NextKast is Windows radio automation software with scheduling, voice tracking and 12 built-in encoders that support Icecast 1 and 2. This guide covers installing the demo or full version, adding an Icecast 2 encoder in Broadcast Settings and going live.
Before you start. Before you start. NextKast runs on Windows 7, 10 and 11. A free demo is available from the download page, which asks for your details so it can send you a link. NextKast comes in editions such as Pro, Broadcast and OnAir. NextKast plays from your computer, so keep it on and connected while you broadcast.
Radio automation software for Windows with built-in encoders, voice tracking and scheduling. A free demo is available.
Where to find your connection details
Every program on this page needs the same five details to reach your station: a server address, a port, a username, a password and a mount point. You copy them from your control panel. It takes about a minute, and you only need to do it once for each program.
1. Log in to your control panel
Use the control panel link and the username and password from your welcome email.
2. Go to the dashboard and click How to connect
After you sign in you arrive at the main dashboard. Next to the preview player you will see a blue link called How to connect. Click it.
3. Copy your five details
A window opens with your connection details. Keep it open while you set up your software.
| The window shows | What it is, and what your software may call it |
|---|---|
| Server IP | Where your station lives. In your software this may be called Address, Host, Hostname, Server or Server URL. Enter the address only, with no http://. |
| Server Port | The port number. Your software calls it Port. |
| Username | Called Username, User, Login or Encoder username. It is often source, but use the one shown on your dashboard. |
| Password | Your source password for broadcasting. Your software may call it Password or Encoder password. It is not the password you use to log in to the control panel. |
| Mount Point | The stream path. Your software may call it Mount, Mountpoint or Stream path. Copy it exactly, including the slash at the start, for example /stream. |
- The window says Icecast2 or Shoutcast v1.x. Always choose Icecast (or Icecast 2) as the type in your software.
- It also says Start AutoDJ to use DJ Manager login. That only matters if you use separate DJ accounts. Your station’s AutoDJ must be running for those logins to work.
- Copy and paste each value instead of typing it, and keep your password private.
- When you connect, your live broadcast interrupts your AutoDJ programming. When you disconnect, the AutoDJ resumes by itself.
Steps
- Go to nextkast.com, open the download page and request the demo of the edition you want. Download it using the link you are sent, then run the installer and follow the wizard.
- Open NextKast and add your music, build a rotation and make sure it can play.
- Log in to your control panel. On the dashboard, click the How to connect link next to the preview player and keep that page open. You will copy five details from it: the server IP, port, username, password and mount point. The pictures at the top of this page show where to look.
- Open Broadcast Settings in NextKast and select an encoder, such as Encoder 1.
- Set the server type to Icecast Version 2.
- In Server Path, enter your server IP address from How to connect.
- Enter your Port Number.
- In Mount Point, enter your mount point exactly as shown, including the leading slash, for example
/mount. - Enter your Password, the source password from How to connect.
- For Icecast 2 there are boxes for a source username and source password. Change them if How to connect shows a username other than the default.
- Choose your audio format, MP3 or AAC+, and a bitrate that your plan allows.
- Tick Enable Encoder and make sure Auto Re-connect is ticked.
- Optionally, enter a stream name, website, genre and description. Leave Make Public unticked unless you want to be listed in a public directory.
- Click Save, then start playing from NextKast. When the encoder connects, your live broadcast interrupts your AutoDJ.
- To finish, untick Enable Encoder or close NextKast. Your AutoDJ resumes automatically.
Settings at a glance
| Setting | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Server type | Icecast Version 2 |
| Server Path | Your server IP from How to connect |
| Port Number | Your port |
| Mount Point | Your mount point, starting with a slash |
| Password | Your source password |
| Source username | Only if How to connect shows a different username |
| Format / bitrate | MP3 or AAC+, up to your plan’s bitrate: 128 kbps on Starter, 256 kbps on Large and Pro, 320 kbps on Enterprise |
| Auto Re-connect | Ticked |
What else NextKast can do
NextKast sends track text to players so listeners see what is playing, and it reports listener counts and tune-in statistics. A mic bypass sends your microphone directly to the stream. Some features depend on your edition.
Check that it is working
Open your radio page, or press play on the preview player on your dashboard, and listen. Expect a delay of a few seconds between what you do and what you hear, because every internet stream has some. For the most honest test, listen on a phone over mobile data. If you can hear your show, you are live, and your AutoDJ is paused until you disconnect.
Troubleshooting
- Nothing happens when I save. Check that Enable Encoder is ticked on the encoder you edited.
- The format is not accepted. Choose the MP3 or AAC+ format and a bitrate that matches what your plan allows.
- It will not connect. Open How to connect again and compare every field character by character, or copy and paste each one. The server must be entered as an address or IP only, with no
http://, and a mount point must begin with a slash. - It says the password is wrong. Use the source password shown in How to connect, not your control panel login password.
- It connects but listeners hear nothing. The program is sending silence. Check that the right input is selected, that the level meters move, and that nothing is muted.
- The audio stutters or drops. Your upload connection is the usual cause. Close video calls, cloud backups and other uploads, use a cable instead of Wi-Fi, and try a lower bitrate.
- The audio sounds too fast, slow or distorted. Make the sample rate the same everywhere (44100 Hz is the safe choice) and keep your levels out of the red.
- My AutoDJ did not come back. Make sure the program has fully disconnected, then wait a short while. If the station is still silent, email support@citrus3.zendesk.com.
- Choose Icecast Version 2. Your station is an Icecast 2 server.
- Keep your connection details private.
When you disable the encoder, your AutoDJ continues the programme.
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