Setting up OBS Studio for Shoutcast Audio Streaming
Learn how to configure OBS Studio to broadcast audio to your Shoutcast server. Perfect for radio DJs, podcasters, and live audio broadcasters.
Before You Start
You'll need: OBS Studio installed (free download) + Shoutcast server credentials (hostname, port, password). Don't have a server? Start a free 7-day trial →
Quick OBS Bitrate Calculator for Audio Streaming
Choose your audio quality goal:
| Stream Type | Recommended Bitrate | Upload Speed Needed | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talk Radio / Podcasts | 64-96 kbps | 0.5 Mbps | Voice optimized |
| Music Radio (Standard) | 128 kbps | 1 Mbps | Good quality (recommended) |
| Music Radio (High Quality) | 192 kbps | 1.5 Mbps | Excellent quality |
| Studio Quality | 320 kbps | 2.5 Mbps | Maximum quality |
Tip: For most internet radio stations, 128 kbps provides the best balance of quality and bandwidth. Need help? Use our full bitrate calculator.
Step-by-Step: Configure OBS Studio for Shoutcast
Step 1: Open OBS Studio Settings
- Launch OBS Studio on your Windows 10/11 or Mac computer
- Click File → Settings (or press Ctrl+, on Windows)
- Navigate to the Stream tab in the left sidebar
Step 2: Configure Stream Settings for Shoutcast
In the Stream settings tab, configure these values:
| Service | Select "Custom" from the dropdown |
| Server | rtmp://your-server.shoutcastnet.com/liveReplace with your actual Shoutcast server hostname |
| Stream Key | Your Shoutcast password Found in your Shoutcast.net control panel |
icecast://hostname:port/mount instead.
Step 3: Set Audio Encoder Settings
Navigate to Settings → Output
- Set Output Mode to "Advanced"
- Click the Audio tab
- Configure Audio Bitrate: 128 kbps (recommended for music radio)
- Set Audio Encoder: AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)
- Leave other settings at default
Step 4: Configure Audio Sources
Add your audio input sources in the Audio Mixer section:
- Desktop Audio: Captures music from your computer (Spotify, iTunes, etc.)
- Microphone: For live announcements or talk segments
To add audio sources:
- Go to Settings → Audio
- Select your Desktop Audio Device (your sound card)
- Select your Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device (your microphone)
- Click Apply and OK
Step 5: Start Streaming to Shoutcast
- Click "Start Streaming" button in the OBS main window (bottom right)
- OBS will connect to your Shoutcast server (may take 3-5 seconds)
- Once connected, the button changes to "Stop Streaming"
- Your audio is now broadcasting live to listeners!
Monitor your stream: Watch the green/yellow/red indicator in OBS status bar. Green = good connection, Yellow = network issues, Red = connection lost.
Common OBS + Shoutcast Connection Problems
Causes & Solutions:
- Wrong Server URL: Verify you're using the correct RTMP URL from your Shoutcast.net control panel
- Firewall Blocking: Add OBS Studio to Windows Firewall allowed apps (port 1935 for RTMP)
- Incorrect Stream Key: Copy-paste your password directly from the control panel
- Server Offline: Check server status at your dashboard
Check these settings:
- Audio Sources: Ensure Desktop Audio and/or Mic are not muted in Audio Mixer
- Volume Levels: Adjust sliders so audio meters show green bars when playing music
- Audio Device: Go to Settings → Audio, verify correct sound card is selected
- Windows Sound Settings: Check that your audio output device isn't disabled in Windows
Network optimization:
- Lower Bitrate: Reduce audio bitrate to 96 kbps or 64 kbps in Settings → Output → Audio
- Wired Connection: Use Ethernet cable instead of WiFi for stable upload
- Upload Speed Test: Run fast.com - you need at least 2x your bitrate (256 kbps upload for 128 kbps stream)
- Close Background Apps: Stop downloads, video calls, cloud backups while streaming
Performance optimization for Windows 10/11:
- Run as Administrator: Right-click OBS → Run as administrator
- Disable Game Mode: Windows Settings → Gaming → Game Mode OFF
- Power Settings: Set to "High Performance" in Control Panel → Power Options
- Close Resource Hogs: Chrome with 50 tabs, Discord, etc.
- Audio-Only Streaming: Remove any video sources from your OBS scenes
OBS Studio Best Practices for Radio Streaming
Audio Quality
- Use 128 kbps for music radio (sweet spot)
- Use 64 kbps for talk/podcast content
- Enable AAC encoder (better compression than MP3)
- Set sample rate to 44.1 kHz
Reliability
- Always use wired Ethernet (never WiFi)
- Have 2x your bitrate in upload speed
- Test stream before going live
- Monitor OBS stats (dropped frames indicator)
Live Broadcasting
- Use separate tracks for music + microphone
- Set mic gain to -12dB to -6dB range
- Apply noise suppression filter to mic
- Use compressor filter for consistent volume
Performance
- Run OBS as Administrator on Windows
- Disable preview if not needed (saves CPU)
- Use Process Priority "High" in Settings → Advanced
- Close unnecessary browser tabs and apps
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