Online Concert Streaming Guide for Beginners

A lot has changed in the last few years, especially in the world of music entertainment. If you’re considering staging a live stream concert, you may be wondering where to begin.

We’re not in the music industry, but we have some of the best live streaming equipment available. So, we do know a little something about what equipment is needed to make a great live stream concert. Here’s a few tips on the equipment, technology, and other requirements to successfully stage your live stream concert.

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Difference: Virtual Concert vs. Hybrid Concert vs. Onsite Live Concert

Once you’ve chosen your live stream provider, you’ll want to consider just how “live” your event is. Generally, online concerts can be fully live, a hybrid, or pre-recorded. Though many live streams are fully broadcast in real-time, they also can be hybrids or simulive.  

1. First, of course, there is the traditional concert or on-site live, meaning the audience is at the same location as the performers.
2. Virtual concerts - 100% virtual, livestreamed onto audience devices while musicians perform elsewhere.
3. Hybrid and simulive. Most or all the event is pre-recorded, then later transmitted on a certain day and time, as if it is a live event. Though the concert is not happening in real time it may have some elements that are. For instance, it may have a live speaker introduce the concert footage before it’s shown online. There may be live Q&A, or live chat incorporated with the event, etc.

Cost wise, live performances will probably almost always cost more. More staff, crew, production management are needed. An onsite location most be procured. Box office sales, food, travel, marketing, etc. are also considerations. Many of these costs will come out of the artists’ pockets before they see any money.

Meanwhile, a virtual concert can be as inexpensive as needed. Because it’s an online show, production costs will be lower across the board.

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Who Needs to Consider Hosting Online Concert?

New live stream technology means that everyone from super star acts to industry newcomers now have the power to put on their own live stream concert events. Even before the pandemic, advancements in technology led more musical artists to offer live stream concerts.

And why not? Performances that once required large crews, expensive equipment and fancy locations can now be achieved with a few people, on a small stage or even from the comfort of home. But even though the world is returning a bit closer to normal, a lot of live music venues are still closed. That means more artists than ever are considering the live stream concert route.

They may be:

• Musicians with limited budgets looking to host online concerts to take advantage of the low startup cost of virtual shows
• Young artists looking for ways to connect with audiences, be seen by agents/producers, and make money
• Established artists may use online concerts for additional revenue streams to make up for lost bookings
• Concert promoters, and ticket agencies seeking larger, global audiences may also do online concerts
• Also, non-profits may use online concerts for fundraisers

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How to Choose the Right Solution for Online Live Stream Concert

The first choice you’ll want to make is what live streaming solution to use. This is probably your most crucial decision. If you’re putting on an online concert, the last thing you want to do is worry about technical considerations or cost. You already have enough to do. Free video platforms like YouTube or Zoom are inexpensive—but have limited features, lack customization and tech support, and may have other problems like latency (drag) and audience capacity limits. Meanwhile, some so-called paid event platforms have problems of their own, including low quality, bad resolution, and privacy/security issues.

That’s why you should consider choosing a professional live streaming platform like BlendVIsion One. Our affordable, cloud-based streaming service is rich with features that can be customized to fit any sized project to provide the best live stream concert experience for your attendees.

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Must-have Features for Live Streaming Concert

Ever watched an online event for a few minutes, only to switch to something else because it seemed to “drag,” load slowly, etc? Quality matters especially when it comes to live stream performances.

When it comes to your virtual concert, there are a few must-haves that will make your show stand out.

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1. Utmost Video Quality is a Must

Depending on what type of audience you’re expecting (and your budget, of course) you can use anything from a cell phone camera to something higher end, from a mirrorless/DSLR up to broadcast quality cameras.

But whatever you use, don’t go too low on resolution and quality. Usually, you’ll want to select the best camera setup you can afford. Nothing turns off viewers like poor image quality. Better cameras with HDMI connections will have the best quality and transmission speed.

Use quality computers, mobile devices for your stream

Of course, for all of this to work, you’ll want the strongest, fastest computer or mobile device you can afford to run your live stream. Check with the live streaming service you’re using to make sure the camera and computer/mobile device you’ll be using meets the minimum spec requirements of their application.

Encoder

If you’ve ever shot any videos on your phone, you know video files can be quite large, and sometimes difficult to send. Video encoders take the audio and video from your online concert files, compresses it, then converts it into another smaller digital format that can be easily transmitted through the live streaming solution you’re using, meaning less lag time and better quality video for audiences  Encoders can be software or hardware. Often, if you use a reputable live streaming service, like what we offer in solutions like BlendVision One, you’ll be given professional grade encoding for your project.
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2. Ultra-low Latency

BlendVision now offers the exceptionally fast ultra-low latency technology. Transmission latency is what leads to slow or draggy feeds. It occurs when it takes longer than average for the captured visual feed (performance input) to be transmitted by the live streamer to each audience screen (output). In other words, it’s how quickly a concert feed travels via the internet from point A (the server) to point B (audience screens).

Ultra-low latency (ULL) is important for live stream events, especially online concerts. ULL technology improves user experience when streaming online content like virtual concerts, film/TV video streaming, gaming streaming, and more. This technology allows users to provide a more immersive concert experience to audiences.

Bandwidth and CDNs are another consideration related to latency

The speed and type of internet connection used will affect all the above. Depending on the service you use, wi-fi is often slower than hardwired internet through a router.

When it comes to your internet, here’s a few more things to know:

• Bandwidth - related to latency, but not exactly the same. Bandwidth is the measurement of the amount of data able to be transmitted, while latency has to do with speed–how quickly transmission occurs.
• A CDN uses multiple servers to show your content in order to speed up delivery time; viewers will download your content from the server closest to them, speeding up delivery time. This helps prevent buffering and other interruptions. Professional live streaming solutions, like BlendVision One will offer this.

3. Multi-view

If you have a larger event with multiple stages in separate locations, you’ll need multi-view. Multi-view will allow viewers to see each performance stream in the same window or video player.
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4. Content Protection

DRM (data rights management) protection ensures that only authorized users (guests, paid attendees, etc.) are permitted access to the content. DRM also protects artists by keeping unauthorized users from recording their digital content. This is done through encryption, permission control of downloads, and watermark technology (brand logos) etc., to make recording of protected content unusable for piracy.

Content is also protected in other ways:

• Paywalls – a mechanism that ensures only those who’ve paid for content, and have the correct permissions can view your show, usually via purchase or paid subscription
• Geo-fencing – used to prevent piracy and ensure only authorized users in authorized regions see your content

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5. Audience Capacity

Audience capacity refers to the amount of traffic your live stream concert can accept. Due to server size limitations, and other issues, social media platforms will often place limits on the number of users who can view live stream events. Usually, that’s not a problem for expert live streaming services like BlendVision. Professional live streamers offer more options for audience capacity, ensuring everyone who wants to attend your virtual concert can view your event. You’ll also have more options for content storage, and other features.

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Latest bonus Features for Online Concerts

Technology continues to evolve for the virtual concert audience. Some features you may have find at professional live streaming services like ours include:

• VR capability –VR headsets and other tech make shows using VR feel more immersive, recreating the concert going experience by making you feel like you’re really at the show
• Interactive engagement tools like Q&A, live polling, and chat rooms are just a few ways artists can interact with their fans during virtual concert events to create an in-person-like environment
• Streamers with hybrid streaming functionality let you resell your footage even after the initial live stream is over
• Customizable, embedded video players
• Ability to created branded video hubs to organize/house content online for future viewings
• Real-time dashboard analytics to help you track your content, viewing metrics, more
• The use of machine learning and AI to automate and optimize your viewers’ experiences

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Share the music with audiences worldwide with a live stream concert

Like we said, we may not be performers, but BlendVision has all the live streaming tools you’ll need for your virtual concert. With a range of live streaming solutions, scalability, minimal bandwidth requirements, live chat, 24/7 tech support, and more, we have everything required to help you put on a professionally looking virtual concert of your own. Contact us today for more information about how you can live stream your performance to online audiences everywhere.