Recently Mixcloud has added a livestreaming functionality. We’ll explain how to setup your DJ livestream to Mixcloud Live with OBS. Mixcloud adding live functionality is great news for a lot of DJ’s because popular platforms, like Facebook, are becoming more strict in handling copyright claims resulting in bans and takedowns. This is making it harder for DJ’s to share their passion for music with their audience. Mixcloud Live (beta) seems to be a good alternative.
Let’s explore Mixcloud Live, what you need to set it up and how to set it up.
Mixcloud has been around since 2008 offering DJ’s a free alternative to Soundcloud to upload and share long DJ mixes. As they explain on their own website Mixcloud Live is the only legal licensed streaming platform. The service is in beta at the moment and available only to Mixcloud Pro users.
Due to the current worldwide circumstances of the Corona virus, Mixcloud offers a 90 Day free trial for their Mixcloud Pro subscription. After the 90 day trial you’ll pay 11 euro’s per month. With this subscription comes in-depth statistics of your content and followers and the opportunity to use Mixcloud live. This 90 day trial gives you enough room to fully test if this service helps bring you to the next level. But you can only get a Mixcloud Pro subscription with a credit card. This was an obstacle for us, but we managed to find a simple solution with the Bunq bank – an online credit card you can apply for in minutes without a credit check.
When you subscribe to Mixcloud Pro you can also apply for Mixcloud Select. This is an innovative revenue model where creators can monetize their content and the original artist and rightsholders get paid as well. Find out more about the revenue model HERE.
Besides monetizing your content it gives you a new way to deeply connect with your community. Think of ways to connect with them by sharing exclusive content for example. The sky is the limit, but be honest in what you can realistically offer.
Setting up a livestream to Mixcloud Live with OBS is similar to setting it up to Facebook (read about streaming to Facebook HERE). If you’re already familiar with livestreaming to Facebook with OBS you are good to go! If not, let’s start with a list of what you need to livestream your DJ set:
Mixcloud Live is the only legal licensed streaming platform. But, it’s only available to Mixcloud Pro users. Not everyone can afford monthly subscriptions so the good news is you can try it 90 days for free.
Keep in mind their service is still in beta and could really benefit from some improvements. It counts total viewers so during the stream you don’t know how many people are watching. Afterwards there aren’t statistics available on how your stream performed in terms of views, minutes watched and engagement. But really the number one advantage is that your stream doesn’t get cut off and that you are going live on a platform where DJ’s and their fans are.
So, if you are ready to move away from Facebook and try something new I would advise you to subscribe to Mixcloud Pro and evaluate if this service can take your DJ-ing to the next level.
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