There are Free and paid live streaming encoders in the market. Live Streaming: If you want to run live, then you need to install a live encoding application on your laptop. Here, you can decide your mode of streaming if Live or via AutoDJ. Now you have reached an important point of how to start an Internet Radio. But keep in mind the higher your bit rate the more bandwidth both you and your listeners will consume to push out and to receive the stream respectively. So typically, 128kbps is great for an mp3 stream or 64kbps if AAC+ stream.ĭepending on your budget and your target audience, you can also broadcast in high definition sound qualities of 192kbps, 256kbps, and 320kbps. But for music which usually comes with low, mid and high-frequency sounds, you need a higher bitrate for an acceptable level of quality. For a Talk Format station, a mere 64kbps audio quality can be tolerated. Voice alone typically consumes less bandwidth or needing fewer kilobits per second (kbps). Digital audio quality is measured in kilobits per second (kbps). Stream Quality? Another important consideration for your streaming server is the quality of the stream been sent out to listeners. You can always upgrade as your listenership grows or as you near your maximum listener slots or monthly bandwidth threshold. If you’re running on a small budget you can start with a reasonable amount of listener slots to get started. They also need to reserve this bandwidth for users so that if they get a peak in listenership, they can adjust to accommodate the load. They pay more depending on their bandwidth needs. Stream hosts pay for bandwidth which is expensive. It doesn’t relate to daily or monthly limits, but how many simultaneous listeners you can serve per time. In essence, the highest amount or number of listeners you want to be able to handle at the same time. How many listeners? The second thing to consider is how many listener slots you need. Also, using Shoutcast with settings of AAC or mp3 greater than 128kbps will cost you extra money, as needs you to pay them for your premium configurations. The modern Internet is quickly frowning against non-SSL secured streaming protocols. As of the time of this writing, it also natively supports (https//) SSL-secured streaming while Shoutcast doesn’t. As a stream host, we recommend Icecast because it’s an open-source system and it’s free and also regularly updated. While there are some differences, their job is the same to get your broadcast to your audience. There are two dominant types, Shoutcast and Icecast. Streaming Protocol: The first thing to consider on how to start an Internet Radio is what type of streaming protocol will you be using. But before you order you need to consider the following golden elements for your station: This is what sends your content to all your listeners across the world or your desired local area of coverage. In fact, we recommend dedicated Internet access if you’re going to set it up for yourself.Īs it relates to Internet Station, you’re better off with a good commercial streaming server. Since we’re talking about Internet Radio or Web Radio here it means one thing is paramount- you also need reliable Internet access. The computer will serve as both a Live streamer when you broadcast live, as well as serving as your admin system for managing and programming your AutoDJ streaming application if you decide to go the AutoDJ route. It’s a computer technology thing so you will need a fairly decent computer, Microphones, Headphone, an Audio mixer to balance out your music and voice and other elements like phone calls or even jingles/Station IDs. Now let’s consider a use case scenario of someone who wants to stream both live and via AutoDJ and also want to run talk and music as mixed contents. Will you be doing an all-music thing? What about having distant presenters or DJ’s? Do you consider a physical studio set up? How will you get the audio to the streaming server and what type of server protocol will you be using? How many listeners slots and what audio quality will you be putting out to your listeners? You need to decide what type of Radio Station you want to operate and be intentional about it. Ensure you read to the end to get all the details to help you make the best decision.īefore starting an Internet station, there are multiple elements to consider. This Guide is put together to simplify your understanding of how to start an Internet Radio.
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