Questions regarding the Buttobi-Wave service

• What is "Buttobi-Wave" "Internet Radio"?
  
• Is there a fee for using Buttobi-Wave?
• Do I need to register in order to use "Buttobi-Wave"?
• Is there anything that I need in order to use "Buttobi-Wave"?
• I want to broadcast on "Buttobi-Wave", what should I do?
• What kind of content can be broadcast on "Buttobi-Wave"?
• I want to stop broadcasting with "Buttobi-Wave"...
  
• I forgot my account ID or password.

Questions regarding the Artist Program

• What kind of people does "artist" refer to?
• I'm not an artist but I want to broadcast a program on "Artist Program".
• I want to try broadcasting on "Artist Program"...
• I want to know about a song playing on "Artist Program"
  outside of program broadcasting time
• I want to have my own song played on "Artist Program"
  outside of program broadcasting time...
• I want one of the songs that was played on "Artist Program"...
• I want to know about an artist program/song being broadcast
  on "Artist Program"...
• There are broadcasts missing from the artist programs list.
• The song name being displayed on the top page and the song
  actually being played are different.

Questions regarding the Cherry Program / Buttobi-Wave DJ

• Why is the broadcast for regular people called "Cherry Program"?
• I can't listen broadcasts/Broadcasts are hard to listen.
• I can't broadcast.
• Is there any content that isn't allowed to be broadcast on "Cherry Program"?
• There's a person who made a broadcast that was in violation of
  the "Cherry Program" Terms of Service.
• Can't I monitor in real-time while broadcasting?
• The broadcast has time lag...
• Can't I record broadcasts?
• Can't I adjust the volume of sounds/music/BGM broadcast?
  
• Noise is being broadcast loudly.
• The sound is distorted.
• Is it possible to broadcast using tools other than
  Buttobi-Wave DJ (Winamp, etc.)?
• I want to broadcast by Macintosh...
• The FAQ didn't answer my question.

What is "Internet Radio"?

Buttobi-Wave is an Internet Radio site provided by Buttobi.net.

Buttobi-Wave is divided into two sections; "Artist Program", where artists from various genres periodically broadcast programs, and tracks from participating artists are broadcast 24 hours a day, and "Cherry Program", where other regular people can freely broadcast Internet Radio whenever they want.

For more details on Buttobi-Wave and Internet Radio,
please refer to About Internet Radio.

Is there a fee for using Buttobi-Wave?

Whether you listen to broadcasts on "Buttobi-Wave", or make your own broadcasts, there are no fees at all.
All the features can be enjoyed for free.

Do I need to register in order to use "Buttobi-Wave"?

Registration is not necessary in order to just listen to programｓ.
Anyone is able to listen to broadcast programs.

In order to broadcast, a Buttobi.net account ID and password are necessary.
If you don't have an account, please register from the Buttobi.net top page.

However, as there is a separate procedure for requesting to take part in broadcasting programs on the "Artist Program",
please read "About Artist Application", and then contact our staff.

Is there anything that I need in order to use "Buttobi-Wave"?

- A PC that is connected to the Internet
- A player for listening to broadcasts
  (Windows Media Player, Real Player, WinAmp, etc.)

With the above two you can start listening to broadcasts immediately.
For more details, please refer to How to listen to broadcasts.
If you don't have a music player, you can find links to some on the above page.

I want to broadcast on "Buttobi-Wave", what should I do?

If you have a PC with broadband, the application for broadcasting and a microphone, then you can start broadcasting right now.
(If you don't have one, please install
 the Internet Radio broadcasting tool "Buttobi-Wave DJ")

Please refer to the Broadcasting Guide for detailed procedures, such as a broadcast settings. There is a detailed explanation of how to broadcast.

What kind of content can be broadcast on "Buttobi-Wave"?

Internet Radio is legally treated as a "transmission", and is treated differently from a "broadcast". Currently, banned words and so forth are not explicitly defined.
Because of this, judgements regarding the content of broadcasts are to a certain extent left up to the broadcaster.
It's fine to talk about what you like, such as your hobbies and the things around you, but please refrain from slander, copyright infringement and so forth, and any broadcasts which show a considerable lack of morals.
Also, if broadcasts are discovered to fall under the "Prohibited Conducts" defined in the "Terms of Service", measures may be taken to ban the user involved.

Internet Radio is different from a regular radio station, and there are strict regulations on broadcasting music. If you want to play music on your program, please make sure to read "About Music Copyright".

I want to stop broadcasting with "Buttobi-Wave".

If you are broadcasting with "Cherry Program", by logging in from the top left of the Buttobi.net top page, you can carry out account cancellation from "Buttobi.net Manager". However, please be aware that if you cancel your Buttobi.net account ID, all content from any other Buttobi.net services you were using such as the blog, webhosting, or guestbook will be deleted. If you only want to stop using the Buttobi-Wave service, no particular cancellation procedure is necessary.

I forgot my account ID or password.

If you have your account ID, or the e-mail address you registered with, then the password can be re-sent.
If you don't know the account ID, password, or registered e-mail address, the password cannot be resent, so you will unfortunately have to make a new account.

What kind of people does "artist" refer to?

Buttobi-Wave defines an "artist" based on the criteria of whether or not their activity is limited to a hobby, whether they intend to make this activity their livelihood, their level of skill, and so forth.
They do not necessarily need to be a musician or a composer.
Painters, designers, actors, voice actors, programmers, and so forth; anyone who is passionate about creating their own works in their own style, is what Buttobi-Wave calls an "artist".

I'm not an artist but I want to broadcast a program on "Artist Program".

The "Artist Program" provides people who meet our company criteria for artists and creators with an opportunity to broadcast programs and have their music transmitted.
Regular people who do are judged to not meet our company criteria should enjoy broadcasting on "Cherry Program".

I want to try broadcasting on "Artist Program"...

Artists and creators who want to broadcast on the "Artist Program" should read the Guidelines for Application page here, and send the required details by e-mail. We will contact you if you pass our company criteria, and want you to broadcast on the "Artist Program". Please do not hesitate to contact us.

I want to know about a song playing on "Artist Program"
outside of program broadcasting time.

The songs being broadcast when there are no programs broadcast are original tracks from the music artists participating in the "Artist Program".
You can check the artist name and song name on the Buttobi-Wave top page.
By checking the playlist displaying the song currently being broadcast, you can also find out the "Artist performing the previous song".
Also, depending on the player you are using the artist name and song name may also be displayed in the player.

I want to have my own song played on "Artist Program"
outside of program broadcasting time...

For enquiries and requests about broadcasting songs outside of program broadcast time, please read the Guidelines for Application page here, and send the required information by e-mail. We will contact you if you pass our company criteria, and want you to broadcast on the "Artist Program". Please do not hesitate to contact us.

I want one of the songs that was played on "Artist Program"...

Currently the works of participating artists cannot be downloaded or purchases from "Buttobi-Wave".
Please send an enquiry to the artist directly, via their homepage linked on the artist profile board, or their contact address if available.

I want to know about an artist program/song being broadcast
on "Artist Program"...

Information regarding the artists and creators participating in the "Artist Program" can be checked from the Participating Artists List.
Here you can see information about each artist, as well as links to the artists' homepages and messages from the artists.
If you find an artist or creator that you like, please be sure to check it out.

There are broadcasts missing from the artist programs list.

In the case of problems with artists' schedules and so forth, or difficulties with broadcasting, for that week only the broadcast may be replaced with a repeat of a previous broadcast or with song broadcasts. In such a case, the broadcast will not be displayed on the Request List.

The song name being displayed on the top page and
the song actually being played are different.

The song name displayed on the Buttobi-Wave top page (broadcast name when a program is being broadcast) is what is currently being broadcast when the page is displayed. In order to avoid a heavy load to the server, it is not refreshed automatically, so if you want to find out the name of the song (song's remaining time) that is currently being broadcast, please reload (refresh) the page.

Why is the broadcast for regular people called "Cherry Program"?

Our staff named it after the fruit, thinking that the image of a cherry, with its fresh, light innocence and cuteness, corresponded well to the idea of an "artist".
There is no other meaning. Honestly.

I can't hear broadcasts/Broadcasts are hard to hear.

<If you're listening to net radio for the first time>
First of all please refer to "How to listen to broadcasts", and check that you have everything required to listen to a broadcast.

<If you were listening up to now, but suddenly cannot listen>
There can be various reasons, the problem being either on the broadcaster's or the listener's side, or with the streaming server. First of all, please check your settings, as with "If you're listening to net radio for the first time" (above). (The settings may have changed)
Also, it is possible that that the broadcaster has posted a notification regarding the problems on a related blog or guestbook. Please go to the Buttobi-Wave top page and check if the broadcast is currently stable, and check any related pages.

<The volume of the broadcast is too low and cannot be heard>
If the broadcast is being made using tools other than "Buttobi-Wave DJ", it is possible that the broadcaster may have intentionally set the volume low.
When it is not possible to correspond with the broadcaster, please try making changes to the player on the listener's side, such as raising the volume.

<The broadcast is interrupted>
If the Internet connection being used is slow, the broadcast may be interrupted.
If you are connected via broadband, such as ADSL or CATV, and the broadcast is interrupted, it may be due to server congestion, or problems occurring with the broadcast itself on the broadcaster's side.

Firstly, from the Buttobi-Wave top page, please check whether the broadcast you are currently listening to is still being broadcast or not. If it is shown as being broadcast, if the broadcast is from the same person (same account ID), it is possible that broadcasting may shortly resume automatically. Also, depending on the player you may need to click the play button once more in order to read the stream again.

I can't broadcast.

For net radio to broadcast smoothly, certain PC specs and a broadband connection (ADSL or CATV will be fine) are necessary. Also, if the OS (Windows, etc.) is unstable, this may also cause difficulties with broadcasting.

Is the "Talk" button pressed down correctly?
If the button isn't pressed then the microphone won't work, and even if you are talking, the sound will not be broadcast.
Firstly, please confirm again the "Talk" button is pressed down.

* The procedure for broadcasting is explained in detail in "Broadcast", and if you cannot broadcast please check through the procedure once more.

Is there any content that isn't allowed to be broadcast on "Cherry Program"?

Buttobi-Wave mainly prohibits the following broadcast content.

• Broadcast of copyrighted music/phrases/songs/performances (Please refer to About Music Copyright for more details.)
• Recitation/singing of copyrighted literature
• Infringement of the property, privacy, or portrait rights of a third party
• Acts of discrimination against a third party, as well as slander, and acts that cause damage to the honor or confidence of a third party
• Broadcasting under the guise of a third party (maliciously)
• Acts related to fraud or similar
• Collection of personal information from a third party without that person's consent, or otherwise through fraudulent means
  

For more details regarding prohibited acts please refer to the Terms of Service (Chapter 3, Article 3, Point 1).

There's a person who made a broadcast that was in violation of the
Terms of Service on "Cherry Program".

If broadcasts are discovered to be violating the Terms of Service, for example by broadcasting commercial tracks, or by making slanderous speeches, please let us know via the Buttobi.net support form, including the date and time of the broadcast, if possible the account ID of the person making the infringing broadcast, and the details of the violation.

Can't I monitor in real-time while broadcasting?

In the dedicated tool "Buttobi-Wave DJ", clicking the headphone icon next to the "Broadcast" button will allow you to monitor your broadcast.

When using the monitor please use headphones, and make sure that no sound comes from the speakers. If sound comes out of the speakers, the microphone will pick it up, and may result in audio feedback or damage to the speakers.

However, as the monitor function has a problem with sound processing, there will be a time lag of one second before sounds are heard. Although a lag of one second should not interfere much when checking sound effects and music/BGM, it can make it difficult when talking, so it is recommended to turn off the monitor feature when doing so.
Hopefully it is useful for checking sounds effects and music/BGM.

Can't I record broadcasts?

With the dedicated broadcasting tool "Buttobi-Wave DJ", you can record your Internet Radio broadcast and save it as ".mp3" format. For a detailed usage and settings guide, please refer to the Buttobi-Wave DJ Manual.

The broadcast has time lag...

Sounds made by the broadcaster will be heard by listeners dozens of seconds later.
This time lag is caused by the nature of the Internet, and there is no way to get read of it. Thank you for your understanding.

Can't I adjust the volume of voice/music/BGM being broadcast?

When broadcasting using the dedicated tool "Buttobi-Wave DJ", even if you talk in a small voice, the volume will be adjusted automatically so that it is easy for listeners to hear. Introduction music and BGM will also be appropriately adjusted automatically while broadcasting, so because of this, without having to bother about the volume balance and so forth, it is easy to make a broadcast that is at a pleasant volume for listeners.

If you want to adjust the volume yourself, please try broadcasting with WinAmp or another broadcasting tool.

Noise is being broadcast loudly.

When broadcasting using the dedicated tool "Buttobi-Wave DJ", even if you talk in a small voice, the volume will be adjusted automatically so that it is easy for listeners to hear.
Although the system does not pick up a certain degree of low noise, if there are other sounds in the broadcaster's area that exceed that degree, surrounding noise may be broadcast loudly when not talking.
Broadcasting in a quiet room, and not leaving gaps between sounds, will resolve the problem, so if possible please try changing your surroundings.

The sound is distorted.

In many cases, it is due to the microphone being too close, or the sound being too large.
With the dedicated tool "Buttobi-Wave DJ", the volume itself will be automatically adjusted, but it cannot correct distorted sound, so please talk with the microphone at a fair distance.
Also, if breathing sounds are being heard too much, attaching a wind screen to the microphone can prevent against popping noise.

Is it possible to broadcast using tools other than Buttobi-Wave DJ
(Winamp, etc.)?

At Buttobi-Wave, we recommend using the dedicated tool "Buttobi-Wave DJ".
Although it is also possible to broadcast using WinAmp, please be aware that we cannot offer any support regarding how to use any tools other than Buttobi-Wave DJ.

[Settings necessary for broadcasting using WinAmp + Edcast]
(Terms may vary if using a different plug-in)

Server [Hostname or IP]	210.175.55.183
Port	80
Password	The password for your Buttobi.net account ID
Mount Point [Icecast Only]	/[Your Buttobi.net account ID].mp3 (make sure to include the slash at the start) * Eg. If your account ID is "wave", then "/wave.mp3"
Bit Rate	If set at a rate above 96kbps, listeners on a slow connection may not be able to listen to the broadcast. We recommend broadcasting at roughly 24-64kbps.

Buttobi-Wave currently does not support broadcasting using WinAmp + SHOUTcast.
This is because Buttobi-Wave is a system that allows connection and broadcasting by setting your account ID as the mount point, and confirming your account ID and password.
Plug-ins such as SHOUTcast assign the mount point automatically (it cannot be set by the user), and so the system cannot confirm the account ID and password from SHOUTcast, and as a result, a connection cannot be made.
Unfortunately, you will have to try broadcasting using a plu-in other than SHOUTcast.

I want to broadcast by Macintosh...

Currently "Buttobi-Wave DJ" is not available on Macintosh, please try to broadcast by using LadioCast and Soundflower. For more details, please search such as here.

[Settings necessary for broadcasting using LadioCast + Soundflower]
(Terms may vary if using a different plug-in)

Server Address	210.175.55.183
Port	80
Mount	/[Your Buttobi.net account ID].mp3 (make sure to include the slash at the start) * Eg. If your account ID is "wave", then "/wave.mp3"
User	source
Password	The password for your Buttobi.net account ID
Encoding Format	MP3 ("libmp3lame.dylib" may be required)
Bit Rate (kb/s)	If set at a rate above 96kbps, listeners on a slow connection may not be able to listen to the broadcast. We recommend broadcasting at roughly 24-64kbps.

The FAQ didn't answer my question.

If you have any requests regarding the dedicated tool "Buttobi-Wave DJ",
please make them by leaving a comment on the Development Log.

However, please understand that we cannot answer any questions regarding how to use tools other than "Buttobi-Wave" DJ, or technical problems related to listening to or making broadcasts.