Category: Content Creation

Upgrading your audio gear is always one of the first things we recommend you spend some money on if you want to level up your hardware. Maybe you’ve already used some brilliant USB mics on offer, and now you’re looking to get that broadcast sound. The Shure SM7B seems to be the one used by everyone, right? It won’t just plug into your PC microphone port!? What you need is an audio interface! We’re here to discuss some budget and mid-tier audio interfaces that will do the job!

The Budget Audio Interface

Most people will never need to go beyond this tier. These interfaces will connect to your PC easily and, in most cases, power your new expensive microphone. The recommendations for this level are the Focusrite Scarlett series, starting with the Solo.

The Motu M2 are also great devices, mainly since they include audio meter displays for setting levels and a decent DAC chip if you’re hooking up your headphones.

But probably the best choice for beginners is the Evo 4 by Audient. It has a feature called smart gain which will automatically set the input audio level for your microphone. This is extremely useful for beginners as it’ll ensure your audio isn’t clipping and give you enough headroom to apply effects for more advanced users.

Mid-Tier Audio Interfaces

So like I said, you don’t really need to go beyond budget audio interfaces unless your audio setup is a bit more complicated. For example, having a dual PC streaming setup, or you’ll need a variety of inputs for things like podcasts.

Now everyone is going to need different solutions, but in this case, I like to recommend devices like the RME Babyface Pro or the Audient id14. These are still relatively small interfaces with digital mixers allowing you to route audio between their inputs and outputs. So, if you want to split your gameplay audio and microphone audio to different outputs, you can apply different audio effects to each.

If you are producing things like a podcast, you may consider buying a mixer with USB functionality. These can vary in complexity, but generally, they have single audio mics that will output via USB. These are great for having physical controls to manage your broadcast, which will always be faster than apps with touch controls. 

Tips and Tricks

There are some essential things to know about audio interfaces before you use them. First, you need to know how to enable phantom power, as microphones that require it won’t work otherwise. Usually, it’s a button, but sometimes you must dig through a menu to get it working. 

Audio interfaces act as playback devices in Windows, so if you’re going to be using them to monitor audio, make sure they are set as the default device, and if you still aren’t getting audio, check the monitoring settings on your device.

Some devices have a monitoring mode that only outputs audio from physical inputs like a microphone, not digital like your PC. So be sure to check these and adjust accordingly. Finally, when using your audio interface as a microphone device in XSplit Broadcaster, usually it’s a mono signal being received as a stereo source, so you may only hear the microphone on the left side. You can quickly fix this by having Broadcaster duplicate your audio to the other channel.

What audio interface do you use? If you have any questions, drop them in the comment section below!

You may have noticed in pretty much every article I’ve written about streaming, that at some point I mention NVENC or tell you to buy an NVIDIA GPU. There’s a very good reason for that, NVENC is amazing for live streaming! Now that the GPU market is starting to heal, I thought it would be good to talk about what NVENC is and why I think it’s so important for live streaming!

What is NVENC?

NVENC stands for NVIDIA Encoder, which is a part of the GPUs, your graphics card, dedicated to video encoding. This has been present on NVIDIA GPUs since the GeForce 600 series in 2012, but has gone through many revisions, with the latest becoming available in the Turing GPUs, or basically the 20 series and beyond. 

For the video nerds, NVENC can encode up to 4k 8bit video using h.264. You are able to encode up to 3 streams of video on official drivers.

What does NVENC mean for live streaming?

So up until the last couple of years, a GPU with the latest version of NVENC was the most cost-effective way of improving the quality of your stream. Previously encoding was dependent on X.264, which uses a lot of CPU resources.  That is why a lot of 2 PC streaming setups have CPUs with tons of cores in their streaming PC.

The more cores you can toss at X.264, the slower presets you can use, and the better your video quality looks since platforms like Twitch started limiting the bitrate for streams.

For a long time hardware encoders like NVENC were great for recordings, but not so good for streaming since they require more bitrate than X.264 for high-quality video. But with the latest NVENC, you can now get video quality comparable to X.264 even at the slowest presets. So, when GPU prices, hopefully, drop, you won’t need to buy a new CPU and Motherboard, basically a whole new PC, you can just get a new GPU.

Best NVENC Streaming Settings

The best thing about NVENC is that the settings are simple. Set to max quality, enable look ahead and psycho visual tuning. Now if you’re really going to be maxing out your GPU while streaming, trying to squeeze those frames out of Elden Ring, then set it to quality and disable the look-ahead function. That’s it! It’s easily changed in XSplit Broadcaster!

No need to learn lines of code as you would with X.264.  Just set your bitrate as high as you can and start streaming. Since you are allowed up to 3 NVENC instances per GPU, you can stream and record at the same time using NVENC.  And with XSplit Broadcaster that means you can record specific scenes, so you can record scenes that don’t have overlays or record your game or facecam independently, it’s up to you.

So I hope that covers the reasons why NVENC for streaming is so awesome and why I constantly recommend it! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about NVENC!

A lot of developers and publishers have taken advantage of being able to stream directly to their game or sale page. Streaming on Steam allows you to show off your game in a live, or pre-recorded, manner directly on the buy page. While the steam client will enable you to stream raw, live gameplay directly, you’ll need software if you want to add some post-production or live elements like your camera. This is where XSplit Broadcaster can help!

How to stream to Steam

As we mentioned, we will be using XSplit Broadcaster as our software of choice. But before we get set up there, you’ll need some information from Steam. First, check your Steam page here where you can get your Upload Server address. You’ll need this later in XSplit Broadcaster. You will also need your RTMP Token, which can also be found on this page.

On this page, you will also need to enter your appID. Your appID can be found by heading to your games page. The appID is the series of numbers in the page’s URL. You will also want to check your Broadcast Permissions. This will be set to Friends Only by default, so you must set this to Public when you stream live to Steam.

Setting up XSplit Broadcaster

The next step is setting up XSplit Broadcaster, so you’re ready to stream. Straight out of the box, XSplit Broadcaster will easily set you up for a stream with your gameplay and a camera source. You can, from here, easily customize everything to be exactly how you want it—easily importing alerts and anything else you might want from a live stream. We’ve detailed how easy getting started can be in the video below.

Next, you’ll want to set up your Steam broadcast using the info we gained above. For this, you’ll want to set up a Custom RTMP stream. So, first up, navigate to the Broadcast menu > Setup New Output > Custom RTMP. From here, you’ll want the bits of information we gathered above, so your Upload Server address will go in the RTMP URL box, and the Upload Token will go in the Stream Key link.

You can choose to change the settings for your broadcast, but XSplit Broadcaster will run checks before your first stream and set these for you based on your system and internet speeds. We recommend setting your bitrate to around 3500kbps for a 1080p stream, but the maximum you can use on Steam is 7000kbps, so it depends on your upload speeds.

You just need to click “Ok,” and you’re ready! It is that simple to stream your game to your steam page!

Building an audience as a streamer can be difficult, which is why it’s important to have a solid grasp of different social media platforms. Once you do, you can use them to elevate your streaming game while engaging with viewers and building your brand. You can even become a social media streamer and stream directly to Facebook rather than Twitch or YouTube. Let’s have a look at the different platforms and the ways they can help streamers.

Facebook: Social Media for Streamers?

While there were earlier social media platforms (MySpace anyone?), Facebook was the one that captured the zeitgeist of the times, allowing people to connect all over the world. Like a Pokemon, the platform has evolved several times since its inception, and we still haven’t seen its final form.

So why is Facebook a useful platform for social media streamers? The major advantage of this well-known channel is that you already have a built-in audience – your list of friends or followers. When your audience watches your stream, they can use the existing Facebook react buttons to directly interact with it. XSplit Broadcaster can also be integrated with Facebook making streaming on the social media platform easy to set up and manage. You can also publish your content directly to social media platforms with it. This makes quick work of delivering high-quality videos and getting them uploaded in no time. There’s also chat integration that will let you monitor your engagement while you stream.

Instagram: Where image is key

Something of a Silicon Valley fairytale, the popular photo-sharing site launched in 2010 and was quickly acquired by Facebook two years later for $1 billion. Since then, it has become a hub for influencers, bloggers, and creative businesses with a good eye.

Instagram is now pushing more towards video content, with stories, and live broadcasts. These are perfect tools for growing a brand or a streaming channel. Allowing you to boost posts for extra engagement, start discussions and get immediate feedback from your audience. For a more in-depth look and case study on streaming on Instagram, check out our blog post on Streaming to Instagram from your PC.

Twitter: Great social media for a streamer?

Twitter is the platform of choice for thought leaders and those who want to keep their fingers on the trending pulse of the world. It allows people to engage in open conversation and link to ideas and topics rather than people. Twitter dipped its toes into live video streaming with spin-off app Periscope in 2015. But it never really took off and was officially discontinued in March 2021.

Despite this, Twitter is a very useful tool for growing your broadcast audience. Keeping them updated on your schedule and hooking potential new viewers with relevant hashtags. With XSplit, you can use the Stream Sharing function to announce your stream and share images or YouTube links on Twitter.

TikTok: The new kid on the block

TikTok filled the gap left by the popular video app Vine, allowing users to upload short videos with music, filters, and other features. While its popularity exploded out of comedy and dance videos. It’s also become an important tool for attracting viewers to your gaming streams.

Because of the video length of under a minute, many streamers use it to show highlights from their recent streams, in the hope of attracting new followers. You can also use it to build your own brand, preview events, or hold live Q&As when you’re not streaming. You can even stream to TikTok from your desktop following this guide.

Leveraging a mix of social media sites will allow you to increase your audience quicker than simply streaming your gameplay. It can also help you to shape your brand and other revenue streams like merchandising. To find out more, check out our blog on personal branding for tips on how to develop your brand.

Live streaming is not just for gaming content. A huge number of people are widening their channel’s reach and generating extra income by creating content on everything from workout routines to make-up lessons. These days, artists are also getting in on the action. In this blog post, we will discuss how to live stream art.

A focus on cameras

While it’s possible to stream art creation with just a mobile phone, tripod, and a work surface, you will probably want a bit more than that to live stream art.

A webcam, such as the Logitech C920, is a good start, but many art streamers opt for a multi-camera approach. With one focusing on their face and another on the work surface. This enables a picture-in-picture layout to show both the artist and process. You can plug a DSLR or a mirrorless camera into a capture card for an additional camera. For this, you’ll also want an HDMI cable to plug into your camera for a clean output. The benefit of this is that you have more freedom to adjust the lenses with a DSLR, and with it, your picture.

Using a camera and capture card can also offer more options for improving audio quality by connecting your streaming setup to one or more microphones through a sound desk. However, if it’s just you live streaming art, one microphone would be more than enough! There are some great USB options out there like the Blue Yeti. You can then use a capture card to import directly into XSplit Broadcaster from different video sources. You’ll also be able to insert title cards or logos and other graphics overlays.

Some software options to live stream art

XSplit Broadcaster is an excellent choice for streaming software as it allows you to easily display physical art pieces such as sculptures or paintings. You can do this by either using a webcam or, alternatively, by using XSplit VCam with XSplit Connect: Webcam to use your iOS or Android phone as a camera.

Whatever option you chose, make sure that it will integrate with a selection of streaming platforms and has production tools. Then you can focus on creating your artwork rather than worrying about the tech.

Setting up alerts will give your audience the opportunity to engage with you. One way this can be done is through the Plugin Store in Broadcaster. Go to ‘Tools’ then ‘Plugin Store’ and click on ‘Sources’ to find plugins such as the ‘Twitch Alerts’ and ‘Facebook Live Alerts’. These overlays let you see who’s followed, subscribed, shared your stream, and more.

Choosing a streaming platform

There is a huge selection of streaming platforms to choose from, but some are better for artists than others. YouTube is not especially geared at artists but is very easy to use, and if you already have a channel on YouTube, this may be a good place to start. Twitch is popular for live streaming video games, but its art category is growing, which means more space for new creators. This platform also has very good options for live interaction and monetization.

Picarto is one platform that is optimized for broadcasting art. Although it does not attract the huge audiences of YouTube, it is a good choice for those with an established following or who want to attract a crowd specifically looking for art content.

Finally, if you want to stream over multiple platforms, XSplit Broadcaster has everything you need. Just go to the ‘Broadcast’ menu and add each of your outputs to get it set up in minutes.

Though it is likely to require the investment of some time, effort and money, considering live-streaming your physical art creation can provide valuable opportunities to express and share your artistic talent with a wider, more appreciative audience.

There’s a (sort of) new player that raced to the top of the Twitch meta in 2021: the subathon. Not a new concept in live streaming, a ‘subathon’, combining the words subscription and marathon. This is where the streamer pledges to remain live as long as viewers continue subscribing to the channel. Its recent popularity among top-tier streamers brought it squarely into the spotlight in the first half of 2021. In this blog, we’ll consider this streaming meta (and more) and whether or not it should be followed.

Twitch meta goes mainstream

It’s likely now that even people who have never watched a Twitch stream at all know what a subathon is. This is largely down to Twitch streamer Ludwig Ahgren. They found themselves in the middle of a marathon stream that lasted a record-breaking 31 days. Their story was picked up by traditional outlets like the New York Times and the BBC, places where usually Twitch is discussed only in the context of parent company Amazon’s stock price. This news coverage shone a light on what seemed to be emerging as a new streaming meta – the use of subathons on streaming accounts of all sizes.

Success breeds imitation

With Ludwig netting an eye-popping 1.6 million dollars (US) from subs and bits alone, as well as a significant amount of free publicity from his more than 700 hours live on Twitch. It wasn’t long before the platform’s most-watched streamer, xQc, confirmed their own plans to try and top it. xQc planned to go live for 60 days sometime in the near future and will looked to break many of the records Ludwig set. This included the mark for most subscribers which was sitting at over 282,000. This may not indicate a full-on subathon arms race taking over Twitch, but there’s no question that when one of the biggest names in live streaming does something, people will be watching.

Should I follow the Twitch Meta?

Streamers of all sizes have benefited from following the meta and running their own subathons. If you’re considering running one, remember you’re committing to being live for an unknown amount of time, so plan accordingly. While you probably won’t be stuck on camera for 31 days like Ludwig, subathon streams generally go much longer than the typical 5-8 hour Twitch stream.

The concept of a subathon, however, is not a new one. The Just Chatting category on Twitch provides ample opportunities for any streamer to potentially reach new followers and subs as part of the stream. With Just Chatting being the often dominant category on the Twitch channel page, this is typically where you’ll also quickly spot the emerging streaming meta (not related to specific games). But, whether it’s a subathon or the controversial hot tub streams also forming part of the Twitch meta, should you be chasing the meta?

Staying true to yourself

Of course, chasing any short-term trend isn’t a recipe for long-term success. No matter how compelling it may look in the moment. Subathons in particular provide diminishing returns to viewers as the novelty wears off. Also, an obvious burnout threat for the streamers themselves due to the effort required. This example may seem self-evident to many experienced creators, but consider also the case of Among Us. Consistently one of the most-watched and streamed games on Twitch in 2020, it’s lost nearly 60% of its audience as viewers and streamers alike cooled on it.

The lesson here is clear: use trending content as a tool, but don’t make chasing it core to your streaming strategy. Instead, bet hard on your ability to build an audience around games and content that you have a lasting passion for. This way, you also avoid following trends and streaming games or activities you don’t actually enjoy, which contributes significantly to the feeling of burnout.

Between the public attention around subathons driven by Ludwig and xQc and their direct short-term benefits to streamers, it’s likely they’re here to stay as a major part of the Twitch meta in 2022. But instead of chasing the meta, why not consider other ways to build an audience for your stream?

As a streamer, you’re probably using multiple social media platforms to get your schedule and clips out to the world at large. And there are so many platforms out there that deciding which ones to use can feel overwhelming. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram… Even as you opened this article, you might have been thinking to yourself, “I’m already posting all over social media. Why should I use TikTok, too?” We encourage you to read on as the answer to why streamers are using TikTok may surprise you.

User engagement is higher on TikTok

The key to getting the word out about your great content to more people on social media is engagement. Likes, favs, retweets – they all mean more people will see your post. TikTok is seeing explosive growth right now: at least a 75% increase in total users in 2020 alone in most of the UK, Europe, and the United States. Those figures alone mean you should be paying attention to this platform.

But more importantly, TikTok’s average engagement numbers are much higher than Twitter or Instagram, especially for smaller accounts. The average account with 5,000 or fewer followers gets an engagement rate of 8.6% on TikTok, 5.3% on Instagram, and a minuscule 1.2% on Twitter. More engagement means more users seeing your posts, which in turn means more people watching your streams.

It’s got some secret sauce for your YouTube channel

Whether you go live directly to YouTube or use it to post your greatest hits when you’re offline, you’re going to want to start getting in the game with TikTok for one simple reason: the app lets you add a tappable link to your account inside your bio. No copy and paste are necessary for fans who are discovering you on the platform. If they like what they see, they can be getting even more of your content with a single click. This is a big reason why streamers are using TikTok!

This adds even more power to go-live posts on the platform if you’re streaming to YouTube since that one click will take them right to be able to view your stream. You grab their attention with a snippet of quality content from your channel, then direct them straight to the action. What could be better than that? The smoothness of the process shouldn’t be underestimated and is just one more reason to make TikTok a staple of your social media content plan.

Creating content for TikTok is actually fun

TikTok creators have embraced the portrait format of the app, and some of the most visually interesting content on the web is coming out of the platform right now. Live streamers most familiar with creating within a landscape format might be put off at first by having to figure out how to squeeze their clips and cams into a new configuration.

Rather than seeing it as an obstacle, take it as an opportunity to experiment with shaking up your content. Stack full-frame widescreen gameplay videos right on top of your uncropped face cam to capture bigger reactions to big moments. Or try cutting full-screen reaction shots into your game footage for dramatic effect. Just be sure to pick bitesize, dynamic clips that show the very best of what your stream has to offer. If you need help getting started, check out XSplit’s detailed guide to recording gameplay for TikTok, featured above, for more tips and tricks.

Even huge streamers like Ninja, TommyInnit, and AdinRoss have seen the value of TikTok and are producing content there. Now that you’ve added TikTok to your social media toolkit, check out XSplit’s guide to what you’re forgetting to do as a streamer to keep your channel moving in the right direction.