ConnectDJ Station Guide

Complete guide to helping you control your radio station

🔄 Crossfade Settings

Crossfade settings control how tracks transition between each other, creating smooth audio transitions and preventing silence between songs.

Fade In Duration

Controls how long the new track takes to fade in (0-10 seconds). A longer fade-in creates a smoother, more gradual transition.

  • 0 seconds: Instant start (no fade)
  • 2-3 seconds: Gentle fade-in
  • 5+ seconds: Very gradual fade-in

Fade Out Duration

Controls how long the current track takes to fade out (0-10 seconds). This works in conjunction with fade-in to create seamless transitions.

  • 0 seconds: Instant stop (abrupt ending)
  • 2-3 seconds: Standard fade-out
  • 5+ seconds: Extended fade-out

Crossfade Duration

The total duration of the crossfade transition. This is automatically calculated based on your fade-in and fade-out settings:

Minimum: Fade In + Fade Out
Maximum: Fade In + Fade Out + 20 seconds

For example, if fade-in is 2s and fade-out is 3s, the crossfade range will be 5s to 25s.

Minimal Fade Length

The minimum track length required before crossfade can occur (0-300 seconds). This prevents crossfading on very short tracks or jingles.

  • 0 seconds: Crossfade on any track
  • 30 seconds: Only crossfade tracks longer than 30 seconds
  • 60+ seconds: Only crossfade full-length songs

💡 Pro Tips

  • • Use 2-3 second fades for most music genres
  • • Longer fades work well for ambient or electronic music
  • • Set minimal fade length to 30s to avoid crossfading jingles
  • • Test your settings with different music genres

🔇 Silence Detection

Silence detection automatically identifies quiet or silent sections in your audio and can trigger early crossfades to maintain continuous playback.

Silence Threshold (dB)

The volume level below which audio is considered "silent" (-60 to 0 dB). Lower values are more sensitive to quiet sounds.

  • -60 dB: Very sensitive (detects very quiet sounds)
  • -30 dB: Standard sensitivity (recommended)
  • -10 dB: Less sensitive (only detects obvious silence)

Silence Duration (seconds)

How long silence must persist before triggering an action (0.1-60 seconds). Longer durations prevent false triggers from brief pauses.

  • 0.5 seconds: Very quick detection
  • 2.5 seconds: Standard detection (recommended)
  • 5+ seconds: Only detects extended silence

Silence Crossfade Advance (seconds)

How many seconds before the detected silence to start the crossfade (0-10 seconds). This creates smoother transitions by starting early.

  • 0 seconds: Crossfade starts exactly when silence is detected
  • 1-2 seconds: Gentle advance (recommended)
  • 5+ seconds: Early crossfade start

RMS Window Size

The size of the audio analysis window for detecting silence (512-8192 samples). Larger windows provide more stable detection but use more processing power.

  • 512 samples: Fast response, less stable
  • 2048 samples: Balanced performance (recommended)
  • 8192 samples: Very stable, higher CPU usage

💡 Pro Tips

  • • Start with -30 dB threshold and 2.5s duration
  • • Adjust threshold based on your music's dynamic range
  • • Use 1-2s advance for smooth transitions
  • • Monitor your station to fine-tune these settings

🎛️ Audio Enhancement

Audio enhancement tools improve the overall sound quality of your broadcast, making it more professional and consistent across different tracks.

Compressor Settings

The compressor reduces dynamic range, making quiet parts louder and loud parts quieter for more consistent volume levels.

Compressor Enabled

Turn the compressor on or off. Recommended for most broadcasts.

Compressor Threshold (dB)

The level at which compression begins (-60 to 0 dB).

  • -40 dB: Heavy compression
  • -22 dB: Standard compression (recommended)
  • -10 dB: Light compression

Compressor Ratio

How much compression is applied (1:1 to 20:1).

  • 2:1: Gentle compression
  • 5:1: Standard compression (recommended)
  • 10:1: Heavy compression

Compressor Attack (ms)

How quickly compression responds to loud sounds (1-100ms).

  • 1-5ms: Fast attack (good for drums)
  • 5-10ms: Standard attack (recommended)
  • 20+ms: Slow attack (preserves transients)

Compressor Release (ms)

How quickly compression recovers (10-1000ms).

  • 50ms: Fast release
  • 100ms: Standard release (recommended)
  • 200+ms: Slow release

Compressor Makeup Gain (dB)

Additional gain applied after compression (0-30 dB).

Stereo Enhancement

Stereo Expander Enabled

Widens the stereo image for more spacious sound.

Stereo Expander Amount

How much stereo widening to apply (0.1-5.0).

  • 1.0: No widening
  • 1.6: Moderate widening (recommended)
  • 2.0+: Heavy widening

Bass Enhancement

Bass Boost Amount

Additional bass boost applied (0-2.0).

  • 0.0: No boost
  • 0.4: Gentle boost (recommended)
  • 1.0+: Heavy boost

Bass Cutoff Frequency (Hz)

The frequency below which bass boost is applied (20-500 Hz).

  • 60 Hz: Very low bass
  • 100 Hz: Standard bass (recommended)
  • 200 Hz: Upper bass

💡 Pro Tips

  • • Start with compressor enabled and standard settings
  • • Use moderate stereo expansion for most music
  • • Apply gentle bass boost for modern music
  • • Test settings with your specific music library
  • • Monitor your broadcast to ensure quality

📝 Metadata Settings

Metadata settings control how track information is displayed to listeners and streaming platforms.

Metadata Default Template

The template used to format track information that's sent to streaming platforms and displayed to listeners.

Default Template:
Now playing: %title% by %artist%

Available Variables

  • %title% - Song title
  • %artist% - Artist name

Template Examples

Simple: %title% - %artist%
Result: "Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen"
Detailed: Now Playing: %title% by %artist%
Result: "Now Playing: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen"
Compact: %artist% | %title%
Result: "Queen | Bohemian Rhapsody"

Best Practices

  • Keep templates concise for mobile displays
  • Include both title and artist for clarity
  • Test your template with various track metadata
  • Consider your target audience and platform

Platform Compatibility

This metadata is sent to:

  • Web players and mobile apps
  • Social media integrations
  • Streaming services and directories

💡 Pro Tips

  • • Use a consistent format across all platforms
  • • Keep templates under 100 characters when possible
  • • Test your template with various track formats
  • • Consider adding your station name for branding
  • • Update templates seasonally for special events

📊 Music Licensing Reporting

Music licensing reporting is a legal requirement for radio stations and streaming services to track and report music usage to licensing organizations. These reports ensure that artists, composers, and copyright holders receive proper compensation for their intellectual property.

⚠️ Important Legal Notice

ConnectDJ.com is not responsible for licensing, reporting, or compliance with any laws in your country. It is your sole responsibility to:

  • Follow the licensing authority requirements in your own country
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
  • Download and maintain your own reporting records
  • Submit reports to the appropriate licensing organizations

Data Retention Policy

ConnectDJ only maintains reporting records for 60 days. After this period, play history data is automatically purged from our systems. To ensure compliance with licensing requirements:

  • Download reports frequently (recommended: weekly or monthly)
  • Maintain your own secure backup of all reports (store in multiple formats and locations)
  • Store reports for the period required by your licensing agreements (typically 3-7 years)
  • Do not rely on ConnectDJ to maintain your historical data

Licensing Organizations

ConnectDJ generates reports in formats compatible with major music licensing organizations worldwide. However, you must verify the specific requirements with your local licensing authority:

  • ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) - United States
  • BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) - United States
  • SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers) - United States
  • SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) - Canada
  • PRS (Performing Right Society) - United Kingdom
  • Local Organizations: Contact your country's music licensing authority for specific requirements

Note: If you need a report in a specific data structure for your licensing organization, please contact ConnectDJ support for assistance.

Report Types

ConnectDJ provides two types of reports to assist with your licensing compliance:

CSV Report (Detailed Play Log)

A comprehensive play-by-play log containing:

  • Date and time of each play
  • Song title and artist
  • ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) - if available
  • Duration of each track
Format: Date, Time, Title, Artist, ISRC, Duration
Example: 2025-01-15, 14:30:25, Shape of You, Ed Sheeran, GBAYE1700096, 00:03:53

PDF Report (Summary Statistics)

A formatted summary report containing:

  • Total number of plays during the period
  • Total duration of music played
  • Number of unique tracks
  • Play count per track with individual and total durations
  • Professional formatting for submission to licensing authorities

Data Requirements

For accurate licensing reporting, ConnectDJ automatically tracks:

  • Song Title: Exact title as recorded in your music library
  • Artist/Performer: Name of the performing artist
  • Date and Time: Precise timestamp when the song was played
  • Duration: Length of the track in seconds (from music metadata)
  • ISRC: International Standard Recording Code (when available)
  • Station Information: Your station name and identification

Compliance Requirements

To maintain compliance with music licensing requirements in your jurisdiction:

  • Generate and download reports regularly (weekly or monthly recommended)
  • Submit reports to relevant licensing organizations according to their specific requirements
  • Maintain accurate play logs for the period required by your licensing agreements
  • Include all music played during the reporting period
  • Ensure data accuracy and completeness
  • Consult with legal professionals regarding your specific compliance obligations
  • Verify and edit all song metadata in the media library before generating reports to ensure accuracy

How to Generate Reports

Follow these steps to generate music licensing reports:

  1. Select Date Range: Choose the period for your report using the date pickers or quick presets (Last 7 Days, Last 30 Days, etc.)
  2. Preview Data: Use the "Preview Data" button to review the information before generating reports
  3. Generate CSV: Download detailed play-by-play data for detailed analysis and record keeping
  4. Generate PDF: Download a formatted summary report for submission to licensing authorities
  5. Submit Reports: Send the generated reports to the appropriate licensing organizations according to their submission guidelines

💡 Best Practices

  • • Download reports weekly to ensure no data is lost
  • • Keep backup copies of all reports for the required retention period
  • • Review the preview data before generating final reports
  • • Contact your licensing organizations for specific submission requirements
  • • Ensure your music library has accurate metadata for better reporting
  • • Consult with legal professionals for compliance advice

📋 Legal Disclaimer

This information is provided for general guidance only. ConnectDJ.com is not responsible for licensing, reporting, or compliance with any laws in your country. You are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing music licensing in your jurisdiction. We recommend consulting with legal professionals and your local licensing authorities for specific compliance requirements.

💳 Billing and Invoices

Manage your subscription billing, view payment history, and download invoices through ConnectDJ's integrated billing system.

Current Subscription

The Current Subscription section displays your active subscription information:

  • Plan: Your current subscription plan name and features
  • Status: Active, past due, or canceled subscription status
  • Next Billing: Date of your next automatic payment
  • Payment Methods: Manage your payment methods through Stripe's secure portal

Billing History

View all your past invoices and payment history with detailed information:

  • Invoice Details: Invoice number, description, and billing period
  • Payment Status: ✅ Paid - Successfully processed payments ⏳ Unpaid - Pending payments ⚠️ Overdue - Past due payments
  • Amount: Payment amount
  • Actions: View, download PDF, or pay invoices

Invoice Actions

Available Actions:

  • 👁️ View Invoice: Open the invoice in Stripe's hosted portal
  • 📄 Download PDF: Download a professional PDF invoice for your records
  • 💳 Pay Invoice: Make payment for unpaid or overdue invoices

Payment Management

Manage your payment methods and billing preferences through Stripe's secure Customer Portal:

  • Add/Update Cards: Add new payment methods or update existing ones
  • Billing History: View complete payment history and download invoices
  • Subscription Management: Upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your subscription
  • Billing Address: Update your billing information

Security and Privacy

🔒 Secure Billing

  • • All payments processed through Stripe's secure platform
  • • PCI DSS compliant payment processing
  • • Encrypted data transmission
  • • No payment information stored on ConnectDJ servers

Troubleshooting

Common Issues:

  • No billing history: You may not have any invoices yet, or your Stripe account needs to be set up
  • Payment failed: Check your payment method and ensure sufficient funds
  • Portal access issues: Contact support if you cannot access the Stripe Customer Portal
  • Missing invoices: Invoices are automatically created when payments are processed

Support

For billing support and questions:

  • Email: Contact ConnectDJ support
  • Billing Portal: Use the "Manage Payment Methods" link for self-service options

💰 Pricing Information

Understanding our pricing structure, currency options, and billing cycles to help you choose the perfect plan for your radio station.

Plan Structure

We offer three main subscription plans, each designed for different broadcasting needs:

  • Bronze Plan: Perfect for hobbyists and small stations
  • Silver Plan: Most popular choice for professional broadcasters
  • Gold Plan: Enterprise-level features for large operations

Billing Cycles

Choose between monthly and annual billing to suit your budget and commitment preferences:

  • Monthly Billing: Pay month-to-month with maximum flexibility
  • Annual Billing: Pay in a single payment for the whole year and save money

Currency Options

We support multiple currencies to accommodate our global user base:

  • GBP (British Pounds): Our base currency - you always pay in GBP
  • USD (US Dollars): Estimated conversion rates for US customers
  • EUR (Euros): Estimated conversion rates for European customers
Important: All charges are processed in GBP. USD and EUR prices are estimates and may vary due to real-time exchange rates at the time of payment.

Special Offers

We regularly offer various promotional discounts and special pricing:

  • Free Trials: All plans include a free trial period
  • Limited Time Promos: Special discounts for new subscribers
  • Annual Savings: Discount when paying annually

What's Included

Each plan includes essential broadcasting features:

  • One Radio Station: Dedicated station with full broadcasting capabilities
  • Music Storage: Cloud storage for your music library
  • DJ Accounts: Multiple user accounts for team collaboration
  • Live Streaming: Professional streaming capabilities
  • Auto DJ: 24/7 automated broadcasting
  • Scheduling: Advanced show and playlist scheduling
  • Analytics: Detailed listener statistics and insights
  • Support: Email support (Priority support on higher plans)

Payment Methods

We accept all major payment methods through our secure payment gateway:

  • Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
  • Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)

Billing and Invoicing

Manage your subscription and billing through your account dashboard:

  • Automatic Renewal: Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled
  • Invoice Access: Download invoices and receipts from your account
  • Payment History: View complete payment history and transactions
  • Plan Changes: Upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time

Cancellation and Refunds

We offer flexible cancellation and refund policies:

  • 30-Day Guarantee: Full refund within the first 30 days if not satisfied
  • Easy Cancellation: Cancel anytime through your account dashboard
  • Pro-rated Refunds: Refunds for unused portions of annual plans

💡 Pricing Tips

  • Start with monthly billing to test the service, then switch to annual for savings
  • Consider your storage needs when choosing a plan
  • Annual plans offer the best value for long-term users
  • Contact support for custom pricing on enterprise needs