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Music collectives have long amplified underrepresented voices, catapulting artists from underground scenes to Boiler Room fame. Collectives like UK-based Daytimers, Brazilian-based Batekoo, and feminist collective Oramics play a huge part in diversifying the dance music landscape. For many of these collectives, DJ streaming has been the engine driving their success.
Accessibility and affordability are the foundations of any DJ collective. Collectives are usually formed of a community of non-mainstream artists with a common aim to pool resources, grow the following you need to host a bigger event. As a collective grows in influence and popularity, you gain the bargaining power to allow new artists play alongside internationally-established DJs.
Live streaming is accessible, affordable, and it’s got all the magic of a live set without the hassle of booking a venue, selling tickets, or negotiating with a club or bar on what you’re allowed to play. You can also repurpose footage to make short-form content on Instagram Reels and TikTok – both on the collective’s social media account and on the featured DJs’ accounts!
You’re not bound by location or time, increasing your chances for international discovery. It attracts listeners and viewers who aren’t into the clubbing scene but love your music. Plus, it’s significantly easier to arrange collaborations and takeovers with other DJs and collectives. There’s no need to fly famous DJs over when you can live stream from just about anywhere in the world.
Caption: Show off your merch with a Merch Slideshow and remind viewers that you’re mixing live with our Jitter-themed Live Bug.
First, you’ll have to decide where to stream. This is a bit more complicated for a live stream DJ set because it will likely contain copyrighted music – which means Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube’s algorithms will automatically take the stream down.
Your best bet is to host the stream on your own website, or to go with platforms like Mixcloud or Twitch. In fact, Twitch announced in 2024 that they are running a DJ Program with agreements with all major and independent labels, splitting the revenue between streamers, original artists, and Twitch itself.
You can multistream to more than one streaming platform at once with streaming software. Most streamers favor OBS Studio, which is open source, relatively simple to use, and not too heavy on most devices. Of course, you can also go with more user-friendly options like Ecamm Live, which offer proper customer support when things go wrong.
While you could certainly just stream from a single phone, you’re not going to be able to showcase the full talent of your DJs. You’ll need a computer or laptop to handle all your audio inputs, your camera feed and your streaming software. Another non-negotiable for live streaming is a fast and stable internet connection.
Managing your audio will be the most expensive and complicated part of your DJ live stream setup. The connections you’ll need will be dependent on your setup, but the rule of thumb is that an ethernet cable is always more reliable than any bluetooth or wireless setups. It’s also worth investing hardware like sound mixers to take some of the CPU load off your computer.
For video, you can start with one well-positioned webcam. You might want to use a fisheye lens from a low angle to capture a more edgy, intimate feel. Or, place your camera somewhere high up to capture the whole DJ deck. Build up the stream’s mood and ambience with props and a backdrop, and with LED lighting to add depth.
Overlays improve a stream’s visual appeal by giving it that extra polish. You’d be surprised at what a simple live bug and a countdown can do for production value.
Overlays can also be used to introduce DJs, deliver important messages, and promoting upcoming events. Use a social media overlay like our Sociable-themed Social Loop Lower Third 2 overlay to share where people can follow you to keep up with the latest updates and events.
Looking for overlays for your next DJ streaming session? Look no further! Here at overlays.uno, we have a wide range of animated graphics that can be controlled and edited online, so you won’t have to clutter your computer with ZIP files. Our overlays can be used for free, just by signing up with your email address. Our official Discord is also a great place to request the overlays you need, and to find tips, advice, and connect with our community of streamers.
