This article describes how to get an Icecast server up and running.

Out of all of the shoutcast/icecast programs out there, this one is the very best. I have found a way to bypass the 20 minute limiting static, but will NOT explain how it is done, because I. Free download icecast icecast for Mac OS X 👍. Icecast 📽 is a streaming media (audio/video) server which currently supports Ogg (Vorbis and Theora), Opus, WebM and MP3 streams. It can be used to create an Internet radio station or a privately.

On this resulting server you can connect with a Source Client, like IceS, and stream music or video to listener clients.

To get started with using Icecast you should first understand how everything works together.

How it works

The graphic shows how Icecast basically works:

• A source client connects to the Icecast server on a specified mountpoint.
  (a mountpoint can be described as a file on a normal file system)

• Listeners access the mountpoints ('files') and can listen to the bitstreams ('file contents').
  (they can connect to these like they would to normal files on a remote server)

• Icecast offers the bitstream it gets from the source client on a specified mountpoint to all of the mountpoint's listeners in realtime.

Note: you cannot use Icecast with static files (eg. Ogg or mp3 files),
it always needs a source client which sends a bitstream!

Getting Icecast

You can download Icecast from icecast.org.

This guide is written for Icecast version 2.4.1, but should work with at least every 2.4.x version.

There may be compiled versions on Homebrew (Mac OS) or apt-get (Debian, Ubuntu, etc).
Additionally have a look at Installing latest version from the official Xiph repositories, these are the recommended ways to install Icecast.

Windows users who download and extract the binary package can skip the Compiling step and continue with Configuration.

Compiling

Only do these steps below, if there is definitely no packages Icecast available foryour system. With a source install you have to manually keep checking for new versionsfrom time to time and it is not recommended for beginners. Only proceed if you know whatyou are doing!

Once you have downloaded the source package you want, you have to extract it.

After that you have to use your console and change directory (cd) to your extracted files.

You then have to run the configuration tool, compile and install it.
(you may have to install additional dependencies first)

When done, run the following commands to finish the installation:

Configuration

After installing Icecast, you are just one step away from using it! You have to configure it.

Icecast is shipped with a default XML configuration file.

The file can be found on:

• Linux at: /etc/icecast.xml or /etc/icecast2/icecast.xml
• MacOS at: /etc/icecast.xml or /usr/local/etc/icecast.xml
• Windows at: /path-to-extracted-icecast/etc/icecast.xml

You can edit this file and even save it to a different location.
(you will need its full path to start the server, so remember where you put it)

It is strongly recommended you edit some fields in this XML file,
especially if you plan to run a public server.

You should always change the passwords from hackme to something more secure.

If you plan to run a public server and/or a server with Yellow Pages listing,
you should change the hostname to one where your server can be accessed from.

More advanced topics like relays, Yellow Pages listings, etc. are explained in the following in-depth parts of this guide.

Starting the server

To start your Icecast server, run the following command in your console:

If you did everything correctly Icecast should start and listen for connections on the default port.

You can test access to your server by typing http://127.0.0.1:8000 into your web browser.

If you see a page which says Icecast2 Status on top,
you have done everything right and finished the basic part of this guide!

What next?

If you want in-depth infos, you should look at the following articles.

• If you want to start streaming, have a look at IceS/Getting Started
• If you want to go deeper into configuring your server, have a look at Icecast/Advanced Configuration

Recommended Audio Software for Your Radio Station!

The following is a list of DJ Automation Encoders that StreamingPulse recommends. All of which are compatible with both SHOUTcast and Icecast (the ideal platform to use when choosing a streaming provider).

Free Encoders:

Winamp

With the Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source plugin – free. Recommended if you are new to Internet radio streaming. Runs on Windows. Click to download
SHOUTcast Source DSP Click to download

MB Recaster

Windows freeware. Good replacement for Winamp, Edcast.
Click to download

Lunar Caster

For live broadcasting music. Includes various modules (Jingles, Calendar, Playlists, Events etc.). Runs on Windows.
Click to download

Butt

Free multi OS streaming tool. This is the best tool to use if you are using external equipment such as (DJ controllers, CD players, Mixers, etc.) It will stream and record from your MIC or LINE Input. It supports SHOUTcast and Icecast and runs on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows. It is NOT intended to be a server by itself or automatically stream a playlist of audio files. So you will still need an audio source.
Click to download

LadioCast

Free for Mac OS X.
Click to download

PlayIt Live

Free for Windows. Requires Internet Broadcast plugin (e.g. AltaCast) to stream to SHOUTcast/Icecast servers.
Click to download

Mixxx

A FREE World class mixing engine with Auto DJ for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Click to download

Paid Encoders

SAM Broadcaster

Sam Broadcaster is a radio automation software developed specifically for radio stations. It has a quality streaming DSP encoder that will allow you to connect to SHOUTcast v1/v2 or Icecast. This software can organize large music libraries quickly into multiple categories, import information from tags and automatically look up track information via Amazon.com.

The built in audio features like cross-fade detection, gap killer, volume normalization and 5-band compressor and limiter will make your radio station sound professional.

Requires a certain learning curve. Steep price in comparison to some free alternatives.

Costs $299. Runs on Windows.
Click to download

SAM Cast

$199. All in one solution for live streaming. Runs on Windows.
Click to download

Rocket Broadcaster

Free / $49 Pro. Our recommended encoder. Rocket captures audio from other applications, including Skype, Spotify, and your automation software, so you can seamlessly mix live interviews with music.
Click to download

StationPlaylist Studio

Designed for Pro Stations. Pro $239. Features general automation playback and live assistance tools for DJs.
Click to download

StationPlaylist Creator

Pro $239. Music and spot scheduling software. It is used to design your station format using rotations of music categories and spot groups (jingles, ads, etc).
Click to download

Zarastudio

$200.58. Not designed for Internet radio streaming, but it is a program that automates audio playback. Can be used along with other programs to broadcast an Internet station. Some of those programs are OddCast or WinAmp plugin. Virtual DJ.
Click to download

Virtual DJ

$299 for Commercial use. Free for non-commercial use. For commercial use, you will need to buy a commercial license. Runs on Windows and Mac OS X.
Click to download

Nextkast

Icecast For Mac App

$99 standard / $199 Pro. Runs on Windows.
Click to download

Megaseg

This is the Sam Broadcaster for MAC users. $99 standard / $199 Pro. Runs on Mac OS X.
Click to download

RadioBOSS

$119.95. Simple to use, lets you build sophisticated playlists with the professional features. Runs on Windows.
Click to download

Icecast Server For Mac

RadioCaster

Icecast For Macos

$49.95. Broadcast any audio that you have on your computer: support for audio capture from any computer input or playback device. Runs on Windows.
Click to download