There is a new Technology Dominating the Music market.
Are you going to join the trend?
Holograms, AI, streaming platforms â it seems like everyday something new is âdisruptingâ the how we enjoy music. In case you have been too busy to notice the music industry is changing faster than ever! All this can make practicing your set or trying to book gigs seem like an insurmountable challenge. Is it even possible to play for a crowded concert hall when holograms of Biggie and Tupac are driving crowds wild?
Okay, so we have not arrived there quite yet, but there is something moving faster than artists and record labels can keep up with. Something accessible to any passionate individual with a smartphone and musical talent.
live streaming App for Musicians
Finding the right streaming platform, getting the right equipment, and turning your art (not to mention your hours of demanding work) into an art live stream can be intimidating to anyone who has never tried to take their music to a live stream. To ensure everyone has a fair shot at taking advantage of this revolutionary movement we have compiled a step-by-step guide to help you, the musician, stream successful live shows that fans are sure to adore.
1. How to find the Right App to go Live as a Musician:
First things first, if youâre going to stream you need to decide which platform is best for you. These are currently the best streaming platforms for musicians who want to bring their music into the new streaming era:
Tango- the best App for musicians live stream
One of the best platforms for musicians live stream, Tango.Me offers a fun and creative way to share your music and generate an income with live stream – with a monetization policy that allows for $2,000 a day withdrawals.
Tangoâs social features make it a one stop shop for connecting with fans, allowing you to post statuses, share broadcasts across popular social media platforms, and send notifications updating your subscribers of your next stream. The app also offers state-of-the-art analytics, allowing hosts (streamers) to measure which live sessions performed the best. With over 50,000 new users each day Tango is predicted to be the fastest growing streaming app on the market.
YouTube Live
The biggest streaming platform around right now, YouTube Live’s size is also one of its biggest drawbacks. With over 2 billion monthly users standing out is going to take some serious work. At least you’ll have a lot of potential fans though.
Facebook Live
Popular with millennials, Facebook can be a good choice for those who already have a lot of FB friends. Unfortunately, Facebook Live has limits when it comes to how long users can stream for, in addition to monetization restrictions that might make it difficult to turn your art into a solid income.
TikTok Live
Known for short, viral videos popular among Gen Zers, TikTok is taking steps into the streaming world as well. Keep in mind that in order to stream you need at least 1000 followers, and if you’re under 18 you’re not allowed to receive any money for your work.
Instagram Live
Once the go-to spot for sharing professional-style photos, Instagram is now expanding to become more than just a hotspot for vacation pics. Currently you can only stream via a mobile phone and through the app, meaning that if you want to stand out and look better than your competition, youâll need to go through a third-party platform.
2. Understanding What Gear You Need
Having the right equipment on the best live streaming apps will bring your stream up 150%.
Most people who stream tend to just stick with their mobile phones. If money is tight right now, we understand, it is better to stream with what you have than not at all. That said, we guarantee you will be stunned at how just a few hundred dollars can completely enhance the quality of your live stream. This allows you to stand out and be heard while giving your audience a far superior and more enjoyable experience.
Use your Mobile to Live Stream you Music
There is nothing wrong with just sticking to your trusty cellphone. If thatâs your game we would recommend just a few items to increase the visual and audio quality of your stream. Most of these items are well under $100, and a few companies even offer all of them in a set.
- Handheld smartphone gimbal
- A multifunctional octopus with a ball head
- Attachable on-camera microphone
- Portable lighting gear
Start with Video
If you want to go pro with your musician live stream, then youâll need to start with video. Users want to be able to see you, so having a quality camera is essential to stand out from the crowd. There are three basic types of cameras you can get: starter, prosumer, and professional.
Starter: Simple and easy to use, these sell for between $300 – $700.
Prosumer: Superior to the basic cameras these have higher quality lenses and manual controls which makes bad lighting less of an issue. Sold for between $800 – $3000.
Professional: Built to last, and with pro-connectors like XLR and SDI, youâre looking at a camera that is top of the line – but wonât come cheap. Prepare to spend $1,500 – $25,000.
Pay Attention to Audio
Even if you decide to go cheap on the video equipment, as a musician you’re going to want to pay close attention to what audio gear you are using.
Starter: This is something as simple as the built-in microphone on basic or prosumer cameras.
Prosumer: If you have a professional camera then you already have an intermediate microphone built in. Otherwise, you need a USB and a 3.5mm microphone.
Professional: XLR has been the standard for professionals for decades and it does not seem to be changing anytime soon.
Encoders
If youâre going to use video cameras and microphones, then youâre going to need an encoder. Most video sources aren’t built for live streaming, but encoders take the RAW video files and convert them into codecs, making live streaming possible.
Mixers
Used for multiple video or audio devices during your stream, know how many input and output channels your mixer has. In addition, keep an eye out for things like automation and connectivity, user interface (some have a button others have an app), mute buttons, and just the sheer physical size of them.
3. Tips To Make Your Home Studio Sounds Amazing
Making sure you’ve picked the best spot in your house to play in is crucial for having a great musician live show. Keep these tips in mind when deciding on the ideal area.
Acoustics: Many people mistakenly think bathroom acoustics are best, when in fact the echo often creates a disorienting sound. A better choice would be a spot in the house with soft surfaces and âdeadâ sounds. A room with carpet and heavy curtains, for example, is actually ideal for streaming from home.
Microphone placement: Hereâs a tip: closer is not always better. Many musicians lose hundreds of potential streaming fans every time they play online because they put their microphone right up against their instrument. This amplified the base so much that everything sounds garbled and disorienting. Move the mic around, and even try elevating it. Play a few cords after each adjustment and listen to how things are sounding.
Final Check: Be 100% sure you have picked the right spot. Take a moment to go around the house and check each room for lighting, ambience, and acoustics. Be confident that the spot you have chosen is going to give you the best chance of success.
4. Turn Your Home into Your Stage
Setting the perfect stage lets your audience know how to feel and what to expect.
Where you stream can be as important as what you stream. It is important to take a few moments and organize your environment to something that youâre proud of, and something your fans will appreciate. It only takes a few minutes, but it can make all the difference in the world.
Clean up: Imagine as if you were inviting your mother over to your house, you wouldnât want your place looking like a bull just rampaged through it would you? Take those few seconds to pick your clothes up off the floor and put the dirty dishes in the sink.
If necessary, you can get a green screen to tape up behind you while you play. It might seem trivial to you, but cleaning up is going to make sure that your audienceâs focus is where it matters most, on you.
Lighting Having the right lighting is crucial to having a great stream. People connect with you more when they can see you – particularly your eyes and your smile. Hang string lights around you and turn off those distracting background lights.
If you want to take things a step further, then putting a soft light in front of you is a great idea. You can even turn it up a notch with a halo light either above or behind.
Internet Connection: Easily one of the most overlooked parts of any streaming broadcast, being in a spot with a great WIFI connection is crucial to having a fun and uninterrupted stream.
If youâre plugged in then itâs not something you have to worry about, but for you wireless folks out there make sure youâre in a spot whose many bars allow you to play yours!
5. Promote Your Livestream Event
We canât emphasize enough just how important it is to take some time to promote your musician live stream before you hop on and start playing. You wouldnât put on a concert without some sort of promotion, would you? So why should your live stream be any different?
The first place to start promoting yourself is probably the most obvious: social media. Post statuses and links letting your friends and followers know that youâre planning to have a musical live stream. Give them a little taste of what you have prepared.
â8:00 pm tonight debuting some new music on that you donât want to miss! 3 new songs in addition to an acoustic set of [your favorite band or album]â
Do not just stop there though, once youâve given people a taste of what youâre going to do, post one more time on your accounts just before going live:
âIâm going LIVE now on [Tango, YouTube Live, etc.] to play some amazing original music that you DONâT WANT TO MISS! Looking forward to meeting you there!â
Even during the stream donât be afraid to ask your audience to share your provided link or even just make a post about your stream. If you donât have a fan page or Facebook group for them to join now would be the time to make it. Make your audience aware of these places and let them follow you there as well.
6. Take the Time to Interact with Your Audience
One thing that audiences donât enjoy is a host who makes no effort to communicate with them. That does not mean to constantly be talking during a set, but it is important that between songs you take a minute or two to respond to people or thank them for having gifted you (thatâs your income after all).
If you are nervous about starting a conversation, start by playing a few cords of a song and ask your audience what they think of it. People love the opportunity to share their opinions and feelings, plus getting them to interact early and often is a sure way to keep them around while having a fun time.
7. Don’t Plan For Too Long, Just Go Live Already!
The first time you sit down to your musician live stream itâs probably going to feel really weird. You might stutter, mess up, or start sweating. Things will go wrong, and youâll be forced to adapt and overcome them. There is really no way to avoid that, and itâs the first step to growth and success. Something every artist has had to deal with. Our advice, punch that fear and nervousness in the face and just go already!
Over time youâll get more confident, things will start to feel more natural, and your personality will begin to shine. One thing to keep in mind as you go forward: streaming is different from performing at a concert. People who come to watch live streaming shows want a connection just as much as they want to be entertained.
Take this as a chance to get to know the people who love your music, to show them who you are, and to even make new friends. All of that while making some serious cash â is it any wonder why this is the content platform of the future??
8. Remember That a Musician Live Stream Can Be Many Things
Donât make the fatal mistake of letting yourself get stagnant with your streaming – always try new things. Set up various backgrounds, pick different spots to play, unique types of music, change the time of the day or week, and experiment with the length of the stream session.
Music Stream ideas
Your live music stream doesnât have to be just you playing your instrument as well. Offer different things that you think your audience will enjoy:
- Music lessons
- Questions and answers
- Games (play a few lines and see if anyone can guess the song)
- Masterclasses
Ask your audience what they want and see what they say. Remember, streaming is about interaction!
On that note, itâs important to know when to take your audienceâs advice. A single person with one complaint isnât something to lose your head over, but if you notice that a lot of people are repeatedly saying the same thing then it might be time to pay attention.
Follow other Music Streamers
One of the best things you can do as well is to watch popular streamers and take note of what they are doing. Follow them, see what they do, and use it as inspiration. Donât steal it of course, but if you see someone is wearing silly costumes during their streams and itâs getting a lot of engagements, why not try wearing a silly costume yourself? Just make sure to make it unique to you!
You donât have to do everything yourself either. Many platforms allow you to do team ups (sometimes called battles or PKs) where you can jam with other hosts. This is super beneficial to both of you in that it allows your audiences to be exposed to a new talented creator that they wouldnât have met before. It is also a terrific way for you two to share ideas and improve as a team. Streaming is about community and connection, not just for the users, but for you as well!
9. Last and Most Important: HAVE FUN!
By far the most important part of any stream â if youâre not having fun then your audience isn’t either. Relax, make jokes, and just do what you love to do â play great music. There is no need to take things seriously either. Successful streamers have done everything from using a different themed background each week, to starting off their broadcast by holding up a stuffed llama and mimicking its voice. Guess what â people loved it! This isnât school, go wild and have as much fun as you can.
Also, donât stress too hard about the equipment if you donât have the money for it right now. If all you have is your bedroom and a guitar, just go for it! The content is the most important thing, and improving your streaming skills is worth way more than a professional sound stage.
Final Thoughts
You are armed with all the basic knowledge you need to get out there and have a great musician live stream. For more tips and news of the live streaming industry, check out more of our blog!
If youâre committed, youâll find that over time your fan base will go up and youâll be ahead of the curve when it comes to music and livestreaming. This is projected to be the music technology of the future, with streaming expected to be worth over $184 billion by 2027! You have already made the first step by being here, the second is to show the world what you’ve got.
FAQs about Music Live Streaming:
Q: Does Livestreaming Cost Money?
A: It shouldn’t! All the best streaming platforms (Tango, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, etc.) are all free. So if someone is charging you, the host, money to go live, you should find a different platform instead.
Q: How Exactly Do I Make Money?
A: During your livestreams fans will be given the chance to offer you “gifts” which are bought and paid for by them. Those gifts are your cash, with the streaming app usually taking a small percentage. The rest is your income!
Q: Is Livestreaming Only For Music?
A: No, livestreaming can be used for anything. You can do an art live stream, dance, gaming, comedy… the only limit is your imagination!
Q: How Long Does It Take To Get Popular?
A: The first couple of times you stream you will be unlikely to see many fans – if you get any at all. After the third time you’re likely to be ranked higher on the apps algorithm. The more you stream and interact, the higher you’ll rank. It takes time, so be patient – you will be rewarded in the end.
Q: How Often Should I Be Streaming?
A: While there’s no official number of days or hours you should stream, you should aim for, at minimum, one hour per week. Our best advice: think of it more like a marathon, not a race. If you do too much too fast you’ll likely get burnt out, so schedule streams for certain days and stick to that!