Lesson 05
How to prepare your first live broadcast on your Internet radio?
If you’ve reached this course, we imagine that you have chosen your equipment, set up your radio studio and are finally ready to go live on your radio station for the first time. You can probably feel the stress rising and it’s completely normal! In this course we will see how to broadcast live on the Internet, and succeed every time!
By the end of this course, you’ll know everything there is to know about:
Prepare to broadcast live on the Internet
You may be tempted to grab your microphone and start broadcasting live on your online radio station straight away. However, doing so without preparing your live radio show in advance will most definitely mean that your show is missing something. Broadcasting live requires planning if you want to offer your audience the best possible listening experience.
When should you broadcast live on the Internet?
Choosing the right moment to go live can make a big difference to how your audience engages with your radio station. The best time largely depends on who your listeners are and what kind of content you’re sharing. For example, a show that focuses on news or commentary might work best in the morning or during commuting hours, while a relaxed interview or music mix could resonate more in the evening or on weekends.
It’s also important to think about frequency. Rather than trying to broadcast live every day, aim for a schedule you can maintain consistently. A weekly show at the same time, for instance, gives listeners something reliable to look forward to, while occasional one-off specials can help generate excitement around key events or guests.
If your audience is spread across different regions or time zones, consider experimenting with times that make sense for a wider range of listeners. Many broadcasters find it useful to test a few different slots and then review listener statistics to see when engagement is highest.
Finally, remember that live broadcasting requires preparation. Make sure you choose times that allow you to get ready, promote your show in advance, and go live without feeling rushed. The goal is to strike a balance between what works best for your audience and what you can realistically commit to over the long term.
Prepare your radio show
The best piece of advice we can give to people who ask how to broadcast live on the Internet? Prepare, prepare, prepare!
A successful live broadcast starts long before you go on air. You should already have the type of show you want to produce in mind. Will you be using live coverage to keep your listeners informed of the latest news? Are you going to do any interviews? A debate? Each type of show is different and won’t require the same preparation.
Taking the time to prepare your show not only helps things run smoothly, it also allows you to relax and enjoy the experience. Begin by outlining the structure of your program: decide how you want to open, what topics or segments you’ll cover, and how you’d like to wrap up. Even if you prefer a spontaneous style, having a clear framework will give you something to fall back on if nerves kick in. Be careful not to write too much at the risk of reading it, which could make your speech sound unnatural. Speaking isn’t the only part you need to prepare.
Timing is another key factor. Estimate how long each part of your show will take and allow room for flexibility. You might find that an interview runs longer than expected or that a technical hiccup causes a short delay. Planning with a bit of buffer will keep you from feeling rushed!
Personal preparation
This may seem obvious, but doing the proper research on your radio topic will help you feel more confident when broadcasting live. The better you know your subject, the easier it will be for you to talk about it.
For example, if you’re interviewing someone on your radio show, make sure that you have taken the time to read about their background, or their current situation. This will also make it easier for you to improvise or bounce back off of ideas that your guest may share. Remember, the more comfortable you are with your subject, the more natural you will seem when discussing it! Properly preparing for your live stream will help you create the best quality content.
Another way to better prepare yourself for your live radio broadcast is to practice beforehand. Record yourself talking about the topic at hand so that you can listen back to it and correct any errors before doing a live broadcast. You may notice that you have a habit of repeating a certain word, talking too fast, or saying too many “errrs” and “ummms”. By putting yourself in your listener’s shoes, you will most likely pick up on things that you didn’t even realize you were doing! It’s a great way to make sure your live broadcast has a professional feel to it, plus it will help you become the best radio presenter you can be.
Lastly, think about your energy. Your voice is your main tool, so warm it up beforehand and keep it clear by staying hydrated. Remember that your listeners can hear your mood, so try to approach your show with positivity and enthusiasm. Feeling prepared and at ease will not only boost your confidence, it will also make your broadcast more enjoyable for your audience.
How to broadcast live on the Internet
Now that your preparation is complete, it’s time to launch your first live broadcast! If you’re feeling nervous, it’s completely normal. All radio hosts have been in your shoes, so just remember that the more you go live on air, the more comfortable you will become.
Choosing your live broadcasting software
There are many software solutions for streaming live on your radio, many of which are free to download. Whether you’re on Mac OS, Windows, or Linux, there’s a streaming software to suit your needs. Below you’ll find a list of free and paid broadcasting software, with a step-by-step tutorial for each one:
Free software:
- Mixxx (Windows, Mac & Linux)
- BUTT (Windows, Mac & Linux)
- LadioCast (Mac)
- Rocket Broadcaster (Windows)
- Winamp (Windows)
- My Radiomatisme (Windows)
- SAM Cast (Windows) (the free trial version of SAM Cast only offers the possibility to broadcast live from your microphone)
Paid software:
- Audio Hijack (Mac)
- Virtual DJ (Windows, Mac & Linux)
- SeratoDJ (Windows & Mac)
- StreamDiffusion (Windows)
- mAirList (Windows)
- RadioBoss (Windows)
- Sam Broadcaster Pro (Windows)
- Jazler Spycorder (Windows)
Not all software solutions offer the same features, so the only way to know which one will best suit your needs is to test them out and compare them yourself.
Connecting your radio stream to your broadcasting software
Choosing your software is the first step, now let’s look at how to broadcast live on the Internet! You’ll need to configure your software so that your audio goes through to your radio stream. Each software has a similar configuration process (you can find each individual process in the tutorials above). Generally speaking, you will need to enter your radio’s live connection information in the configuration area of your broadcasting software. If you’re a RadioKing client, you will find this information under the Live Tab of your Radio Manager:
Simply enter the information into the corresponding areas of your software (username, mount point, port, Radio Manager password…)
Enhance your live broadcast
Now that you are ready to start your live broadcast, let’s look at ways to spice it up so that your radio show is unlike any other.
Add sound effects
Adding short audio elements can bring your live broadcast to life. They help create rhythm, highlight key moments, and give your show a professional, polished feel. Here are some common elements you can include:
Music beds: Soft background music that plays behind dialogue, interviews, or storytelling to set the mood without overpowering your voice.
Sweepers: Short, energetic audio clips, often including your station name or slogan, used to transition between segments.
Jingles: Catchy musical phrases that identify your station or a specific show segment.
Stingers: Very short sound effects or musical hits used to punctuate a moment, emphasize a joke, or signal a transition.
Sound effects (FX): Any additional sounds, like applause, nature noises, or thematic effects, that add texture and interest to your broadcast.
Intros and outros: Musical or spoken elements that mark the beginning and end of your show, giving it a consistent identity.
Used thoughtfully, these elements can make your broadcast more engaging and dynamic. The trick is timing, too many effects can distract, but the right mix emphasizes key moments and keeps listeners tuned in.
Top Tip: Keep your sound effects within reach in your broadcasting software by creating a special folder.
Broadcast your listeners live on air
What would a radio show be without listeners? Many radio shows base their concept on their listeners’ live participation. Why not let your audience express themselves on your Internet radio station. Involving your listeners is a great way to engage them in your shows, and create unique content. There are several ways to get your listeners live on your radio.
With a mixing desk: The simplest technique to broadcast a listener live is to connect your phone directly to your mixer using a 3.5 MM RCA/mini-jack cable. However, bear in mind that with this method, your listener will hear you through your phone’s microphone.
Via Discord & Voicemeeter: Don’t have a mixing desk? No worries, even without a mixer it is possible to put your listeners on the air. To do this we will use Discord.
In order for VoiceMeeter to be fully up to date you will also need to download 2 software programs: VB-Cable & Hifi-Cable & Asio-Bridge. Once these 2 software are downloaded, unzip the archive, open the folder and run it, then click on Install. Repeat the manipulation for the second software. Once this is done, finally open VoiceMeeter, it should look like this:
In the 1st column (1) select the microphone input you are using.
Then in the Hardware out column (2) select KS: VB- Audio Hi-fi Cable.
Are your Voicemeeter settings done?
Now open Discord and go to the Audio settings in the Speakers field and select Hifi Cable Input. There you go! Simply open your favorite broadcasting software and configure in the input devices: Hifi Cable Output.
Broadcast live via your smartphone
Sometimes you may want to stream live in the heat of the moment, or at an event without having all your equipment on hand. Well, that’s not a problem because you can also easily broadcast live via your smartphone. For that, all you need is your smartphone and an application specially designed to broadcast live.
Once you have downloaded the application on your phone, you will need to configure it just like a regular broadcasting software. You can follow the steps in our tutorial. Once that’s done, you’re good to go!
Broadcasting live and much more…
Retransmit your live broadcast via video streaming
It’s no secret that filmed radio has already conquered major national radio stations. Simple solutions exist if you also want to get started, such as: Youtube, Facebook Live and even Periscope. The choice of platform will mainly depend on the consumption habits of your listeners, as well as your own preferences.
In any case, one streaming software is essential: OBS. This software is free and will allow you to broadcast your radio live and even film yourself via your webcam. OBS may seem difficult to tame at first, but it will also prove to be a valuable ally if you are considering making filmed radio. It will also allow you to create scenes, where you can broadcast images, text, etc. It’s a great way to create new and interesting content for your fans.
Remember: Whether you choose to broadcast your online radio station on Youtube or Periscope, be very careful with music broadcasting because these platforms are very strict on this subject. Opt to broadcast talk shows with royalty-free music.
Create a podcast of your live broadcast
So, your live broadcast is over and it was a huge success! No wonder you want to share it with those who couldn’t listen to it live. Don’t worry, you can always offer your fans the chance to listen to it again as a podcast.
First step: Retrieve the recording of your live broadcast. Before starting your live show, remember to launch the recording. Most broadcasting software offer this option, so don’t forget to activate it before you go live.
You can then choose to offer a direct replay of your show on your radio website, radio mobile app, or on podcast listening platforms such as Spotify. For this option, you must provide the RSS feed of your podcast.
What is an RSS feed? It’s is a link that contains all the information of your podcast: the name, title, etc., that allows platforms to retransmit your program to your listeners. The easiest way to generate the RSS feed of your podcast is to use a specialized podcast host.
There are several of them, it’s up to you to choose the one that suits you, such as: Ausha, Soundcloud or Spreaker for example.
To sum up
Preparation
The preparation before your live broadcast is an essential step.
Broadcast a video
Feel free to offer a different type of live broadcast by adding a live video stream for example.
Have fun!
Relax and don’t forget to enjoy yourself!
We’ve reached the end of this lesson, thanks for reading!
We hope you enjoyed this course and that it provided you with answers to your questions before starting your internet radio station. You can now move on to the next lesson!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stream a live video with my broadcast?
Yes, you can easily stream a live video on YouTube to accompany your live broadcast! Simply follow the steps in our tutorial.
How to ensure high quality audio during my live stream?
Your audio quality will mainly depend on the equipment that you use. But don’t worry, high quality equipment doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to break the bank! Take a look at our best budget microphones here. You may also want to invest in accessories such as: a pop filter, wind shield, and acoustic panels.
Are there any guides I can follow to set up my radio studio?
Of course! We have multiple tutorials to help guide you through your set up:
How much does a radio microphone cost?
The price of radio microphones varies due to a number of reasons, such as audio quality, features, cardioid pattern, etc… If you’re on a budget, the cheapest solution is to purchase a USB microphone as they do not require any additional equipment in order to work.
Should I choose a wireless radio microphone?
Most radios do not use wireless microphones, as this often causes a delay between the sound entering the microphone, and then being broadcast on your stream.
