Can I broadcast from different computers?

Short answer: Yes, you can stream from multiple computers or locations, but only one computer may broadcast live at any given time.

What does “different computers” mean?

When we refer to broadcasting from different computers, we mean that you or your team can choose and switch between multiple machines, for example, a studio PC, a home laptop, or a remote DJ’s computer to connect to your streaming account. This flexibility is extremely useful if your station uses more than one presenter or needs a backup or remote broadcast option.

How it works on the technical side

• You will use a single streaming account (or mount point) configured with SHOUTcast or Icecast and the credentials supplied by us at the time of planning your hosting plan.
• Any computer you want to broadcast from must have a compatible streaming software (such as SAM Broadcaster, BUTT, or RadioDJ) configured with the same account login information.
• Only one encoder (i.e., one computer) may be connected and transmitting live audio to the server at once. If a second computer tries to connect before the first one finishes, it will either fail or override the first connection, depending on the server setup.
• If you switch computers mid-broadcast, make sure the first computer disconnects or stops transmitting before the second begins to avoid connection conflicts or a drop in the live transmission.

Why only one live connection at a time?

Streaming servers are provisioned with a single live input per stream endpoint (or mount point). Allowing multiple simultaneous inputs would require additional licensing and server configuration to merge multiple audio sources into one output, which is outside the scope of most standard plans. By limiting to one live feed at a time, we keep the configuration stable, reliable, and cost-effective for all clients.

Scenarios and best practices

Here are some typical scenarios and how to handle them:

Scenario	Best Practice
Your main presenter uses Studio PC Monday-Friday. On weekends a remote DJ takes over from a laptop at home.	Before the laptop DJ connects, the presenter should end their broadcast and disconnect. The scheduler or DJ then logs in via the laptop and begins streaming.
You want a backup computer ready in the event your main computer fails.	Install the same encoder settings on the backup machine, but keep it disconnected until needed. If the main computer goes offline, you log into the backup machine and connect to the stream endpoint.
Two presenters want to broadcast from their respective homes simultaneously.	This only works if you purchase an additional mount point or streaming account for the second presenter. Otherwise you’ll need to alternate manually or schedule time slots for each presenter on the same account.

Switching computers step by step

1. Stop the broadcast on the first computer: disconnect the encoder or stop streaming.
2. Ensure the server shows the stream as offline (you can check via your control panel).
3. On the second computer, launch the encoder with the same streaming credentials (server address, port, username/password or mount point).
4. Start streaming. Confirm the control panel shows the new connection active and that listeners are picking up the audio.
5. If you plan to switch back later, repeat the process in reverse.

Remote team broadcasting tips

• Use the same encoding settings across all machines (bitrate, sample rate, mono/stereo) to ensure a consistent listener experience.
• Keep a shared document with streaming credentials and instructions so each DJ or presenter can connect easily.
• Avoid overlapping broadcast times to reduce confusion and downtime. Designate a schedule or hand-off protocol.
• Test the remote computer ahead of time: network latency, firewall settings, and audio levels may differ from your main studio setup.
• Use appropriate audio routing so you don’t accidentally stream desktop sounds, system notifications or unwanted audio loops when using laptops at home.

When you might need multiple simultaneous streams

If you require two (or more) presenters to stream live at the **same time**, then you will need either:

• Multiple streaming accounts or mount points (one for each live input), or
• A dedicated streaming server with multi-input capability and custom routing to combine those inputs into a single output feed.

If you foresee this need, please contact us for a custom plan and quote.

Summary

Yes, you can absolutely broadcast from different computers or locations using your ShoutCheap account. For simplicity and reliability, the setup allows one live connection at a time per plan. As long as you manage your hand-offs properly and keep the encoder settings consistent, your remote DJs or backup machines will integrate smoothly into your workflow.

If you have any questions or need help configuring your software or network to switch computers safely, feel free to reach out to our support team. We’re here 24/7 to assist you.