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Radio Broadcasting

BUTT Setup Guide for Shoutcast Net

Step-by-step configuration guide for BUTT (Broadcast Using This Tool) with Shoutcast Net. Perfect for live DJs, talk radio, and audio-only streaming.

Setup Time:

5-10 minutes for complete configuration

Download BUTT
BUTT software configuration interface for Shoutcast Net audio streaming

What is BUTT?

BUTT (Broadcast Using This Tool) is a free, lightweight audio streaming software designed specifically for internet radio broadcasting. Unlike video-focused tools like OBS, BUTT is optimized for audio-only streaming with low CPU usage and reliable connectivity.

Why Use BUTT for Radio Streaming?

  • Lightweight - Uses minimal CPU and RAM resources
  • Reliable - Auto-reconnect on connection drops
  • Simple - Easy interface focused on audio streaming
  • Cross-platform - Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Free - Open-source and completely free to use

Perfect For:

  • Live DJ mixes and sets
  • Talk radio shows
  • Podcast live streaming
  • Sports commentary
  • News broadcasts
  • Music radio stations
System Requirements
  • OS: Windows 7+, macOS 10.10+, Linux
  • CPU: Any modern processor
  • RAM: 512 MB minimum
  • Audio: Sound card or USB audio interface
  • Internet: 128 Kbps+ upload speed

Step-by-Step Configuration

Step 1 Download and Install BUTT

Download BUTT from the official website and install it on your computer.

  1. Visit danielnoethen.de/butt/
  2. Download the installer for your operating system:
    • Windows: .exe installer
    • macOS: .dmg package
    • Linux: AppImage or package manager
  3. Run the installer and follow installation prompts
  4. Launch BUTT application
Open Source: BUTT is free and open-source software. It's safe, reliable, and trusted by thousands of broadcasters worldwide.

Step 2 Configure Server Settings

Add your Shoutcast Net server connection details to BUTT.

Configuration Steps:

  1. Click Settings button (or Main → Settings)
  2. Go to Server tab
  3. Click ADD button to create new server
  4. Fill in the following details:
Server Configuration:
Name: Shoutcast Net (or any name you want)
Server type: Shoutcast
Address: server1234.shoutcastnet.com
Port: 8000 (or your assigned port)
Password: your-source-password
IceCast mountpoint: Leave blank (Shoutcast doesn't use this)
User: Leave blank

Where to Find Your Details:

Login to your Shoutcast Net control panel → Stream Settings → Copy the hostname, port, and source password listed there.

  1. Click ADD to save the server
  2. Click Save to apply settings

Step 3 Setup Audio Device

Select your microphone, mixer, or audio interface as the input source.

Audio Configuration:

  1. Open Settings → Audio tab
  2. Configure these settings:
Audio Settings:
Audio Device: Your microphone/mixer
Sample Rate: 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz
Channel: Stereo (or Mono for talk radio)
Left channel: Left
Right channel: Right

Common Audio Sources:

USB Microphone

Direct mic input

DJ Mixer

USB or line-in

Audio Interface

Professional XLR input

Step 4 Configure Encoder Settings

Set your stream bitrate, format, and quality preferences.

Encoder Configuration:

  1. Open Settings → Main tab
  2. Configure streaming settings:
Streaming Settings:
Codec: MP3 or AAC
Bitrate: 128 kbps (good quality) or
192 kbps (high quality) or
320 kbps (maximum quality)
Samplerate: 44100 Hz

Bitrate Recommendations:

Quality Level Bitrate Best For
Low 64-96 kbps Talk radio, podcasts, low bandwidth
Good 128 kbps Standard music streaming, balanced quality
High 192 kbps High-quality music, DJ mixes
Maximum 320 kbps Professional broadcasts, audiophile quality

Song Info Settings:

Configure metadata display:

  • Song name: Enter current song title manually
  • Or use: "Read song info from" → Select your media player
  • Update: Check "Update song name periodically"

Step 5 Test and Go Live

Test your connection and start streaming.

Testing Steps:

  1. Close Settings window
  2. Ensure your audio source is active (mic on, mixer playing)
  3. Check VU meters show audio levels in BUTT
  4. Click Play button (triangle icon) to connect
  5. Watch status bar for "Connected" message
  6. Status indicator should turn green
  7. Visit your Shoutcast Net control panel to verify "Live" status
  8. Test playback by opening stream URL in VLC or browser

What to Monitor:

VU Meters

Should show green bars when audio is playing. Avoid red (clipping).

Connection Status

Green = connected, Red = disconnected, Yellow = connecting.

You're Live! Your audio is now streaming to Shoutcast Net. Click Stop (square icon) to disconnect when done.

Advanced Features

Auto-Reconnect

Enable automatic reconnection on connection drops:

  1. Settings → Main tab
  2. Check "Automatic start/stop streaming"
  3. Set "Automatically reconnect after" → 5 seconds
  4. BUTT will auto-reconnect if connection drops
Local Recording

Record your stream locally while broadcasting:

  1. Settings → Record tab
  2. Check "Start recording when connected"
  3. Set folder path for recordings
  4. Choose format (MP3, OGG, FLAC, WAV)
Song Info from Files

Automatically read song titles from media players:

  • Supports: iTunes, Spotify, Winamp, foobar2000, VLC
  • Settings → Main → "Song Info" section
  • Enable "Read song info from"
  • Select your music player
Multiple Servers

Stream to multiple servers simultaneously:

  1. Add multiple servers in Settings → Server
  2. Click "Multiple servers" button in main window
  3. Check which servers to stream to
  4. Hit Play to broadcast to all selected

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Can't Connect to Server

Solutions:

  • Verify hostname, port, and password are correct
  • Ensure "Server type" is set to "Shoutcast" not "Icecast"
  • Check firewall isn't blocking BUTT
  • Try without VPN if using one
  • Contact Shoutcast Net support if still failing
No Audio / Silent Stream

Solutions:

  • Check correct audio device is selected
  • Verify audio source is active and playing
  • Watch VU meters - should show activity
  • Check Windows/Mac sound settings
  • Try different sample rate (44100 or 48000)
  • Test with different audio source
Poor Audio Quality

Solutions:

  • Increase bitrate (128 → 192 kbps)
  • Use AAC instead of MP3 for better quality
  • Check audio source isn't distorting
  • Avoid clipping (red VU meters)
  • Match sample rates (source and BUTT)
Connection Keeps Dropping

Solutions:

  • Check internet connection stability
  • Use wired ethernet instead of WiFi
  • Lower bitrate to reduce bandwidth
  • Enable auto-reconnect feature
  • Close other bandwidth-heavy applications

Ready to Start Broadcasting with BUTT?

Get your Shoutcast Net account and go live with simple, reliable audio streaming.

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