Today, I’m going to cover my live-stream setup. My equipment and software, my techniques and platform hacks. I’m going to cover everything I think you’ll need to broadcast a professional, and hopefully profitable, live-stream straight from your home to the entire world. I’ll include links in the show notes to the equipment that I currently use, so you can purchase the same items if you feel so inclined. And if you’re just an observer of live-streams, today’s episode will give you a glimpse behind the camera so you can better understand what artists do to bring the show inside your home. So, let’s get into it.
The list:
Sound Equipment
Video Equipment
Lighting
Computer
Software/Apps
Other miscellaneous equipment
Internet connection
Monetization
Consistency
Audience and Post-Audience
SOUND EQUIPMENT:
In my opinion, the way your stream sounds should be your highest priority. If your stream sounds terrible, then nothing else will matter. Most people are primarily tuning in to hear you perform music. They’ll deal with a less than awesome picture quality as long as they can hear you clearly. A lot of people who listen to my streams don’t even watch the video, they listen to it on their bluetooth speakers or headphones at work. I’ve tried about 20 variations of sound equipment, including large studio boards and effects processors, all the way down to single computer interfaces. The following equipment has proven itself to be easy to operate, very affordable, and has consistently produced high quality audio:
Mixer: I use a Behringer Xenyx 1202FX with Effects. It’s an older model that is now discontinued, but you can find them used online for anywhere between $80-$120. The modern equivalent is the Behringer Xenyx 1202SFX, and they retail for around $130. I don’t have any personal experience with the 1202SFX, but it appears that it serves as both mixer and interface for connecting to the computer. This eliminates the need for two separate purchases. As far as the Behringer Xenyx 1202 that I use, it’s a simple 12 channel desktop mixer, although I usually only use 2 channels. One for my condenser microphone and one for my direct guitar line. It has 24-bit digital effects, which just means they’re industry standard for professional use.
USB Audio Interface: I use a Behringer UCA222 audio interface for connecting my analog mixing board to my computer. They retail for around $30. You can SKIP this step if you buy a board with USB capabilities, such as the Xenyx 1202SFX I mentioned when covering mixers. The UCA222 interface uses RCA connections to capture your audio from the mixing board and send it to the computer. It’s basically an external sound card. It has input, output, and monitoring capabilities, and the audio signal consistency is top notch. Again, if you are using a board with USB capabilities, you DO NOT need to purchase a separate interface.
Microphone: I use an Audio-Technica AT2020 Condenser Microphone. They are around $100, and in my opinion worth every penny. I picked mine up at a yard sale for $10. I highly recommend a condenser style microphone for streaming applications. They not only sound more professional, but they appear more professional than your standard dynamic microphone. They can capture natural reverb sounds in bouncy rooms and give an added layer to your production. Make sure to purchase and use a foam filter or pop filter as well to help filter out “plosives”. These microphones are very sensitive and you will have terrible issues with your audio quality without some sort of filter.
Cables: Don’t skimp on cables. Shotty connections or poor signal delivery can be the death of your audio dreams. You definitely don’t need to buy the most expensive ones out there, but I personally run Pig Hog Cables and have never experienced a single cable issue. I use four total cables in my setup. Two 1/4” male to RCA male cables to connect my board to my audio interface, one 10ft 1/4” instrument cable, and one 10ft XLR microphone cable. You should expect to spend around $60-$80 for cables.
VIDEO EQUIPMENT:
I currently use the built in camera on my IMAC for my video, but I’ve used some other pieces of video equipment in the past that worked great for me as well. The goal with video is to produce High Definition video, at least 1080p, so it doesn’t get blurry or pixelated when viewed on devices other than cell phones. Most people will watch or listen to your stream on their phones, but 1080p video will look clear and sharp across all devices, giving the viewer flexibility to chose how to watch it. Here’s some of the camera equipment I’ve used in the past:
Zoom Q2N4k Camera - They’re around $200 and capture up to 4k video. They have a wide range of settings that you can control, including parameters for lighting, field of view, and overall resolution. They connect to your computer through a separate micro usb to USB A connection. I primarily used this camera for wide angle shots of my livestream setup.
Logitech C920 HD - Priced around $60, these entry level webcams are capable of full HD (1080p). They offer both narrow and wide field of view and work well for your primary camera if the built in one on your computer sucks. I used this camera up until about a year ago. One thing to note about this camera is that you need adequate lighting for it to function properly, it does not function well in low light environments.
Built in FaceTime Camera (IMAC) - This is what I currently use. It flawlessly records in 1080p and can adjust to lighting conditions on the fly. It has the option to blur your background out for streaming in less than ideal locations, and has the benefit of being integrated into the computer which means one less step for processing. The video quality is perfect for what I need it for.
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT:
Proper lighting is ESSENTIAL for your video to look clear and well produced. Think of it this way, with proper lighting, you can control more parameters such as contrast, color saturation, and field of view based off of your taste rather than off of what is lit up enough to even be captured. When I started, I used four cheap pedestal lights in the corners of the room out of the camera view, two small lamps with the shades removed behind the camera to front light, and a ceiling light to wash the room in amber light. It was bright enough to catch a tan, and it made the night time streams look as clear as day. Now, I only use two lights to achieve the desired effect, but I can’t emphasize enough how important lighting is for your stream to look professional. Here is my current lighting kit:
Sutefoto 2 Pack USB Lighting - This kit includes two lights mounted on adjustable stands with tons of color gels to get the exact look you’re going after. The light temperatures ( color control from blue to amber ) are adjustable as well. You can pick these up on Amazon for about $60. I place one in front of me, behind the camera, for front lighting, and one above and slightly in front of me, for top lighting and a bit more front lighting. I don’t use any color gels, but I’ve experimented with them and found that combining the blue and orange ones provides a warmer picture.
COMPUTER:
Your computer is the brains of the operation. You need to have a good processor speed, a good video card with dedicated memory, and a high amount of RAM for the ability to run complex programs without glitches. I’ve used IMAC computers exclusively for this, and have found them to run flawlessly in all aspects of music production and streaming. My CPU usage, fancy speak for how hard the computer is working, never goes about 10% when I’m streaming. This low workload provides a consistent and high quality video every time. It also gives me the ability to RECORD my video at the same time I am broadcasting the streams to platforms. Here is my current setup:
Mid-2020 Apple iMac with Retina 5k, 3.3Ghz - This computer is a workhorse. They retail for around $1,100 and are worth more in my opinion. I bought the computer with the standard HDD and RAM configurations, but upgraded both for further peace of mind. I’m sure that it would still function perfectly out of the box for my needs, but I wanted to make sure there would be no issues. I supplemented the 512 GB SSD with a Western Digital 4TB Thunderbolt HDD, which retails for around $120. The HDD is not so much for streaming, but for other video editing and music production needs. I upgraded the stock 8GB of RAM to 128GB of RAM by using 4 sticks of 32GB DDR4 2666Mhz RAM. The kit’s retail around $240, but with this simple upgrade to the RAM, the computer now possesses the ability to perform pretty much any function I throw at it without hesitation. The computer is SILENT when under load, which is awesome for live productions. The 27” display gives you enough room to have multiple windows open for lyrics or chat logs as well as your streaming apps. Can’t recommend this computer enough.
Powered USB HUB - Having SO MANY things to run off USB means you’ll most likely need to expand your USB ports. A powered USB 3.0 Hub is a simple and cost effective way to give you all the ports you’ll need. The one I purchased in 2020 retails for around $25 and gives you an additional 7 USB 3.0 ports as well as a single dedicated charging port. It also gives you the ability to turn off individual devices when you’re not using them with dedicated on/off buttons for each port. This is a MUST HAVE for streaming in my opinion.
Software And Applications:
There are many different ways to livestream. There are literally hundreds of different platforms or online spaces to perform. You can stream directly to Facebook, YouTube Live, Twitch, Instagram, and TikTok, among many others. You can use an online GUI (Graphic User Interface) or downloadable app/program for products such as Restream, StreamLabs, or OBS Studio, which allow you to stream to multiple platforms at once. I’ve used all of these products in the past, and currently use the OBS Studio app on my computer to stream directly to Facebook. Here’s a little info about each:
Restream - Restream is a service that takes your single stream and splits it into multiple platform streams. It’s a monthly or annually billed service that costs around $16 a month for 720p streaming and $41 a month for 1080p streaming. I’ve used this in the past to stream to Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch simultaneously and I LOVED the built in feature of displaying comments from all 3 platforms in the sidebar. Each comment had it’s representative logo from the platform it came from, and it’s menus and options were easy to navigate.
StreamLabs - Streamlabs is another stream splitting service that is much like Restream. I found it’s clean user interface to be a bit better than Restream, but not by much. It does, however, claim to offer 1080p service for $19 a month or $150 a year if purchased annually. I never experienced any loss of signal or buffering issues while using Streamlabs and found it to be a great service as compared to Restream at a more affordable price.
OBS Studio - Earlier, I identified the computer as the brain of the operation. And if the computer is the brain, then OBS Studio is the brain stem. Everything I do on live streams flows through OBS Studio. It’s the application I have downloaded to my computer specifically to organize my stream. It takes a bit to learn how to use it, and you may start out with just simple functions, but there are TONS of YouTube videos telling you how to use it and the online help community is incredible. Oh, and did I mention it’s open source? It is FREE!!! One day I will do an episode SOLELY on how to use OBS, but today is not that day. What I will tell you is that in OBS Studio, you add your input devices (camera and audio equipment) and can effects such as audio compression, reverb or delay and noise gate, and video effects, such as contrast or color control and image or text overlays to advertise your digital tip jar links. You can monitor stream quality, audio quality, video quality, and comments all in the same spot. It’s a truly awesome piece of software and I rarely experience anything resembling an issue with it. Did I mention it’s free???
Other miscellaneous equipment:
I’ve pretty much outlined all the MAJOR equipment I use for creating my live streams. I’d also like to cover some of the small things I use as well. These aren’t necessarily required for you to begin live-streaming, but in my opinion they will add to the professionalism and quality of your stream just as much as the big ticket items. And they are all CHEAP. Here is 3 pieces of non-essential equipment you might want to consider:
Amazon Desktop Tablet Holder - The title describes exactly what it is and what it does. They retail for around $20, and are a plastic cradle for your tablet that you can sit on your desk. It’s adjustable up and down for tablet size and viewing angle, and works well at holding your tablet out of camera view. I place mine close to my keyboard for easy access and reference while performing covers while streaming.
Desktop Microphone Boom Stand - Sure, you could use any mic stand you have laying around the house, but I find having a dedicated microphone stand that secures to the desk makes it easier to keep my performing area set up all the time, rather than having to break things down in between streams. They retail for around $40 and are an awesome way to boost your professionalism to anyone watching your performance.
Basic Note Pads - Or any other scrap paper. You can buy a 6 pack of 5x8 note taking pads online for $9. I use them to jot down requests, things I want to talk about, keep track of tippers to thank, and other general notes. While you’re streaming, sometimes you’ll get a large influx of comments that will quickly add up. By noting things down you’ll spend less time scrolling back up in the comment feed to find the requested songs or people that just wanted to hear you say “hey” back to them.
Internet connection:
One of the fundamental forces working behind the scenes of your live stream is your internet connection. It’s your lifeline to the outside world, and its quality has a direct effect on people enjoying your performance. It can be the difference between people sticking around to watch you or people leaving your stream frustrated. In instances where an LAN (local area network) or “wired” connection is available, use that first. Being hardwired into a router is considered a more stable and faster connection and can rule out interference from your neighbors wifi.
If you aren’t able to be wired in, try to set yourself up with the most stable wifi connection you can muster. If you’re in a house or townhome, position your computer on the same floor as your wifi router. This will negate some possible sources of electrical interference and provide a more consistent signal. Try to use the 5Ghz channel of your router, if available, for better upload bandwidth (speed). Shoot for at least 15Mbps of upload speed as a baseline for streaming 1080p video and high quality audio. Download speed does not really apply to your stream quality. If you don’t know your internet upload speed, you can perform a FREE speed test by going to speedtest.net to see exactly what your devices have available to use.
Monetization:
Show me the money, right? I mean, even if your primary goal of streaming is not to make money, it sure would be nice to get a few dollars back from all the equipment, knowledge, and time you’ve invested just to make it happen. Your goal should be to make it as easy as possible for people who WANT to give you money, to be ABLE to give you money. I monetize my livestreams in two different ways:
Digital Tip Jar links - Link.tree, Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp can be GREAT ways for consumers of your stream to tip you. Utilize the text overlay function of your streaming software to place a scrolling ticker with your usernames for each payment avenue. Make sure you post them in the post title on Facebook or in the description of the YouTube live. The easier you make them to find the better.
Facebook Stars - Once you’re established as a content creator on Facebook, you can utilize Facebook’s STARS feature. Once enabled, this provides viewers a built-in way to tip you on Facebook. It also gives them incentive to tip to move their comments to the top of your feed. You keep .99 cents of each dollar, minus applicable taxes once you hit a certain dollar amount. It’s a fun and interactive way to earn some “tips” from your stream.
consistency:
How should you advertise your livestream? If no one knows it’s happening, how are they supposed to watch? I’ve personally tried countless ways to advertise my livestreams to potential viewers. I’ve paid for advertising, made Facebook events, partnered with advertising firms, done short videos inviting people, the list goes on and on. There is one thing, above all else, that worked for me when it comes to advertising. That thing is consistency. Commit to doing a livestream on a regular schedule, and people will come. If they know you livestream every other week on Thursday nights, they’ll put it in their calendar and invite their friends. Don’t waste money with ads asking people to join. Try to post an event for each stream on Facebook, if that’s where you’re streaming, giving people the option to check off if they’re going to attend or not. Schedule upcoming LIVE’s on YouTube to give potential viewers the chance to get notified when you’re LIVE. Make sure to SHARE your stream to any groups you’re able to on Facebook to maximize viewership. There are hundreds of these groups just waiting for you to join and share. These are all simple and free ways to market your livestream to people that will join. If you’re putting out a high quality stream, it will grow organically without you ever spending a dime.
audience and post-audience:
The last thing I’d like to cover is Audience and Post-Audience. I know what you might be thinking, what the hell is a post-audience? Well, a few years ago I realized that there are two distinct groups that watch my livestreams. There’s the people that watch LIVE in the moment and comment requests, which I categorize as the Audience, and then there are people who re-watch the stream later or listen to it on headphones at work the next day or at the gym, and I categorize them as the Post-Audience. Each group has their own place in the livestream world. For the Audience, they are relying on good quality video/audio and your ability to keep them entertained. Requests, witty banter, small talk and interaction are all main focuses when performing for the Audience.
For the Post-Audience, a lot of them will listen to your stream WITHOUT ever looking at it. They won’t be requesting songs or looking for interaction. They’re just there to observe what you’ve already done. Keep this in mind before engaging in a 20 minute conversation with a single person on your stream or spending forever in between songs looking for something to play. You’ll lose the Post-Audience faster than your tax return money if you bore them. Also, keep in mind that the Post-Audience has the same ability as the Audience to tip you whenever they watch your stream. Set yourself up for random tips to hit your digital tip jar by acknowledging the post watchers and talking about your links a few times during your performance.
As I close out this episode, I really want you to keep one thing in mind. I’ve outlined a lot of things today, mostly on the business side, to give you the best livestream experience possible. It’s not the only way to do it, there are definitely many other configurations or approaches to streaming. I’ve given you the things that worked for me, because they worked for me. But don’t forget to have fun, because Livestreams are Fun! Have a good time in an intimate setting with the people who want to see you perform. They’re in your home and you’re in theirs. Talk with them, laugh with them, and enjoy each other’s company. You can always delete it later if it sucks, so have fun in the moment.
Good luck with your streams, and if you EVER have any questions/concerns or just need a little help, shoot me a message at SoloMusicianPodcast@gmail.com and I will help any way I can. See you next week!