Adding HE-AAC (AAC+) support to Broadcast Radio Encoder v3

Broadcast Radio Encoder v3 includes AAC-LC support as standard. You can also add optional HE-AAC (AAC+) support by installing an additional encoder library. In this guide, we will walk through downloading the library, copying it to the correct folder and selecting HE-AAC for your output.

You will need to download or supply your own copy of libfdk-aac-2.dll. This third-party library is not included with Encoder because of licensing restrictions, and Encoder does not download or install it automatically.

1. Obtain the AAC library

You need the supported Windows 64-bit version of libfdk-aac-2.dll. For example, the butt (Broadcast Using This Tool) website provides a separate AAC library download:

Download libfdk-aac-2.dll for Windows 64-bit from the butt website

Save the file somewhere you can easily find again, such as your Downloads folder. You do not need to install butt itself.

Note: Encoder checks that the library is the supported build. Other files with the same name, including 32-bit versions or different builds, may be incompatible. Use the specific download linked above.

2. Close Encoder or stop the Windows Service

If Encoder runs as a normal desktop application, close it before copying the file.

If Encoder runs as a Windows Service:

1. On the encoder computer, open the Windows Start menu, type Services and open the Services app.
2. Locate the Broadcast Radio Encoder v3 service.
3. Right-click the service and select Stop. Wait until it has stopped before continuing.

Remember: Closing Manager alone does not stop the Encoder service.

3. Copy the DLL into the Encoder folder

Open Windows File Explorer and locate the folder containing BrEncoder3.exe. With a standard installation, this is usually:

C:\Program Files\Broadcast Radio\Encoder v3\Encoder

Copy libfdk-aac-2.dll directly into this folder, beside BrEncoder3.exe. Windows may ask for administrator permission to complete the copy.

If Encoder was installed to a different location, use that installation's Encoder folder instead.

4. Restart Encoder and select HE-AAC

1. Open Encoder again, or return to Windows Services and start the Encoder service.
2. Open the settings for the output you want to change, using Encoder or Manager. The output must be stopped before changing its codec. If it started automatically, stop it first.
3. In the Codec list, select HE-AAC (AAC+).
4. Choose the output channels and a supported bitrate, then save your settings.
5. Start the output and check that listeners can connect and hear the stream using your usual player.

Note: HE-AAC v2 (AAC+ v2) is not supported.

If HE-AAC is still shown as unavailable

Check the following:

• The file is named libfdk-aac-2.dll and came from the specific Windows 64-bit download linked above.
• The DLL is directly beside the BrEncoder3.exe used by your running application or installed service.
• You copied it to the encoder computer, including when connecting remotely with Manager.
• You fully restarted Encoder or its Windows Service after copying the file. Closing and reopening Manager is not enough.

If the library is still unavailable, make a note of the message shown in the output settings and contact Broadcast Radio Support. You can continue using MP3 or the included AAC-LC codec while investigating.