Bitrate is a tradeoff
Higher bitrate can preserve more detail, but it also uses more bandwidth. Choose a bitrate based on your format, audience, and stream capacity. A spoken-word station may have different needs from a music station.
Keep source files clean
The stream cannot restore quality that has already been lost. Start with legitimate, well-encoded source files and avoid repeatedly converting the same audio between formats.
Watch loudness consistency
Listeners notice large volume jumps between songs more than small technical differences. Use sensible loudness normalization in your production or automation workflow while avoiding excessive processing that removes dynamics.
Use useful metadata
Artist and title information should be consistent. Correct metadata makes now-playing displays, directories, social posts, and listener expectations more useful.
Test the complete chain
Do not judge quality only from the source file. Listen to the actual public stream on headphones, phone speakers, and a normal desktop setup. The final listener experience is what matters.
Keep an archive of working settings
Document the encoder, bitrate, sample rate, stream URL, automation settings, and player configuration that produced a reliable result. A short technical record can save hours when rebuilding a station.
Browse the rest of the MPT CAST resources for practical information about internet radio, mobile listening, station branding, promotion, audio quality, SEO, and stream troubleshooting.