Today, I'd like to introduce a new project I've been working on over the past few weeks: MCV DJ, a free Windows application that lets you play music, use your microphone, and broadcast live to an internet radio station.

MCV DJ started with a relatively simple idea: to create a radio console that's fast, easy to use, and, above all, accessible. An application you can operate entirely with a keyboard and a screen reader, without relying on additional plugins for essential tasks.

Although it's still an experimental project, I think it's time to share its first releases and start getting feedback from people interested in trying it out.

What Can You Do with MCV DJ?

The first release includes two independent players, or decks, that let you load and play audio files, adjust their volumes, and transition between songs using a crossfader.

It also includes an automatic playback queue. You can line up several songs and let the application handle playback and transitions without having to intervene constantly.

For your live shows, you'll find a few additional tools:

• Microphone with voice processing: Talk over your music, adjust your microphone volume, and use filters and compression to improve your audio.
• Automatic ducking: Automatically lower the music volume when you speak and bring it back up when you stop.
• Effects and liners: Eight slots for sound effects and another eight for station IDs or liners, all accessible through keyboard shortcuts.
• Independent cue monitoring: Preview a song or sound effect before sending it to the broadcast, using a separate audio output device.
• Live broadcasting: Stream your show's audio in MP3 format to servers compatible with the broadcasting protocol used by Icecast 2.x.
• Metadata: Update information about the currently playing song during your broadcast.

MCV DJ also includes an audio mixing and processing engine designed to prevent clipping distortion, provide high-quality sample rate conversion, and keep playback, cue monitoring, and broadcasting independent from one another.

MCV DJ works independently of AutoMCC and MCVHost. You don't need to purchase a service from us to use it: you can connect it to a compatible server from another provider.

The application is free.

Is It an Alternative to RadioBOSS or StationPlaylist?

Not yet, at least not in terms of the number of features.

MCV DJ is initially designed as a console for live radio shows, offering music playback, microphone support, sound effects, and basic automation tools.

It doesn't yet include advanced features such as comprehensive scheduling, intelligent music rotations, extensive library management, or all the tools available in more established radio automation suites.

I'm interested in developing some of these capabilities in the future, but I'd rather start with a functional foundation, listen to your feedback, and improve the application gradually than promise features that don't exist yet.

Why Release It at This Stage?

Because I believe the application already has enough features to be useful in real-world situations, and continuing to develop it without feedback from other people would eventually become counterproductive.

I've spent quite a bit of time testing the audio engine, fixing bugs, and checking how it behaves during extended sessions. However, no automated test can fully replace the experience of actually using the application during a radio show.

For that reason, the first releases of MCV DJ are being made available as experimental software.

You may encounter bugs, unexpected behavior, or features that still need some adjustments. I don't recommend using it as your only broadcasting tool for a station that requires uninterrupted operation, at least until it has gained more experience under real-world conditions.

What I do hope is that you'll give it a try, explore what it can do, and help me decide what deserves improvement.

Downloads and Documentation

You can find more information about the project here:

MCV DJ Website

Downloads

Documentation

MCV DJ is one of the projects through which I want to continue exploring new possibilities for accessible software at MCVSoftware.

I hope you enjoy using it as much as I've enjoyed developing it, although I have to admit that building a radio console turned out to be considerably more complicated than I originally imagined.

Thank you for trying it out and for helping shape future releases with your feedback.