This guide explains how to broadcast music from the SAM Broadcaster into Second Life.
Install The Latest Version of SAM
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If you have SAM Broadcaster installed, skip this step.
Install SAM4 from your purchased media (or download). If you would like to try a demo of the latest version of SAM download it from the official web site:
http://www.spacialaudio.com/?page=sam-broadcaster&tab=tab-sam-broadcaster-overview
You will also need to download the latest version of MYSQL. The download link should be available at Spacial Audio.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install the software, and restart your computer if necessary.
Create Encoder
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If you haven't yet rented a SHOUTcast stream you should do so now. Visit our store in-world at this location, find a suitable rental box, then pay it.
The rental box will give you all the connection details you'll need to get up and broadcasting. The key items in the notecard at "IP/Address", the 'port', the 'password' and the 'media tab url'.
Open SAM Broadcaster. In SAM, you should see w window called "Encoders". If it's not there, click on the top buttons labeled "Desktop B" and "Desktop C" to change views until you find the "Encoders" sub-window. If all else fails, click on the menu on the top of the screen where it says "Window". You will find "Encoders" in the list. If it does not have a check mark next to it, click on it. The encoders window should now be visible.
Click the plus ("+") icon in the Encoders sub-window toolbar. A new dialog will popup asking you to select a plugin. Choose "MP3 Pro" and click "OK".
Another dialog will display - this is where we configure your MP3 stream to broadcast over digiSTREAM's streaming server. Under the "Converter" tab you will see "Output Format Settings" "Medium" should be selected. Leave it there for now. In the drop down below that titled "Format", click on it and select your desired bit rate. Select "80kb/s, 44,100kHz Stereo. Remember, your digi-STREAM account allows you to stream up to 128kbps. The higher the kbps, the better the sound quality. We recommend 80kbps for a variety of reasons. One, it uses less upstream bandwidth on your internet line. Two, it helps those that are bandwidth challenged to hear your broadcast more so than if you were to stream at 128k. Three, it doesn't sound bad at all. Our customers use a wide range of kbps (up to 128kbps) to broadcast. The choice is yours.
Next, click the "Server Details" tab. Choose "SHOUTCast" from the top list, then enter your details given to you by the store vendor in "Server IP", "Server Port" and "Password". Be sure to enter the information EXACTLY has given to you. Try not to copy and paste the information as sometimes additional spaces will be added. These spaces will not allow you to connect to the server. Type it out! Adjust your station details (the right-hand pane) as required, if applicable. Click "OK".
You're now ready to start streaming!
Connect To Your SHOUTcast Stream
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To connect to your SHOUTcast stream before broadcasting, highlight the encoder we created (in the Encoders sub-window on your SAM desktop) and click the "Play" icon (Triangle pointing right). The Status and Description fields should change, indicatiing that you are connected.
Play!
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The "land URL" given to you by the rental box should be added to a parcel of land in Second Life, where you will be broadcasting to. If you own the land yourself, or have permission to change the Media contents, go to the "World" menu and "About Land". Click on the "Media" tab and paste the URL given to you from the rental box into the "Music URL" field. Close the dialog, and when you press play on the music player you should hear your own stream.
If you do not own land ask the club owner or manager to change the URL for you. Some clubs have a "radio" - this will change the land music URL through a menu-driven system. Ask the club owner to add you to the radio access list and put your stream in there.
HINTS AND TIPS
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* When streaming to an audience do NOT play in SAM and listen in Second Life at the same time. It uses an awful lot of bandwidth on your broadband connection and may cause skipping. Listen in SAM, and press Stop on the music and video in Second Life.
* A delay of 20-30 seconds or more on the stream is normal (between you playing a song and everyone hearing it). The lower the bit rate, the longer the delay. The server keeps a "buffer" of 20 - 30 seconds worth of music incase anything goes wrong with the connection. If your connection fails for a few seconds it keeps playing the buffer, giving itself time to fix the problem. This is not a software bug - this is normal.
* A lot of DJs use a second computer for music. That way it spreads the CPU demands onto two computers, allows you to use more advanced DJ software, and if Second Life crashes it won't take your DJ software with it.
* Every time you rent a "new" stream your port and password (and in some cases your IP/Address) information will change. To avoid changing your DJ software and land parcel every time, consider renting a monthly stream. The details will be yours for as long as you rent it, and it even works out cheaper than regular weekly/daily streams. Be sure to renew the same to the same rental box to avoid getting new server information.