Quick guide:-Download and install Winamp (Direct link) 6mb-Download and install SHOUTcast plugin (Direct link) 503kb -Register/Login with freecast -Book a slot -When your slot is active, login to the server through the SHOUTcast plugin (Address: cuttingedge.wavestreamer.com Port: 3272 Password: On booking sheet) -Broadcast You will need:-Winamp (Direct link) 6mb-SHOUTcast plugin (Direct link) 503kb Installing:If you're unsure about whether or not you will be able to use winamp to stream I suggest you look at their FAQs, which might help you decide. If you decide to proceed using winamp, download it, run the install package to install the software. This may require a restart of your computer.After winamp has been installed I suggest you test it with the medium you intend to be broadcasting with. Once you are happy winamp is working fine, close it, and install the SHOUTcast plugin. Configuring: (Video guide)(wavestreaming demo server)Open winamp and right click on the title bar. Go to 'options' and click 'preferences'. On the menu on the left click on the 'DSP/Effect' link in the 'Plug-ins' section. Double click on 'Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source' and wait for the plugin configuration menu to open. When it has opened click the 'Output' tab and enter the following:Address: cuttingedge.wavestreamer.com Port: 3272 Your password will be given to you via the booking sheet, and you will only be able to connect in the hour you have booked. Because of this I strongly suggest you use the wavestreaming demo server to test your setup is working in full several hours/days before your are due to broadcast. Next click the 'encoder' tab set the 'encoder type' drop down menu to one of the following: 56kbps, 22.050kHz, Mono 56kbps, 44.100kHz, Mono 56kbps, 22.050kHz, Stereo Lastly click the 'input' tab. If you only wish to broadcast music then under 'input device' make sure 'Winamp (Recommended)' is selected. If you want to broadcast your voice and music then you will have to change the input device to 'soundcard'. You will need a microphone, and I suggest you test out your levels with it before you start your show. If the bars under 'input levels' are constantly at 0dB when you speak then you need to turn down the 'mic level' slider by dragging it to the left. The input levels should never linger on 0dB for too long. Try to aim to have your voice between -30dB and -1dB when you talk. When broadcasting you will need to press and hold the 'push to talk' button to be heard by listeners. Booking a slot:First and foremost you will need to register with freecast in order to book a slot. Registration is quick and free. We'd also appreciate it if you registered at the forum too. After you have registered you will be able to login and book slots.Booking a slot is easy. Log into freecast. If it is your first time logging in then you may have to set your time zone. On the right hand side of the site is a box titled 'Your Time'. If this time does not match the time in your area then click the link to the profile in the navigation bar (top right) and set your time zone until the time on the website matches your local time. Once the times are in sync proceed to the booking sheet by clicking the 'book' link next to the 'profile' link. The booking sheet is made up of hourly slots, each is one of four colours: Gray: This time is in the past (cannot be clicked) Blue: The current hour Red: Booked Green: Free to book Clicking on a blue slot will either tell you who is streaming, or offer you the chance to take over the current inactive slot. If you take over an inactive slot your account will not be debited any credits. Clicking on a red slot will tell you who is streaming currently streaming. Clicking on a green slot will give you the option to book it, so long as you have some credit and haven't already broadcast for two hours in a given day. Each week every user is issued with a set number of free credits. The number of free credits issued is constantly under review, feel free to discuss it in the forum. If you decide to book the slot you will be issued with the password for the hour. Once that hour starts your password will work with the server. Slots booked with free credits are red with a dotted white border, whilst those booked with paid credit have a solid white border. If you change your mind about the slot you have booked then click it again, and you will be given the option to unbook it, underneath the password. Your credit will be refunded. Broadcasting:Winamp has excellent playlist support, so you can line up a series of audio tracks and have them played one after the other. To make sure you are broadcasting to the server check on the 'Output' tab occasionally. The number of sent bytes in the status box should increase as you broadcast.Some users say their listeners report that the stream sounds very chipmunky or high pitched. If you find this is the case then change from 44.100kHz to 22.050kHz, or from 22.050kHz to 44.100kHz depending on which is causing the trouble. DJs are encouraged to use the freecast live system to get feedback from their listeners. You will have to mention it in your stream so the listeners know where to go. A guide to using the live system is here. Problems:If you encounter any problems we urge you to report them in the forum and if possible draw our attention to the post in the IRC channel. We can't fix it unless we know it's broken. We'll try to resolve the issue as quickly as we can. |