The right internet radio software depends on how you produce your programme. A presenter speaking through a mixer needs a different tool from a DJ mixing tracks or a station running a scheduled music library. Start with the job you want the software to do, then choose how to connect it to your radio hosting.
VosCast receives your live programme through an Icecast or SHOUTcast connection. You can send audio from broadcasting software on your own device, or upload MP3 files to hosted Auto DJ for playback while your computer is off. This guide explains where the main software options fit and links to the connection instructions for each one.
Understand the three jobs in a radio setup
It helps to separate producing audio, encoding it and delivering it to listeners:
- Playback and mixing: choosing tracks, opening microphones, playing jingles and building the programme. A DJ application or radio playout system can do this.
- Encoding and sending: turning that programme into a live stream and connecting to the server. Some playout applications include an encoder; other setups use a separate tool such as BUTT.
- Radio hosting: receiving the stream and making it available to listeners. Your VosCast server handles this part.
Hosted Auto DJ provides another way to supply the programme: it plays the files you have uploaded to VosCast. Desktop automation still runs on your own computer, even when the software calls its playback mode "Auto DJ".
Compare the main options
| Software | Device | A useful choice when… |
|---|---|---|
| BUTT | Windows, macOS, Linux | Your microphone, mixer or routed audio feed already contains the programme and you need to send it to the server. |
| Mixxx | Windows, macOS, Linux | You want to select and mix tracks, use decks and add a microphone within a DJ application. |
| RadioBOSS | Windows | You want a desktop music library, playlists, scheduling and a built-in encoder. |
| PlayIt Live | Windows | You want radio playout with live-assist controls, quick audio clips and automation. |
| SAM Broadcaster Pro | Windows | You want library management, decks, radio automation and encoding in one desktop application. |
| StationPlaylist Studio | Windows | You want radio playout and live assistance with built-in encoders; Creator is a separate scheduling product. |
| RadioDJ with BUTT | Windows | You want RadioDJ playout and will route its audio to a separate encoder. |
| RadioCaster | Windows | You want a separate encoder to capture an audio input or playback device. |
| VirtualDJ Pro | Windows, macOS | You mix DJ sets and want a SHOUTcast connection, or a separate MP3 encoder for Icecast. |
| Audio Hijack | macOS | You want to build an audio workflow using application audio, microphones and processing blocks. |
| iziCast | iPhone, iPad | You want to broadcast from a mobile device using its microphone, an external audio device or local audio files. |
| VosCast hosted Auto DJ | Managed in your web browser | You want uploaded recordings and playlists to keep playing without leaving your own computer running. |
Choose one workflow to establish the first broadcast. You can add routing, more inputs or a larger schedule after you can reliably hear the intended programme through the public listening link.
Send a mixer or microphone with BUTT
BUTT is a straightforward encoder for an audio input. If you already mix your programme on external equipment, select the input carrying that mix and send it to VosCast. It does not manage a queue of music files itself.
Playing something in another application does not automatically make it part of BUTT's input. Computer audio needs an appropriate routing device or software setup. Check the input meter and listen through the station link before your show. Our Windows Voicemeeter guide and Mac BlackHole guide walk through application-audio routing.
Follow our BUTT setup guide for the Icecast and SHOUTcast settings. The official BUTT website provides downloads and the manual.
RadioCaster offers another Windows encoder workflow, including playback-device capture. It sends the selected audio to VosCast while your separate player or mixer produces the programme.
For remote guests, the Voicemeeter Banana interview guide provides separate mixes for listeners and the guest, keeping the guest's own voice out of their return feed.
Mix a live DJ show with Mixxx
Mixxx combines decks, a music library, microphone inputs and live broadcasting. It suits a presenter who wants to choose the next track and control transitions during a show. Its local Auto DJ queue can also play a prepared list.
Mixxx is free and open source. Use our Mixxx for Icecast or Mixxx for SHOUTcast guide according to your VosCast server type. See the Mixxx features page for its mixing and input options.
VirtualDJ Pro is another DJ workflow. Our refreshed guide covers its built-in SHOUTcast MP3 connection and an external-encoder route for Icecast MP3. Check the required VirtualDJ broadcasting licence before choosing it.
Run desktop radio playout on Windows
RadioBOSS, PlayIt Live and SAM Broadcaster Pro combine programme playback with broadcasting tools. They are useful when the music library and show operation will live on a Windows computer.
- RadioBOSS: consider it for playlist-based radio operation and scheduling. Our RadioBOSS guide covers adding the VosCast connection and checking the stream. Review the vendor's features and editions when deciding what to buy.
- PlayIt Live: consider it for live-assist presentation, QuickCarts and automated playout. The core application is free, with additional paid modules. Our PlayIt Live guide uses the current built-in broadcasting controls. Check the official product page for module details.
- SAM Broadcaster Pro: consider it for a library, decks, automation and encoders in one application. Follow our SAM Broadcaster Pro guide. Choose the desktop Pro product described on Spacial's website; SAM Cloud and SAM Cast are different products.
You can also use StationPlaylist Studio for playout with a built-in encoder. StationPlaylist Creator is a separate scheduling application. RadioDJ takes a different route: its programme audio goes through routing software into a separate encoder such as BUTT.
Before paying for software, use the vendor's available trial or free edition to check the workflow you need. Check current licensing, operating-system requirements and any paid features directly with the developer. The software licence and VosCast hosting are separate purchases.
Route Mac audio with Audio Hijack
Audio Hijack uses blocks to assemble an audio path. That can be useful when your programme combines a microphone with audio from another Mac application, or when you want processing before the broadcast output.
Use the Audio Hijack guide for the VosCast connection, and the official Audio Hijack documentation for the current block controls. If you mainly want decks and track mixing, compare that workflow with Mixxx before choosing.
Broadcast from an iPhone or iPad with iziCast
iziCast can send microphone, external-input and local-file audio to Icecast or SHOUTcast. It is an option for a presenter working away from a desktop studio. An external audio interface can provide a different input from the device's built-in microphone.
Our iziCast setup guide explains the VosCast fields and the checks to make before going live. Review the official iziCast website for its device and audio features. Plan power, mobile data and a stable connection for the length of the show.
Keep playing while your computer is off
If your main requirement is unattended playback of uploaded programmes, consider VosCast hosted Auto DJ. Upload your MP3 files, organise the playlists and review the account clock before scheduling events.
Hosted Auto DJ does not operate your desktop application's decks or read music files left on your computer. It uses the files uploaded to your VosCast account. Our 24/7 Auto DJ article explains how to plan hosted playback between live shows.
Check these settings whichever app you choose
Open Overview → Live broadcasting in your VosCast account. Use the server type, host, broadcast password and port shown there. An Icecast connection also needs the supplied username and exact mount point. Keep those values in their own fields; a listening URL is not a substitute for encoder connection settings.
Choose an MP3 bitrate at or below your account's Maximum Bitrate. For Icecast, match the port with the software's TLS setting: the standard port and TLS port are different. Follow the app's guide rather than changing port numbers by guesswork.
Stop VosCast Auto DJ before a direct live encoder connects. At the end of the live show, disconnect that encoder and start Auto DJ again if you want hosted playback to resume. Desktop scheduling does not perform that account changeover for you.
Finally, listen through your account's Quick Listen Link on another device. Check music, speech, track transitions and the handover to hosted playback. When you have chosen the workflow, compare VosCast's hosting plans for the bitrate, simultaneous listener allowance and Auto DJ storage your station needs.