Broadcast AM Radio Online Using a Barix Instreamer

Do you want to broadcast AM radio online? Deliver your shows to a global audience over the internet using the Barix Instreamer.

by Jamie Ashbrook in Production

Last updated 18.07.2024

This is an image of the Barix Instreamer, a grey box with a cable plugged in and the word Barix emblazoned across it. It is on a white, neutral background.

Do you want to broadcast AM radio online? Deliver your shows to a global audience over the internet using the Barix Instreamer.

If you are playing music on a traditional AM, FM, or digital station then you can broadcast it to your Radio.co station. The Barix Instreamer is the best solution to take an existing stream and make it available to a wider audience over the internet. Find out more about the Instreamer here. You can also purchase a Barix Instreamer here in the UK, or here in the US.

This is an image of the Barix Instreamer, a grey box with the word Barix emblazoned across it. It displays the front and the back of the device, with the back displayed on the right. is on a white, neutral background.

This guide is designed to show you how easy it is to set up a Barix Instreamer to broadcast to your station. For full instructions on the setup of the device, please refer to the manufacturer's Quick Install Guide.

How to Broadcast AM Radio Online

Buy the Barix Instreamer on Amazon USA or Amazon UK.

Initial Setup

Connect the Barix Instreamer to your network or router using a standard network cable. Connect a pair of earphones to the front of the unit.

Wearing the earphones, turn on the unit. The IP address of the Barix Instreamer will be announced - write this down. On a computer or tablet connected to the same network, access the IP address in a browser. The status page will load.

This is a grey and white screenshot of how the Barix Instreamer Homepage appears. It shows its Listen Online, active connections, Home, configuration, status, defaults, update and reboot features.

Click on Configuration > Advanced Settings > Network. Enable SonicIP and update Web Server Port to 80. Leave everything else as is.

A screenshot of how the Barix Instreamer Port 80 appears. it looks similar to the previous boxes but in this one it shows the option to Use SonicIP. it includes Home, configuration, status, defaults, update, reboot options as well as advanced settings

Update Firmware

In order to use the Barix Instreamer, it needs to be updated to the latest firmware version. Login and download the Instreamer FW Kit. Unpackage the downloaded firmware.

Select Update > Please Click Here to Start the Update. The Barix will be rebooted. Click Choose File, then in update_rescue select compound.bin within the firmware package. Click Upload and wait for confirmation.

A screenshot of what Updating Barix Version appears like. this is a plain white screenshot with Update, Resource and Advanced Update features.

After the file completely loads, click on Update and then press Reboot to restart the device with the new firmware. The device takes a few seconds to reboot. In the Update area, the Barix should now be on the latest firmware version.

This is the Instreamer screenshot used earlier but with further instructions on how to apply the update (the instructions are listed in this article).

Configure Barix Settings

In Advanced Settings > Audio, update the following:

Input Source: Line stereo
Audio Format: MPEG1 / 44.1 kHz (MP3)
MPEG Bitrate Mode: CBR
MPEG Bitrate: 128kbps
A/D Amplifier Gain: -3dB
MP3 Bit Reservoir: Keep empty

This is the same Barix Advanced Settings screenshot as the previous have been, but with a different mouse selection on the option boxes.

In Streaming, update the following:

Streaming Mode: Send always
Buffer Underrun Mode (TCP): Skip
Stream Packet Strategy: Optimal package
UDP Tx Source Port: 0
Own Name: Your radio station's name
Radio Path: /xstream
icy-url / SIP user: Your website URL
icy-genre: Your station's genre
SHOUTcast Stream: Public
Conn. Type: SHOUTcast
Domain Name & Port: Get these on your Radio.co Dashboard under the Live tab

Leave the other settings and click Apply.

In Security, update the following:

Icecast / SHOUTcast: Get your password on your Radio.co Dashboard under the Live tab

This is the same Barix Advanced Settings screenshot as the previous have been, but with a different mouse selection on the option boxes.. This one details the security password options.

Finally, click Apply to save all your changes and restart your server. You can now send audio through the Barix Instreamer and broadcast AM radio online to your Radio.co station. Need help? Contact our support team.