Microserver, Affiliates, and STL

Section 31: Microserver and ,Affiliates, and STL

The Microserver option, located as the last option on the Broadcast Settings page, allows you to broadcast directly from your PC without needing a stream provider. This feature is particularly useful in several scenarios:

1. Live Broadcasting and Simulcasting: You can use the Microserver for a live broadcast and have Studio NextKast re-broadcast or simulcast the remote Microserver. This also allows for remote triggering of startNext commands, enabling the main studio to control when to initiate a commercial break, etc.
2. Small Audience Testing: If you have a small audience and a fast internet connection, you can use the Microserver without subscribing to a stream provider.
3. Studio-to-Transmitter Link (STL): The Microserver can serve as a reliable STL, transmitting the audio stream from the studio to a remote transmitter site. This approach eliminates the need for expensive dedicated STL hardware and leased lines, providing a cost-effective and flexible solution for transmitting your broadcast signal.

Setting Up the Microserver

The Microserver is easy to set up. Once enabled, the Public Listen Link will be displayed, allowing listeners (or a remote transmitter) to connect directly.

• Port Forwarding: For listeners or remote sites outside your local network, you must open a port on your router to allow the stream to pass through. Typically, this involves logging into your router’s configuration page and opening the port you are broadcasting through (default port: ‘8000’, which can be changed).
• Connecting Listeners or Transmitters: The remote transmitter site will need to paste or open the listen link shown in the Microserver field into its media player or receiver device to connect to the stream.

Using the Microserver as an STL

To use the Microserver as an STL, follow these steps:

1. Enable the Microserver:
   • Open the Broadcast Settings page in Studio NextKast and enable the Microserver option.
2. Configure the Transmitter Receiver:
   • At the remote transmitter site, configure the receiver device (such as a dedicated IP audio receiver, computer with media player, or compatible transmitter unit) to connect to the Microserver’s Public Listen Link.
   • The receiver device should be capable of receiving IP-based audio streams, and it should be set to the correct URL and port provided by the Microserver.
3. Ensure Network Stability:
   • Make sure both the studio and transmitter sites have stable and sufficient internet connections to handle the audio stream. Ideally, use a wired connection or a high-quality wireless network with minimal latency.
4. Optimize Audio Settings:
   • Adjust the audio quality settings on Studio NextKast to match the requirements of your transmitter. This may include setting the correct bitrate, codec (such as AAC or MP3), and sample rate to ensure optimal audio quality and compatibility with your transmitter equipment.
5. Monitor the STL Link:
   • Regularly monitor the audio stream’s quality at the transmitter site to ensure it remains stable and clear. Use built-in monitoring tools in NextKast or external monitoring devices to check for any dropouts, buffering, or latency issues.
6. Implement Redundancy:
   • Set up a backup stream or a preloaded playlist in case the primary Microserver stream is interrupted. This ensures continuous transmission without dead air. Configure fallback options under Broadcast Settings to switch to the backup stream if needed.

Simulcasting with Studio NextKast

Simulcasting allows you to rebroadcast content from the main studio using the Microserver feature. The Main Studio NextKast can serve multiple affiliates using the Microserver and trigger startNext commands on the affiliates, similar to satellite program syndication. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Obtain the Microserver Listen Link:
   • Affiliate stations use the Microserver’s main IP as the stream source.
2. Configure Simulcasting in Studio NextKast: To set up simulcasting with the Microserver in Studio NextKast, follow these steps:
   • Open the Broadcast Settings Page:
     • Launch Studio NextKast and navigate to the Broadcast Settings page.
   • Enable the Microserver:
     • Ensure the Microserver option is enabled. This will allow Studio NextKast to broadcast using the Microserver feature.
   • Prepare the Trigger for Commercial Breaks:
     • Before each scheduled commercial break, add a short audio file that includes the metadata startNext|#. This audio file acts as a trigger to send metadata to the affiliates, prompting them to initiate the startNext event.
     • The | separator is crucial as it specifies the location number within the clock or rotation, ensuring all affiliates are synchronized for each break.
   • Set Up the Trigger File:
     • Ensure that the trigger file is correctly placed in the clock or rotation at the appropriate points where the commercial breaks should occur. This guarantees that the affiliates receive the startNext command at the exact moment needed.
3. Affiliate Setup:
   • To create a new stream file, left-click on the Add Track icon in the Tracklist Add Music section, ensuring the desired category is active.
   • In the Create/Edit Remote Path window, enter the server path (Microserver URL and port) and provide a display name.
   • This stream file will be used in your rotation or clock when the affiliate should air content provided by the Microserver originating from NextKast Studio.
   • Ensure that the affiliate’s clock matches the originating source clock/rotation, which should include top-of-hour (TOH) markers, NextKast Stream Source, traffic breaks, etc. The clocks must be synchronized to ensure proper broadcast timing.
4. Fallback and Redundancy:
   • Set up a fallback audio source in case the remote Microserver stream is interrupted. This ensures continuous broadcasting without dead air.
   • Configure the fallback options under Broadcast Settings to automatically switch to a backup stream or a preloaded playlist if the simulcast connection fails.
5. Testing and Validation:
   • Before going live, test the entire simulcast setup by running a short test broadcast. Check for audio quality, buffering, and latency.
   • Make sure to test both the remote Microserver and Studio NextKast to ensure everything is configured correctly and ready for live broadcasting.

IMPORTANT:

For the Microserver to function correctly for listeners or remote transmitter sites outside your local network, ensure that you have opened the appropriate ports on your router. Follow the instructions provided to customize your firewall settings to allow Shoutcast as an approved application.

Global Accessibility via Free Phone App

The NextKast Microserver feature allows you to start broadcasting immediately without a stream provider. With a free phone app, you and your audience can listen to the stream from anywhere in the world.

• Requesting Your Free Phone App:
  • After ensuring the port is open on your router and the Microserver is enabled, click the ‘Request Free App for Microserver Stream’ button. This will direct you to a webpage to request your private listen app for the stream.
  • The Station URL will be pre-filled; ensure you enter the Station Name, Email Address, and add a Logo if desired.
  • Before pressing ‘Submit,’ click the ‘Click here to Test Stream First’ button to confirm that your Microserver is working. If the test fails, check your router configuration as mentioned earlier.
  • Upon successful submission, you will receive a link that you can share to listen to your station via a webpage or an iPhone/Android app.

Firewall Customization

To ensure the stream is accessible, customize your firewall settings:

1. Find Shoutcast in the list of applications.
2. Add Shoutcast to the list of allowed applications.

By following these steps, you can easily set up and use the Microserver for efficient and flexible broadcasting, including its use as an STL..