Build a Live365 station using Linux – Part 2 (Song Data)

In the first part of this series I explained how to build and configure the Music Player Daemon (MPD) for use with Live365. In this installment I’ll describe how to send the song metadata (Title, Artist, Album). This is a requirement for ‘live’ mode broadcasters; if you do not send this data your station will not be listed in the directory.

When you run a Live365 station in ‘basic’ mode they pull the song metadata directly from the ID3 tags in your MP3 files. Most MP3 streams include this info. within the stream itself so that it can be displayed by the player software. Live365 does not extract this data from the stream you feed to them. Live365 provides an API (application program interface) that allows you to feed the data to them separate from the music stream.
Continue reading Build a Live365 station using Linux – Part 2 (Song Data)

Build a Live365 station using Linux – Part 1

I’ve run Dreamland Blues Radio, a streaming internet radio station, since 1997. In the beginning I used WinAmp + Shoutcast streaming server on a Windows 95 machine. As the station grew in popularity and my then boss began to notice the bandwidth utilization of the R&D lab outside business hours (rats!) I came to the realization that I needed a more stable and scalable platform; enter Live365.

Of course, back then it wasn’t called Live365 (bonus points for anyone who can tell me the original name) but I was invited to preview the beta of the service – I jumped at it. The original setup continued to use WinAmp with the Shoutcast plug-in but the feed was then sent to Live365 for audience distribution; what is now called a ‘Live’ stream.

Continue reading Build a Live365 station using Linux – Part 1

New site template

I've change a few things about the site layout today.

  • New site template - This one is called 'Music' and is available here.
  • Added Live365 'now playing' badge. - I've done away with the 'now playing' widget I was using and replaced it with an o-fish-al badge widget from Live365. It includes cover art for the currently playing track, track title and artist as well as links to play the stream.

That's it for now -- time to enjoy some Christmas cheer!

T.