2013

How To Configure Shoutcast



Reference:  Extracted from www.shoutcast.com/
 What is SHOUTcast?

SHOUTcast is a free-of-charge internet DJ solution. It allows anybody on the internet to broadcast audio from their PC to listeners across the globe. SHOUTcast relies on MP3 or AAC technology to deliver audio in a live situation. If you prefer to broadcast from your pc to your listeners the information below will have you broadcasting in no time. You may also switch between live and auto dj if you plan to broadcast live shows from your studio.
SHOUTcast DSP Plug-In for Winamp 5.x
SHOUTcast DSP Available

We're pleased to announce the release of SHOUTcast DSP 1.9.0. This release includes support for streaming in AAC+. Note that the client will also need to support AAC+ (we recommend last version of Winamp).

SHOUTcast DSP 2.x.x for Winamp: Download ShoutCast DSP 2.x.x
This is currently available for Windows. UNIX/Linux/etc version coming soon.
Step 1

Once the download has completed, you will need to install the software. Verify that Winamp is not running, then double click on the installer that you downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions. When the installation process has completed, start Winamp and open your preferences. Click on "DSP/Effects" in the menu to the left, and highlight "Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source DSP v2.x.x [dsp_sc.dll]". When you have selected it, a new window should pop up. You may now close your preferences window.
Step 2

Once you have highlighted the proper row, a dialog box will pop up. This is the main SHOUTcast DSP window. Here, you can configure the server, encoder, and audio settings that you will broadcast with. You can stream more then one kbps rate by setting up more then one Output account. This is common with broadcasters who wish to broadcast a high bandwidth stream for pc listeners and a lower kbps rate (like 64 kbps aac+) for listeners on mobile devices.
Step 3

Select the "Output" tab at the top of your DSP window. Select "Output 1" under the selection box, and fill in all of the following fields properly.

Address:
Here, you need to enter the server that was given to you in the welcome email you received from ReliaStream. Your radio address will vary and it depends what server your station is set up on. be sure to look over your welcome email for all of your station details. Make sure that you put in the proper server, or else you will not be able to connect. See our example pictures.

Port:
In this field, you need to enter the port that was given to you in your welcome email. It should contain 4 numbers. Once again, this must be set properly or else you will be unable to connect.

Password:
Last, but not least, you need to set the password that was given to you in your welcome email, or the one that you changed it to. Enter this here, and make sure there are no mistakes.
Step 4
Yellowpage setup (streaming server display details) Click on the "Yellowpages" tab right above where you entered all of the previous information. If you'd like your server to be listed in the SHOUTcast directory, check the "Make this server public" box, and fill in all of the information below the box in a proper manner. If you do not have a web site you should at least enter your Stream Start Page. This is located in your radio account (under Quick Links).

Step 5
Encoder Settings (select streaming audio format) Select the "Encoder" tab at the top of your DSP window. Choose the Output # you wish to work with. If you only have one station then choose Output 1. The Encoder Type can be set to either MP3 or AAC+. In most cases it will set to MP3. If you plan to stream 64 kbps aac+ then select AAC+ as your encoder. The higher the kbps rate the better the sound quality. Only enter the kbps rate you purchased!! If you try to stream at a higher kbps rate your account will be suspended automatically. MP3 audio sounds very good and is compatible with just about every media player on the market. AAC+ is only compatible with Winamp and Windows Media Player (with a plugin), but sounds much better at lower qualities. Be sure to choose wisely. In the Encoder Settings dropdown, select the bitrate that you ordered from us, and be sure that the line you selected has "Stereo" at the end, so individual sounds will come out of both of your listeners speakers. 

Warning: If you stream at a bitrate higher than what you have ordered, your account may be deactivated or suspended by the shoutcast hosting service.

Step 6

Go back to the "Output" tab in your DSP window. Make sure "Output 1" is selected, and then click the connect button. In the status box above the button, if you are connected you should see an update in the Status section (time and then "Sent xxxx bytes"). You may have to start your radio software before connecting to get this to work properly. Make sure your radio server is ON and AUTO DJ is off or deactivated before trying to stream live. Most people having problems streaming live (99.9% of the time) have a setting wrong. Check all of your settings. If you are still having trouble connecting let us know and we will do our best to help you. Once you are connected you are ready to broadcast. Please view all of our help guides. There are many things to consider when streaming live and many things to watch out for. USA clients should choose one of our USA servers when broadcasting live. Overseas clients should choose our European server to broadcast to. Make sure you modem can handle the constant upload and make sure your modem provider allows constant uploading. If you have any questions be sure to ask our support team... Good luck and happy broadcasting!! 

Still can not figure it out? Ask us about our Remote PC Support
Remote PC Support

 If you are not able to connect to your radio server we can log into your pc remotely (but this is chargable to you) and set it up for you. The service fee for Remote PC Support is RM100. This is a per connect fee so we suggest you save the settings so we do not have to log back in. Contact us if you need this service.

Embeded Media Player on your website using HTML scripting:

<center class="style16"><strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.YOURWEBPAGEHERE.com" mce_href="http://www.YOURWEBPAGEHERE.com">YOUR WEB SITE HERE - YOUR SLOGAN HERE </a></strong></center> <center><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ampedfm.com" mce_href="http://www.ampedfm.com">  <img border="0" src="http://www.reliastream.com/november/images/reliastreamlogo.png" mce_src="http://www.reliastream.com/november/images/reliastreamlogo.png" width="478" height="88"></a></center> <center> <span class="mceItemEmbed"  allowScriptAccess="never" allowNetworking="internal" enableJavaScript="false"    allowScriptAccess="never" allowNetworking="internal" allowScriptAccess="never" TYPE="application/x-mplayer2" PLUGINSPAGE="http://microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/en/download/" ID=MediaPlayer Name="mp_330916561" Width="478" Height="26" Src="http://www.reliastream.com/cast/tunein.php/ampedfmcountry/playlist.asx" mce_Src="http://www.reliastream.com/cast/tunein.php/ampedfmcountry/playlist.asx" AutoSize="1" AutoStart="1" ClickToPlay="1" DisplaySize="0" EnableTracker="0" Mute="0" PlayCount="1" ShowDisplay="0" ShowGotoBar="0" ShowStatusBar="0" ShowTracker="0" ></center> <center class="style16"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.YOURWEBSITEHERE.com" mce_href="http://www.YOURWEBSITEHERE.com"><strong>Place this station on your web site or web page!</strong></a></center>

Radio Online Equipment Setup



Hi There, this is another way to setup the equipment used in your online radio. I ve used this similar setup before to run an online radio and it works i.e. no feedback, no delays, however if you blast the monitor at high volume during live then doing that will cause an ear piercing feedback. But other than that it run without hiccups. Keep in mind that It is important to choose or select your radio automation software wisely. I recommend you use Jazler radio automation or if you prefer use ZaraRadio (free for lite version).


06 August 2013

Radio Online Streaming Part 2

Welcome back Folks, now if you choose to use TYPE II connection, it is crucial that before we begin setting up the hardware,I should mentioned here the importance of a good audio interface module (here we recommend you to use Behringer UCA 222) as this will greatly affect your online radio stability (latency and audio loop) especially if you are using only one desktop or laptop to run both audio streamer and Playlist or radio Automation.

Assuming that you have the entire hardware ready (except the guitar and the additional desktop as both of these items are optional), you will find it easy to make the connection by referring to the diagram shown in basic online radio.pdf. ( refer to Step 1 Radio Online Streaming ).

Do quick checking to all connectivity of the system before you switch on the power. If the connection is done properly and all items are in working condition, there should be no problem (I hope so). Next steps may need you to download (assuming that you have not yet downloading the applications) and runs the setup program of these applications:


Steps 3: Next...

14 July 2013

Radio online Streaming Part 1

I wrote this tutorial few months ago and I guess it will be cool to publish it for the benefit of everyone who wants to learn how to setup their online radio.
TYPE 1
TYPE 2


STEP 1:  ONLINE RADIO TUTORIAL:

Hi everyone, now let me see where should I begin? Ok are you ready, relax, if you find it difficult to follow do not worry, it will be easy once you get hold of the concepts and the secret ( actually it is not a secret at all) behind this mysterious and confusing topic. Technically the steps to setup an online radio is not that difficult at all.

This tutorial shall also involve setting up shoutcast hosting server (in my experience, with RTM, it is more reliable to host the shoutcast server elsewhere rather than running your own shoutcast server. This is mainly because of certain limitation i.e. limited listeners and streaming instability and others matters concerning server maintenance and servicing. Unless you have a very big dedicated broadband line in the region of 30MB and above and of cause you need highly knowledgeable technical staffs to look after the server.

You better off in my opinion to let the server side taken care by other so that you are free to concentrate the content of the online radio rather than wasting time doing the maintenance i.e. troubleshooting and related matters just to keep the server running. Believe me, I was there before and it gives me lot of sleepless night and headache.

Just in case, you may also need to understand what is shoutcast, if you are being asked to explain later.


What is SHOUTcast?

SHOUTcast is a free-of-charge internet DJ solution. It allows anybody on the internet to broadcast live audio/shows from their PC to listeners across the globe.  SHOUTcast relies on MP3 or AAC technology to deliver audio in a live situation. If you prefer to broadcast from your pc to your listeners the information below will have you broadcasting in no time. Find more info at www.shoutcast.com.

An online radio is little bit easier to understand if you study the diagram (two configuration to choose) as per attachment (TYPE I.pdf and TYPE II.pdf as above).

The hardware consists of the following items:
a) Basic Behringer one channel microphone Model Behringer UB502
b) Behringer USB Audio interface UCA 222 (Ultra-Low Latency 2 In/2 Out USB Audio Interface with Digital Output). Please refer to attachment for more info. (for TYPE II only).
c) OPTIONAL : Desktop PC for Playlist or Radio Automation
d) Cables : 3.5mm stereo jack to TRS jack / RCA ( left and right)
e) Dynamic Microphone : Shure SM58 (made in Mexico) or equivalent
f) Studio Headphone (any good studio /semi pro headphone).
g) Active studio Monitor
h) Laptop or desktop for Audio Streamer ( win 7 OS )
i) OPTIONAL : Others accessories : guitar, sound generator…etc
The Software consists of the following:

a) Winamp Standard (go to http://www.winamp.com/media-player/all to download )
b) SHOUTcast DSP Plug-In for Winamp ( go to http://www.shoutcast.com/broadcast-tools to download )
c) Registered with free shoutcast hosting for training purposes at http://www.listen2myradio.com/ and choose and click “sign up for free account” and follow the instruction to setup the free shoutcast hosting server.

Once you have gather the above hardware and software requirement, then the following steps is to setup the said hardware and software. So are you ready to go to the next steps? Or perhaps you want to stop here for a cup of coffee, watch TV or something to relax you.

NEXT is Step 2.

13 December 2012

Presonus Studiolive 16.0.2


Recently we managed to get hold of the Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2. We installed the soft bundles that come together with the mixer and within minutes the mixers are set and ready to record. The mixer is easy to operate and the sound production is fantastic, comparable to high end digital mixers such as protools (obviously protools have more features and more powerful than this mixer and not so user friendly).
But for layman or musician who want to experience using digital mixer, this is the mixer I recommend you to try. Once you get use to the operation, you will notice that it is the same as using an analog mixer but with digital features. The VSL software is great and it helps you see the overall setting of the mixer i.e. it shows you what features or setting is currently in use or active. It is like using a digital mixer but feels like an analog mixer.
Presonus StudioLive 16.0.2 features:
8 mono mic/line channel inputs, each with:
·         High-headroom Class A XMAX™ mic preamplifier
·         XLR mic and balanced ¼" line inputs
·         60 mm precision fader
 
4 stereo line channel inputs, with:
·         High-headroom Class A XMAX™ mic preamplifier (Ch. 9, 11, 13, and 15)
·         XLR mic inputs (Ch. 9, 11, 13, and 15)
·         Balanced ¼" line inputs (Ch. 9-16)
·         Unbalanced RCA line inputs (Ch. 13-16)
·         60 mm precision fader (4 stereo)
·         4 Auxiliary buses (pre/post-fader send)
 
2 Internal FX buses and 2 stereo 32-bit digital effects processors with customizable reverb and delay presets.
Fat Channel signal processing on all channels and buses, with:
·         3-band semi-parametric EQ (individual band on/off)
·         Full-featured compressor
·         Gate
·         Limiter
·         Phase reverse (12 mic preamplifiers only)
·         Pan with dedicated 15-LED display
·         Stereo link for input channels and aux buses
·         High-pass filter
 
31-band stereo graphic EQ on each main channel (on main outputs only)
PC communication via 16-in/16-out FireWire recording interface (24-bit/44.1 kHz and 48 kHz)
Scene store and recall - Settings can be copied among channels and buses and saved as user presets.
Software bundle for Mac® and Windows® includes:
·         PreSonus Studio One® Artist digital audio workstation
·         PreSonus Capture™ live-recording software
·         PreSonus Universal Control with Virtual StudioLive™ bidirectional mixer-control software
·         Free downloadable software from the Apple App Store provides wireless remote control, including:
o    PreSonus StudioLive Remote for iPad®
o    PreSonus QMix™ for iPhone® and iPod touch®

Lockout mode protects your settings from meddlers and accidents
MIDI Control Mode provides control over:
·         Scene and FX Preset recall
·         Main Volume, FXA, and FXB output levels
·         FXA and FXB assign/unassign to Mains