The Perfect Streaming Software

[GKIye]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm no developer, neither a tech guy etc

So please don't get or be offended by any of the following content

 

I'm a member to BW since 2008, and I have seen already many different types of streaming softwares who're seen as "new and perfect"

I did try-outs of several of them, but none have given Me the satisfaction to discover "the" streaming software

 

Please, don't shoot Me ...

but I'm still addicted to SAM ... Wrong or not ? I don't care

• it offers Me an almost perfect fade in / fade out (not perfect ... "almost")
  
• the choice between audiocard or pipeline
  
• the choice to add dsp plugins
  
• it has the wellknown PALs who are making it possible to shedule the TOTH ID on the right time "all" the time
  
• the clockwheel is easy to use, and creates by category a shuffle of all music who is available
  
• the sheduler drops files or whatever at the right time into the queue list
  
• and so on etc etc ...
  

Yes, I found some features into some other softwares ... but none gave Me the full package of features

 

I'm not a rookie anymore, ...

I started radio in 1978, and yes I have known untill now all possible types of media ... from vinyl to DAT untill the current world of digital media

I mean with this :

• if a broadcaster / host is willing to start a song, an ID, or whatever ... it has to start
  
• during the early 80s I worked at an FM station who used at those days already an automatic system who made it possible that tapes started at sheduled times / hours, and they even had an automatic insert of commercials and TOTH "in between" the tape who was played by the cassette deck ...
  

The tech guy of the station those days invented his own way to add an auto cue to a tiny small "silence" part into the tape ... That gave a command to other connected cassette tapes to start playing their content

 

Its my perception that into the past 3 decades not that much has been improved to create(s) "that" most special feature(s) who makes a specific type of streaming software "the" most favorite of all

 

In my search to find a suitable software I ever received a free (full) pack of this software :

http://www.jazler.com/

(so no crack, but offered to Me as a special gift)

 

I have to say it works, so far it is used into restaurants, pubs etc

BUT it has one major difference compared to all other streaming softwares that I ever have seen / used / tried ... ...

It has an amazing sound ! ... and with amazing I mean amazing ... No plugins needed, no settings of bass / treble / mids needed

It has an awesome sound !

But thats about it ... indeed, it can be used at an environment such as a pub etc

 

My conclusion and "2 cents" is ...

develop an automatic streaming software, with the features to run both manually as automatic and who offers all known accessories who uplift the final product to the highest level

 

Once in a while I have sometimes the idea that making radio / broadcasts into the past was easier and better than the current known streaming softwares have to offer

If someone invent that type of software, I'm just a PM away ... and I'm gonna be delighted to discover all possible features

[BWorld]

I've been a huge fan of SAM over the years. I've recently started messing with RadioDJ. I've been extremely happy with the features RDJ offers as well. I think it is a GREAT piece of "up and coming" software and I can't wait to see where it goes. Unfortunately, I've had some bad tastes put in my mouth the last year or so from Spacial which prompted me to try something new.

[Urban Hitz Radio]

GK, I feel the same way. Been using SAM since 2003 and I can't pull myself away. The only program that I feel is capable of bringing SAM to its kness would be ProppFrexx. if the developer somehow implements PAL scripting language, it's over.

 

Nothing against any other software suite out there, because I've tried probably the most talked about/mentioned. Long live the old SAM team!

 

I'd like to see the addition of 2 more player decks and a revamp to the GUI. And a whole list of other things, but we can start with these. They finally added FLAC support after how long...

[andhow]

GK, I feel the same way. Been using SAM since 2003 and I can't pull myself away. The only program that I feel is capable of bringing SAM to its kness would be ProppFrexx. if the developer somehow implements PAL scripting language, it's over.

 

Nothing against any other software suite out there, because I've tried probably the most talked about/mentioned. Long live the old SAM team!

 

I'd like to see the addition of 2 more player decks and a revamp to the GUI. And a whole list of other things, but we can start with these. They finally added FLAC support after how long...

 

Here, here. Overall, I have not found a better product. I was a supporter and avid user of RCS PLAYER 101 previously, but the cost of the software put it out of the reach of most broadcasters and it had its limitations. SAM Broadcaster has more of a relevancy to include all of the modules that you need in one package, at a much more accessible TCO. So after trialing a number of other products, I made the switch to SAM.

 

I personally would like to see a separate AGC per encoder, or the ability to bypass the AGC to an encoder. I think that the default built-in clock-wheel rotation algorithm could use a bit of tweaking. I think that scripting the PAL generally gives you the ability to do that, as well as other rotation options.

[Brutish Sailor]

As of tonight, Im a believer in Radio Boss. Was checking out the new release, and I was impressed.

[PapaBearPW]

Since everyone has different needs and preferences, "The Perfect Streaming Software" is a very subjective term. Some basic functionality should be considered of course, but, things like PAL scripting etc. are not needed by everyone.

 

SAM is a very good application. The biggest drawback I have ever had with it, is the price (which is also an issue with many other programs out there). And that too is a subjective issue. For those who have the money, it's not as much of an issue at all and I can understand why they might want to go with SAM or even Virtual DJ then (both cost around the same last I looked). For those who cannot afford them, a cheap or even free alternative would be more suitable. At the time I began development of LCDJ, there wasn't very much out there that fit the bill.

 

LunarCaster DJ is free and did what most of my DJs needed it to do, which made it perfect for them.

 

So, perfect is a matter of need and taste which is why (as I have said before) I didn't write LCDJ to compete with other programs out there. I wrote it to provide people with another option. Something that might just be perfect for them as well. I try to provide all the basic functionality and then add things I didn't see before. Combining my favorite features from different software into one program that is perfect to me but may be far from perfect for someone else.

[coolblue]

The New Radio Boss does like pretty good.

[Brutish Sailor]

And for the record, I do like LCDJ.

[PapaBearPW]

Thanks Rob. Just wait until v2.0 comes out sometime next year. It should have the same feel and ease of use, but with a number of new features and impovements on existing features as well. It will be a complete rewrite as far as the code goes. My main goal will be for the code to be as clean as possible and well documented as I may start looking for someone to help in development or poise it to possibly become open source (I'm not 100% decided on that yet).

 

I haven't really been working on it much lately as I am trying to finish my degree which is taking priority ATM. But, that should be done around Jan-Feb and then I can concentrate on LCDJ more.

[djsoft]

Jim, I thought LunarCaster is free software - why does it have a trial period then?

[PapaBearPW]

Months ago I recommended a handful of broadcast software to a client to try, both free and paid. He chose Luner Caster and still uses it to this day. When I asked him if the free trial period is up, he says "Yea, it tells me in the message box, but it still works great and my listeners don't know." So you may want to design the software so that when the free trial period is up, it announces the fact so that the listeners here the message too. I wonder how many people are using your software after the free trial period is up?

 

Hi Jim,

 

I have no idea what Message Box he is talking about. Could you ask him which version of LCDJ he is using and what the exact message is that he is getting? There is no trial period so I am a bit confused ATM.

 

Jim, I thought LunarCaster is free software - why does it have a trial period then?

 

It doesn't. LCDJ is Freeware and there is no trial period.

[PapaBearPW]

Ah...that would explain it Jim. lol

[axisdj]

Hello Jim, I am curious to what version of NextKast he is running. WP

[FMStudio]

Since everyone has different needs and preferences, "The Perfect Streaming Software" is a very subjective term. Some basic functionality should be considered of course, but, things like PAL scripting etc. are not needed by everyone.

 

100% agree. There is no suit suitable for everyone. Anyhow there can be t-shirt suitable for most.

 

An important requirement for modern software is teamwork capability and support for online management. Of course these are not required anyhow for "one-person stations"... But .. even "one-person" might have a need to travel to make interviews, record event etc and upload records and manage schedules... form anywhere.