Mcaster1 TagStack

The professional Windows desktop suite for ICY metadata, broadcast automation, media library management, and live streaming — built for radio stations, DJs, TV channels, podcasters, and social media content creators.

What Is TagStack?

TagStack is a native Windows x64 MFC application that acts as the central metadata and broadcast management hub for any Mcaster1DNAS or Icecast2-compatible streaming server. It combines real-time ICY 1.x and ICY 2.2 metadata pushing with a complete local media library, playlist system, broadcast log production, podcast management, live audio/video capture, and deep social media integration — all in one light-themed, resizable desktop application backed by a MySQL database.

Suite Components

TagStack.exe

Main application hub. Metadata composer, media library, playlist manager, live stream control, podcast management, debug console, socialcasting.

MediaPlayer.exe

Standalone audio player. Plays local files and ICY streams. FFmpeg-powered. Owner-draw UI with volume knob, queue, album art, ICY metadata display.

ComposerPro.exe

Broadcast log and playlist production. Clock templates, rotation categories, cart mappings, multi-format export (M3U, PLS, SAM, Rivendell CSV).

TagCap.exe

Video/audio capture subprocess. GDI grab, DirectShow, or file-mode input. VP9/Opus, VP8/Vorbis, H264 output. Streams to WebM/FLV via HTTP PUT.

Key Capabilities

ICY Metadata (Real-Time Push)

Push ICY 1.x stream titles and the complete ICY 2.2 extended header set — 90+ fields across station identity, show programming, DJ profile, track metadata, social media links, broadcast distribution, audio technical specs, and content flags — directly to any Icecast2-compatible server mount.

Media Library

Scan local audio folders. TagLib reads ID3v2/FLAC/OGG/AAC tags in a background thread. MusicBrainz lookup fills MBID, ISRC, label, and mood. MySQL stores the full library with BPM, musical key, rotation weight, and extended metadata. Drag-and-drop into playlists, right-click to edit or push to server.

Playlist System with Broadcast Rules

Build named playlists with per-playlist broadcast automation rules: minimum seconds between the same artist or title, BPM range filter, genre mix ratio (JSON), and energy mode (flat / ramp-up / ramp-down). Two-panel UI: saved playlists top, track entries bottom.

ComposerPro — Broadcast Log Production

Build dated broadcast logs with ordered items (Music, Spot, Jingle, News, Filler, Voice). Apply clock templates to auto-populate a log from rotation categories. Map cart numbers to media IDs. Export to M3U, M3U8, PLS, SAM Broadcaster log, or Rivendell CSV.

Live Streaming

Integrated FFmpeg-powered audio/video capture via TagCap. Supports GDI screen grab, DirectShow camera/microphone, or file input. Encodes to VP9+Opus WebM or H264+AAC FLV and pushes to your streaming server via HTTP PUT.

Podcast Management

Three-tab podcast page: episode list with metadata, RSS feed builder, and publishing controls. Configuration stored in podcasts.yaml.

Social Media Integration

ICY 2.2 includes dedicated social header fields for Twitter/X, Twitch, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook Page, LinkedIn, and Linktree — all sent as part of the metadata push to the server so connected players can surface them directly.

Who It Is For

UserPrimary Use
Internet Radio StationsICY 2.2 push, media library, broadcast log production, playlist automation rules
FM/AM Radio BroadcastersMetadata push to web simulcast stream, ComposerPro log production, SAM/Rivendell export
Internet TV ChannelsPlaylist entries support TV channel types (IPTV URL, terrestrial channel number)
DJs & Club ArtistsReal-time now-playing metadata with BPM/key, social links, artwork, set logging
On-Air Talent & HostsShow metadata (start/end times, DJ bio, genre, rating), ICY 2.2 show programming fields
PodcastersEpisode management, feed building, publish workflow, ICY podcast-specific headers
Socialcasters & InfluencersSocial link push, hashtags, engagement URLs, cross-platform streaming via TagCap

Get started quickly: See Getting Started for installation, first launch, and connecting to your first server in under 5 minutes.

System Requirements

Documentation Pages

PageContents
Getting StartedInstallation, first launch, database setup, connecting to a server
ICY Metadata ReferenceICY 1.x and 2.2 protocol, all 90+ fields, push workflow, examples
Media LibraryScanning, tagging, MusicBrainz, playlists, broadcast rules, export
ComposerProBroadcast logs, clock templates, categories, cart maps, export formats
Media PlayerLocal playback, ICY streams, queue, album art, controls
Live StreamingTagCap audio/video capture, encoding settings, streaming to server
Database ReferenceMySQL schema, all tables, migration system, backup and restore
Use Cases & How-TosStep-by-step guides for radio, TV, DJs, podcasters, influencers
RoadmapCurrent status, planned features, future platform integrations