Common Stream Encoders

Stream encoders range from simple, repurposed PC's running open source software to sophisticated, purpose-built commercial "appliances" that include warranties and technical support.

DIY Encoders

The do-it-yourself category starts with a simple computer. This can be a cast-off Intel-based PC or something like a Raspberry Pi. The heart of the encoder is the software that converts an audio signal to the format required by the stream server (Icecast in the case of the Pacifica Streaming Service).

Here's a short list of software you can acquire to run on your stream encoder computer. See a more complete list at the Icecast Apps page.

• B.U.T.T.
  Broadcast Using This Tool runs on the three major operating systems (Linux, macOS, and Windows). While each instance of B.U.T.T on a computer can feed only one stream server at a time, you can run several instances of the software to feed the same audio signal to multiple different stream servers. B.U.T.T. is free software that you can download, use and distribute.

• liquidsoap
  Liquidsoap is a media streaming scripting language that, in its simplest use, can feed many different streaming servers. Liquidsoap is free software.

• Audio Hijack
  Rogue Amoeba's Audio Hijack is a common macOS tool for manipulating live audio on Apple Mac computers. Audio Hijack is proprietary software with a financial cost.

• Mixxx
  Mixxx is both an audio file player and an Icecast source client. Mixxx includes a DJ-friendly user interface and even works with DJ consoles that enable on-air hosts to simulate running their show using old-fashioned turntables. Mixxx is free software.

Commercial Encoders

• Barix Instreamer
  The Barix Instreamer is a low-cost appliance that can encode audio and send it to multiple streaming servers. The Instreamer comes in two flavors: the "Instreamer Classic" and the "Instreamer ICE". The primary difference between the two products is that the Instreamer ICE includes its own on-board Icecast server. With enough out-going bandwidth, you can use the Instreamer ICE to serve audio to up to one hundred listeners.

• Telos Z/IPStream
  The Z/IPStream is similar to the Instreamer Classic on steroids. The Z/IPstream can accept up to eight different audio sources and send to multiple stream servers. The Z/IPstream also includes on-board audio processing using the Telos Omnia 9 audio processor. This means that your stream audio processing can be different from your FM signal audio processing.

• Comrex BRIC-Link III
  Like the Barix Instreamer ICE, the BRIC-Link III can operate as both an Icecast stream server and a source client (encoder). In a different mode, the BRIC-Link III can also send audio to another Comrex device, acting as a studio-to-transmitter link.