This article helps you choose the right technical settings for your radio stream. Whether you're configuring a mount point on a hosted radio or setting up your broadcasting software, these guidelines apply.
Sample rate
Sample rate determines how many audio samples per second your stream contains. Higher sample rates capture more detail but use more bandwidth.
| Sample rate | Use case |
|---|---|
| 44,100 Hz (44.1 kHz) | Standard for music. Matches CD quality. Use this for most stations. |
| 22,050 Hz (22.05 kHz) | Acceptable for speech-only content at low bitrates. Saves bandwidth. |
Recommendation: Use 44,100 Hz unless you have a specific reason to use a lower rate. Most broadcasting software defaults to this value. CloudRadio's HLS outputs and media library both use 44,100 Hz.
Stereo vs mono
| Mode | Channels | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo | 2 | Music stations, mixed content, any station where spatial audio matters |
| Mono | 1 | Talk-only stations, very low bitrate streams, maximizing quality per bit |
Mono uses half the channel data of stereo. At low bitrates (64 kbps or below), mono often sounds better than stereo because the codec can dedicate all available bits to a single channel instead of splitting them across two.
Recommendation: Use stereo for music stations. Consider mono only for talk-heavy content at 64 kbps or below.
CBR vs VBR
| Mode | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| CBR (Constant Bitrate) | Sends the same amount of data every second | Live streaming (Shoutcast, Icecast, HLS) |
| VBR (Variable Bitrate) | Adjusts data rate based on audio complexity | File downloads, podcasts |
Recommendation: Always use CBR for live radio streaming. Shoutcast and Icecast servers expect a constant data rate. VBR can cause buffer underruns, metadata sync issues, and listener disconnections.
Most broadcasting software defaults to CBR when configured for streaming. If you see a "quality" slider instead of a bitrate field, you may be in VBR mode. Switch to CBR and set an explicit bitrate.
Matching your encoder to your mount point
Your broadcasting software (encoder) and your streaming server need to agree on format settings. Mismatches cause connection failures or degraded audio.
Key settings to match
| Setting | Must match? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Codec (MP3/AAC) | Yes | Encoder codec must match mount point codec |
| Sample rate | Yes | Mismatched rates cause pitch shifts or connection failures |
| Bitrate | Recommended | Encoder bitrate should match or be close to mount point setting |
| Channels (stereo/mono) | Recommended | Mismatches may work but waste bandwidth |
CloudRadio mount point defaults
When you create a hosted radio on CloudRadio, the default mount point is configured for:
- Codec: MP3
- Sample rate: 44,100 Hz
- Channels: Stereo
Configure your broadcasting software to match these settings. You can change them in Streams in your radio's sidebar.
Common encoder settings
Here are recommended encoder settings for typical station types:
Music station (standard quality)
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Codec | MP3 |
| Bitrate | 128 kbps CBR |
| Sample rate | 44,100 Hz |
| Channels | Stereo |
Music station (high quality)
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Codec | AAC |
| Bitrate | 192 kbps CBR |
| Sample rate | 44,100 Hz |
| Channels | Stereo |
Talk radio
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Codec | MP3 or AAC |
| Bitrate | 64 kbps CBR |
| Sample rate | 44,100 Hz |
| Channels | Mono |
Low-bandwidth stream
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Codec | AAC |
| Bitrate | 48 kbps CBR |
| Sample rate | 22,050 Hz |
| Channels | Mono |
Troubleshooting
Encoder won't connect
- Check that you're using the correct password, hostname, port, and mount point from your Streams page.
- Make sure your encoder is set to the correct protocol (Icecast or Shoutcast) for your server type.
- Verify your sample rate is set to 44,100 Hz. Some servers reject connections with non-standard sample rates.
Audio sounds distorted
- Check your encoder input levels. Keep peaks below -1 dBTP.
- If using AAC, verify your encoder supports the specific AAC profile your server expects.
- Try lowering your bitrate. Some encoders produce artifacts at very high bitrates with certain audio interfaces.
Listeners hear gaps or buffering
- Switch from VBR to CBR if you haven't already.
- Verify your upload bandwidth can sustain the chosen bitrate consistently. Your upload speed should be at least 2-3x your stream bitrate.
- If broadcasting over WiFi, consider a wired connection for stability.
Related
- Bitrates and Codecs for codec comparison details
- Audio Processing for how CloudRadio normalizes uploaded tracks
- Broadcasting Live for a step-by-step broadcasting walkthrough