The best gear for streaming live music puts audio first: an audio interface, good mics, and a stable way to push video. You don’t need a broadcast studio — you need a few reliable pieces that work together every time. Here’s what to buy and why.
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How to think about a streaming rig
Build your rig in this order of priority: clean audio, stable internet, decent video, then nice-to-haves. Music streams live or die on sound quality, so spend there first. The full workflow is in how to live stream a music performance; this guide focuses on the kit.
Audio interfaces
An interface gets clean signal from your mics, instruments or mixer into your computer.
- Focusrite Scarlett series: The reliable default for solo and duo streams. Clean preamps, simple to use, well supported.
- Universal Audio Volt series: Easy interfaces with vintage-flavoured options, good for streamers who also record.
- PreSonus and MOTU interfaces: Solid alternatives with more inputs if you stream a small band.
If you’re choosing between an interface and a mixer for your feed, our explainer on audio interface vs mixer helps, and setting up an audio interface gets you running.
Microphones
- Shure SM58 / SM57: Rugged dynamics for vocals and instruments that ignore room noise — ideal for live capture.
- Shure SM7B: A broadcast-style dynamic loved for spoken intros and vocals when the room is treated.
- Sennheiser e835 / e935: Reliable handheld dynamics for live vocal streaming.
- Condensers (e.g. AKG, Audio-Technica): More detail for acoustic instruments, but they pick up the whole room, so use them only in a controlled space.
Not sure which type suits your situation? See condenser vs dynamic microphones.
Cameras
- Phones: Modern phone cameras are genuinely good and the fastest single-camera option.
- Webcams (e.g. Logitech): Plug-and-play for a fixed shot.
- Mirrorless / DSLR with a capture card: The best image quality. Pair the camera with a USB capture device such as an Elgato Cam Link to feed it into streaming software.
Encoder and software
- OBS Studio: Free, powerful, and the standard for mixing cameras, audio and overlays before streaming to most platforms.
- Hardware encoders / switchers (e.g. Blackmagic ATEM Mini): Combine multiple cameras and audio into one clean output, great for multi-camera music streams without a heavy computer load.
Cables, stands and the unglamorous essentials
- Quality XLR cables — if you’re unsure on connectors, see XLR vs TRS cables for live sound.
- Sturdy mic and camera stands or clamps.
- A wired Ethernet adapter so you stream over cable, not Wi-Fi.
- A simple light or two for even, flattering illumination.
A starter rig vs a step-up rig
| Need | Starter | Step-up |
|---|---|---|
| Audio in | 2-input interface | Mixer or multi-input interface |
| Mic | One dynamic vocal mic | Multiple matched mics |
| Video | Phone or webcam | Mirrorless + capture card, multi-cam |
| Encoding | OBS Studio on a laptop | Hardware switcher |
Start simple, stream consistently, then add cameras and inputs once you know what your show actually needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important piece of streaming gear for music?
A way to capture clean audio — usually an audio interface paired with a proper microphone or a feed from your mixer. Viewers tolerate ordinary video far more than poor sound, so this is where your first money should go.
Can I stream live music from just a phone?
Yes, a modern phone can run a simple single-camera stream, and you can improve the sound by connecting an external mic or interface to it. It’s a great way to start before investing in cameras and a switcher.
Do I need OBS Studio or a hardware switcher?
OBS Studio is free and handles most solo and duo streams well. A hardware switcher like a Blackmagic ATEM Mini makes sense once you’re combining several cameras and audio sources and want to reduce the load on your computer.
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