Vestaradio, create your web radio

Web radio glossary

The complete dictionary of internet radio. Find in one click the definition of every technical, broadcasting, presenting and production term.

109 terms listed
Show all Broadcasting & streaming Station imaging & audio production Presenting & scheduling Player, website & apps Software, manager & equipment Audience, statistics & monetisation Legal & rights

Broadcasting & streaming

21 terms

Webradio

A radio station broadcast over the internet. It can take several forms: an FM station that also broadcasts online, or a station that exists only as a stream. Also called internet radio, online radio, netradio, e-radio. Create a web radio.

Streaming

Broadcasting a continuous audio stream over the internet: the listener hears it in real time without downloading the file.

Stream

The continuous audio signal sent from the server to the listeners' players. It is the heart of web radio broadcasting.

Bitrate

The amount of data (bits) handled per second, given in kbps. The higher it is, the better the sound. Vestaradio offers 128, 192 and 320 kbps.

Bandwidth

The maximum throughput between the station's server and its listeners, in kbit/s. It governs how many listeners you can have and at what quality.

Encodage

Converting sound into a compressed format (MP3, AAC and so on) for broadcasting. Encoding quality depends directly on the bitrate chosen.

MP3

The most widespread compressed audio format for web radio broadcasting. A good compromise between file size and sound quality.

AAC

A more recent audio compression format than MP3, offering better quality at the same bitrate.

Sample rate

The number of sound samples taken per second, in Hz. Vestaradio uses 44,100 Hz for high-quality reproduction.

Icecast

Open source server software used to broadcast audio or video streams.

Shoutcast

Audio streaming server technology, historically very widely used to broadcast web radios.

Broadcast server

The machine that receives the station's stream and redistributes it to every listener at once.

Load balancing

Automatically spreading the load across several servers to keep the broadcast responsive and stable, even with a large audience.

Latence

The gap between the sound going out and reaching the listener's player. On a live show the gap is typically 20 to 30 seconds.

Buffer

The player's buffer memory, which preloads a few seconds of sound to absorb network variations and avoid dropouts.

Upload speed

The upstream speed of your connection, used to send the stream during a live show. A minimum of 0.4 Mbit/s is advised for a stable live.

Download speed

The downstream speed of the connection, which lets pages load quickly and streams play.

Simultaneous listeners

The number of connections to your web radio at a given moment. It is one of the limits set by each hosting plan.

Peak listeners

The highest number of listeners connected at the same time over a given period.

SSL / HTTPS

The security protocol that encrypts exchanges. An SSL stream and an SSL radio website are essential for broadcasting to modern browsers.

Speed test

Measuring the incoming and outgoing speeds of your connection, to check that it is enough to broadcast live.

Station imaging & audio production

20 terms

Station imaging

All the audio elements that define a station's identity: jingles, promos, hourly idents, intros, outros and the sound logo. Discover our radio jingles.

Jingle

A short audio production forming part of the station imaging. It is the element that shapes the station's identity most strongly in listeners' minds. See our jingle packs.

Sound logo

The audio signature of a station or a brand: a few notes that make it instantly recognisable. A key part of radio identity.

Hourly ident

A jingle announcing the time and reminding listeners of the station's name.

Décrochage

A transition jingle announcing a show, or played after an advertising break, to fix the programme's name.

Raccrochage

A transition jingle used at the end of a show or before an advertising break, to help listeners remember it.

Autopromo

Jingle faisant la promotion de votre propre webradio ou de l'un de ses programmes.

Medley

A 30 to 45 second piece of imaging that mixes several tracks representative of the station with a spoken line.

Sweeper

A very short imaging element (a slogan, a voice, an effect) used as a transition between two tracks or sections.

Sting

A short musical or sound motif used as punctuation between two sequences.

Bed

Music or atmosphere played underneath a presenter's voice or a segment.

Indicatif

A recurring musical theme that opens or identifies a show.

Cart / hook

A short audio file fired from the cart wall in Vestalive to punctuate a show and catch attention.

Cartoucheur

The part of the live software where short audio files (carts, hooks) are stored and fired with a click.

Advert

A promotional audio message played between programmes, often central to a station's monetisation.

Voix off

A voice recorded off air, used for jingles, adverts or presentation. See voice tracking.

Crossfade

A transition between two tracks with the sound fading across the join.

Vuemètre

An instant graphic display of sound level, to keep an eye on your levels.

Normalisation

Processing that evens out the volume of tracks, so levels do not jump from one song to the next.

Compresseur

Audio processing that narrows the gap between loud and quiet sounds, for a more even, more radio-like result.

Presenting & scheduling

19 terms

Animateur

Someone who presents shows on the web radio, live or recorded in advance.

Chroniqueur

Someone who produces segments on a particular subject (news, sport, weather, culture and so on).

Chronique

A short format devoted to one subject, from 30 seconds to a few minutes. Discover our ready-to-air radio segments.

Flash

Another word for a short segment covering news, sport or the weather.

Émission

A named, presented programme, broadcast live or recorded, at a set time.

Live

Broadcasting a presented show in real time, using live broadcasting software.

Différé

Broadcasting content recorded beforehand and scheduled to play at a chosen time.

Conducteur

The timed running order of a show, listing the sequences, music and links.

Programmation

Planning when shows go out, live or recorded. See the programme schedule.

Programme schedule

A table setting out which shows go out on which days and at which times.

Playlist

A list of several music files played in order. Vestaradio offers an automatic playlist builder.

Default playlist

The playlist that plays automatically when nothing else is scheduled.

Rotation

How often tracks are played and in what order within the music scheduling.

Clock

A model hour setting out the structure of an hour on air (music, jingles, segments, adverts).

Voice-tracking

A technique for recording a presenter's links in advance, dropped in between tracks, to sound like a live show. See radio voice tracking.

Podcast

A recording of a show, made available for listeners to play back whenever they like. Vestalive records a podcast at the end of every live show.

Replay

Listening again to a show that has already gone out, made available on the station's website.

Radio format

A station's editorial and musical line (general, music-led, themed and so on), which sets its position.

Dédicace

A message from a listener read out or played on air, often with a track they have asked for.

Player, website & apps

12 terms

Player

The audio player through which listeners hear the web radio. Several sizes exist for embedding it in a site. See the radio player.

Radio website / minisite

A customisable website dedicated to promoting your web radio. Discover the radio website.

Mobile app

An app dedicated to your station on phones and tablets. See the web radio app.

Embed script

The player's source code, to be inserted into a site's code so the web radio plays there. Not needed with a Monsiteradio radio website.

Widget

A small module (player, now playing, schedule and so on) that can be embedded on a site or blog.

Android

Google's operating system, found on phones, tablets and connected devices.

iOS

Apple's operating system, found on iPhone and iPad.

App Store

Apple's app store, for Apple devices only, where your radio app can be downloaded.

Google Play

Google's app store for Android devices, where your radio app can be downloaded.

RSS

A feed format that publishes your podcasts or news automatically to other platforms.

Alexa skill

A program that lets people hear your web radio on Amazon Alexa smart speakers by voice.

Smart speaker

A voice speaker (Alexa, Google Home and so on) on which your web radio can be played by voice command.

Software, manager & equipment

15 terms

Manager

The platform from which you run your web radio: file imports, playlists, scheduling, player and website. See the radio manager.

Vestalive

Vestaradio's live broadcasting software, with a cart wall, mixing and podcast recording. See Vestalive.

SAM Broadcaster

Professional radio broadcasting and automation software. See the SAM Broadcaster tutorial.

CMS

Content Management System. The Vestaradio Manager is one, as is Monsiteradio.com for personalising the website.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol: a way of exchanging files over a secure network, used to collect the segments meant for live shows.

Drag & drop

Moving an item with the mouse or a finger, from one place in the interface to another.

Music file management

Importing, organising and tagging your music library in the manager. See music file management.

Égaliseur

A tool that adjusts the balance of frequencies (bass, mid, treble) in the sound going out.

Carte son

The hardware handling a computer's audio in and out. Essential for good quality from the studio.

Mixing desk

A console for mixing and balancing several audio sources (microphones, music, jingles). See radio equipment.

Micro

The studio microphone that picks up presenters' voices. A central part of your radio equipment.

Winamp

A free media player (Windows, Mac, Android) that can be used to listen to web radios.

iTunes

Apple's free software for managing audio files, which can also play a web radio.

Windows Media Player

The audio and video player built into Windows, which can play a web radio.

VLC

A free, universal media player, able to read most formats and web radio streams.

Audience, statistics & monetisation

12 terms

Statistiques

The figures that measure your audience (listeners, listening time, countries and so on). See web radio statistics.

Audience

Everyone the station reaches over a given period.

Cumulative audience

The total number of different listeners who tuned in at least once over a period.

Listening time

The average time a listener spends with the station. A key measure of loyalty.

Classement

A ranking of the tracks that have received the most votes from listeners.

Monétisation

All the ways of earning revenue from a web radio (advertising, sponsorship, donations and so on). See web radio monetisation.

Sponsoring

A brand funding a show or a section, in exchange for being heard on air.

Affiliation

A payment system based on the sales or sign-ups generated through partner links.

Brand radio

A web radio created by a company to carry its image and build loyalty. See brand radio.

Corporate radio

A web radio, internal or external, serving a company's communications. See corporate radio.

Event radio

A temporary web radio created to cover one particular event. See event radio.

In-store radio

Playing music and messages in shops and venues. See in-store radio.

Legal & rights

10 terms

SACEM

The French collecting society for authors, composers and music publishers. It collects and redistributes authors' rights for broadcasting musical works.

SPRE

The French body that collects equitable remuneration, the neighbouring rights of performers and producers, for broadcasting music.

Authors' rights

The rights owed to the creators of the musical works broadcast. Paying them is compulsory to play music on a web radio.

Neighbouring rights

The rights owed to the performers and producers of the recordings broadcast, on top of authors' rights.

RGPD

The General Data Protection Regulation, which governs the collection and processing of the personal data of listeners and customers.

Arcom

The French regulator for audiovisual and digital communication. Among other things it regulates FM radio.

CGV / CGU

The terms and conditions of sale and use, which govern how the service is used and the commercial relationship.

Domain name

Your station's internet address (yourstation.com, for instance). It can be secured with SSL.

Community web radio

A web radio run by a non-profit association, with its own costs and advantages. See how to start a community web radio.

Hobby web radio

A web radio created by enthusiasts, often on a small budget. See how to start a hobby web radio.

No term matches your search.
×

Accéder à votre espace client

Important : l'ancienne version (Studio 7) fermera le 15 août. Tous les comptes seront transférés vers la nouvelle version. Pensez à migrer dès maintenant.

Vous avez déjà une radio sur l'ancienne version ? Le passage à Studio 10 se fait avec l'accompagnement de notre équipe. Les rendez-vous débutent le 13 juin.

Transférer ma radio sur la nouvelle version