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Self-hosted SHOUTcast radio with Winamp on Windows

Self-hosted free stream URL.

Setting Up a Self-Hosted SHOUTcast Radio Station with Winamp

A self-hosted radio stream.

This guide explains how to set up a self-hosted radio stream using Winamp, the SHOUTcast Source DSP plugin, and the SHOUTcast DNAS server, running on your Windows PC. Listeners can connect using your public stream URL once the server and network are configured for incoming connections.

Set up your radio stream

1. Install Winamp

  1. Download Winamp from the official website and install it.
  2. Launch Winamp after installation.
  3. Familiarize yourself with the interface – the Playlist Editor is where you’ll load your MP3s.

2. Install the SHOUTcast DSP Plugin

  1. Download the SHOUTcast Source DSP plugin for Winamp.
  2. Run the installer – it will automatically detect Winamp and add itself under the DSP/Effect plugins.
  3. Restart Winamp after installation.

3. Configure the SHOUTcast DSP Plugin

  1. In Winamp, open Options → Preferences → Plugins → DSP/Effect.
  2. Select Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source DSP to open its control panel.

Connection Settings

A self-hosted radio stream. Winamp Preferences showing SHOUTcast Source DSP v2.3.5 selected (under DSP/Effect)
Winamp Preferences showing SHOUTcast Source DSP v2.3.5 selected (under DSP/Effect).
  • Go to the Output tab.
  • Enter the following:
    • Address: Your server address (use localhost for a server on this PC, or the server’s IP address or domain if it runs elsewhere).
    • Port: The port your SHOUTcast server will listen on (default is 8000).
    • Password: The source password you’ll configure in your SHOUTcast server.

Encoder Settings

  • Under Encoder, set:
    • Encoder Type: MP3 Encoder.
    • Bitrate: Choose 64–128 kbps depending on your upload bandwidth.

Station Info

  • Under Directory, enter:
    • Station Name (what your listeners will see).
    • Genre, website, and description.
  • Check Make this stream public if you want your station listed in SHOUTcast’s directory.

Input

  • In the Input tab, set Input Device to Winamp (Recommended).
  • This ensures only Winamp’s playlist is streamed (not your entire system audio).

Automatic connection

  • In Output, check Auto Connect so the DSP auto-connects whenever Winamp starts.

4. Create and Manage Your Playlist

  1. Open the Playlist Editor in Winamp.
  2. Drag in your MP3 files.
  3. Enable Repeat so playback never stops.
  4. Optional: Save your playlist as an M3U file for easy reloading.

5. Install and Configure the SHOUTcast Server

  1. Download the SHOUTcast DNAS server for Windows.
  2. Extract it to a folder (e.g., C:\SHOUTcast).
  3. Run sc_serv.exe once – it will generate a sc_serv.conf file.
  4. Edit sc_serv.conf:
    • Password=yourpassword
    • PortBase=8000 (or another port if needed)
    • Set your station name and max listeners if you like.
  5. Save changes and restart sc_serv.exe.

Your SHOUTcast server is now waiting for the DSP plugin to connect.

6. Link the DSP Plugin to the Server

  1. In the DSP’s Output tab, set:
    • Address = Your server address (use localhost when the server runs on the same PC).
    • Port = The port you configured (e.g., 8000).
    • Password = The same as in sc_serv.conf.
  2. Click Connect.
  3. The status should change to “Connected” and show data being sent.

7. Configure Port Forwarding

Because you’re on a home network, you need to forward the SHOUTcast port so the public can connect.

  1. Log into your router’s admin panel (often at 192.168.1.1).
  2. Find Port Forwarding / NAT / Virtual Servers settings.
  3. Add a rule:
    • External Port: 8000 (or your chosen port)
    • Protocol: TCP
    • Internal IP: Your PC’s local IP (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
    • Internal Port: Same as external (8000).
  4. Save and reboot router if required.

💡 Tip: Assign your PC a static LAN IP or DHCP reservation, so the port forward always points to the right machine.

8. Create Firewall Rules (Windows Defender)

By default, Windows may block connections. Create these rules:

Inbound Rule

  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall → Advanced Settings.
  2. Select Inbound Rules → New Rule.
  3. Choose Port → TCP.
  4. Enter your port (8000).
  5. Allow the connection, apply to all profiles, and name it “SHOUTcast Inbound.”

Outbound Rule (if restricted)

  1. Repeat the steps above under Outbound Rules.
  2. Allow TCP port 8000 out.

9. Keep it running!

  • Make sure your playlist is looping.
  • Add Winamp to Windows Startup so it launches automatically after reboot.
  • With Automatic connection enabled, the DSP attempts to connect when it starts. Enable the separate reconnection option if you also want it to reconnect after a connection failure.

10. Share your stream URL

Give listeners your public URL:

http://YOUR_PUBLIC_IP:8000/listen.pls

If you set up a domain name, you can point it to your public IP for a cleaner link.