Different station types include or miss certain options, that might be crucial for the broadcasting experience.
To navigate through your station and get each feature explained, have a look here.
Streaming only/ No playout
This station type can only broadcast using a third party broadcasting tool. The credentials you will need to add to the broadcasting tool of your choice, are in settings>broadcast. This is where you can also find the Failover Server Address, which you can use for a different tool (best on a different computer and network), in the case the the primary server address stops disconnects. If this occurs, the broadcasting tool that is set up with the Failover Server Address will take over. “Streaming only” stations do not contain the option to upload any audio content.
Loop channel
This station type has the added “Playlist” feature, compared to the “streaming only” station. “Playlist” can be used to upload audio content, that will take over automatically if your connection from the broadcasting tool is lost or if you are not broadcasting. This guarantees your station has audio content streaming 24x7. “Loop channel” stations lack the “Failover server address”, which means that one broadcasting tool can be connected, with no option for another one to take over in the case of a disconnection. The only “server address” can be found in settings>broadcast.
Relay Stations
A relay is basically a copy of the main stream that helps better track the broadcaster's audience.
Usually relays are separated per platform.
A broadcaster can have different relays: for apps, for their website, etc.
You can easily create one through the “Stream URL’s” section of your station
With a transcoding relay you can change some settings, like the bitrate or the media format. This can be very useful, if the relay is created for listeners with, for example, no wifi and only mobile data.
The layout of a relay station is similar to the one of a (master) station. Some options, naturally, are not included, like the Station credentials or the Playlist (if the relay of a Loop channel station).