Zernebok Radio/Setting up SAMBC

This guide intends to help new DJs set up SAM Broadcaster to connect to the Zernebok Radio Icecast server and begin broadcasting!

Requirements

To become a DJ, you require:

• A computer running Windows 98 or later (for SAMBC, other solutions are available for other platforms)
• A microphone (if you want to speak, it's nice if you can)
• The password for the icecast server (ask an existing DJ)
• An Internet connection with an upstream of at least 128kbps, ideally more - depends on the quality of the stream you want to broadcast
• Some form of music collection
• Time to actually broadcast a show

Setting up SAMBC

Installation

Download the demo version of the full SAM Broadcaster 4.2.2 package from the SpacialAudio site. The Firebird database version should be suitable for most users. Run through the installation, the default values should be fine.

Setting up the stream

Generally, Zernebok Radio is run on one or two streams, an MP3 format stream (live.mp3) and an Ogg Vorbis format stream (live.ogg). As Ogg Vorbis is higher quality than MP3, the stream bitrate is usually lower than the MP3 stream. If your Internet connection's upload rate is too slow to support more than one stream, use your judgement in choosing a format. MP3 will probably provide you with more listeners, but lower quality audio. Vorbis is higher quality, but less people can listen to it.

Setting up the MP3 stream

1. To set up the MP3 stream, click Encoders in the Window menu. The Encoders panel will appear. Click the + button on the toolbar.
2. Choose MP3 and mp3PRO (although MP3 (normal) should be OK too if this option isn't available)
3. Choose High Quality from the Quality list.
4. Pick an appropriate bitrate from the Format list. MP3: 128 kb/s, 44.1 kHz, Stereo is recommended if you have at least 160kbps upstream.
5. Click Server Details.
   1. Click Icecast, and select Icecast 2.
   2. Enter radio.zernebok.com into Server IP, 8080 into Server Port, and the server password into Password.
   3. Type /live.mp3 as the value for Mount. Enter details for your own show into Station Name, etc. For instance, "Zernebok Radio :: DJ Owen".
   4. Ensure List on public station listning and Enable title streaming are ticked.
6. Click Stream Archive
   1. Ensure Save stream to file is ticked.
   2. Leave the rest of the options as their defaults.
7. Click OK. The MP3 stream is now set up!

Setting up the Ogg Vorbis stream

1. To set up the Vorbis stream, click Encoders in the Window menu. The Encoders panel will appear. Click the + button on the toolbar.
2. Choose Ogg Vorbis
3. Choose Stereo and 44100 Hz from the Channels and Sample Rate lists.
4. Select Quality Management Mode and pick an appropriate quality with the slider. 2.00 (around 96Kbps) is recommended.
5. Click Server Details.
   1. Click Icecast, and select Icecast 2.
   2. Enter radio.zernebok.com into Server IP, 8080 into Server Port, and the server password into Password.
   3. Type /live.ogg as the value for Mount. Enter details for your own show into Station Name, etc. For instance, "Zernebok Radio :: DJ Owen".
   4. Ensure List on public station listning and Enable title streaming are ticked.
6. Click Stream Archive
   1. Ensure Save stream to file is ticked.
   2. Leave the rest of the options as their defaults.
7. Click OK. The Vorbis stream is now set up!