How to Live Stream on Discord, Twitch, OBS & More

Live streaming has revolutionized online connectivity, making interactions more personal and immediate. Whether it’s gamers sharing their gameplay on Twitch or creators hosting Q&A sessions on Instagram, live streaming brings audiences closer in real time.

The best part? Getting started is easier than ever. You don’t need pricey equipment or complex setups; just simple tools like OBS and popular platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Discord, and TikTok. In this guide, we’ll walk you through clear, step-by-step instructions to help you launch your very first live stream.

How to Live Stream on Discord?

Follow these simple steps to live stream on Discord.

• Sign in to your Discord account.
• Click on any one of the ‘Servers’ you wish to go live on.

• Look for the ‘Voice Channels’ tab and select the channel, such as ‘General.’

• After choosing the channel, click on the ‘Screen Share’ icon at the bottom of the screen.

• In the next window, click on the program you want to share with your audience.

• Then, tick the ‘Also share application audio’ option to make sure your viewers can listen to the sound.
• Set the ‘Resolution’ and ‘Frame Rate’ according to your requirements and click on the ‘Go Live’ button.

You will be live on Discord shortly.

How to Live Stream on Twitch?

To live stream on Twitch, you will need another streaming program, such as OBS Studio.

• Go to Twitch’s official website and sign in to your account from your PC/laptop.
• Click on your profile icon and choose ‘Settings.’

• Select the ‘Channel and Videos’ tab on the settings page.

• Click ‘Stream’ in the left panel of your screen to see the ‘Stream Key and Preferences’ section.
• Click ‘Copy’ to copy your Primary Stream Key.

• Paste it into OBS Studio. You can also log into your Twitch account in OBS to start streaming.

Important Information: Follow the next tutorial (How to Stream on OBS) and apply the steps when streaming on Twitch.

How to Live Stream on OBS?

OBS allows you to integrate various platforms and start streaming with ease. Since we have already covered how to livestream on Twitch, we will use Twitch as our example here. However, you can follow the same steps to set up live streaming on other platforms as well.

• After installing OBS on your computer, launch the program and click on the ‘Settings’ button.

• Select the ‘Stream’ tab and choose ‘Twitch’ from the ‘Service’ dropdown menu.

• Click the ‘Connect Account’ option.

Important Information: Connecting the account is recommended. But you can also paste the stream key by choosing the ‘Use Stream Key’ button.

• A login pop-up screen will show up on OBS. So enter your Twitch (or any other platform) username and password to sign in.

• Click the ‘Output’ tab to adjust your streaming bit rate, configure video encoder hardware, and click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK.’

• To ensure you have selected the correct microphone and your desktop audio is enabled, go to the ‘Audio’ tab on the ‘Settings’ window and choose ‘Desktop Audio’ as the default, and check if the right mic appears in the ‘Mic/Auxiliary Audio’ dropdown list. Click ‘Apply,’ but don’t close the window yet.

• Go to the ‘Video’ tab to adjust ‘Canvas’ and ‘Scaled’ resolution. Also, choose value ‘60’ in your ‘Common FPS Values’ dropdown list. Now, click ‘Apply’ and hit ‘OK’ to close this window.

Suggestion: Only adjust these options if you are aware of the outcomes. Otherwise, it’s best to leave them as the default.

• Go to the OBS main screen. Click the ‘+’ button under the ‘Scenes’ section to create a new scene and rename it.

• Now, under the ‘Sources’ section, click the ‘+’ button, choose ‘Display Capture,’ rename it, and click ‘OK.’

• Select ‘Capture Method’ as ‘Automatic,’ and click ‘OK.’

• Adjust the display size to fit the OBS screen by stretching the corner pointers. Once done, click ‘Start Streaming.’

How to Live Stream on YouTube?

Let’s explore the steps to livestream on YouTube.

• Go to YouTube and make sure that you’re logged into your account.
• Click on the ‘camera’ button and choose ‘Go live.’

• From the control room video, click the ‘START’ button for the ‘Right now’ option.

You can also schedule your streaming by setting up a date and time from the ‘Later date’ option.

• If you want to stream using your webcam and without sharing a screen, you can simply select the ‘Built-in webcam’ option. This is a great way to interact with your audience for live Q&As and discussions.

Just make sure you are using a high-quality camera with remarkable features, like the Hollyland VenusLiv Air. Its 24/7 live streaming capability ensures a continuous session at 4K30 resolution. It also makes your streams look professional and neat through its AI-Tuning feature.

• To screen share or stream using a third-party software, like OBS, choose the ‘Streaming software’ option, and click the ‘GO’ button.

• On the YouTube Studio page, ‘Copy’ your ‘Default stream key (RTMP Variable).’

• Open OBS Studio and go to ‘Settings.’

• Select the ‘Stream’ tab and choose ‘YouTube – RTMPS’ from the ‘Service’ dropdown list.

• Click the ‘Use Stream Key (advanced)’ button and paste your YouTube stream key.

• Set preferences for the Output, Audio, and Video settings, and click Apply and OK.

• Then, create a new scene by clicking the ‘+’ button in the ‘Scenes’ section, and rename it. Also, click the ‘+’ button in the ‘Sources’ section, and select Display Capture as your new source.

• After confirming the Capture Method and Display options on the Display Capture Properties window, click ‘OK.’

• Adjust the display size and click the ‘Start Streaming’ button on OBS.

In a few seconds, you can see the live streaming display on the YouTube Studio page. You can also add/change a title and other information about your stream by clicking the ‘EDIT’ button. To end your YouTube stream, click the ‘END STREAM’ button.

How to Live Stream on Facebook?

You can start streaming on Facebook Live using the following method:

• Open your Facebook app on your Android/iPhone.
• Sign in to your account and go to Home feed.
• Tap on the ‘What’s on your mind?’ option.
• Choose ‘Live video’ from the list of options.

• Grant Facebook permission to use your microphone and camera.
• Above the blue “Start Live Video” button, tap “Add a description…” and write a brief description for your video.
• Once you’re ready, tap “Start Live Video” to go live.

How to Live Stream on TikTok?

TikTok is one of the widely used social media platforms, especially for the young generation. Here’s how you can start a live stream on TikTok:

• Launch TikTok and log in to your account.
• Click the ‘+’ button that appears at the bottom of the screen.

• Tap the ‘LIVE’ option.

• Tap on the ‘Device camera’ option.
• Tap the ‘Go LIVE’ button.

Important Information: To share your phone’s screen while playing games, click ‘Mobile gaming’ instead of ‘Device camera,’ and then press ‘Go LIVE.’

How to Live Stream on Instagram?

This is how you can interact with your audience live on Instagram:

• Open and log in to your Instagram app.
• Click the ‘+’ sign.

• Select ‘LIVE’ from the footer menu.

• Optional: If you want, you can add a title before starting your stream.

• Optional: You can also select the audience by tapping the ‘Share with’ option at the top and selecting sharing options like ‘Everyone’ and ‘Close Friends.’

• Press the Live button (white circular button) to get started.

Wrap Up

Live streaming is now simple for anyone to master. With OBS, streaming on Twitch and YouTube from a PC becomes smooth. On phones, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram keep things easy. Each platform connects you with people instantly.

FAQs

1. How do I live stream?

Pick a platform (Discord, Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram). Then install streaming software or use the app. Configure camera, mic, stream key. Finally, press “Go Live” and engage with viewers.

2. Is it free to live stream?

Yes, many platforms offer free streaming features. OBS is free open-source software for broadcasting. Extra cost may come from equipment or upgraded plans.

3. What equipment is needed for a live stream?

First of all, you need a stable internet (not too speedy and not too slow). Then, a camera or webcam, a good wired or wireless mic, and a streaming software. If you want to go “advanced,” you may consider adding lighting, a capture card, or a mixer to your setup.

5. What skills do you need for live streaming?

It’s all about having basic skills for camera, audio, and software usage. Also, communication, consistency, audience engagement, and multitasking during the stream. You should also be willing to learn and adapt.