Starting an online radio station in 2026 is more accessible than ever, especially since you are already using Facebook as your hub. Here is a streamlined guide to professionalizing your setup: ​1. The Core Setup (Equipment) ​You don’t need a high-end studio to start, but "audio-first" quality matters: - ​Microphone: A USB condenser microphone (like a Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica ATR2100x) is perfect for starters. - ​Headphones: Closed-back headphones (like Sony MDR-7506) to monitor your voice without "leakage" into the mic. - ​Computer: Any modern laptop or desktop with a stable internet connection (Ethernet is always better than Wi-Fi for live streaming). ​2. Choose Your Broadcasting Method ​There are two main ways to go "live": - ​The "Social-First" Method (Fastest): Use tools like Riverside or Restream. These allow you to go live on Facebook with high-quality audio and even video, plus they let you bring in guests (artists) easily via a simple link. - ​The "Traditional" Radio Method: Use a dedicated radio server (like Radio.co, Airtime Pro, or Shoutcast). These provide a 24/7 stream URL that people can listen to even when you aren't "live," and you can use software like BUTT (Broadcast Using This Tool) or Mixxx to push your live audio to the server. ​3. Essential Software - ​Automation: RadioDJ (Free/Windows) or PlayIt Live help you schedule music, jingles, and educational segments so the station runs even while you sleep. - ​Encoding: Audio Hijack (Mac) or VB-Audio VoiceMeeter (PC) allow you to route audio from different apps (Spotify, Zoom, YouTube) into your broadcast. ​4. Stay Legal ​Even for internet radio, you must respect copyright: - ​Music Licensing: If you play commercial music, look into services like Live365 or CloudRadio, which often include licensing in their subscription fee. - ​Platform Rules: Facebook is strict with copyrighted music. If you stream music there, your video might be muted or taken down. Focus your Facebook lives on interviews and talk segments, and keep the heavy music rotation on your dedicated radio URL.