Radio ga-ga
Thanks to applications like SHOUTcast, the process of setting up your own radio broadcast no longer requires a pirate outfit. All you need is a copy of the free SHOUTcast software. Using this, you can broadcast from your PC to listeners across the Internet (or any other IP-based network), delivering MP3 format files to applications that can handle live delivery. The SHOUTcast system comprises of three components for listening, broadcasting and running a server.
Listening to an online radio station is a familiar task, requiring users to simply tune into a broadcast through a player compatible with streaming MP3 audio – such as ‘Winamp’. Broadcasting can only be achieved through Winamp, as it requires the SHOUTcast Source Plug-in, (known as the DSP plug-in), that’s configured to work in tandem with the dedicated server. The SHOUTcast Distributed Network Audio Server (DNAS) is another small (and free) download, which needs some minor configuration, but we’ll look into that as we go along.
The SHOUTcast system works by transferring audio to the DNAS server through Winamp after you’ve chosen what to stream via the players interface. It then re-encodes the audio at a chosen transmission bit-rate before sending it to the SHOUTcast server, which then relays the audio stream to the listener over TCP/IP.
Free downloads
All the software components you’ll need to start planning your online radio station can be found through the download section of the SHOUTcast site (www.shoutcast.com). These components are free to download and use for general non-profit use, but licensing comes into operation for commercial use.
The SHOUTcast DNAS server is available for various platforms including Windows, Linux, Solaris and FreeBSD variants, although broadcasters are limited to using Winamp and DSP plug-ins through x86/Win32. There are no options currently available for either Unix or Mac platforms.
The first step to producing your radio station is to set up and configure the server. This can run as a local host on the same machine running Winamp and the DSP plug-in, or externally through your service provider. Be sure to check with them first for availability and any costs that may incur. We’ll be continuing with a local installation, but again check that your ISP’s Acceptable Usage Policy allows you to run servers, and that your bandwidth will support the stream.
Download and install the SHOUTcast DNAS server, choosing between the GUI or console versions to complete the installation. You should now have shortcuts available through your Start menu to various SHOUTcast DNAS options. Run the application and choose the Edit Config option to open the sc_serv.ini file which controls the server configuration.
sc_serv.ini
The ini file is well commented and many of the options are clearly described, but you’ll need to make changes to the MaxUser setting to reflect the number of users you can handle on your bandwidth. The Password should also be changed for obvious reasons from the default ‘changeme’. Note that the PortBase defines the port you’ll cast on. The default 8000 is usually fine but check this isn’t blocked by any firewall software. Within the Optional Parameters section, you can run through the Logging Configuration, making any necessary changes. However, the next key area to consider lies further down the file under Network Configuration.
If you’re on a dynamic IP then leave the SrcIP option on ‘Any’, otherwise enter your static IP address, or choose to enter 127.0.0.1 to keep other machines from being able to broadcast using your SHOUTcast server. Leave the DestIP setting also on ‘Any’, unless your machine has multiple IP addresses. This has to deal with network problems. The Yport and NameLookups are best left alone, but if you’re behind an ISP cache, setting,the Yport to 666 will allow the detection of your actual IP, and will therefore be able to add you successfully to the remote SHOUTcast server.
Other categories can be left to their default settings for our purposes, but as the file is clearly commented, you shouldn’t have too much trouble making changes as you continue to personalise your stream. For the actual broadcast, you’ll need a copy of Winamp 2.x. SHOUTcast doesn’t currently work with Winamp 3, but getting hold of the previous generation isn’t a problem through the Winamp site (www.winamp.com).
The DSP plug-in is the next component necessary for broadcasting which can be freely downloaded from www.shoutcast.com. Installation of the plug-in is pretty straightforward. Just make sure Winamp isn’t running first and open the DSP software installer to follow the routine instructions. On completion, open Winamp’s preferences ([control]-[p]). Click through to the DSP/Effects sub-category within the Plug-ins section and you should see a reference to ‘SHOUTcast Source for Winamp’ listed. Select this to access the configuration window and select the Encoder tab. A known bug effects Encoder 1, so choose the second instead. Select the MP3 Encoder type and then determine your preferred Encoder Settings. Then move onto the Output tab. Leaving the default selection as Output 1, hit the Connect button if not already connected. If the connection fails, make sure the Connection button is selected. Check the address is set to ‘localhost’ and the portbase and password match that specified in your previously configured DNAS sc_serv.ini file. Complete the connection details by selecting the encoder that you previously set.
The Yellowpages option gives you the option to make your server public. The fields here should be self-evident, but make sure the ‘Make This Server Public’ option is checked so that you can locate your radio through SHOUTcast.com when you come to broadcast.
Up and running
With the configuration complete, you can now close the preferences window to return to Winamp and create your playlist. The download section of shoutcast.com has a number of MP3 audio ads you can download to throw in if you think this will make your broadcast more professional.
Once you’re happy with your playlist, run your DNAS server, connect the DSP plug-in and hit Winamp’s play button. Your server monitor should log and display any activity, while the Output tab of the plug-in should display the status of bytes being sent through your stream.
If you’ve given your server public access, you should be able to locate your broadcast through the SHOUTcast site by searching for any keywords used in your description. Your station should now be displayed and available to anyone who chooses to tune in. Alternatively, you can distribute a direct link by email, for example, by using the URL format of your IP address, and the port number followed by the file reference ‘listen.pls’. For example, if your IP address was 81.86.110.71 and the default port 8000 is configured, then you would use http://81.86.110.71:8000/listen.pls.
If you come across any problems, the first port of call should be the DNAS monitor screen. This should have logged any potential problems that firewall or Internet sharing might present, but check out the extensive readme.txt files, online documentation, and forums on the SHOUTcast site, and chances are, any problems you might be experiencing will already have been dealt with there.
Eliminate frustration by understanding those server monitor error messages…
Most common errors with initial installations and configurations are due to local oversights such as firewall settings. If the extended error message is accompanied by an IP address, then make sure that these correspond to your configuration. Internet sharing can sometimes lead to IP anomalies, while firewalls, NAT devices and web caches can also add to your frustration.
If a connection is refused, then this will typically mean your server is not visible from the Internet. The usual cause is your position behind a firewall or NAT device, which might block incoming connections to your network. Such devices will need configuring to map port 8000 on the device, to port 8000 on the computer running the SHOUTcast server – assuming the default port hasn’t been changed.
If a connection time-out occurs after the SHOUTcast directory attempted, but failed to reach your server, then this is possibly due to your ISP or network blocking incoming traffic. A ‘404’ error will occur if you’re running software that isn’t a SHOUTcast DNAS server, however, this can be experienced occasionally with slow connections that will clear over time. A ‘5’ error is a little more serious, as your network might have been linked previously to illegal exploits. As a result, the SHOUTcast directory has incurred restrictions from adding new entries. A ‘2’ error is generated if your server is attempting to promote specific technology. This will also be frowned upon by the directory. If your server is sending incomplete or inappropriate data, then you’ll experience a ‘3’ error. After this, you should check your station information for invalid characters, bearing in mind that numbers, letters and spaces are the only accepted values for most entries, before reconnecting the DSP plug-in to try again.