Newbie Question

[VaJim]

Hello

I operate a station on Live365.  The station uses the auto dj provided by Live365 when I'm NOT Live.  For my Live show I'm currently using Mixx.  Would try to try RadioDJ.

I downloaded RadioDJ and the MYSQL and was able to get both to work.  Opened RadioDJ and began to learn.

I am having a problem understanding the encoder.  According to Live365, I need to install Altcast which I did and was able to get to the configure screen, however, Live365, in their instructions says I should select the encoder type MP3.  The only encoder types I see in the drop down are OPPVOBIS & OGGFLAC.

Any help with this?

Thanks

[plauri]

A******t is strictly forbidden in radiodj forum if you make a search you'll understand. I made a search on their page and the instruction to set it are from 2013...
You could use another free encoder like BUTT which supports mp3 streaming.
Ps: I'm interested in Live365, could you please say which plan you have choosen and how much do expect to earn? Thanks 

[VaJim]

Thanks

I wasn't aware of the situation between RadioDJ & A******t.  It was Live365 who recommended I use that encoder.

Currently with Mixx I use the LAME MP3 encoder which I've been using for about 3 years.  The nice thing is you can activate the encoder for the stream connection (in my case Live365) from inside the Mixx program.  You don't have to open a separate window or program.  I've tried BUTT and it was OK.  Simple and straight forward.  I'll give it a try with RadioDJ.

Also concerned about Metadata.  How does RadioDJ handle that?  With Mixx, it has Picard musicbrainz built in.  Makes it very easy.

With Live365 their plans are based on storage space on their cloud and the number of listeners per month.  As your listeners grow, you may need to change to a more expensive plan.  Right now I'm with the basic plan.  Their plans offer ads or NO ads.  With the ads you must stream 4 minutes of ads per hour and then you do receive a kick back from the ad revenue. IMHO you need lots of listeners to turn a profit.     Thanks for the info.  Jim

[RadioDJ Dude]

Hi VaJim!

I'm a big fan of SECaster. It does everything you need...and it's free. I, too, use Live365 and have had years of rock solid success with it. (I use the commercial plan and never have received a "kickback")

As for metadata, after setting it up in RDJ, just import/load the NowPlaying.txt file (located in main RDJ directory) into your encoder.

Happy streaming!

[VaJim]

Thanks JMac

I've been with Live365 nearly 4 years.  My revenue kick back has grown from year to year, however I'm not at the point where it covers the total cost of the station. 

I'll check out the SECaster.  Where do I find the NowPlaying.txt file?  I guess I'm spoiled.  When I started out, I used Picard MusicBrainz manually, only to find out with Mixx, that MusicBrainz is actually embedded into the program.  Makes it super easy.  Today I took another look at BUTT, which I tried several years ago.  I did get it to work so I might use it as a back up.

Right now, after I get things set up, I'd like to try RadioDJ during my live shows.  My tracks are loaded to Live365 and I run their autodj.  Then for the live show, while in Mixx, I execute the lame(?) encoder, and go.  My live show mainly consists of playlists, ads (mp3), cart spots, and of course me yaking. I do take requests which I manually find the track and load it on one of the players in Mixx. I use a Rode Rodecaster Pro.  Thanks for the tips.  Jim

[RadioDJ Dude]

The NowPlaying.txt file is in the main RDJ folder.

[plauri]

... I, too, use Live365 and have had years of rock solid success with it. (I use the commercial plan and never have received a "kickback")

Really didn't you receive a cent back? May I ask how many TLH you have each month?

[RadioDJ Dude]

Not enough! 😂 The last seven days = 156 TLH. I wish I could give you better #s, but Live365's dashboard isn't working properly. Shocker! Lately, I've noticed listener #s are down.

This is going to sound like sour grapes...cuz it is...but I've never been happy with Live365. My station comes in almost last in search for 80s stations and, considering how many features and bells and whistles, I feel, it's a better 80s experience than most 'jukebox-only' stations which have much better search placement. Anyway, enough bitter stew for one day. The only reason I use them is for music licensing. Otherwise, I'm not a fan.

[VaJim]

Hi JMac

Although I've been with Live365 for about 4 years. I too aren't a huge fan.  Like you, I like the way they cover the licensing.  For their part, I use them mainly for the AUTODJ feature.  As I may have already stated, I use Mixx (free) for my live shows.  It appears to be designed with the club type DJs in mind but it does have a lot of features that I'm finding other software packages either don't have or make you jump through hoops, such as they have Musicbrainz (metadata) and the encoder built in.  They don't force a DB (SQL) on you or they allow you to load your tracks and leave it up to you to populate the metadata and categories you need.  One thing I like (not sure if others allow this), you can assign more than one category to a single track.  One other thing, I have found Facebook to be pretty useless.  Most people will like or click your station page and you never hear from them.  Good luck and hang in there.  Jim  P.S.  I'll plug your station on my Facebook station page as well as my live shows.  Check mine out here and pass your info along: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelegendfactory