The feature that keeps your station running automatically in the cloud when you are not broadcasting live. It seamlessly handles transitions, playlists, and scheduled shows 24/7, even when your computer is turned off.
How well an audio recording accurately reflects the original or how good an audio stream sounds. It’s affected by file types like lossless or lossy formats, as well as bit-rate and sample rate.
A digital record of sound or music, stored on a digital device like a computer, USB stick or mobile phone, or on a cloud. Audio files vary in file type, such as MP3, AAC or WAV, quality, such as lossless or lossy, and file size.
In radio broadcasting, audio processing is the manipulation of sound using tools like compressors, levellers, and limiters to adjust audio imbalances and improve sound quality.
A traditional method of broadcasting radio waves by varying the amplitude of the carrier signal. It covers long distances but is highly susceptible to static and audio interference.
A specific, dedicated radio station for a business or organisation. Branded radio stations can be for physical spaces like a store or hotel, a digital space like a website or both.
When audio or video content is distributed to a dispersed audience through any electronic mass communications medium, like satellite, cable or the internet. In modern radio, this includes both over-the-air radio waves and internet-based streaming. Here it’s explained in more detail.
A type of storage where files are stored by a third-party and the file owner/user accesses them via the internet.
A person creating audio and/or visual content which they share on the internet.
A highly sensitive type of microphone that captures sound using a specialised electrical component called a capacitor, and is typically used to capture ambience and vocals in studios.
Marks that define exactly where playback begins and ends within a specific audio track. In Radio.co, adjusting these points allows you to trim silences or long intros to keep your broadcast sounding sharp.
A hard-wearing, durable microphone that captures sound using electromagnetic induction. The sturdiness of dynamic mics make them often the go-to choice for live settings like concerts.
A software programme that allows users to record, edit and mix audio sources together.
A system that gives presenters unique access to your station while controlling who can broadcast and when. It allows you to create individual logins and assign specific time slots, keeping your station secure and organised.
A person responsible for selecting and playing music on a radio show, or at an event.
Tools that convert your raw audio into a digital stream for online transmission. Radio.co has its own in-built encoder, Radio.co Live, letting you go live without any additional software or apps.
A method of radio broadcasting that varies the frequency of the carrier wave to transmit audio. It provides much higher sound fidelity and less static than AM, making it the historic standard for music stations.
Content behind a pay-wall, available to subscribers only.
A security feature that restricts access to your radio stream based on the listener’s geographic location. Within Radio.co, this is easily enabled to help you manage licensing laws and regional broadcasting rights.
A digital audio stream transmitted via the internet rather than traditional radio waves. It allows stations to reach a global audience without the geographic limitations or hardware costs of traditional towers.
A general term for any short audio clip used to identify a radio station.
A short, catchy audio clip or musical phrase used to identify a radio station, show, or commercial break. Within Radio.co, you can tag jingles to automatically separate music tracks, ensuring your automated station maintains a professional broadcast flow.
A feature that allows one radio stream to rebroadcast another external feed, partner show, or live event. By adding an external stream URL to your Radio.co schedule, you can easily collaborate or simulcast content.
A real-time audio stream sent directly from your microphone, mixer, or software to your listeners. Radio.co automatically switches from Auto-DJ to live mode when you connect, ensuring a seamless handover.
Data insights that track who is tuning into your station, from where, and for how long. The Radio.co dashboard provides real-time analytics on peak times and devices, which can be exported for advertisers or sponsors.
The legal permissions to broadcast terrestrially, and to play copyrighted material. A broadcast license ensures a radio station broadcasting over AM, FM or DAB is doing so legally. Music licenses ensure a radio station can legally play copyrighted music.
Designated connection paths on your streaming server that allow listeners to access your audio feed. Radio.co supports multiple mount points, enabling you to stream in different formats or bitrates simultaneously.
A device with audio inputs, outputs and controls that allow DJs to blend multiple tracks together from their DJ decks.
An audio device, like the RodeCaster Pro 2, with audio inputs, audio outputs and controls like mute buttons and channel faders, that lets a broadcaster control their audio sources.
The text information attached to audio that displays the track title, artist, and album to your audience. This data updates automatically across Radio.co players, widgets, and directories to support royalty reporting.
Audio content, such as podcasts or recorded shows, that listeners can stream or download whenever they choose. Unlike linear broadcasting, it gives the audience complete control over when and where they listen.
The practice of creating and distributing episodic audio files via RSS feeds for users to download or stream on-demand. Many online radio stations use podcasting to repurpose their live broadcasts for extra reach.
Curated groups of tracks played in a sequence or shuffled order based on a theme, genre, or show type. In Radio.co, these can be blended with jingles and station IDs, then assigned directly to your broadcast schedule.
The tracking of played songs to ensure accurate music logging for licensing bodies like PRS, PPL, or SoundExchange. Radio.co automatically records your playback history and generates ready-to-submit reports to keep you compliant.
A back-up system that ensures your radio station stays online even if a primary server fails. Because Radio.co is cloud-based, your stream automatically switches to back-up servers to maintain reliable broadcasting without on-site equipment.
The umbrella term for a radio station’s sonic identifiers like jingles, sweepers and idents.
A short audio clip used to segue between songs and identify the radio station.
The continuous transmission of audio and/or visual data over the internet in real time, allowing listeners to hear/watch the content without downloading it first. Radio.co uses streaming to deliver your live or automated audio instantly to global devices.
The direct web address of your broadcast feed used by external apps, smart speakers, and online directories. Found under your Radio.co “Listen” tab, this link allows you to submit your station to platforms like TuneIn.
The amount of audio data transmitted per second, measured in kilobits per second (kbps). Higher bitrates offer premium sound quality but require more bandwidth, which is why Radio.co lets you adjust settings to fit your audience’s needs.
The process of automatically recording your live broadcasts so they can be saved for later use. Radio.co allows you to store and download these recordings directly, making it easy to repurpose content into podcasts.
A radio station that integrates one or more brands into its content, in exchange for being financially supported by that brand.
The practice of broadcasting the exact same audio stream across two different mediums or frequencies simultaneously. For example, a station might simulcast its live FM broadcast over an internet stream.
A calendar-based planning tool that lets you drag and drop playlists, shows, or relays into specific time slots. Combined with Auto-DJ, scheduling ensures your station layout is structured and active without manual intervention.
Techniques used to control how one track ends and the next begins. Radio.co manages this automatically by blending the tracks to eliminate dead air, resulting in a polished and professional sound.
The process of categorizing your audio library with labels like “music”, “ad”, or “jingle” to guide automation rules. Radio.co uses these tags to maintain a balanced, engaging mix of content without requiring constant manual oversight.
Traditional radio broadcasting that relies on land-based transmission towers to send AM or FM signals to physical receivers. Unlike internet radio, terrestrial radio requires a broadcasting license to be legal.
Radio.co’s in-built, mini Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that lets users record their own voice, generate AI voices, add sound effects and mix audio sources together. Voice Studio is used to produce whole radio shows, segments and radio imaging.
When an AI tool is used to generate human-like, realistic speech from text.
When AI is used to analyze a person’s voice and produce speech that sounds just like them.
A computer-based programme for mixing together digital audio sources.
Software allowing the audio stream from one application to be sent to another, without any loss in quality.
Customisable components and code snippets used to add your radio player, schedule, or “Now Playing” info directly to a website. This allows visitors to listen to your station instantly without leaving your webpage.
A type of microphone that uses a 3-pin circular connector (XLR) to transmit analog audio signals.
