Radio Studio Setup
Simple Explanation for Live Radio, 24/7 AutoDJ and Studio Use
The Radio system is designed to operate as a professional online radio station. It can run automatically 24 hours a day with music, jingles, sponsor messages and pre-recorded programs, and it can also go live from the studio whenever a presenter or guests are ready to broadcast.
The system is simple when we understand the correct order.
The basic audio chain is:
Microphones → RØDECaster Pro II → PC / Laptop → Encoder → Citrus3 Server → Online Radio
This means that the microphones capture the voices, the RØDECaster Pro II controls and mixes the sound, the PC receives the audio from the RØDECaster, the encoder sends the sound to the Citrus3 server, and Citrus3 broadcasts the Radio stream online.
1. Microphones, Desk Stands and Cables
In the studio we will have:
4 × RØDE microphones
4 × RØDE desktop stands / arms placed on the table
4 × XLR cables
4 × closed-back headphones
1 × iPad for scripts, notes and show information
The microphones are used by the presenters and guests. Each microphone is placed on its own RØDE desktop stand or arm on the table. These stands do not need to be permanently screwed into the desk. They can sit on the table and be moved when needed.
Each microphone connects to the RØDECaster Pro II using an XLR cable.
The connection is:
Microphone 1 → XLR Cable 1 → RØDECaster Pro II Input 1
Microphone 2 → XLR Cable 2 → RØDECaster Pro II Input 2
Microphone 3 → XLR Cable 3 → RØDECaster Pro II Input 3
Microphone 4 → XLR Cable 4 → RØDECaster Pro II Input 4
This allows up to four people to speak at the same table.
Example setup:
Mic 1: main presenter
Mic 2: co-presenter or guest
Mic 3: second guest
Mic 4: third guest or extra presenter
2. The RØDECaster Pro II
The RØDECaster Pro II is the heart of the studio audio system.
It is not the radio server.
It is not the internet encoder.
It is the main audio mixer and audio interface.
Its job is to collect and control all sound sources, including:
microphones, music, jingles, sponsor spots, phone calls, guest audio, computer sound, intros, outros and other audio used during the show.
With the RØDECaster Pro II, we can control:
microphone volume, voice quality, headphones, jingles, sound pads, music, sponsor messages, intro music, outro music and the full live program sound.
Each presenter or guest should use headphones. This is important because it allows everyone to hear the show properly and prevents echo or feedback.
The headphones connect directly to the headphone outputs on the RØDECaster Pro II.
The simple rule is:
Whatever sounds correct in the RØDECaster Pro II is the sound that will be sent to the computer and then to the online radio station.
3. Connecting the RØDECaster Pro II to the PC or Laptop
The RØDECaster Pro II connects to the PC or laptop using a USB cable.
The connection is:
RØDECaster Pro II → USB → PC / Laptop
The computer will recognise the RØDECaster Pro II as an audio device, similar to an external sound card.
Inside the computer audio settings, or inside the encoder software, we must select:
Audio Input: RØDECaster Pro II
This is very important.
We do not want the computer to use the built-in laptop microphone. We want the computer to receive the clean mixed audio from the RØDECaster Pro II.
4. The Encoder
The encoder is the software that sends the audio from the PC or laptop to the online radio server.
The RØDECaster Pro II is not an encoder.
The Citrus3 server does not receive the microphones directly.
We need encoder software in between.
The easiest free encoder to use is:
BUTT — Broadcast Using This Tool
The job of BUTT is simple:
It takes the audio from the RØDECaster Pro II and sends it to the Citrus3 radio server.
The connection is:
RØDECaster Pro II → PC / Laptop → BUTT Encoder → Citrus3 Server
Inside BUTT, we enter the streaming details provided by Citrus3, such as:
Server address / host
Port
Password
Stream type: Shoutcast or Icecast
Bitrate: 128 kbps for a simple start
Format: MP3
Audio input: RØDECaster Pro II
Once everything is set, the presenter clicks Connect, and the show goes live on Greek Channel Radio.
5. The Citrus3 Server
Citrus3 is the online radio server.
This is where the audio stream is sent, and from there listeners can hear Greek Channel Radio through the internet.
Citrus3 can also include AutoDJ. AutoDJ allows the radio station to play automatically when there is no live show.
This means Citrus3 has two main roles:
1. It plays automatic 24/7 programming when there is no live show.
2. It accepts the live studio feed when a presenter starts broadcasting.
When there is no presenter in the studio, the AutoDJ can play music, jingles, sponsor spots, station IDs and pre-recorded programs.
When there is a live show, the presenter opens BUTT on the PC, clicks Connect, and the live audio from the studio is sent to Citrus3.
When the live show finishes, the presenter clicks Disconnect, and the AutoDJ can continue playing automatically.
6. The Internet Connection
For the radio station to work properly, the PC or laptop must have a stable internet connection.
The best option is to connect the PC or laptop using an Ethernet cable, not Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi can sometimes drop out or become unstable. For live radio, we need the most stable connection possible.
The connection is:
PC / Laptop → Ethernet Internet → Citrus3 Server → Online Listeners
If the internet drops out, the live stream may stop. For this reason, it is also useful to have backup internet, such as a mobile hotspot, in case of emergency.
7. The iPad in the Studio
The iPad is not used as the main encoder.
The main encoder should be on the PC or laptop.
The iPad is used as a helpful studio tool for presenters and producers.
The iPad can be used for:
Reading scripts
The presenter can read the daily news, show notes, interview questions or sponsor messages from the iPad.
Viewing the show running order
The iPad can show the order of the program, including when to play music, when to mention sponsors and when to go to a break.
Checking sponsor messages
Sponsor names, phone numbers, website links and advertising scripts can be kept on the iPad.
Monitoring the live radio stream
The iPad can open the Greek Channel Radio player to check if the station is live. This should be done using headphones, not the iPad speakers, to avoid echo.
Using notes and Google Docs
The presenter can use Google Docs, Notes, or a shared document to follow the show.
Remote guest or call management
The iPad can also be used for FaceTime, Zoom or other calls if needed, depending on the audio setup.
The iPad is very useful in the studio, but the main live broadcast should still be:
RØDECaster Pro II → PC / Laptop → BUTT Encoder → Citrus3
8. How to Start a Live Show
To start a live show from the studio, the presenter or operator follows these steps:
Step 1: Turn on the RØDECaster Pro II.
Step 2: Turn on the PC or laptop.
Step 3: Check that all microphones are connected.
Step 4: Place the microphones correctly on the table stands.
Step 5: Connect and wear headphones.
Step 6: Open the show script or notes on the iPad.
Step 7: Check the microphone levels on the RØDECaster Pro II.
Step 8: Open the BUTT encoder on the PC or laptop.
Step 9: Make sure the audio input is set to RØDECaster Pro II.
Step 10: Click Connect in BUTT.
Step 11: Check the radio stream from another device, such as the iPad or phone.
Step 12: Begin the live show.
At the end of the show:
Step 1: The presenter gives the closing message.
Step 2: The operator clicks Disconnect in BUTT.
Step 3: Citrus3 AutoDJ continues the automatic program.
Step 4: Microphones are lowered or muted.
Step 5: The recording is saved if required.
Step 6: The studio is prepared for the next show.
9. How the Radio Plays Automatically 24 Hours a Day
When there is no live show, the radio can continue playing automatically using Citrus3 AutoDJ.
Inside the AutoDJ system, we can upload:
music, jingles, station IDs, sponsor spots, pre-recorded shows, short news updates, community announcements and program promos.
Example automatic radio flow:
Song
Song
Greek Channel Radio jingle
Song
Sponsor spot — 30 seconds
Song
Community announcement
Song
Promo for a Greek Channel show
This allows Greek Channel Radio to stay active 24 hours a day, even when no one is inside the studio.
10. Sponsors and Advertisements
Sponsors can be included in both the live shows and the automatic radio program.
Sponsor advertising can include:
15-second sponsor mentions
30-second audio advertisements
Sponsor of the hour
Sponsor of the live show
Presenter-read advertising
Jingles before or after programs
Business announcements
Promotional offers for listeners
Sponsor spots can be played in two ways:
1. Automatically through Citrus3 AutoDJ
This is used when the radio is running by itself.
2. Manually through the RØDECaster Pro II during live shows
The presenter can press a sound pad to play a sponsor jingle or advertisement during the program.
This allows Greek Channel Radio to offer sponsors regular exposure throughout the day and during live programs.
11. If We Want Video at the Same Time
If we want the radio show to also be a video show, then we use OBS or vMix.
The audio will still come from the RØDECaster Pro II.
The video setup is:
Cameras → OBS / vMix
RØDECaster Pro II Audio → OBS / vMix
OBS / vMix → YouTube / Facebook
At the same time, the radio audio goes through:
RØDECaster Pro II Audio → BUTT Encoder → Citrus3
This means the same show can go live in two places:
Greek Channel Radio through Citrus3
and
YouTube / Facebook through OBS or vMix
For the beginning, the simplest option is to start with radio first, then add video later.
12. Full Equipment List
For the Greek Channel Radio studio, the complete basic setup includes:
4 × RØDE microphones
4 × RØDE desktop stands / arms
4 × XLR cables
4 × closed-back headphones
1 × RØDECaster Pro II
1 × PC or laptop
1 × free encoder software, such as BUTT
1 × Citrus3 radio server
Citrus3 AutoDJ for 24/7 automatic programming
Stable internet connection with Ethernet
1 × iPad for scripts, notes and show information
Jingles and station IDs
Music playlists
Sponsor audio spots
Pre-recorded programs or promos
13. Final Simple Order
The complete simple order is:
1. The presenters speak into the RØDE microphones.
2. The microphones sit on RØDE desktop stands on the table.
3. Each microphone connects with an XLR cable to the RØDECaster Pro II.
4. The RØDECaster Pro II mixes and controls all the audio.
5. The RØDECaster Pro II connects by USB to the PC or laptop.
6. The PC receives the audio from the RØDECaster Pro II.
7. The BUTT encoder sends the audio to the Citrus3 server.
8. Citrus3 broadcasts Greek Channel Radio online.
9. When there is no live show, Citrus3 AutoDJ plays automatically.
10. The iPad is used for scripts, notes, show running order and monitoring.
In simple words:
Mic → RØDECaster Pro II → PC / Laptop → BUTT Encoder → Citrus3 → Greek Channel Radio Online
The iPad supports the presenter, but the PC or laptop remains the main broadcasting computer.