Trying An Internet Radio Server Called Icecast
TAGS: software; Linux Ubuntu; Icecast radio server; Mixx DJ software
Why I Did This
On a previous test, I had repurposed my old PC into something new (and hopefully useful); I could only manage to get Ubuntu installed which seem to make the system run relatively well (but not fast). I wanted to extend the repurposing of the PC, and build some experience with Linux servers by trying to make an internet radio server on the PC. I heard about Icecast, a free internet server system, so decided to install it and use free Mixx DJ software to broadcast music (I could also just copy songs to a folder readable by Icecast but I just chose this route).
The Mixx DJ program using the Icecast server address/port as a live output.
Design Walkthrough
Parts: Old PC (to host server); Linux Ubuntu; Icecast radio server; Mixx DJ software; Cloudflare tunneling service
I followed Kurt Edelbrock’s and Vultr’s tutorials which were to basically just use a Linux command line install of icecast onto my old host PC, then edit the Icecast configuration files to configure the server address and port. I then used Cloudflare tunnelling to convert those addresses to a DNS style website (radio.branhoy.com) so that I could access the server from any browser or music playing app that allows for http entries. I also downloaded Mixx DJing software to test out live music mixing and broadcasting (it was a program that was already compatible with Icecast as an output medium), then tested the setup from my phone.
The Icecast server instance, where you can listen to current broadcasts, or change settings (if you have administrative access).
Mixx's settings menu for output configuration.
The broadcast on my phone via browser; I can also listen from the address via music player app, like VLC.
Lessons Learned
Everything seemed work but my old PC is way too slow for basic tasks. The radio server setup
well and was able to broadcast songs, but because of the slow PC, it was choppy playing
(like even on the PC itself, if the PC was better I would assume the broadcasting would have
been fine); I think I might need to
recycle this computer as its uses are realizing to be none.
This trial was just another test to play with servers and repurposing computers, so I don’t
know if I'd ever practically use this again, it might be easier to find some online free
server to hold my tracks, though if I ever wanted to do any live dj-ing, I could use this.
References
Kurt Edelbrock’s Icecast on Linux tutorial:
https://www.linux.com/news/broadcast-your-music-icecast/
Vultr’s Icecast on Ubuntu tutorial: https://docs.vultr.com/install-icecast-on-ubuntu-20-04
Mixx DJ software: https://mixxx.org/
Icecast internet broadcasting software: https://icecast.org/