In February 2024, Klassik Radio entirely reworked how it offers app and web streaming services (Klassik Radio Select) to its customers. The new version enables professional music scheduling. Furthermore, the entire infrastructure has been modernized, from metadata support over audio encoding to app design. Ferncast took part in this project for its expertise in encoding, metadata embedding and playout. A cloud instance of Ferncast’s aixtream now serves as the central connecting piece between music scheduling and the CDN, with the following tasks:

• Integration of the external music scheduling via API
• Cutting the tracks for crossfading according to cue points
• Cutting the tracks to compensate for scheduling issues
• Encoding the tracks (AAC, mp3)
• Embedding of metadata
• Streaming/Upload to the CDN

Klassik Radio’s key benefits from working with Ferncast are:

• Support of the most modern standards of encoding and audio transport, which improves the efficiency of the whole system.
• aixtream adheres to the most modern standards of interoperability, which ensures smooth integration with the scheduling software, the CDN and the apps, as well as a simple workflow.
• Use of ngLC (next-gen Loudness Control) for normalization, which gives listeners an amazing audio experience, that also lives up to the intended image of Klassik Radio.
• The great degree of flexibility and fast reaction times of aixtream allow setting up new channels and adaptions to the audio catalog in the shortest possible time.
• Klassik Radio can focus completely on the music scheduling, since the operation and monitoring of the encoders is handled by Ferncast.

Ulrich Kubak, CEO of Klassik Radio AG, commented the cooperation with Ferncast: „Ferncast’s references in the area of 24/7 operation convinced us. The Ferncast team has successfully realized this exceptionally difficult project. The result is that with Ferncast’s solution we received an extremely stable and robust backend, which also produces an exceptional sound quality. The possibility to control all of these processes through a cloud installation operated by Ferncast was another plus, as we can avoid unnecessary overhead this way.”

If you like to learn more about aixtream software visit their website www.ferncast.com

About Klassik Radio: Klassik Radio is the biggest classic music broadcaster in the EU, with a unique program mix for Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland. A mix of the finest classic hits, the best movie soundtracks and the most exceptional New Classics. Every half hour, Klassik Radio also provides the most important news about the economy, stock exchange, media and culture from Germany’s major cities.

About Ferncast GmbH: As an audio logistics company, Ferncast develops software and hardware solutions for audio workflows in broadcasting, and offers services and consulting connected to their extensive expertise.The core product is aixtream, a 24/7 software solution for OTT, DVB, SIP/WebRTC, STL, DAB, FM, Logging, Recording and more, which Ferncast continuously develops and improves. It runs as server appliance, virtual machine, containerized on AWS and other cloud services as well as on hardware.