The Gear You’ll

Need
• A computer
• An internet connection (preferably
hardwired) with a minimum
upload/download speed of 10 mbps
• An audio interface
• A set of headphones
• A microphone or microphones
• A video camera
• Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
software
• Free broadcasting software (OBS)
Audio Interface

• Determine how many instruments you'll need

to capture audio for simultaneously. This will
inform you on how many preamps you will
need.
• Determine how many headphone outputs you
will need. Most audio interfaces only have 1
or 2 headphone outputs. If you require more
you will need to an external headphone
amplifier, or use monitors (speakers) for
everyone in the room to hear each other.
Microphones
• I suggest using a dynamic microphone such as a Shure Sm58 for
your vocals
• They won’t capture a lot of room sound (good for noisier
environments)
• They’re less prone to capturing plosives
• They’re cheap!
• For your instruments you can’t go wrong with a Shure Sm57, or
you can consider a condenser microphone
• Dynamic microphone suggestions
• Shure SM58 - Vocals
• Shure SM7B - Vocals, Acoustic Instruments & Amps
• Shure SM57 - Acoustic Instruments & Amps
• Electro-Voice RE20 - Vocals, Acoustic Instruments & Amps
• Condenser microphone suggestions
• AKG C214 - Vocals & Acoustic Instruments
• Rode NT2-A - Vocals & Acoustic Instruments
• Rode NT5 - Acoustic Instruments
Please note - you're not limited to this list of microphones, and you're
by no means limited to their suggested uses. This is a small list of
tried-and-true microphones that won't break the bank. If it sounds
good, use it!
Video Camera
Camera Options
• Built-in computer webcam
• Easiest option to setup since everything is pre-installed
• Limiting as far as being able to adjust the positioning of the camera
• Little to no control over camera settings
• External computer webcam
• More flexible in terms of positioning
• Easy to set up (plug in USB cable and install drivers)
• Limited control over camera settings
• Smartphone or Tablet
• You likely already own one
• Requires an adapter such as a USB-C to HDMI adapter or a lightning to HDMI adapter
depending on your device
• Requires a capture card to convert the HDMI signal to USB
• You'll need to install an app such as FiLMic Pro
• GoPro or similar video camera
• GoPro Hero 8 and above can be used as a webcam using a USB cable and installing
the manufacturer's software
• Older GoPro models with HDMI out can be used with a capture card
• Easy to mount to different surfaces
• More flexibility when it comes to tweaking settings when compared to a webcam
• DSLR camera
• Many DSLR cameras can now operate as a webcam using a USB cable and installing
the manufacturer's software
• Any DSLR camera with HDMI out can be used with a capture card
• Best picture quality
• Full control over settings such as white balance, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed
• Ability to use different lenses
• Zoom lenses will give you the ability to frame your shot just the way you want it
Video (Continued)
• Capture cards
• These cards will accept an HDMI cable coming from your
camera and input it to your computer using USB
• Less latency and motion blur when compared to using a
DSLR camera in webcam mode
• Good results can be had with cheap capture cards
• Generic Amazon Capture Card - there are many options
in the $30 range. This is just one example.
• Elgato Cam Link 4K - popular and reputable brand, but
more expensive.
• Additional Resources
• Using a GoPro as a webcam
• Canon webcam compatible cameras
• Panasonic webcam compatible cameras
• Fujifilm webcam compatible cameras
• Nikon webcam compatible cameras
• Using your mobile phone or table with a capture card
Get started with whichever option of camera you currently own.
You can always upgrade later as you tweak and build up your live
stream setup.
Digital Audio
Workstation
• PC users can use any DAW that allows 3rd
party plugins
• Mac users can use any DAW
• GarageBand is free to use for all Mac
user
• DAW Options:
• GarageBand (Mac only - free)
• Logic Pro X (Mac only - 90 day free trial)
• Ableton Live (90 day free trial)
• Cubase (30 day free trial)
• Presonus Studio One (30 day free trial)
• Ardour (Free)
• Pro Tools
• Reaper (60 day free trial)
Broadcasting Software

• OBS Studio is free broadcasting

software that we'll be using to combine
our audio and video for our live
streams
• It also allows us to add screen
overlays, video effects, and use
multiple cameras.
Building Scenes in OBS
• Scenes let you build what will be seen and heard during
your live stream
• You should have at least 3 scenes
• Welcome scene, main live stream scene, thank you
scene.
• Welcome scene
• Greet your audience with a welcome image, video, or
text.
• A countdown timer is a good idea to let people know
when the performance will start
• Pre-recorded music during your welcome scene will
help set the mood of your live stream
• Main live stream scene
• Add a video capture device (this will be your camera)
• Add a audio input capture device (this will be covered
shortly)
• Thank you scene
• Thank your audience for watching using an image
and/or text
Add FX Using Your DAW

• Use your DAW to mix and apply effects (reverb,

delay, compression, EQ) to our incoming audio
• Stock plugins (the ones that came with your DAW)
generally use less processing power than 3rd
party plugins
• The more plugins you use then more latency
(delay) you'll hear in your headphones or
speakers
• You can apply these techniques to any DAW
Applying Vocal Effects
• Start with a compressor
• A compressor is used to even out the dynamics (volume) of your
performance
• Adjust your threshold to achieve 3-5 db of gain reduction for your
loudest moments
• A 3:1 ratio is good starting point which won't overly compress your
vocals
• EQ
• Cut all frequencies below 100-130 Hz
• In the simplest terms, boost pleasing frequencies and cut
unpleasing frequencies
• For vocals I frequently boost around 1000-1500 Hz
• Avoid boosting more than 4 db
• Reverb
• Plate reverbs are generally pleasing for vocals
• Start with a reverb length between 1-2 seconds (adjust to taste)
• Delay
• Whether or not you use delay will be up to personal preference
• Adjusting the feedback will control how many repeats you hear
• 7-15% is a good starting place
Record a test track and start applying these effects to your vocal track.
Consider muting your reverb and delay while doing Q&A sessions during
your live stream.
Sending Your DAW
Audio To OBS (PC
Users)
• In Your DAW
• We're going to be using a free plugin from Reaper called
ReaStream to send audio from our DAW to OBS
• Add the ReaStream plugin as the last plugin on your master
output
• Select "Send Audio/MIDI"
• Select "IP: *local broadcast”
• In OBS
• Add an Audio Input Capture Device
• Select an unused audio input if possible as your device
• If you do not have any unused audio inputs
available, add two gain filters to remove any
incoming audio.
• Go to filters
• Add "VST 2.x Plugin"
• Select "ReaStream-standalone"
• Open plug-in interface
• Select "Receive Audio/MIDI"
Sending Your DAW
Audio To OBS (Mac
Users)
• SoundFlower is a free audio driver that we'll be using to send audio from our
DAW to OBS
• BlackHole is another alternative to SoundFlower which supports the
new Apple M1 chips
• Go to your Audio MIDI Setup (applications/utilities/)
• Create a Multi-output device
• Select “SoundFlower (2ch)” and “your audio interface”
• Set the master device to “your audio interface"
• Check drift correction for SoundFlower (2ch)
• Set the sample rate to be the same as OBS, your audio interface, and
your DAW
• Ideally this will be 48 kHz
• If you're using GarageBand set this to 44.1 kHz
• In your DAW
• Set your audio output device to the multi-output device you just created
• Set your audio input device to be your audio interface
• In OBS
• Add an Audio Input Capture Device
• Select "SoundFlower (2Ch)" as your device
Going Live (Facebook,
YouTube, Twitch)
• Facebook
• On Facebook
• Instead of creating a post click on "Live Video"
• Check that your are streaming to the correct profile, page, or group
• Copy your stream key
• In OBS
• Go to your stream settings and paste your stream key
• Click Start Streaming
• Return to Facebook and click "Go Live” (you’re now live on Facebook)
• YouTube
• On YouTube
• Click the create button and select Go Live
• Adjust your privacy settings
• Copy your stream key
• In OBS
• Go to your stream settings and paste your stream key
• Click Start Streaming (you're now live on YouTube)
• Twitch
• On Twitch
• Go to account settings -> Channel and videos
• Copy your stream key
• In OBS
• Go to your stream settings and paste your stream key
• Click Start Streaming (you're now live on Twitch)
Going Live To Zoom (PC Users)
• We’re going to be using ReaStream and a free audio driver called VB Cable to route our audio to Zoom
• Download and install VB-Cable

• Go to Windows Settings -> System -> Sound -> Sound Control Panel
• Make sure your sample rate for all your audio devices are set to 48 kHz

• Zoom Web Portal

• Sign-in -> Meetings -> In Meeting (Advanced)
• Make sure the following options are enabled:
• Allow users to select stereo audio in their client settings
• Allow users to select original sound in their client settings

• Zoom
• Video Settings
• Set camera to OBS Virtual Camera
• Select HD video if you have a strong internet connection
• Audio Settings
• Set speaker to "Your audio interface"
• Set microphone to "CABLE Output VB-Virtual Audio Cable"
• Uncheck "Automatically adjust microphone volume"
• Set suppress background noise to "low"
• Check "Show in-meeting option to “Turn On Original Sound” from microphone"
• Check "High-fidelity music mode"
• Uncheck "Echo cancellation"
• Check "Stereo audio"
• Advanced -> Set signal processing to off
• Turn on Original Sound

• In OBS
• Click Start Virtual Camera
• Route audio from OBS to Zoom
• Select advanced audio properties for each audio source
• Set audio monitoring to "Monitor and Output"
• Set your audio monitoring device settings to "CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)"
Going Live To Zoom (Mac Users)
• Zoom Web Portal
• Sign-in -> Meetings -> In Meeting (Advanced)
• Make sure the following options are enabled:
• Allow users to select stereo audio in their client settings
• Allow users to select original sound in their client settings
• Zoom
• Video Settings
• Set camera to OBS Virtual Camera
• Select HD video if you have a strong internet connection
• Audio Settings
• Set speaker to “Your Audio Interface”
• Set microphone to “SoundFlower (2ch)”
• Uncheck “Automatically adjust microphone volume”
• Set suppress background noise to “low”
• Check “Show in-meeting option to “Turn On Original Sound” from
microphone”
• Check “High-fidelity music mode”
• Uncheck “Echo cancellation”
• Check “Stereo audio”
• Turn on Original Sound
• In OBS
• Click Start Virtual Camera
• Route any welcome music to Zoom
• Set audio monitoring for each media item to “Monitor and Output”
• Set your audio monitoring device settings to “Interface/SoundFlower multi-
output device”
Congrats You’re
Live!