What Is AutoDJ? How 24/7 Internet Radio Works
By StreamWithQ EngineeringUpdated 4 min read
Quick answer
AutoDJ is a player that runs on your streaming server and plays your uploaded music and playlists 24/7, so your station stays on air without a computer running at home. When a live DJ connects, AutoDJ fades out automatically and resumes when the DJ disconnects.
Before AutoDJ, running a 24/7 station meant leaving a computer on with playout software forever. AutoDJ moves that job to the server.
How it works
- You upload MP3 or AAC files to the control panel.
- You create playlists – by genre, mood, time of day or show.
- The scheduler decides which playlist plays when (e.g. “Chill” from 00:00 to 06:00).
- The AutoDJ engine (Liquidsoap or sc_trans) encodes and sends the audio to your SHOUTcast server.
- Listeners hear a continuous stream, 24/7.
Live DJs and AutoDJ
When a DJ connects with BUTT, Mixxx or VirtualDJ using the source password, the server gives the live source priority. AutoDJ steps aside and automatically resumes when the DJ disconnects – no dead air.
Tips for a professional-sounding AutoDJ
- Normalise loudness so songs play at the same volume.
- Add a jingle every 3–4 songs and a station ID at the top of the hour.
- Use day-parting: energetic music during the day, calmer at night.
- Keep ID3 tags clean so “Now playing” shows correctly.
Every StreamWithQ radio plan includes AutoDJ – from 5 GB on Q Start to 300 GB on Q Network.
Frequently asked questions
About 1,200 songs at 128 kbps MP3 (roughly 4 MB each), or around 500 at 320 kbps.
Yes. You can insert jingles, sweepers and ads every few songs or at fixed times using rotation rules and the scheduler.
