8 Reasons To Not Use SAM Broadcaster Pro

I can think of a few reasons WHY you might want to choose an alternative to  SAM Broadcaster Pro or Studio

SAM Broadcaster Pro Studio

1) Lousy Customer Support:

When SAM Broadcaster goes wrong (and it will) don't expect to get much help from Spacial Audio:

The Spacial support department sends users the same old canned replies without actually helping anyone.

Spacial Audio like to play BIG Corporate with their Small Support team that have never even used the software

The Customer service manager is rude to users on a regular basis

Even the forums and social media accounts are staffed by people who don't really care about the software.

People have even taken to Social media to vent their frustrations at not getting much in the way of support.

@Spacial Audio are the worst software company I have EVER come across

@spacial Customer Support makes me feel more like a Victim, than a Customer

Pointless you keep asking for a license number supplied 4 times via 3 tickets no responses to emails so we are in the process of leaving you. What a dreadful customer experience

I really feel cheated because I never expected Spacial Audio to be so Deceptive

I don't have to make Spacial Audio look Incompetent they manage to do that all by themselves.

I've only ever relayed what I've seen on the Internet and Social Media and boy have there been a LOT of complaints.

Spacial Audio's parent company must be so Proud of the way they operate?

IMHO: Triton Digital need to put Spacial Audio out of business.


Update March 2023: Spacial Audio appear to have made the Support forums a READ ONLY resource.

Limiting your options when you're looking for support with Spacial Audio Software!


2) The Price:

SAM Broadcaster Pro costs $299 & the latest Studio version costs an eyewatering $699

The price hike between the Pro and Studio versions means Terrestrial (FM/AM) stations can now use SAM Broadcaster Studio

Its a normal copy of SAM Broadcaster with the word STUDIO shoved on the end

It was restricted to just Internet radio stations before the Studio version.

I'd like to guess that Terrestrial AM/FM radio stations use software that costs Thousands of $$$

sam broadcaster version 1.3

NOT some shoddy P.O.S conceived by a group of students and hobby broadcasters in 1999.

Once you have tested the Demo of SAM Broadcaster and then paid for it Spacial Audio WON'T give you a refund.

We DO NOT offer refunds because of our 14-day free trial version
which allows users to try the product for free and make sure they are satisfied with it before they buy it

They assume you are satisfied with the software and won't entertain Support tickets calling for REFUNDS.


3) Quality and stability of the code:

SAM Broadcaster is prone to crashing or freezing without warning & seemingly for no reason whatsoever.

SAM Broadcaster pro stopping working error message

SAM relies on .XML files for back end functions should one of those files get corrupted then SAM crashes

Sounds like a corrupted SAMBC.core.xml file

Try uninstalling and reinstalling SAM

Although you will loose all of your settings

RadioDJ also relies on XML files and I've NEVER had a crashed or corrupted XML file while using RadioDJ.

SAM Broadcaster has always had very poor stability and reliability users have had nothing but headaches using the software.

SAM Broadcaster Pro Software crashed again after Windows 10 update

A user posted this on the forums recently

So I'm using Sam Broadcaster Pro and I'm having a issue of the software hanging up

Not a month goes by without me seeing someone on social media complaining about major issues with SAM Broadcaster Pro

@Spacial Sam Broadcaster Pro keeps crashing on me

There have been reports of Radio DJ's missing their radio shows because SAM Broadcaster wouldn't work as advertised.

That should NEVER happen with Radio Playout Software!


4) The Encoders:

I've yet to see the encoders within SAM Broadcaster stream properly or hold up during a live show.

The encoders are prone to buffering even if you have a good connection

Unable to send data fast enough Encoding paused till buffer clears

Even the old Winamp DSP Plugin encoders suffered from the same dreaded buffering issues

winamp dsp plugin sam encoders

Buffering has happened to users with different Internet service providers, different computers, & different streaming hosts.

The buffering issues aren't limited to ONE user but HUNDREDS of users

The SAM Broadcaster encoders buffered on a Internal (Localhost) Shoutcast server that's how badly coded the encoders are!

The SAM Encoders are garbage by today's software coding standards

A search on the subject on the SAM forums leads to Over 28 pages of users being told its their connection at fault.

I haven't encountered buffering issues with Standalone Encoding Software


5) The Database Structure:

SAM Broadcaster has very badly written database structures which will crash without warning.

When I first used the software I found I was having to rebuild the database every few days & it became TIRESOME

Nothing much appears to have changed in over 20 years.

The MySQL database will crash on you without warning when the software goes TITS UP.

As there is no way of backing up your MYSQL database in SAM Broadcaster you don't have anyway of saving your song library.

If you manage to get the SAMBC database backed up (with other software) the EVENTS table will not backup or restore correctly.

The Firebird database option doesn't fare much better we often see posts like this.


I installed SAM Broadcaster with the help of a software engineer

We used the included Firebird server

Then SAM crashed and wouldn't restart and then I'd have to start over

It's TOTALLY taking the FUN out of this


6) PAL (Playlist Automation Language) Scripts:

PAL scripts can be difficult to program if you're new to them.

PAL Scripting Interface

PAL scripts are well known for crashing SAM Broadcaster Pro due to the amount of memory leaks they cause if written incorrectly.

It's easier to design a bad PAL script than to design a good one.

Most if not all PAL script examples I tested in 2002 from the Forums froze and locked up the software.


7) Distorted Audio Output (Audio Distortion)

I've never been able to get a professional sound from the AGC or equaliser in SAM Broadcaster

sam broadcaster agc

Even with settings suggested by other users SAM never sounded right despite music files being ripped at the right audio levels.

Music and Jingles alaways seemed distorted in SAM Broadcaster yet the files sounded OK in other audio playback software.

If you get the audio settings wrong your music output will sound distorted & Its easy to program the wrong settings.


8) Silly Licence Restrictions:

Spacial Audio tell you what you can and cant do with their software in the SAM Broadcaster EULA Licence agreement

SAM Broadcaster Activation

You can only run 1 radio station per Licence & You CANNOT run more than 1 instance of SAM Broadcaster on the same computer.

The SAM Broadcaster EULA is quite strict as to what you can and CANNOT do with Spacial Audio software.

You can install it 3 times (on different computers) which means you paying even more $$$

From the outside looking in it would seem Spacial Audio are running a dictatorship not a software company

Spacial Audio's software terms & conditions are quite frankly laughable


Thats just a few reasons why I think you shouldn't use SAM Broadcaster Pro/Studio

STOP Paying Spacial Audio $$$ for their overpriced software!

SAM Broadcaster Pro/Studio have NO PLACE in a radio studio

Save yourself the headaches of SAM Broadcaster Pro by using RadioDJ instead.

You will save yourself lots of $$$ into the bargain!

RadioDJ Free Radio Automation Software


radio dj free radio automation music software

Reasons to Use RadioDJ:

  1. Once installed it's stable and works for days/weeks without needing to keep an eye on it
  2. Great Music library support add as many categories & subcategories you require
  3. RadioDJ doesn't require online activations or registration keys
  4. RadioDJ sounds more Professional than SAM with the BASS sound engine
  5. RadioDJ is 100% FREE and has ZERO restrictions on what YOU use it for
  6. The Database is really stable. Plus RadioDJ comes with a Database Backup Tool
  7. Easy to manage Playlists, Rotations & Events for all your automation needs
  8. Great Technical Support should something go wrong with your installation via the Forums
  9. Customisable Interface with the Color Editor

How To Install RadioDJ


You DON'T have any restrictions with RadioDJ

You are free to use Radio DJ: Where you want, When you want, How you want


The only risk you face with RadioDJ FREE radio automation playout software is Installing it

Don't bother searching out a better system than RadioDJ it doesn't Exist

Once setup and installed RadioDJ will function as a great radio automation program should.

Lots of users are running multiple radio streams with RadioDJ

Another user had RadioDJ v1.8.2 running 24/7 for over 4 years

RadioDJ is really reliable the only time I have to restart RadioDJ is when Windows updates require the computer to be restarted.

In the UNLIKELY event that something should go wrong with RadioDJ there is a great support network on the Community Forums.

RadioDJ Community Forums


SAM Broadcaster had so much promise but sadly it didn't live up to the HYPE!

SAM Broadcaster really is the WORST P.O.S ever


P.O.S = Piece Of Software OR Piece Of Shit: You Decide!
EULA = End User Licence Agreement