Move your station by setting up and checking the VosCast stream before replacing the listening links your audience already uses. Keep your existing service available while you prepare, and allow time to update encoders, players, and any external listings that point to the old stream.
1. List the parts of your existing station
Before changing anything, record the items you will need to update:
- Broadcasting applications and saved connection profiles used by each presenter.
- Server type, audio format, and the bitrate currently being sent.
- Website players, direct listening links, and downloadable playlist files.
- Station apps, external listings, or other services that use your stream address.
- Uploaded audio, playlists, and any schedule you want to recreate.
Keep a private copy of the working configuration so you can refer to it during the move. Do not publish passwords in shared notes or screenshots. Download or locate your own copies of the audio files; a playlist export is not necessarily a copy of the recordings themselves.
2. Choose the replacement hosting setup
Use the current VosCast plans to compare maximum bitrate, simultaneous listener allowance, and Auto DJ storage. Check the needs of your existing station against all three rather than choosing by bitrate alone.
Confirm whether your broadcasting software will use Icecast or SHOUTcast. Use the details supplied for the new account; the old provider's host, port, passwords, and mount settings do not transfer to the replacement server.
If a particular app, external player, or other service is essential, check its requirements before changing the station's public links. Contact VosCast support with the relevant software and listening requirements if you need help choosing the setup.
3. Add a new encoder profile
Keep the old working profile and create a separate profile for VosCast where your software permits it. Copy the host, port, broadcast password, and any required source login or mount point from your account.
Follow the appropriate setup guide:
Use a bitrate within the new plan's allowance. Check the selected audio input and include a short microphone segment if your station has live presentation. An encoder connection alone does not confirm that the right audio is reaching listeners.
If connecting the new profile stops the old broadcast, arrange a suitable preparation window. Do not assume your software can send to both services at once.
4. Recreate hosted playback if you use it
Upload your MP3 files, create the required playlists, and recreate the schedule using the Auto DJ setup guide. Check the storage allowance and confirm that uploads completed.
Review the account clock and Timezone setting before entering event times. Check recurring days, duration, loop and shuffle settings, and overlapping playlist priorities. Do not assume that a schedule export from a different service can be imported unchanged.
Stop VosCast Auto DJ before connecting a direct live encoder. When the live programme ends, disconnect the encoder and start Auto DJ again if you want hosted playback to resume.
5. Check the new listening address
Open the new listener URL on another device and listen to the programme. Check speech, music, track changes, and any switch between live audio and Auto DJ that the station will use.
For an HTTPS website, use a working HTTPS listener address supplied for the stream. Follow the HTML5 player guide and check the player on the devices your audience uses. Do not substitute the account or server status page for the direct audio URL.
6. Update the places listeners find you
Choose a changeover time and update the website player, direct links, playlist files, and external services in your inventory. Some listings may require their own update process, so allow time for those changes and check each result.
Tell presenters which connection profile to use and tell listeners where to tune in. Keep the station name and programme times clear on the listening page so people can recognise that they have reached the right stream.
7. Finish the move before cancelling the old service
Confirm that the new broadcast and public links work, the regular presenters have the new details, and the schedule behaves as intended. Keep copies of the old configuration and your audio library.
Only then review cancellation of the previous hosting service under its own terms. If something is missing during the changeover, use your inventory to identify the encoder, player, or listing that still points to the old address.