When you set up a stream you are asked to pick a bitrate, and sometimes a format. It is worth understanding both, because they affect how your station sounds, how many people can listen comfortably and how much data they use on a phone.
What bitrate means
Bitrate is the amount of audio data sent every second, measured in kilobits per second (kbps). A higher bitrate keeps more of the detail in the original audio. A lower one throws more away to save space. The relationship is not a straight line: the difference between 64 and 128 kbps is dramatic, while the difference between 256 and 320 kbps is subtle on most speakers.
What it means for listeners’ data
Streaming for an hour uses roughly this much data:
| Bitrate | Per hour |
|---|---|
| 128 kbps | about 58 MB |
| 256 kbps | about 115 MB |
| 320 kbps | about 144 MB |
Someone listening on a capped mobile plan on their commute will notice the difference. Someone at home on broadband will not.
Formats: MP3 and AAC
MP3 is the old workhorse. It plays on almost every device, browser and car stereo ever made, which is why so many stations still use it. AAC is a newer format that can sound better at the same bitrate, particularly at lower rates, but device and player support is less universal. When you choose a format, compatibility with your listeners’ devices usually matters more than squeezing out a few extra percent in efficiency. Check which formats and bitrates your host supports before you plan around one.
Choosing a quality level
- Speech-led stations such as talk and sport sound good at lower bitrates, because voices need less data than full music.
- General music stations are well served by 128 kbps, which most listeners find perfectly good.
- Music-focused and DJ stations where detail matters benefit from 256 or 320 kbps, especially with dance and electronic music.
Citrus3 plans offer 128 kbps on Starter, 256 kbps on Large and Pro, and 320 kbps on Enterprise. See the plans for the details.
Your upload connection matters too
If you broadcast live, your computer sends the stream to the server over your own internet connection. That connection needs to carry your bitrate steadily, with room to spare. A 320 kbps stream is a small fraction of a modern connection, but shared Wi-Fi, other people streaming video and weak signals all eat into it. Where you can, use a wired connection for live shows.
Start with good source audio
A high bitrate cannot repair a poor recording. If your music files are low-quality or heavily compressed already, converting them to a higher rate only makes bigger files. Use clean source files, keep levels consistent between tracks, and avoid clipping. Good input will do more for your sound than any setting.
A simple rule
Pick the lowest bitrate at which your content still sounds right, then spend your effort on the content. Your listeners will remember what you played, not the number in your settings.