Are you interested in making a career by streaming on Twitch? Well, it’s certainly possible, but to start you need to have some simple things.
In premise, all you need is a PC, streaming software, a webcam/mic, an account, and the will to create.
However, that’s very surface-level, so let’s get in-depth with each of those. In this article, we will cover the basics of an epic Twitch streaming setup.
So keep reading if you would like to learn more
1. Have a Capable Computing Device
Quick note: you don’t need a computer to stream, but you do need one if the kind of streaming you will be doing is of online events. You can use your smartphone to stream directly, which is awesome for the people who are in the IRL category, such as shopping, cooking, talking, etc.
However, as mentioned, if you’re streaming gameplay, things become a little more complex. At the least, you need a computer that can support the games you play at an appropriate quality.
It’s best if you can play on the max settings so that you can entertain and show off the graphics of a game. But in reality, the experience is about you, so that might be obsolete. Keep in mind that streaming requires lots of computing power, so even if you can play AAA games on max, you might have to lower the graphics whilst streaming.
And what’s interesting is that you don’t need to play the best and newest games to become successful. On the contrary, niche games are great for people who are looking to gain an audience quickly. Some streamers use multiple computers for Twitch: one to stream and the other to play the game.
In any case, no matter how you go about streaming, Wi-Fi is not a really good idea. So invest in an ethernet cable and wire up your computer.
2. Streaming Software
Getting acquainted with the streaming software is the only time-consuming aspect of the technical process for Twitch streaming. Primarily in all sectors of Twitch, the software of choice is Open Broadcaster Software or short OBS.
When you first launch the app, you might be overwhelmed, however, it shouldn’t be that way. Spend some time going through some guides, checking out the scenes, tweaking the settings, and making sure everything is working dandy.
Learn about bitrates, and how they correlate to video quality. Figure out a sweet spot between performance and quality. Covering the entirety of the software is beyond the limitations of this article.
Not to mention, that some streamers use other software, such as Twitch Studio, and many more.
3. The Source of Video
The character of a streamer is a direct counterpart to the success of a channel. Having a presence on screen equates to having a presence in the viewer’s life, thus you need a high-quality webcam. However, not all streamers show their face, and many of them do very well.
You can acquire a great webcam for under $100, so there’s really no excuse to use one from 2004. The webcam alone does not constitute great quality, because lighting, bitrates, and connection also matter.
Green screens and other props can take your stream to the next level, but you don’t have to worry about those things when you’re only starting out. If you already have a smartphone, you can use that as a webcam, either remotely or via a wired connection.
Depending on the phone, the method for usage will be different, so we can’t really help you with that. You can also use a mac webcam, here’s how to enable camera on Mac.
4. The Source of Voice
While one does not really need a webcam, the truth is you’re much better off if you have a microphone. It’s truly the only way for you to properly communicate and interact with your audience.
Most gaming headsets nowadays have microphones, and they will certainly get the job done for chatting with your buddies on Discord. However, streaming with great quality requires a separate microphone.
There is a myriad of options for you, so just go with what fits your current budget. You can spend as little as $30 or as much as $2000. Stick to the lower end, see how it works, and upgrade if necessary.
5. Lighting
This is optional, but important nonetheless. Some streamers sit in a dark room with their face barely visible, but we doubt that’s you. If you want to shine like a star, you need some sort of special lighting.
It will make your aesthetic more presentable and will ensure that you have a clean body outline if you’re using a green screen. Most lights will work, just make sure to figure out how you will use them.
You can point an incandescent light bulb at the wall opposite of your chair so that you get a soft light or just shine directly at your face to get a better glow. Make sure to use a sheet of paper or diffuser to not burn your eyes every time you accidentally look at the light.
6. The Twitch Streaming Account Setup
Most importantly, if you haven’t already, you need a Twitch streaming setup account to stream. All you need is an email address, and that’s about it.
As a streamer, you want to do a little more than pick a username. You want to customize your channel, you want a detailed description, some banner images, and rules for your chat.
Describe the games you play, the community you want to build, the social media you interact on, community Discords, and so on.
As a user of Twitch, you are restricted to the terms of service for streaming. There is much to cover there, and you should get acquainted with all of them. You don’t want to end your career over something silly, so keep that in mind.
Also, playing copyrighted music might place your channel under DMCA restrictions, or your VOD will mute. If you need background music, check the Twitch music library for royalty-free solutions.
Stream Well
Now that you know how to get an epic Twitch streaming setup, you are well on your way to captivating the audiences of the world.
And we certainly hope you do it well. Don’t be rigid. Grow and expand, allow your audience to come along this journey. As long as you try, it will work out for you.
If you would like to check out some of our other technology guides, go through our guide category on the front page.
