SHOUTcast is a free and popular software for streaming media over the internet. Developed by Nullsoft in 2017, it allows digital audio to be broadcast over the internet, thus powering lots of internet radio stations.
With SHOUTcast Distributed Network Audio Server (DNAS) anyone can stream and broadcast audio files from their PC on the web or other IP-based networks. However, instead of broadcasting through radio waves, you broadcast through the internet.
Your listeners can tune in through any supported media player, such as Windows Media Player, Winamp, iTunes, OR RealPlayer. You can also get a free Shoutcast flash player for your website.
You can open your Radio station using SHOUTcast installed on a Windows workstation acting as a server, and use Winamp to play the music.
System Prerequisites:
- Winamp Player
- SHOUTcast server
- SHOUTcast Source DSP plugin for Winamp
Install & Configure:
Install Winamp:
Step 1: Download Winamp Player and start the installation.
Step 2: Install with the Full features (all the features).
Install SHOUTcast Source DSP:
Step 1: Locate the installation file. Double-click to begin the SHOUTcast source DSP plugin install wizard.
Step 2: Click Next.
Step 3: Choose the install location and click Next.
Step 4: Select the Full Install and click Install.
Step 5: Make sure the two options are enabled and click Finish.
Install/Configure The SHOUTcast Server:
Step 1: Download the SHOUTcast server and double-click on the installer. Click Next to proceed with the installation.
Step 2: Choose the install location and complete the installation wizard.
Step 3: You will see the following screen while the SHOUTcastGUI installation is running on your server.
Step 4: Once the installation is finished, you will see the Radio Station Details prompt. Enter your Radio Station details.
Step 5: Next, run the SHOUTcast server as an administrator and click on Edit Config.
Step 6: The sc_serv_basic.conf file will open. Here you can find a complete list of all the configuration options provided by sc_serv_basic, which range from logging to networking configuration and control over the media used when streaming via the server.
Step 7: Edit the password, adminpassword, publicserver, and portbase as follows:
Adminpassword: Specify the administrator password for accessing the remote server features [Default = no value]
Password: Specify the password for broadcasters when connecting to the server [Default = no value].
NOTE: You need to set a different password for Adminpassword and Password.
Publicserver: This allows you to override the public flag from the connected source when a connection is made to the YP directory [Default = default]. It can be one of the following values: [A YP directory is a listing of SHOUTcast broadcast streams.]
- Default - Use the flag provided by the source.
- Always - Force the source to be public.
- Never - Never allow the use of the flag provided by the source.
Portbase: Specify the port clients and sources needed to connect to the server [Default = 8000].
Step 8: After you change the password, click on the Save icon.
Broadcast Your Music To The Internet:
Step 1: First of all, make sure that the Windows Audio service is running and the necessary sound drivers are installed on the server; otherwise, you will receive an error.
Step 2: Open Winamp and put all the songs you want to broadcast to the playlist. You can also play music from Winamp Online Sources (For example, an FM Radio station). 
Step 3: Click Options at the top left side menu, then click Preferences. Under the plugins, click on DSP/Effect, select SHOUTcast source DSP v2.3.5, and click on the configure active plug-in button.
Step 4: A SHOUTcast tab opens; click on Output. If the server and the source are on the same machine, you can enter localhost in the Server Address. The Port is 8000, and the Password is the same as the one you put in the sc_serv_basic.conf file. The DJ/User ID can be left blank.
Step 5: After that, click on the Directory tab and give your radio a name, URL (localhost works), and choose a Genre from the dropdown list.
Step 6: Click on Encoder; you can select a higher bitrate as opposed to 48kbps. AAC quality gives you the best quality of sound. The defaults usually work well here.
Step 7: You are now ready to start your radio station. Start the SHOUTcast server monitor, play music on Winamp, and then click on Connect on the SHOUTcast Source DSP. The monitor shows you what is playing. You can also check the Auto Connect option to auto-reconnect if the source is disconnected.
Step 8: Your radio station is now running. You can check the status of your server from SHOUTcast server > Server Status, as shown below.
Step 9: A new window will open in a browser like this.
