Shoutcast or Icecast on SonicPanel: the differences and which to pick

VPS & Servers·· 41 views· 4 min read

The short answer: on SonicPanel your station can run on a Shoutcast server (version 1 or 2) or an Icecast server. They are the two most common families of audio streaming server, and listeners almost never notice the difference. What changes is on your side: the details your broadcasting software asks for and the audio formats. As a rule: if you already have software or a routine set up for one of them, stay with it. If you want to broadcast in OGG or FLAC, Icecast is the natural home for those formats. The plan figures (AutoDJ space, maximum quality, unlimited listeners) are the same on both.

The differences that matter

Aspect Shoutcast Icecast
What it is An audio server with two generations: v1, older and simpler, and v2, which adds more information about the stream. An open-source audio server, widely used by online radio stations.
What your broadcasting software asks for Server address, port and broadcast password. Server address, port, mount point (for example /live), the source username and the broadcast password.
Audio formats, as a rule MP3 and AAC+. MP3, AAC+, OGG and FLAC (OGG and FLAC are its speciality).
Broadcasting software BUTT, Mixxx, SAM Broadcaster and RadioBOSS all connect to it. The same programs connect to it.
Listeners Plays in the browser, in the site player and in common audio players. Plays in the same places.

How to choose, and what to do next

1 Already have broadcasting software set up? Check which server type it uses and pick that one: nothing changes in the studio.
2 Want OGG or FLAC? Pick Icecast. Before using FLAC, read the audio formats on each panel: FLAC is lossless and needs far more bitrate than MP3, and your plan has a maximum broadcast quality (up to 128, 192 or 320 kbps, for Pro, Plus or Ultra).
3 Just want MP3 or AAC+ with no fuss? Either will do. Shoutcast asks for fewer details in the broadcasting software; Icecast makes you get the mount point right.
4 Choose the type on SonicPanel. You pick Shoutcast or Icecast yourself, in the panel. The right details (server address, port, broadcast password and, for Icecast, the mount point) come in the e-mail. The format looks like this: server stream.yourdomain, port 8000 (an example only; yours are the ones in the e-mail).
5 Set up your broadcasting software with those details: see going live with BUTT, Mixxx or SAM.
6 Test before you announce it: broadcast for a few minutes and listen through the listen link, on a phone and on another network.
Switching from Shoutcast to Icecast, or the other way round, changes the studio settings. Icecast adds the mount point and the source username, and the listen link may change too. Tell your DJs and update the player on your site, or the station goes silent for them. Ask for the switch through a support ticket, and not in the middle of a show.
The most common Icecast mistake is the mount point. Some programs treat “/live” and “live” differently, and a wrong mount point gives “access denied” even with the right password. Copy it exactly from the e-mail.

Not sure which server type suits you, or your broadcasting software will not connect? Open a support ticket in My MozOut with the program you use and the error message.

Open a support ticket

SEE ALSO

Streaming Server: first steps with SonicPanel

Going live on SonicPanel and VoxStream: BUTT, Mixxx or SAM with server, port and password

AAC+, MP3, FLAC or OGG: audio formats and quality on each streaming panel

SonicPanel or VoxStream: which streaming panel to choose for your radio

Putting your radio player on your website: the player options on each panel

Online radio or video: which plan, and why an ordinary hosting plan is not it

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