go live

From hardware to peripherals to the actual location of your streaming set up, there’s a lot to consider when getting started. In this category, we’ll get down to the basics and help you get started with a set up that’s best for you.

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Quick Guide to streaming

1.  First, if you don’t have one already, you’ll need to create a Cast account. Our web app is fully mobile friendly, however our mobile app will be launching soon. When available, we recommend downloading the Cast app on your iOS or Android mobile device. Not only can you use it to watch streams wherever you are, you can also access your Dashboard to modify basic settings, register for tournaments, and go live.

2. Review the Community Guidelines and Terms of Service fully. It’s also recommended that you settings before your first stream to ensure the best experience for you and your growing community.

3. Customize your channel so new viewers know who you are when they find you. You can modify your profile photo and bio via your mobile device, or customize a number of additional settings via a web browser. 

4. Optimize your set up! You’ll want to consider which hardware you’ll need to stream your audio and visuals (e.g. Desktop, mobile phone, RMTP cameras (GoPro, Logitech Mevo). We’ve created some helpful guides to help you get started in setting up your stream. Keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be complicated! If you’ve got a phone, desktop, or a RMTP camera, it’s likely you could be live in just a matter of minutes.

5. Select and set up your broadcasting software so you can get your content out there! OBS Studio, available on both Windows and Mac, is a free first-party streaming software for desktop that makes it easy to set up a stream and go live in minutes. Streamlab is another free first-party streaming app that makes it easy to set up a livestream on your mobile phone (This would be temporary, our Cast mobile app is coming soon).  Guided onboarding helps automatically detect your microphone, webcam, and other technical aspects of a stream.

Now, you’re ready to go live,  just don’t forget to title, categorize, and tag your stream so viewers can find you

Hardware Recommendations

Choosing the right hardware to stream can seem overwhelming, so we’ve gathered a list of recommended hardware and materials to help you get started.

Computer 

To create a great stream, you need a computer with solid performance that can quickly encode your video and audio, and send it to us to broadcast to your global fanbase.

PC laptops are particularly useful for streamers who need a more mobile setup, whether that be a setup you need to travel with, or streaming in high-traffic areas that double as your streaming room like a kitchen or art studio.

Mac laptops are a favorite among creatives. You’ll need to note that there’s an extra piece of hardware you’ll need in order to stream with a Mac.

USB Interfaces / Mixers (Streaming from Desktop or Laptop)

An interface or mixers with a USB output is critical for hooking up your audio equipment to your streaming computer. Mixers have everything controllable on the board itself vs. Interfaces which have effects and EQ managed by simple control programs.

  • Basic Mixer: Yamaha AG03 ~ $150USD
    • Effects/EQ built into Mixer with Loopback control
    • 3 inputs, USB connection
  • Basic Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 ~ $159USD
    • Great entry into having a interface
    • 2 inputs, USB connection
  • Midrange Mixer: Yamaha MG10XU ~ $209USD
    • 10 Channel Mixer with Effects/EQ on board, USB
    • Great for using for streaming and live gigs, but large
  • Midrange Mixer: Mackie ProFXv2 ~ $229USD
    • 8 Channel Mixer with Effects/EQ on board, USB
    • Great for using for streaming and live gigs, but large
  • High End Interface: Steinberg UR44 Audio Interface ~ $299USD
    • 6 Channel Interface, small footprint, USB
    • Requires advanced knowledge of DAW software to add effects/EQ

Microphone

Great audio can make or break your stream. Some microphones are built for streaming or podcasting and have their own USB connections built in, but if you want to use your standard live performance gear, you’ll likely need a USB interface.

Cardioid mics catch the sound right in front of the mic, but do a poor job at picking up sounds further away. Condenser mics are great for picking up multiple subjects (two people/one person), but may pick up unwanted ambient sounds.

USB Microphones (no interface required)

  • Basic Condenser: Yeti Blue ~ $129USD
    • Better for groups, but picks up ambient noise, USB
  • Midrange Condenser: AT2020 ~ $149USD
    • USB version listed, also comes in XLR
    • Better for groups, but picks up ambient noise

Standard Microphones (require interface)

Wireless Microphones (Highly recommended for streaming outdoors)

  • Basic: Synco G1~ $129USD
    • Good sound & affordable

Stands / Mounts

Cameras

There are lots of options when it comes to cameras: from using your laptop’s built-in camera to using dedicated capture cards connected to high-end cameras and DSLRs. We’ve included some nice, simple USB cameras below that don’t require complicated setup.
For Indoor Streaming:

For Outdoor Streaming:

Lighting

Digital cameras don’t like dimly lit rooms! Good lighting can make a big difference.

Software Recommendations

When streaming from a computer, there’s a number of options to get you live on Cast. Some of common options include third-party tools OBS, Streamlabs OBS, and Xsplit. If you are using your mobile phone, Streamlabs has a good IOS and android app. Coming soon, Cast will be launching a mobile app that will allow you to stream directly from our app on your mobile phone. The GoPro app also allows you to stream with your GoPro. Another great wireless camera for livestreaming is Logitech’s Mevo, using their Mevo app. Mevo also offers a multi-cam app that allows you to have multiple cameras set up. This allows you to offer different points of views, which your viewers will love. You can set a camera up on the back of you boat, front, and mount one on your chest. It’s also a great set up for indoor recording and streams.

Any of the above setups will get you live on Cast, by entering the RMTP URL and server key we provide you when clicking go live on our website or mobile app. 

 

How to LiveStream on Gopro

You can live stream to CAST using an RTMP URL. We anticipate our mobile app to be ready by winter of 2022, which will allow you to control your GoPro from the app. In the meantime, follow the below instructions on how to stream to our web app.

Instructions:

  1. Visit https://castapp.fish.
  2. Click on the camera icon in the upper right corner. It will create a RTMP or RTMPS URL combined with your stream name/key. You will need to have both lines combined into one with a “/” in the middle.
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Example link: rtmps://live-api-s.facebook.com:443/rtmp/xxxxxxxxxx

  1. Now download and open GoPro Quik and tap on the camera icon in the bottom left corner of the screen. 
  2. Tap on the blue button in the center of the screen [Control Your GoPro].
  3. Scroll through the icons on the bottom of the screen, and tap on [Live].
  4. Now tap on [Set Up Live].
  5. A new screen appears with a list of streaming platforms. Tap [RTMP].
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  1. Another screen appears to set up live stream. At the top, choose to connect a Wi-Fi network or your mobile hotspot.
  2. Enter or paste your URL in the required field.
  3. Choose the resolution you want: 480p, 720p or 1080p (1080p only available with HERO10, HERO9, HERO8, and MAX). 

PRO TIP: Use 1080p for the best quality. 720p may be best if you’re using a mobile hotspot. Try lower resolutions if bandwidth or data are weak, or if you want to save storage space on your SD card.

Heads Up: If the signal strength of your data connection weakens, the camera will automatically lower the bit rate of the video stream for the selected resolution.

  1. Choose your save settings (you can save a high-res version of your stream to your SD card).
  2. Tap [Set Up Live Stream].
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  1. Tap [Go LIVE] or press the Shutter button to start streaming.
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PRO TIP: Experiment with different mounts and angles, then frame your shot. Make sure your camera is upright before streaming. If you turn your camera upside down, your live stream footage will appear upside down.
  1. Tell your friends to watch and share!

how to livestream on mobile

You can now stream to CAST directly from your phone, with no third party apps needed. 

This section will walk you through how to livestream from your phone on CAST.

  1. Go to CAST and click on the video camera icon in the upper right, next to your profile picture.

2. Fill out the title field, select the category, and your location.

3. Click the “Start Streaming from this device” button.

4. That’s it! You’re streaming.

Tips: When streaming from our web app (website), leave the browser up and do not exit from the browser. We recommend closing any other browser tabs you may have up prior to streaming. Exiting the browser tab may result in lost audio or lost of livestream. This will not apply when streaming from our mobile app (Coming Soon Winter 2022).

Streaming from Desktop Using Obs

CASE 1: OBS not installed

1. Click the Download OBS button in 🎥 Live Studio. This will download a pre-configured OBS setup file that is ready to work with CAST.

 

2. Open the OBS installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Click the ➕  plus button in OBS Sources. See OBS Sources below to learn more about them.

 

4. Click Start Streaming in OBS.

 


CASE 2: OBS already installed

In this case, you will need to pair OBS with CAST.

1. Open OBS and click the ➕  plus button in Sources. See OBS Sources below to learn more about them.
2. Go to the StreamingVideoProvider 🎥 Live Studio, click Select Source > RTMP Encoders.
3. Go to OBS Settings  (bottom right corner of the screen).
4. Switch to Stream and select Custom from the Service drop down. 

 

4. Copy the RTMP URL and Stream Key from CAST (To obtain URL & Key from CAST, go and login to https://castapp.fish and click the camera icon.) 🎥 Live Studio to the OBS Stream Settings.
5. Click OK to save your OBS settings.
6. Click Start Broadcast.