StationPlaylist Studio is Windows playout software with an included stream encoder. You can send its programme audio directly to VosCast without running a separate encoder such as BUTT. StationPlaylist Creator is the separate playlist scheduler; it is not required just to connect Studio's encoder to your server.
Before you start
Install Studio from the official StationPlaylist website, or use your existing registered installation. Have a playlist ready and check that Studio plays your tracks locally. This guide focuses on the streaming connection, rather than setting up Creator or a complete automation schedule.
Open Overview → Live broadcasting in your VosCast account. Keep the server type, host, port, Broadcast password and Maximum Bitrate available. Use the details for your own station rather than example values from another service.
Stop hosted VosCast Auto DJ before connecting directly. Make sure another live encoder is not already connected. Studio's local automation still needs your computer and internet connection; it does not upload the playlist to hosted Auto DJ.
Enable SPL Encoder
In Studio, open View → Options, then the Output options and Mixer tab. Enable SPL Encoder. This is the encoder included with Studio; the separate StationPlaylist Streamer application is not needed for this setup.
Open the SPL Encoder window, add an encoder, and open that encoder's configuration. Configure one VosCast connection first so you can identify its status easily.
Enter your server details
Use the section that matches your VosCast server type. Enter the host without http://, https://, a port number, or a path; the port belongs in its own field.
Icecast
| Encoder setting | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Server type | Icecast / Icecast2 |
| Server host or IP | Your account's Server address / Host |
| Server port | The account's Standard port |
| Username, where available | source |
| Encoder/server password | Your Broadcast password, not your VosCast account or server admin password |
| Mount point | The exact account Mount point, including its leading slash; normally /stream |
Use a standard connection with TLS off. Do not substitute the TLS port (SSL) for this walkthrough. Preserve any custom mount shown in your account: changing it can break existing listening links and players.
SHOUTcast
Select the SHOUTcast v1-compatible server option. Studio also supports native SHOUTcast v2, but this walkthrough uses the v1 connection mode, including with compatible VosCast SHOUTcast 2 servers.
Enter your account's host, Server port (SHOUTcast) and Broadcast password. Use the base port exactly as displayed; do not manually add one. Do not append a username or stream ID to the password. An Icecast mount is not used for this profile. This walkthrough does not use TLS for SHOUTcast.
Set the audio format
Choose an MP3 encoder and a bitrate at or below your account's Maximum Bitrate. Select mono or stereo as appropriate for your programme; 44100 Hz is a suitable sample rate for this walkthrough. Save the encoder configuration.
The built-in encoder receives Studio's programme mix. If you use Studio's microphone input, configure it in the Input options under Mic Input, and check the Mic control before the show. For an external mixer, follow the vendor's mixer-routing instructions: return microphone and external-source audio to Studio, but exclude Studio's own playback from that return to prevent doubled audio or a loop. Hearing a microphone through your headphones alone does not confirm that it reaches the stream.
Go on air
- Start programme playback in Studio and check the audio levels.
- Connect the VosCast encoder in SPL Encoder. Check that its status shows a connection and that it is sending data.
- Open the Quick Listen Link from your account on a second device, preferably with headphones. Allow for the stream's delay, then check music, speech and song titles as applicable.
- Keep Studio and the encoder running throughout the show.
- Disconnect the encoder when finished. Restart hosted VosCast Auto DJ separately if required.
Troubleshooting
- Cannot connect: check the selected server type, host and port. Stop hosted Auto DJ and any competing encoder before trying again.
- Password rejected: copy the Broadcast password again; do not use your account login or server admin password.
- Connected but silent: check Studio's playback, programme levels and microphone or mixer input routing.
- Wrong Icecast stream: compare the complete mount with your account, including the leading slash.
- Missing SPL Encoder window: return to Output → Mixer and check that SPL Encoder is enabled.