Encoder setup

What you need

Server type: Icecast 2, or SHOUTcast v1 or v2. All three work on every station, whichever server your listeners hear.
Server: On your dashboard as Server URL. No http:// in front of it.
Port: Yours alone, and not 8000. Enter it as shown whatever the server type. A SHOUTcast v1 encoder sends to the port above it by itself, so do not add one.
Mountpoint and username: Icecast only: /yourname and source. SHOUTcast encoders have no such fields. In v2 mode they ask for a stream ID instead: use 1, and leave any user ID empty.
Password: On your dashboard behind Show password. Copy it rather than retyping it.

Match the format and bitrate to your plan. MP3 at your plan's bitrate is the safe choice, and sending more than your plan allows is refused rather than silently downgraded.

FYN Broadcaster

Choose Icecast or SHOUTcast and fill in the values above from your dashboard, with the port exactly as shown. Set the format to MP3 at your plan's bitrate.

BUTT

Free, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and the one we suggest if you have no preference. Settings, then Main, then Add under Server.

Type: Icecast or SHOUTcast
Address: your server, with no http://
Port: your port
Password: your source password
Icecast only: mountpoint /yourname, user source

Then on the Audio tab set the codec to MP3 and the bitrate to your plan's. Press Play to connect.

Mixxx

Preferences, then Live Broadcasting. Tick Enable live broadcasting.

Type: Icecast 2 or SHOUTcast 1
Host: your server
Port: your port
Icecast only: login source, mount /yourname
Encoding: MP3 at your plan's bitrate

Mixxx shows the connection state in its toolbar rather than popping up an error, so check there if nothing seems to happen.

RadioDJ

Options, then Encoders, then add an encoder.

Encoder type: MP3
Server type: Icecast 2, SHOUTcast v1 or SHOUTcast v2
Server, port and password from your dashboard
Icecast only: mountpoint /yourname, username source

RadioDJ needs the LAME encoder installed separately on Windows. If the encoder will not start at all and never reaches us, that is usually why.

SAM Broadcaster

In the Encoders window, add an encoder, pick MP3 and your plan's bitrate, then open its Server details tab.

Server type: Icecast 2 or SHOUTcast, v1 or v2
Server IP: your server hostname
Port: your port
Password: your source password
Icecast only: mount point /yourname

Rocket Broadcaster

Settings, then Encoders, then add an Icecast or SHOUTcast encoder and fill in the values above. Set the format to MP3 at your plan's bitrate.

Winamp with the SHOUTcast DSP

Only worth using if you already have it working. On the Output tab, Connection:

Address: your server
Port: your port
Password: your source password
On the Encoder tab, MP3 at your plan's bitrate

OBS

OBS is a video encoder and cannot send audio-only to an Icecast or SHOUTcast server. If you are streaming a video show and want the audio on your radio station, run a separate audio encoder alongside OBS rather than trying to make OBS do both.

When it will not connect

For an Icecast or SHOUTcast v2 encoder, your station page shows the last time it tried to connect, from which address, and why it was refused if it was. Look there first.

Connection refused, or a timeout

Usually the port is wrong. Check it against your dashboard: encoders default to 8000, and yours is not. And if your own network lets only some ports out, a SHOUTcast encoder needs the one above yours as well.

Invalid password, or 401

The password was mistyped, or on Icecast the username is not source. Copy the password from the dashboard rather than retyping it.

It connects and then drops after a few seconds

Usually the bitrate is above what your plan allows, or two encoders are trying to hold the same station at once. Only one source can be connected, and the second one is refused. Close the first properly rather than just stopping playback.

It connects but listeners hear the AutoDJ

Your encoder is sending silence. After a few seconds of it your AutoDJ plays instead, so listeners are not left with dead air, and your station page says the encoder is silent. You are back on air as soon as it sends sound. Check the input device and the level meter in the encoder itself. If the meter is moving and listeners still hear the AutoDJ, tell us.

Mount point mismatch

Icecast only. The mount is your station name with a leading slash: /yourname. Getting it wrong gives a 404 rather than a password error, which is a useful way to tell the two mistakes apart.

Using something not listed here? It almost certainly works: anything that speaks the Icecast or SHOUTcast v1 or v2 source protocol can connect, with the values above. Tell us what you use and we will add it.