FAQ: ShoutCast Streaming with Winamp and DSP Plugin
What do I need to stream with ShoutCast
What is an encoder?
Why do I need an encoder?
How does it all work?
Broadcasting with Winamp and the ShoutCast DSP Plugin

What do I need to stream with ShoutCast?
Here is a short basic overview to get you started with your ShoutCast stream. To stream to a Shoutcast (mp3, mp3PRO) Server, you need a combination of things:
1. Content to broadcast such as music and sweepers etc.
2. A player. Such as Winamp (beginners setup)
3. An encoder. Such as the DSP Plugin for Winamp (beginners setup)
4. A streaming service. Such as the DRS 2006 Radio Streamer

This a list for beginners and contains very simple softwares. It will get you streaming, but the result may not be perfect. If you want to know how the professionals do it, please read the FAQ for professionals.

So you have your music, your player, your encoder and streaming account all ready to go. How exactly do you stream? Here are a few basics first.

What is an encoder?
An encoder is a program which takes your audio, either directly from the PC or via line in etc, and converts it to a format such as MP3/MP3Pro to stream to a server and ultimately your listeners, and will directly connect to Shoutcast, Windows Media, Live365 or IceCast.

Why do I need an Encoder?
Without an encoder in some form you will not be able to connect to your streaming server. The encoder encodes (compresses) your audio stream, so you will transfer as less data as possible. The server on the other side "understands" this format and is able to pass it over to your listeners wich have players that decode the audio stream back, so they can hear it.

How does it all work?
Below is a simple graphic showing how all the elements together function to provide your listener with a stream.

Broadcasting with Winamp and the ShoutCast DSP Plugin
Some users may wish to start to stream with a simple player like Winamp. Below we will outline how to set up the Shoutcast DSP plugin (download location) used in conjunction with Winamp.

Once the download has completed, you will need to install the software. Make sure that Winamp is not running before proceeding. Open the dsp software installer by doubleclicking on it at the location you saved it, and follow the onscreen instructions to install. Once you have installed the DSP, start Winamp, open the preferences (CTRL+P) and click on the DSP/Effects subcategory under the Plug-ins tree.

If you see "SHOUTcast Source for Winamp v1.8.2" in the right hand pane, then you have correctly installed the SHOUTcast Broadcast DSP Plug-in.

* A window pops up labeled SHOUTcast source.
* Click Close on the Preferences window to close the Winamp Preferences window.
* Bring the SHOUTcast source window to the front by clicking on its titlebar.
* Click on the Input tab and ensure that the correct Input Device is selected (usually Winamp)

* Click on the Encoder tab, select Encoder 1 on the left, and select the bitrate options of your liking (mono settings are above stereo settings in the list)

* Click on the Output tab, then select Output 1 on the left.

* Click on the Connection button to bring up the settings for the SHOUTcast DNAS you will be connecting to. Enter the IP address under Address, Port number, broadcasting password set on the server, and select 1 under the Encoder pulldown menu. (Refer to your DRS 2006 Radiostreamer server setup email for this information)
* Optionally, place a checkbox in Automatic Reconnection on Connection Failure if you want the DSP to reconnect in the event of a Internet connection failure.
* Click on the Yellowpages button above to change the description information for this server.

* Enter a Description of the station you're broadcasting, a URL of a website with more information about your station, and the Genre(s) your server is broadcasting.
* Optionally, you may enter an AIM name if you use AOL Instant Messenger, your ICQ # if you use ICQ, and an IRC channel if you use EfNet IRC. This information helps listeners locate you as a broadcaster.
* If you want this station to appear in the Station listings for Shoutcast.com, check the Make this server public checkbox.
* If you want the DSP to connect to the server whenever Winamp starts, check the Connect at Startup item above.
* Make sure your DNAS is running, and that you're playing MP3 files in Winamp (if using Winamp Input Mode), or that the soundcard input and mixers are correctly configured if using Soundcard Input mode, and then click connect to connect to your server and start broadcasting. If you elected to make your server public, it will appear in the directory within 15 minutes of starting broadcasting.