Encoder outputs

The Encoder unit at the bottom of the rack provides three independent output encoders. Each can stream to a different Icecast server with its own codec, bitrate, and channel settings.

Setting Up an Encoder

1. Click the settings button (gear icon) on the encoder you want to configure
2. Fill in the output Icecast server details:
   • Host — the hostname of your output Icecast server
   • Port — the Icecast port (usually 8000)
   • Mount — the mount point for your stream (e.g. /live)
   • Password — the Icecast source password for this mount
   • Stream Name — a display name for the stream (optional, sent as ICY metadata)
3. Choose your encoding settings:
   • Format — MP3, OGG Vorbis, or AAC
   • Bitrate — 48, 96, 128, 192, 256, or 320 kbps
   • Channels — Stereo or Mono
4. Save the settings

Enabling and Disabling Encoders

Use the power button on each encoder to enable or disable it. Disabled encoders won't connect to their output server. You must have at least one encoder enabled and configured before starting the processor.

Monitoring Output

• The status LED turns green when the encoder is connected to the output Icecast server
• The scrolling LCD shows the connection status, server, codec, and bitrate
• The VU meters show the output audio level for each encoder

ICY Metadata Relay

If your input stream includes ICY metadata (track titles), you can enable metadata relay to pass it through to your output streams. This is configured in the compressor settings.

Multiple Outputs

A common use case is to run multiple encoders simultaneously — for example:

• Encoder 1 — MP3 320kbps Stereo (high quality)
• Encoder 2 — MP3 128kbps Stereo (standard quality)
• Encoder 3 — AAC 64kbps Mono (mobile/low bandwidth)

All three outputs are processed through the same compressor chain but encoded independently.

Recommended: Set Up a Fallback Mount

If your input stream and output stream are on the same Icecast server, we strongly recommend configuring the output mount point to fall back to the input mount point. This means that if the compressor ever stops unexpectedly (maintenance, restart, or error), your listeners will automatically receive the original unprocessed audio instead of silence.

To set this up, add a <fallback-mount> to your output mount in your Icecast configuration:

<mount>
    <mount-name>/processed</mount-name>
    <fallback-mount>/original</fallback-mount>
    <fallback-override>1</fallback-override>
</mount>

In this example, /original is your unprocessed source mount and /processed is the mount the compressor outputs to. When the compressor is running, listeners on /processed hear the compressed audio. If the compressor disconnects, they seamlessly fall back to the unprocessed stream on /original — and automatically switch back when the compressor reconnects.

Important Notes

• Changing any encoder setting (host, port, mount, password, format, bitrate, or channels) requires a brief processor restart (1-2 seconds)
• The output Icecast server must be accessible from the internet
• Make sure your output Icecast server is configured to accept source connections on the specified mount point