Audio streaming basics
Overview of audio streaming options for translations and broadcasts.
Audio streaming basics
Audio streaming is ideal for translations, khutbah broadcasts, and lectures. Here are your options.
Why audio streaming?
Advantages over video
- ✓ Lower bandwidth requirements
- ✓ Less hardware needed
- ✓ Works on weak connections
- ✓ More privacy-friendly (no video)
- ✓ Easy for listeners to tune in
Common uses
| Use case | Description |
|---|---|
| Translation | Simultaneous khutbah translation |
| Women’s area | Audio feed to a separate space |
| Sick/elderly | Listen from home |
| Archiving | Recordings for later |
Audio sources
Overview
| Source | Quality | Simplicity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile (smartphone) | Good | Very easy | ~€0 |
| USB microphone | Very good | Easy | €50–200 |
| USB audio interface | Excellent | Medium | €100–500 |
| ASIO devices | Pro | Complex | €200–1000 |
Audio quality
Recommended settings
| Setting | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sample rate | 48 kHz | Streaming standard |
| Bit depth | 16 bit | Enough for speech |
| Bitrate | 128–192 kbps | Good quality, low bandwidth |
| Channels | Mono or stereo | Mono is fine for speech |
Speech vs. recitation/music
| Content | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|
| Speech only | 96–128 kbps |
| Speech + Quran | 128–192 kbps |
| Music/Nasheed | 192–256 kbps |
Streaming platforms
moschee.io
- Built-in audio streaming
- Push notifications to app users
- Different listener tiers (50, 200, unlimited)
- Recording option
Your own server
For advanced setups:
- Icecast server
- Shoutcast server
- RTMP/HLS streaming
Audio setup options
Simple setup (mobile)
[Smartphone] ──Wi‑Fi──▶ [moschee.io server] ──▶ [Listeners]Components:
- Smartphone with moschee.io app
- Wi‑Fi connection
Best for:
- Spontaneous broadcasts
- Small communities
- Backup solution
Standard setup (USB)
[Microphone] ──USB──▶ [PC] ──Internet──▶ [moschee.io server] ──▶ [Listeners]Components:
- USB microphone
- PC/laptop
- Browser or streaming software
Best for:
- Regular broadcasts
- Better audio quality
- Medium communities
Pro setup (audio interface)
[XLR mic] ──▶ [Audio interface] ──USB──▶ [PC] ──▶ [Server] ──▶ [Listeners]Components:
- Pro microphone (XLR)
- Audio interface
- Streaming software (OBS, etc.)
Best for:
- Highest audio quality
- Multiple microphones
- Large communities
Latency (delay)
What is latency?
The time between speaking and listeners hearing it.
Typical latency
| Method | Latency |
|---|---|
| moschee.io | 2–5 seconds |
| WebRTC (direct) | under 1 second |
| HLS streaming | 10–30 seconds |
| RTMP streaming | 5–15 seconds |
Latency for translations
Some delay is normal and acceptable for translations, since the translator speaks a few seconds behind the speaker anyway.