Edcast is an audio encoder that can be used to create Internet streams of varying types. Currently, mp3, ogg vorbis, ogg flac, as well as AAC+ are supported. And this application can be used to stream to both icecast2

Icecast

Icecast is a streaming media project released as free software maintained by the Xiph.org Foundation. It also refers specifically to the server program which is part of the project. Icecast was created in December 1998/January 1999 by Jack Moffitt and Barath Raghavan to provide an open source...

 and SHOUTcast

SHOUTcast

SHOUTcast is cross-platform proprietary software for streaming media over the Internet. The software, developed by Nullsoft , allows digital audio content, primarily in MP3 or HE-AAC format, to be broadcast to and from media player software, enabling the creation of Internet radio "stations"...

 servers.

Edcast is a free and open source encoder that is supported on both Windows

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...

 and Linux

Linux

Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...

 platforms. It also will run in conjunction with various media players such as Winamp

Winamp

Winamp is a media player for Windows-based PCs and Android devices, written by Nullsoft, now a subsidiary of AOL. It is proprietary freeware/shareware, multi-format, extensible with plug-ins and skins, and is noted for its graphical sound visualization, playlist, and media library features.Winamp...

 and foobar2000

Foobar2000

foobar2000 is a freeware audio player for Windows developed by Peter Pawlowski, a former freelance contractor for Nullsoft. It is known for its highly modular design and extensive SDK which allows third-party developers to do such things as completely replace the interface...

as well as a standalone encoder.

Many independent broadcasters (and even commercial ones) use Edcast to create Internet radio stations like the ones found at the Icecast, Loudcaster and ShoutCAST station directories.

Note: as at January 2011, the official site of edcast ( http://www.oddsock.org ) has a 'we have shut down' message on it.

Edcast is being updated and can now be found at Club RIO. The latest stable version as of October 11, 2011 is Version 3.4.2011.926, and the latest beta vesrion is Version 3.20.2011.1011.