How to Start Streaming as a DJ (on Twitch, YouTube & More)

The rise of DJ livestreaming exploded during the pandemic, when clubs shut their doors and DJs turned to online platforms as a way to carry on performing. This originally started just as a quick fix, a way for people to keep the music going while the world had ground to a halt, but even as everything opened up post pandemic, the popularity of DJ live streaming has stayed with us (as one of the better things to come out of that period).

And the good news is that it’s easier than ever to get into livestreaming. With affordable gear, free streaming software, and user-friendly platforms, broadcasting your sets from home (or anywhere) is super straightforward. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start streaming as a DJ.

The best live-streaming platforms for DJs

There are actually a few different options when it comes to deciding where you want to host your DJ streams. Each of these has its own benefits, so we’ll take you through some of the names you need to know.

Twitch

For years, Twitch has been the biggest, most famous name when it comes to online video live streams. It’s probably best known for gaming streams, but there’s a huge thriving community of DJs on there too. 

It’s become a popular choice for DJs thanks to a couple of things. They’ve got a relatively music-friendly policy, which makes it easier to stream your sets without the constant hassle of things like copyright takedowns. While recorded VODs (videos on demand) may still be occasionally muted in sections due to copyright detection, live sets are rarely taken down, making it a safer option for real-time broadcasting.

Twitch also has a strong and long-running culture of live interaction. Look at any popular streamer on there and you’ll see the chat buzzing with messages and emotes. This also translates into things like donations, where viewers can send over money or Twitch bits (their virtual currency) in exchange for interaction such as song requests. This can add up pretty quickly into a decent chunk of money.

YouTube Live

YouTube Live is an underrated but powerful platform for DJs. While it’s much better known for on-demand videos, its live streaming capabilities are still super popular across the music and gaming communities.

One of the big pluses when it comes to YouTube is that it’s better for audience growth. Since all live streams are saved as videos, they’re searchable and can be discovered via YouTube’s algorithm. That makes it much easier to get found by new potential fans. 

The main downside is that YouTube has strict copyright enforcement thanks to its Content ID system. This automatic system detects any copyrighted material, and means your stream may be blocked, muted, or taken down entirely if you’re using unlicensed tracks (which most DJs normally do). For this reason, some DJs choose to livestream on platforms like Twitch or Mixcloud and then upload edited sets that they’re sure are safe from Content ID to YouTube afterwards.

Mixcloud Live

The name Mixcloud is already pretty well known to most DJs as the place to host your DJ mixes online. What’s less well known is Mixcloud Live, which is their livestreaming platform that’s built specifically with DJs in mind. 

As a licensed platform, Mixcloud Live pays the correct royalties to artists, which means you can legally stream full-length commercial tracks without worrying about your sets being muted or taken down. This gives you that extra peace of mind while you’re streaming.

The big drawback of Mixcloud Live, however, is discoverability. Simply, the audience of people going on here looking for new streamers and finding you, as you might on other sites. Monetising your streams is also harder on Mixcloud as you don’t get the same sorts of options in terms of receiving bits and donations from viewers. 

Social media livestreams

Social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live have become increasingly popular choices for DJs to showcase their sets. The main reason for this is simple. There are huge audiences there and you get far more potential eyes in front of your mixing than you might on other sites.

The potential reach for your DJ stream is enormous. These sites are best used alongside the rest of your social media strategy. If you’re already building a decent following on somewhere like TikTok, it’s a good idea to also give your fans there a livestream. 

Overall, though there are limitations. The attention span of people on the ever-scrolling social media apps is notoriously short. People generally don’t want to watch really long-form content on a platform that’s specifically designed to give constant 20-second dopamine hits. To this end, these platforms can often serve more as tools to tease your longer sets and advertise your Twitch or YouTube streams.

Copyright enforcement can also be unpredictable on social media. The rules around it are sometimes quite opaque and vary platform to platform, with some DJs getting away with it and others cut off mid-stream.

How to Get Started Streaming on TikTok

• Make sure your account is eligible: you’ll need at least 1,000 followers to unlock livestreaming.
• Go live during peak hours (typically 7–10pm local time) to maximise visibility.
• Use an engaging title for your stream and choose the right category (e.g. Music > DJ Set).
• Turn on comments and interact with your viewers in real time—TikTok prioritises engagement.
• Consider using a secondary phone to handle chat and moderation while keeping your main stream uninterrupted.
• Use popular hashtags related to your genre and livestreaming (#DJLive, #HouseMusic, #DJSet etc).

Essential DJ Gear for Streaming

It’s easy to get caught up in a never-ending wishlist of gear when it comes to taking up a new pursuit like livestreaming. It’s easy to get distracted by fancy setups of online streamers but the key gear you really need is much more straightforward. We’ve broken it down into what you need for the DJing side and the streaming side.

DJ Gear for streaming

If you’re reading this article and you’re seriously considering starting some DJ streams, chances are you’ve already got at least a pretty basic DJ setup, even if it’s just a beginner set of decks and laptop. The good news is that’s pretty much all you’re going to need in terms of the DJ gear. While you might see more successful streamers standing in front of some pro-level gear like CDJs or fancy turntable setups, the truth is that none of that is essential.

There are, however, a few things that are nice to have and will make a difference in your streams. A mic input on your controller is a big plus. It’s the sort of thing that DJs rarely use most of the time, but being able to plug a mic into your controller and speak to your viewers is pretty crucial in terms of keeping people engaged. There are ways of getting around this by using another interface, but it’s simpler if it’s managed on the decks, and it also gives you mic controls right in front of you.  

Another thing to look for as a bonus is a booth output. This gives you an extra audio output, separate from your main one. It’s handy if you want to send clean audio to your stream while keeping full control over your monitor speakers or room sound.

Audio Interface or Direct USB Output

Most DJ controllers, except for very cheap beginner ones, contain an in-built soundcard. This means they manage your computer’s audio and basically convert all the digital information coming out of the computer into a signal you can actually hear, usually via USB.

If your setup doesn’t have this built-in soundcard, then you’ll need an external soundcard or audio interface, such as the iRig Stream or Focusrite Scarlett. This device sits between your DJ gear and your computer, converting your analogue audio into a digital signal your streaming software can understand.

You simply connect the output from your mixer or controller (e.g. master out or booth out) to the audio interface’s input, then plug the interface into your laptop via USB. 

Laptop or Computer

The additional burden of having to run streaming software and have a constant steady connection to the site, while also running your regular DJ software means that many laptops and computers might not quite be up to the task. If your current computer is nearly on the limit of being able to run whatever DJ software you use, adding the extra strain of streaming will no doubt cause problems.

Look for a computer with at least 8GB of RAM and a powerful processor. Something like and Intel i5, Ryzen 5, Apple M1 or better.

Webcam or Camera

Most laptops come with a built-in webcam, and that’s more than enough to get started. But upgrading to a dedicated camera can really improve the quality of your stream and make you look more professional.

A simple webcam like the Logitech C920 is a great entry point, and will give a big step up in video clarity. If you want to go even further, you could use a proper external camera with a capture card, but that’s more expensive and requires additional setup.

Internet Connection

This is not technically a bit of gear, at least not in the glamorous way us DJs normally get excited about, but its important to mention. 

While Wi-Fi can work, using a wired Ethernet connection is far more reliable whenever possible, as this reduces the chance of lag, dropouts, or buffering issues mid-set. If you’re using Wi-Fi, make sure you’re close to the router and there’s minimal interference from other devices. You should aim for an upload speed of at least 10 Mbps, while having 20 Mbps or more is ideal.

Software for DJ Live Streams

To livestream your DJ sets, you’ll need to be running two different types of software: one being your regular DJ performance software, and the other a special bit of software to broadcast it to your audience.

Stream broadcast software

This is the software that handles your stream, letting you control what your viewers see and hear. There are a couple of options you need to know about. 

OBS Studio is a free, open-source platform that’s widely used across the livestreaming world. It’s ideal for DJs who want full control over the look and feel of their stream. With OBS, you can create custom scenes, add overlays and visuals, sync up multiple inputs like webcams and audio devices, and fine-tune every element of your presentation. That’s both a blessing and a curse as it’s incredibly powerful in terms of customisation options but may be overwhelming for beginners.

Streamlabs is a beginner-friendly alternative which is actually built on the core software behind OBS, but with a more straightforward interface and features that make it friendlier for beginners. You get ready-to-use widgets for alerts, donation popups, and chat integration. This all makes it simpler to get started quicker without having to worry about setting up loads of customised assets.

DJ Software Setup for livestreaming

Once your streaming software is ready, you’ll need to make sure your DJ software is properly configured. Make sure you’ve done all these steps, which should be the same no matter what software you use. 

• Set your computer’s audio output to your controller or audio interface
• Turn down the audio buffer size for low latency. Just make sure it doesn’t overload your CPU and cause stutters and glitches.
• If possible, turn off any visual settings you don’t need to maximise performance. In rekordbox, you can disable high-resolution waveforms.
• Keep an eye on your CPU usage and close any background apps or up your latency if there are still issues. 

How to Improve the Visuals on Your DJ Stream

A livestream is about more than just the sound coming from your decks. The visual aspect is so crucial and is often overlooked by many DJs, especially when they’re just starting out. It’s a big part of building a recognisable identity, which is key to both attracting new viewers and making sure people recognise you and come back.

Most DJs start with a laptop webcam, which is fine to get going. If you want to improve the visual quality of your stream, upgrading to a dedicated webcam can make a noticeable difference.

How you frame the camera matters a lot too. Try positioning your camera to show your face and part of your gear so viewers can see both you and what you’re doing. If you’re going for more of a fun, party vibe you should be more of the focus, whereas if it’s more about flexing your technical mixing skills, make sure the decks are the centre of attention.

Also, don’t overlook lighting. Even a basic ring light or desk lamp can dramatically improve how you look and give a much more professional vibe. You might also want to consider some more fun lighting such as LED strips for the room, which can add a more personal touch.

In your streaming software (OBS or Streamlabs), you can also add overlays like track titles, chat boxes, or branded graphics to create an even more personalised stream. 

These are great to help your stream stand out from the crowd and look more professional, as well as keeping your audience engaged. A great example for DJs would be having an overlay to show what track’s currently playing, and you can stylise this in your own way to make it fit in with your brand.

How to Grow Your DJ Livestream Audience

Once you’ve got everything set up, it’s time to start streaming! At first, you can’t expect there to be huge crowd, or maybe even anyone at all watching. Think of it all as practice. Even if there’s literally nobody tuned in to your stream at that moment, treat it as if you’ve still got a big crowd in front of you. 

A big factor in growing as a streamer is consistency and regularity. People like to know exactly when they can expect you to go live, and you might even become a part of their routines as well. Set a time that you’re going to go live on, for example every Thursday night at 8 pm for 2 hours, and stick to it. This is good not only for your fans, but it also gives you more of an incentive to keep consistently going and this accountability to your audience makes you less likely to miss one.     

You’ve got to remember that the livestreams are only one part of a larger promotion strategy. Make sure to consistently post about your streams and let people know when you’re going live on all your other social media sites. Even just a quick Instagram post or story letting your audience know you’re streaming is a great way to drive traffic. 

For more vital tips on how to grow your audience and establish your brand, check out our complete guide to marketing yourself as a DJ.

While you’re live, don’t forget to engage with your chat. Say hello to viewers by name, ask things like where they’re tuning in from, take requests when possible, and thank people for showing up. This kind of interaction makes viewers feel like part of a community and gives them a reason to come back.

Lastly, think about what makes your stream unique. It’s a competitive space out there as a DJ streamer, unfortunately, so have some ideas of what could help you stand out from the crowd. Some people do streams from exotic, unusual locations or even on the move in a car or bike. Some people host radio-style broadcasts or do super-chilled-out lo-fi to study to type beats. Whatever you decide on for your niche, lean into it and double down on what makes you special.

Start Your Streaming Journey with Crossfader

Ready to take your DJ skills to the next level? At Crossfader, we’ve helped thousands of DJs around the world level up their mixing skills and grow their DJ careers. Our courses cover everything from complete beginner mixing tutorials to pro-level tricks and genre and gear-specific guides.

When you sign up for a free account, you’ll instantly receive a custom learning journey tailored to your gear, experience level, music tastes and goals.