First off, read the text, don't just look at the pictures!!
There is no need to do this setup until your DJ application is accepted.
This page has setup instructions for Winamp on Windows. If you use mac os or linux, there's still hope. For Mac you need nicecast, which is not free. Alternative solutions for windows exist, such as SAM Broadcaster. If you have this, its better.

First, you need Winamp (version 5.x and 2.7x-2.9x). Winamp v3 will not work.
Install the Shoutcast DSP plugin for winamp into Winamp.
Press Ctrl-P (Prefs), then go to plugins/DSP to start or stop it, by selecting the DSP or (none).

Encoder tab. For encoder 1, set MP3, 128 kbps 44kHz, Stereo.
Note: there are two 128 kbps, choose the stereo one.


Output tab. enter like in the pic. The password is given to you by ErrorFM staff after your application is accepted.
Description: enter your DJ name plus maybe a short tagline.
Genre: list all the genres you play. This attracts search hits on www.shoutcast.com. Ex: "Rock, Alternative, D&B, Hiphop, 80's". Genre must not be blank.
Make sure Enable Title updates is on.
 

Shoutcast Input tab should look something like this:


Push to Talk and Mixer settings
If you are using an external mixer, set windows recording mixer correctly, probably Line In, and go to the next section.
If you don't want to use the mic, set Input Device = winamp, and go to the next section.
But you do? Good. Here's how to hopefully get Push to Talk to work. Be aware that it doesn't work on all soundcards.

Start the windows mixer by clicking Open mixer on the Input tab (Input Device must be Soundcard). This opens 2 mixer control windows, one for Play (a.k.a volume control) and one for Record, usually behind it. Find the Recording control. It sometimes has other names, such as Capture.  
Go to menu Options / Properties. Look for Stereo Mix. It can also be called "Stereo Out", "Mixed Output", "What U hear", "Record master", "wave out mix", "mixer" or "Sum" instead. Turn it on.
It may be missing on some PC's, especially Dell.


Then select it as the recording source. The level slider on it acts as master volume for the stream.

For Windows Vista, see here how to do this.

In Play control (the other mixer window, a.k.a volume control), make sure Mic isn't muted.
Most people will need to enable "+20 microphone boost" in advanced mixer settings.
If you use speakers, and they're not turned down, you will get mic feedback (howling) when you press Talk. Test this. Best solution is to use headphones, or a headset with mic.
To avoild puff noises when talking, keep the mic to the side of your mouth.

Voice chat programs like Skype, Teamspeak, AIM/MSN/Yahoo voice chat and some games will change the selection to Microphone. If you use anything like this, please check Recording mixer before every show.
Warning: any PC sounds will be transmitted when input device is set to soundcard. So beware of AIM, MSN etc, and Windows sounds, or turn these sounds off.

Test the mic and mp3 switching by pressing Talk. You need a listener for this. If you can't get it to work, or can't avoid the mic feedback, use Plan B, or get SAM Broadcaster.
Plan B: Set recording control selection to microphone. Switch shoutcast Input Device between Winamp (music) and Soundcard for mic, for every time you talk. You don't need to press the Talk button. Adjust mic level in Recording control / microphone.

Sound levels
Watch your sound levels with the "Input Levels" meters. They should stay between -1 dB and -10 dB. They should never hit 0 dB. 0 dB means too loud and it will distort the sound. You will not hear this on your end. Also watch the meters when talking, for a good mic level. You can always trust the level on the meters.
To adjust the levels (when not using Plan B): The selected slider in Recording control acts as master volume.
Fine tune using shoutcast: input tab: Music Level and Mic level. BG Music Level is for when the Talk button is pressed. Do not mess with the levels in Play control (a.k.a volume control mixer). Shoutcast is designed to change these for you.

Troubleshooting - common problems
Mic works, but its too low even on max level: In play mixer (a.k.a volume control), enable Advanced in the menus. Then click Advanced button under Mic. Enable "+20 microphone boost" Mic is still too low, even with "+20 boost" on: Raise level on Stereo mix in Recording mixer. Now music is too loud, so lower it using Music level, or winamp's volume control. Mic is on, always, no matter what i do. Music isn't getting through: Yank that webcam with built-in mic out. Some USB mics are like this also. If you want to use this mic, go with Plan B Mic isn't working: Turn off mute in play mixer. Check if there's an on/off switch on the cable. Check where its plugged into the PC, sometimes theres two mic ports. Check shoutcast input tab: Mic input. I can't connect: You can't connect while another DJ is on. Or the password / address / port is wrong.

To start transmission
Load the kick webpage (which is given to you by staff) in case you need it.
If the previous DJ is live, use IRC chat to agree on when to start. Even in this case you may need to kick the auto-DJ off. (It tries to connect every 10 seconds.)
Go to the output tab, select Output 1 and push Connect.
Transmission does not end with the last mp3, you must click Disconnect.
Tell any following DJ to start, or just leave it for auto-DJ to take over.

Test for skipping with a listener. Skipping and rebuffering means you can't transmit fast enough. You will not notice this on your end. If it skips, check for any other outgoing internet traffic, such as file sharing programs or webcam software. The stream requires about 100 kbit/s reliable outgoing (upstream) speed. Measure your speed here (stop all traffic first).

IRC Chat
 The current DJ must be in chat when DJ'ing, and check it for listener feedback. Some listeners will be rude. Just ignore them if you can, or have a channel op remove them from channel.
Type !efm to get current stream info in channel.
Type !sched to get a compressed schedule for the next few hours.
Type !listeners to get a list of who in chat is listening.

Useful DJ tips
  • You can trust your shoutcast meters at all times. They are labeled Input levels. They always show what's broadcasted. Look at them while talking to make sure your mic works.
  • Right-click the winamp stop button, "stop after current". It will stop once only.
  • Select a range of playlist files using shift-click. Playlist will now add the total time.
  • Equalizer: Please use a straight curve for dj-ing. Any EQ:ing is up to the listener.
    • You could correct a bad mp3, rarely, but that's it.
  • Find a suitable background instrumental track to talk over (if your Talk button works as intended). Just put it in your playlist, talk over it. Move to the next track when done. Make sure it doesn't drown your voice out. A good meter level for the bg music is -20 dB.
  • Winamp can save your loaded playlist as a webpage in html format. Click the misc. button in the playlist window.
  • Or, use bLUE and meaties MP3 dir lister program. Get it here: Mp3List_v61.EXE. Click here for an output sample.
  • If you have wma files you want to stream, install the better wma plugin into winamp plugins directory. The standard plugin is very limited, and wont work in "input device=winamp" mode. This better version is labeled "v1.00 (x86)".
  • Extra plugins: there are several winamp plugins of interest, such as TomSteady (auto level control), DSP stacker (allows multiple DSP plugins), WinampTimer, SqrSoft Adv. Crossfading. Avoid MuchFX, it doesn't work right with shoutcast.
  • DU Meter is a little shareware program that I like a lot, and it can show you when your stream is likely skipping:
       
  • Advanced: Want to listen to mp3's off-air (to select them) while broadcasting? You can. Enable the winamp option "allow multiple instances". This lets you start another winamp. Select "DirectSound output" as the Output plugin (this changes volume control behavior). Set shoutcast input device=winamp. Now, winamp volume control will not affect the stream, so you can set it to minimum. Input device=winamp means your soundcard is now free to use by a second winamp, or any other program. You can even listen to your own stream to check it. Note: you cannot use the mic when input device=winamp. You can switch input device whenever - but save your playlist first! winamp may crash.
  • Tips for quality programming content

    • Thank you to meatie for this useless bit of information!