The truth is that a lot of the creative process isn’t all that interesting to outsiders, so consider who you’re streaming for (professionals? People looking to get into music-making? Partiers?) and why they should care.Ī few ideas for streams – feel free to snatch these: If you’re stuck on what to stream, two suggestions: 1) look at some of the fantastic streamers who are already sharing their music-making process, and 2) think about what would be most interesting for you to watch. Upon archival on Twitch in particular, videos with copyrighted audio (like DJ sets) will be available, but muted during the sections where Twitch’s algorithm detects copyrighted audio. Go ahead and do a Traktor set, but don’t steal videos. Most importantly, only stream video performances to which you have the rights. While you can DJ with others’ music on most platforms, be aware that some tracks might end up muted in archival videos or worse, demonetized, or removed entirely. Lastly, there’s the question on what you’re allowed to stream. Spend some time getting comfortable with your microphone, and consider how far you are from it – the frequency response curve of a microphone can change drastically depending on your position, so try not to move too much when using one. Look into investing in a wind screen – these are not usually expensive, will help you lower background noise and tame harsh sibilants (“shhh” and “chhh” sounds), and will help you avoid popping your “p” and “b” sounds.
If you’re working with a microphone, you’ll want to take some extra steps to get things set up properly. Remember that, while analog distortion might sound pleasing, digital clipping doesn’t. If you’re using OBS, you can use the built-in digital VU meters to make sure that you’re staying out of the red. Whether you’re performing or DJing or even just talking, make sure you check your levels before starting a stream. Streaming in general requires audio setup preparation – and it’s doubly important when your stream involves music. As you progress in streaming, you may want to invest in more cameras to get different angles, and in hardware that will let you control live camera swapping. OBS can handle multiple video inputs, and a built-in webcam on your laptop or desktop is often a good first (and easy) place to start. If you want to stream more than just your computer desktop, you’ll need some cameras.
You’ll want to do a couple dry runs and record them – most broadcasting software can also record – to make sure that you’re getting good levels and avoiding feedback or other issues. Make sure to test out your setup before going live. For a rundown of other broadcasting software, check out this list from Twitch. Twitch also has their own Twitch Studio software, though it’s Windows-only and currently in beta.