Web Radio

[OptimaL]

I have several web based businesses. I'm looking at the possibility of web radio to promote them, can anyone tell me the best way to start up a web radio station, the pitfalls of doing so and what kind of equipment I would need? Any info or url's would be appreciated thank you.

[moltar]

You would most likely need a stand alone server (if you expect many listeners).

You can use various software depending on the type of streams you want:

• MP3 - Shoutcast server
  
• Real Audio
  
• WMA (Windows Media Player)
  

Most of online radio stations are not really live. What they do is gather lots of mp3s and let the program just shuffle them and play.

If you want an actual live radio station, then you would need equipment. Whatever equipment you want is up to you. But it all ends up in the mixer. So, then you'd take the output from the mixer and plug it into your "line in" in your computer and set your server software to listen to "line in" and stream to internet from there.

[OptimaL]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I'm looking mainly for a streaming audio station with the occasional break in the music for ads promoting my websites and friends' websites. So all I would need is a server, alot of mp3's, and the software to run it? How could I get linked to various webradio sites and what kind of copyright fees would I need to pay on the music? Any idea where I could find those things out? Thanks again :)

[moltar]

Yes, all you need is a server, mp3s and software.

I am not sure about the laws. My guess would be that it is illegal to stream mp3s unless you pay someone. It all depends where you are based. Or I'd rather say, where is your radio based ;)