Applies to: Multicast Radio. Not sure which panel you have? See Which radio or video panel do I have?

Multicast Radio is our own control panel for online radio. You use it to upload music, build playlists and a schedule, give your DJs access and see who is listening. Your station plays around the clock, even when your computer is switched off.

This guide takes you from the moment your service is delivered to the moment your station is on air. Each step links to a detailed article on that topic.

1. Find your service in the Client Area

1. Log in to the Client Area.
2. In the left menu, go to Services → My Services.
3. Click Manage next to your Multicast Radio service.

The service page shows:

• Usage statistics: tracks, storage, maximum bitrate and listeners, plus a small player to listen to your station. The Streaming panel has the details for your encoder (Server, Port, Mount, Password).
• Login credentials: your panel username and password. Click the eye icon to reveal the password.
• Configuration & Details: your package's extra features (e.g. Backup, Stream Targets, Custom Domain) and whether each one is enabled.

2. Open the panel

The easiest way is the Login to Panel button in the right-hand column of the service page. It opens the panel in a new tab, already logged in, without typing a password.

Good to know: the button only appears while the service is Active. If the service is suspended, pay the renewal proforma invoice first.

You can also log in directly on the panel's login page with your Username or Email and Password. See Panel account: login, passwords, time zone and language.

3. Get to know the menu

The panel's left menu has four sections:

Below the menu you can see how much space you have used (Storage). Some items may show a yellow PRO badge. This means the feature is not included in your package. You can add it from your service page in the Client Area, in the Configuration & Details card.

Packages with AutoDJ and live-only packages

Most packages include AutoDJ: the server plays the music you upload on its own. There are also live-only packages for stations that always broadcast from their own software (for example FM stations that also stream online). These packages don't show Studio, Content, Schedule, DJ Accounts, Audio Processing, Song Requests or FTP. If yours is a live-only package, skip straight to step 7.

4. Upload music

1. Go to Content → Upload.
2. Drag your files onto the drop area, or click it to select them. MP3, FLAC, WAV, OGG, M4A and AAC are accepted, up to 500 MB per file.
3. Wait until every file shows Ready!.

For large collections, use FTP. See Uploading music to Multicast Radio and Uploading music with FTP.

5. Put your music in a playlist

Every new account already has a playlist called Default Playlist, and it is the one on air. The tracks you upload are not added to a playlist automatically:

1. Go to Content → Playlists and click Manage on the playlist.
2. In the Add Tracks card on the right, click Select All, then Add.
3. If you want random order, switch on Shuffle at the top.

In detail: Playlists: creating, ordering tracks and the active playlist.

6. Start your station

1. Go to the Dashboard.
2. In the Stream Control card, click Start and confirm with Ναι (Yes).
3. After a few seconds the status changes to Active and the current track appears.
4. Listen to your station with the small player below Quick Actions.

The station keeps playing after you close your browser. You don't need to press Start again every day.

7. Go live (optional)

To broadcast live from your computer you need broadcasting software (e.g. BUTT, RadioBOSS, SAM Broadcaster or VirtualDJ):

• Package with AutoDJ: create a DJ account under DJ Accounts and connect your software with its details. While you are connected, listeners hear you. When you disconnect, AutoDJ carries on by itself.
• Live-only package: connect your software with the details in the Server Connection card on the Dashboard.

See Broadcasting live: which software and which connection details to use. If you'd rather not install anything, the Web DJ broadcasts straight from your browser.

8. Share your station

• Link for players and apps: under Quick Links you'll find the "Stream URL (Proxy)". It starts with https:// and ends in /listen/your-username. This is the link to give to apps, radio directories and players.
• Player for your website: ready-made code under Widgets and Quick Links. See A player for your website.
• Station page: every station has a public page with a player, what's playing now and a chat. See Your station's public page.

Checklist

• ☐ I logged in to the panel from the Client Area.
• ☐ I checked the time zone in Settings, so the schedule runs at the right times.
• ☐ I uploaded music and added it to a playlist.
• ☐ I clicked Start and I can hear my station.
• ☐ I set a title and logo on the Public Page.
• ☐ I added a player to my website.

Need help?

If something doesn't work, start with My station can't be heard: what to check. If that doesn't solve it, open a support ticket from your service page in the Client Area (Support Ticket button), so we know straight away which station it is about.

Feedback inside the panel is for ideas and suggestions. For problems that need fixing, open a support ticket in the Client Area.