Frequently Asked Questions
The equipment you need depends on how you want to broadcast your internet radio station:
Option 1: Automated Streaming with AutoDJ (No Live Equipment Needed)
If you want to run a fully automated online radio station, you don’t need any broadcast hardware at all. Simply:
- Upload your MP3s or audio files to our server
- Create playlists and schedules inside the control panel
- Our AutoDJ system will stream your station 24/7 without your computer needing to stay online
This is the easiest and most cost-effective way to start your radio station. An AutoDJ plan is required.
Option 2: Live Broadcasting from Your Computer
If you want to present shows live, you’ll need:
- A computer or laptop
- Streaming encoder software (such as BUTT, Altacast, or any DJ software with built-in stream encoding like VirtualDJ, SAM Broadcaster, or Mixxx)
- An audio source such as a microphone, mixer, or your music player
The encoder software captures your audio (from your soundcard or microphone) and sends it directly to our streaming server in real time.
Option 3: Professional Setup with Hardware Encoders
For more advanced or studio-style broadcasting, you can use a dedicated hardware encoder such as the Barix Instreamer. This device takes a direct audio input (from a mixer, studio console or microphone source), encodes it, and sends a high-quality stream to our server without needing a computer.
AutoDJ is a cloud-based DJ system that keeps your radio station streaming automatically - even when you're not live. Instead of needing your computer to stay connected 24/7, you simply:
1. Upload your MP3s or audio files to the server
2. Create playlists and rotations inside the control panel
3. Schedule when you want shows or music blocks to play
4. The AutoDJ system streams your station continuously from the cloud
This means your radio station stays online 24/7 without needing constant manual control.
You can still go live whenever you want to with an AutoDJ plan.
Listener slots are the maximum number of people who can listen to your radio stream at the same time.
Each slot represents one active listener connection. For example:
500 listener slots = up to 500 people can tune in at once
1,000 listener slots = up to 1,000 simultaneous listeners
If you reach your slot limit, new listeners trying to connect will be unable to join until a slot becomes available. This is why it's important to choose a plan that matches your expected audience size.
Bitrate is the amount of data used every second to stream your audio, measured in kbps (kilobits per second). A higher bitrate means better sound quality, ideal for music-heavy stations, but it also uses more data and needs a stable internet connection. A lower bitrate uses less data, making it perfect for mobile listeners or slower connections, though audio quality will be reduced.
As a rough guide; listening to a station in 128k stereo would sound like CD quality, where as 24k would sound more like listening over the phone.
No - we do not provide any music licensing, royalty coverage, or content usage rights. We supply the streaming technology, but it is your responsibility to secure any required licences based on the type of content you broadcast and the laws in your country.
If your stream contains copyrighted material (such as commercial music), you must have permission or a licence from the copyright holder. This usually means obtaining the correct licence from music rights organisations or directly from the record label, publisher, or artist.
Click here for Stream Licensing Explained: Everything You Need to Know
Yes - if you want to use geo-locking on your stream, please select MediaCP or Everest Panel as your control panel. CentovaCast does not support geo-locking.
Geo-locking allows you to restrict which countries can access your stream, and it may be required depending on your music licensing agreements.
