Getting started
Getting Started with SAM Broadcaster Pro
Connect SAM Broadcaster Pro to VosCast, choose the right Icecast or SHOUTcast encoder settings, and send your music and microphone to listeners.
On this page 6 sections
SAM Broadcaster Pro plays and organises your music on a Windows computer, then sends the programme to your VosCast server through an encoder. Your computer, SAM, and its internet connection need to remain running while you broadcast.
Before you start
Install SAM Broadcaster Pro from Spacial's website. These instructions use its built-in encoders. SAM DJ and the SAM Broadcaster Live-DJ application have different purposes; Live-DJ connects to an associated SAM Cloud station.
Open Overview → Live broadcasting in your VosCast account. Keep the server type, host, port, broadcast password, and maximum bitrate available. For Icecast mode, copy the username and mount point shown in your account.
Stop VosCast's hosted Auto DJ before connecting SAM directly. SAM's own music automation runs on your computer; it is separate from VosCast Auto DJ.
Create an MP3 encoder
Open Desktop B and find Encoders. Click +, select MP3 (LAME_ENC), and confirm.
On the Converter tab, choose a bitrate at or below your account's Maximum Bitrate. Use MP3 for this walkthrough. Set the sampling rate to Auto, leave Allow scripts in stream unchecked, and keep automatic reconnection enabled if you want SAM to recover from brief connection failures.
Automatic encoder startup is optional. Leave it disabled while setting up so opening SAM does not unexpectedly put your microphone or music on air.
Enter the server details
Open Server Details and follow the section matching your account.
Use either mode with the default server. If you chose an Icecast or SHOUTcast server, use its matching mode.
Icecast
| SAM setting | Your VosCast value |
|---|---|
| Server type | IceCast, with Icecast 2 selected where a version is offered |
| Server IP | Server address / Host, without http://, https://, port, or path |
| Server Port | Standard port |
| Username, if shown | source |
| Password | Broadcast password, not your account or server admin password |
| Mount | Your exact Mount point, including the leading slash; normally /stream |
Use the standard connection with SSL/TLS off. Do not substitute the account's TLS port into this setup. For an encoder with an explicit TLS option, see BUTT.
Keep any existing custom mount unchanged. Your listening links and players may depend on it.
SHOUTcast
Choose SHOUTcast → v1 for the compatibility connection described here, including on a compatible SHOUTcast 2 server. Enter the account's Server address / Host and Broadcast password.
Enter the base port shown as Standard port or Server port (SHOUTcast) in SAM's Server Port field; do not add one yourself. Use the broadcast password as supplied, without appending a username or stream ID. This profile does not use an Icecast mount point.
Station information
Enter your station name, genre, and website. Enable title streaming if you want SAM to send track information. Save the encoder settings.
Play music and go on air
- Add a few tracks to SAM's library and load one into a player deck.
- Select the encoder's Audio DSP Pipeline source for SAM's own music mix. Spacial identifies this as the blue DSP button in Encoders.
- Start the track and check the audio meters.
- Select your saved encoder and press its Play button to connect.
- Confirm the encoder is sending data, then open your account's listening link on another device to check the programme.
Stop the encoder when the show ends. If you normally use hosted Auto DJ, start it again separately in VosCast after SAM disconnects.
Microphone and troubleshooting
For a microphone alongside SAM's music, configure Voice FX with the correct recording device. Set the destination to Encoders (Record to pipeline, skip output). This sends voice to the stream without playing it through your computer's output. Use headphones to avoid feeding speaker audio into the microphone.
If your entire programme comes from an external mixer, use SAM's sound-card capture source instead. Confirm Windows receives that device's audio.
- Cannot connect: check the connection mode, host, port, and broadcast password. Stop another encoder or hosted Auto DJ first.
- Icecast authentication fails: check the exact mount and
sourceusername where shown. - Only the microphone is audible: select Audio DSP Pipeline when you intend to send SAM's music mix.
- Connected but silent or distorted: check playback, source selection, and levels before changing server settings.