How do I test my live stream?

When creating a live stream on Bandcamp, you will be asked to test your connection before publishing. You can also continue to test to your heart's content from the show page after publishing. In each case, the steps are as follows:

You will see a video window with instructions to set up your stream.

In OBS, enter these details by going to "Settings" in the bottom right corner and navigating to the "Stream" tab. Select "Custom…" within the "Service" dropdown and then enter the RTMP URL from the Bandcamp show page into “Server“ and the stream key into “Stream key“:

To start streaming from OBS, click "Start streaming" from the main OBS window. You should see your Bandcamp show page connect within a few seconds and your stream will become visible to preview. If you’re capturing your desktop audio as part of your setup, this may create an audio feedback loop so be sure to preview the stream on another device to avoid this.

Testing your connection

It is important to test your connection to ensure you can provide a consistent and reliable experience. While testing your connection, you may want to adjust your video and audio settings to ensure that you are getting the most out of your connection while providing a stable stream.

You can use the configuration wizard in OBS, which you can access via "Tools" in the top menu and clicking on "Auto Configuration Wizard". When you get to the Stream Information page in the wizard, select “Custom…“ within the “Service“ dropdown and then enter the RTMP URL from the Bandcamp show page into “Server“ and the stream key into “Stream key“. The wizard will then run some tests to determine the optimal settings for your device.

You can also set things up manually in the "Settings" panel, which can be accessed at the bottom right of the main OBS window. Below we’ve outlined some suggested settings:

Video settings

Output settings

The above settings are guidelines, and you should test your stream thoroughly. We strongly recommend a wired internet connection if possible, as this reduces the risks of temporary drop-outs. With any setup, you should test the connection thoroughly, ideally for 15-30 minutes a few days ahead of the show as well as just before going live. If you are getting dropped frames or connection issues, here are some steps you can take.

Note that when connected to the stream, both while testing and during the show, there will be a short (10-15 second) delay before you see your video on Bandcamp. To avoid the risk of audio feedback, we automatically mute the audio on your side when you go live, and you may want to do this when testing too. Don't worry, your viewers will be able to hear you.

Experiencing issues even though you have a fast internet connection? Head here.