Broadcasting ID3 Tags

Lorcian · February 23, 2011, 9:18pm

Hi,

I’m having trouble setting up my copy of mAirlist to broadcast the ID3 tags, I really need to get this working, as it’s needed for my licencing agreement with PPL.

Torben was very kind to send me a copy of the user manual, but It keeps referring to things I don’t fully understand.

Is there anyone who has gone through this process in the past, and can explain to me what it is I need to do in a way that I can understand?

Thank you!!

Daniel.

Cad · February 24, 2011, 1:06am

What precisely do you mean by ‘broadcasting’ the MP3 tags? Is this some kind of streaming out you are using? WHICH tag contents do you need to ‘broadcast’ Title? Artist? Something else? And which streaming software are you using?

Tell us more about what you are trying to do, and we’ll be happy to help; but we do need more detail than you have given us to work with so far to be able to help you.

BFN
CAD

Lorcian · February 24, 2011, 7:32am

I’m using the built in encoder on mAir, as thats the main reason I bought the software, so I could broadcast the ID’s. So our shoutcast server can log what I play and my stations website can display it.

I need to be able to broadcast the title and artist as a bare minimum.

I do also have edcast, but I had the same issue with that. I had hoped the built in encoder would do it automatically.

Cad · February 24, 2011, 10:35pm

OK, thanks. So you’re using the built-in mAirList Encoder and punting that into a Shoutcast server?

I think this is one either for Torben or a ‘streaming’ guru. really, but did you check/configure the Metadata tab when you created the Encoder in Configuration, Modules, Encoder?

BFN
CAD

shorty.xs · February 25, 2011, 8:18am

Normally this is working out of the box. By default it transmits a% - %b (artist - title).
Lorcian, do you have an onAIR switch in your layout? I’m not 100% sure, but normally mAirList is offAIR at startup, unless you change that. As long as mAirList is offAIR, all logging (including Encoder) is disabled.

So either you add an onAIR switch to your Layout, or you place an onAIR command into the “after startup section”. As long as you don’t combine the onAIR switch and Encoder connect function, there is no need for you to startup mAirList in offAIR mode. As long as the Encoder is disconnected it will not broadcast any ID3.

Best Regards
Malte

Lorcian · February 25, 2011, 12:50pm

Ok, that would make sense.

I dont have an on air button, if it does what you say it does, it explains why ive had so many problems with mair.

How could I go about adding it?

I’ve had to make run commands for Live feed? and also to manually connect the encoder.

It’s a bit of a pain to run through all those everytime i pick up the stream!

Cad · February 25, 2011, 2:48pm

Actually, the ON AIR setting is on by default. (Configuration, Options, Start in ON AIR mode)
Malte’s other comments (about OFF AIR mode) are correct, though.

You also need to have your tracks showing the correct Title and Artist within mAirList: I’m assuming this is the case?

I also assume you have been into Configuration, Audio Devices and ‘connected’ your Players to Encoder (usually, Encoder is the last item in the Device dropdown)? Because if you hadn’t done that, you wouldn’t be sending any audio, either: right?

And finally, have you checked the Metadata tab I mentioned earlier in this thread?

Please check all the above and get back to us.

[EDIT]

Wait a minute … ‘I pick up the stream’? Is this an incoming or outgoing stream (relative to mAirList, I mean!)? And if incoming, does the incoming stream contain title/artist metadata or not?

BFN
CAD

Lorcian · February 25, 2011, 7:32pm

That thats fine, the players are connected to the encoders fine.

The only issue I am having is that my website and the server aren’t displaying and logging the song I’m currently playing.

tony_wilding · February 25, 2011, 8:15pm

I’m not using version 3 but somewhere in your web page you wish to display the info the tags a% - %b (artist - title) must be coded into the raw html page.

You should also use a php script to fetch the latest track being played, unless mAirList now does this for you.

HTH. Tony

Lorcian · February 25, 2011, 8:33pm

the issue is not with the website, as it picks up the song titles fine when I use SAM 4, and a few other playout systems i’ve used.

the ONLY issue I’m having is getting mAir to broadcast them.

streamer · February 25, 2011, 9:13pm

I’ve had it working when I’ve done live shows using the in-built encoders. I’ll need to check my settings which I can’t do until tonight. I’ll let you know then.

Torben · February 25, 2011, 10:26pm

Do the song titles appear on the Soutcast status page? And can you please post the contents of your encoder.ini file here? Make sure to remove the passwords from it beforehand.

streamer · February 26, 2011, 8:33pm

well, In the “Configure Encoder Connection” dialog, on the "Metadata Tab:, I have %a - %b as the Log Format, and for know I would select all the Item Types. (I just have Music checked but until we can narrow that down, make sure all is checked so all items are sent).

See if this helps.

Lorcian · February 27, 2011, 1:13pm

Torben, no they don’t appear.

I looked through the mAirlist program folder, and I can’t seem to find the encoder.ini file you wanted. I checked all sub directories as well.

I’ll double check it now as logically it would have to be in there seeing as I’m using the built in encoder.

Lorcian · February 27, 2011, 11:44pm

Well, I managed to figure out how to get the on air switch enabled and working, along with the encoder window. Playing with the on air options caused the ID3 tags to start broadcasting correctly.

I think this was my issue, (along with a criminal lack of experience with mAirlist)

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction at least

Cad · February 28, 2011, 1:31am

If you’re using Vista or Win7, it won’t be there.

To find it, do this: open mAirList Config, click Advanced, Data Folders, then click the Explore Folder button in the Config Folder box. This opens an Explorer window and your encoder.ini file should be one of the files in it.

PS: Don’t think I’m giving anything away by saying the English manual for mAirList should be available within a week or two.

BFN
CAD

Torben · February 28, 2011, 9:28am

On a side node, even when you use XP, it won’t be in the program folder either. The actual location is different from Win 7 though, as MS changed the layout of the application data folder structure.

Detailed information can be found here: http://www.mairlist.com/blog/2009/11/improved-vista-and-windows-7-compatibility/

Cad · February 28, 2011, 12:55pm

… unless you install mAirList by unZIPping it into a Program Files folder, which is how I usually install it.

BFN
CAD (diehard XP user)

Torben · February 28, 2011, 1:29pm

Yes. That’s a different cattle of fish. When you use the zip distribution, it is assumed that the files are unpacked to a location where the user has write access (which is not the case when mAirList is installed into Program Files using the setup).

Cad · March 1, 2011, 1:34am

FYI, the English idiom is a different kettle of fish. No dairy animals involved! ;D

A ‘fish kettle’ is a long, oblong poaching pan that is specially designed and shaped to cook fish by poaching, typically with a removable trivet or rack, always with a close-fitting lid, which one part-fills with water.
http://www.fishkettle.co.uk/what-is-a-fish-kettle
You can even get ‘fish kettles’ for microwave ovens:
http://www.tempsl.co.uk/uk/kitchen/microwave/microwave-fish-kettle/9510017.html
(I own one, but it’s more the traditional long shape than the one in that last link.)

cough< Somewhat off-topic, I know, but maybe Anne will be interested?
–
BFN
CAD