"MTB is MP3" (and ACC+ and WMA)  -  

Music Tampa Bay Signature Sound...   "The Bay's Local Talent" 

                                                                                             Professional radio style jingles, recorded at S2Blue studios in England, May 2006 

Music Tampa Bay Music Streaming is evolving from an experimental learn-as-you-go prototype for a local radio station program format, to a fairly stable and somewhat unique listening platform in cyber space.  Geared first for conventional computer users, new media is springing up all around as a new wireless internet is being mined to serve as program distribution venues all around the globe.  Bandwidth limitations restrict the present model to about 4 dozen listeners at any given time, though virtually unlimited expansion is only a matter of buying a larger chunk of the world wide web, at roughly a couple of bucks per listener per month.  Add to that new royalty payment obligations that are expected to be hammered out in courts and Congress in by early 2009, plus ISP, web hosting, domain registration, software and hardware investments, CD and live event ticket purchases, and this "hobby" is taking on a considerable overhead, still without one dime of revenue coming in from an as yet nearly invisible audience.  It has been apparent from the outset that the development of a revenue stream will eventually be required to achieve sustainability for future operations.

Developments & Limitations

MTB is a web-based 24/7/365 music streaming internet radio station featuring only local musicians playing to a local audience.  The web domain has been active since July 2nd, 2003.  Music streaming formally began in Winamp/Shoutcast mode only on March 6th, 2005. A 2nd audio stream accessible through Windows Media Players was added on February 5th, 2007.  Studio operations originally emanated from a harbor-side home studio in Indian Rocks Beach, but were relocated to private facilities directly overlooking "Great Tampa Bay" at the southern end of St Petersburg in September 2006.  Significant down time was recorded in the first year of operation beginning in September until March of the following year.   Another significant but planned off-line period occurred in the Fall of 2007.   Music streaming has continued uninterrupted since then.

Automated music rotation software was installed and adopted for play-list operations beginning about the 1st of November, 2007.  This improvement makes it possible to greatly expand and diversify the song selection process.  More than 200 songs are currently heard in music programming each day.  New music is added as opportunities present themselves, including a massive infusion of new material in early 2008. 

In September 2008 a major change in streaming operations occurred when all music files, media players, encoders and music scheduling software was moved from computers at the home studio adjacent to Great Tampa Bay in St Pete to new a new dedicated virtual server with unlimited bandwidth capacity and remote control access from anywhere in the world.  In addition to this move, new encoders, audio processing and an automation software upgrade was installed to enable improved sound quality and reliability.  While some technical issues were encountered, this move is expected to eventually result in vastly improved service with minimal downtime and the ability to maintain a professional music stream with continually improving program features.

MP3 local music files continues to be accumulated from various sources, including artist websites, email file attachment sent to MTB by artists, complimentary CD's, and the extensive resources of TampaBayMusicScene.com, also known as RealitySnap.com among others.  A special effort is being made to locate classic recordings by local artists that can be featured in the music stream.  (See Playlist)

Still a work in progress!

PLEASE EXCUSE THE MISCUES.- NOTE - OCCASIONAL GAPS AND PAUSES IN MUSIC WITH IRREGULAR VOLUME LEVELS AND MINOR DISTORTION MAY STILL BE EXPERIENCED.  Efforts are underway to keep these to a minimum.  Music streaming occasionally experiences content irregularities without warning that are usually restored to normal automatically after just a few seconds.  Occasional unplanned downtime may occur due to internet conditions and possible server errors, though, as indicated above these issues, which only occur intermittently, are expected to be reduced to an absolute minimum with the implementation of streaming operations from a new dedicated virtual server.  However, occasional system testing and configuration changes may force program interruptions or abrupt changes lasting a few minutes or more.  Planned downtime, including estimated time of service resumption, is normally posted prominently on the home page.  Attempts are being made to keep these to a minimum, and scheduled in off peak listening time periods.

Limited Music Streaming!  MTB music programming normally operates with FM quality stereo with two separate music streams adaptable to the players indicated elsewhere on this website.  The stream identified with the "Shoutcast/Winamp" trademark (Nullsoft, Inc.) is also normally accessible with most major on-line mp3 players.   New Features - Expected to be added to the site in the future include listener interactivity in the selection of music, download options, podcasts, premiums and give-a-ways (T-Shirts, cups, etc), live/remote/on-site web-casts (Dave's Acqua Lounge?), opportunities for social networking and other improvements.  An effort is currently underway to gather together a suitable library of karaoke recordings performed by local Tampa Bay area singers for special Saturday night programming. Blues and Jazz shows are also under consideration for weekends and/or overnights.  Listeners with other suggestions or comments, criticisms, complaints (or compliments) are encouraged to submit ideas by using the guest book on the contact page, or by email to rick@musictampabay.com OR musictampabay@msn.com.

    Public Service: ---  MUSIC TAMPA BAY  LAUNCHED ITS FIRST PUBLIC SERVICE EFFORT in 2005 with announcements on behalf of the American Red Cross and the unprecedented relief effort begun then for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Any local organizations interested in publicizing events OR non-profit items of local interest are encouraged to contact MTB.