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

To go live on your station you need software that takes audio from your computer (microphone, mixer, music) and sends it to the server. This article helps you choose the software, tells you which details to enter, and includes instructions for SAM Broadcaster, VirtualDJ, Mixxx and RadioDJ. The two most common programs have their own detailed articles: BUTT and RadioBOSS.

Which software to choose

OBS Studio doesn't send audio to an Icecast radio server, so it isn't used with Multicast Radio. For video there is Multicast Video.

The details to enter in your software

Connecting as a DJ (packages with AutoDJ, recommended)

First create a DJ account (DJ accounts) and take the details from ⋮ → Connection Guide.

Connecting directly (live-only packages)

The details are on the Dashboard → Server Connection: Server, Port (the Stream Port), Mount /stream, user source and the Source Password. More in Connection details.

What quality to send

• Format: MP3. It's the safest choice for every program.
• Bitrate: 128 to 192 kbps. The server re-encodes your audio at the quality set in Stream Settings, so sending more gains nothing. On the other hand, you need a stable upload connection.
• Sample rate: 44100 Hz, Stereo.
• Internet connection: for 128 kbps you need at least 1 Mbps of stable upload. Use a cable rather than Wi-Fi.

SAM Broadcaster

1. Menu Window → Encoders.
2. In the Encoders window, right-click → Add Encoder → MP3 (Icecast). If that's not there, choose MP3 (LAME) and then Server type Icecast.
3. On the Converter tab choose the quality (e.g. 128 kbps, 44.1 kHz, Stereo).
4. On the Server Details tab enter: Server IP = Server, Server Port = Port, Mount = /live, Password = DJ password. In the User field, if there is one, enter the DJ's username.
5. Click OK, then select the encoder and click Start (or double-click it).

If your version has no User field and the server rejects the connection, use BUTT or RadioBOSS, which support a username.

VirtualDJ

1. Click the gear (Settings) → Broadcast.
2. Choose Start broadcasting → Icecast (or "Broadcast to a server").
3. Fill in Server, Port, Mount (/live), Login (the DJ's username) and Password.
4. Choose MP3, 128 or 192 kbps, and click Start.

Broadcasting in VirtualDJ usually requires a Pro licence.

Mixxx

1. Options → Preferences → Live Broadcasting.
2. Click Create new connection (or edit the existing one).
3. Type: Icecast 2. Host = Server, Port = Port, Mount = /live, Login = DJ username, Password = DJ password.
4. Encoding: MP3, 128 kbps, Stereo. Click OK.
5. Start broadcasting from Options → Enable Live Broadcasting, or from the antenna icon at the top right.

RadioDJ

RadioDJ doesn't send audio to a server by itself. It's usually used together with BUTT: RadioDJ plays the music, and BUTT sends the sound card's audio to your station.

From a mobile phone

The simplest solution is the Web DJ in a desktop browser. On a phone you need an app that supports Icecast broadcasting with a username, mount and password; you enter the same DJ details. Apps change often, so test at a time when nobody is listening.

Checking that you're on air

1. Once connected, the software should say "Connected" or "On air".
2. On the panel's Dashboard the badge changes to LIVE and the DJ's name appears. On the DJ Accounts page, the DJ has a red LIVE.
3. Listen to the station on your phone (on mobile data, not the same Wi-Fi). You'll hear yourself a few seconds late; that's normal.

Don't listen to the station on the speakers of the computer you're broadcasting from: the sound will feed back into the broadcast and cause an echo. Use headphones or another device.

Common error messages