How Do Twitch Streamers Play Music?
When it comes to playing music on Twitch, the answer isn’t as straightforward as many would hope. Twitch’s policies on music and copyright are notoriously complex, leaving many streamers unsure of what’s allowed. While some streamers take the risk of playing copyrighted tracks, doing so can lead to DMCA takedowns, potentially jeopardizing their accounts. So, how do Twitch streamers safely incorporate music into their broadcasts?
Here’s everything you need to know about playing music on Twitch while staying within the rules.
What Kind of Music Can You Use on Twitch?
Twitch streamers typically have three main options for playing music during their streams without risking copyright violations:
Music You Own
If you’ve created or produced music yourself, or recorded it during a live performance, you can use it in your streams. However, make sure you hold all the necessary rights, especially if your music is tied to a record label or a collaboration agreement. Owning the rights ensures you're in full compliance.
Music Licensed to You
Licensing is one of the safest routes to playing music on Twitch. Services like soundstripe provide an extensive library of tracks and sound effects that you can use on Twitch and other platforms like YouTube. Subscribing to a service like this gives you peace of mind, as the music is pre-cleared for use across multiple platforms.
The Risk of Playing Copyrighted Music
Streamers who play music without securing rights or licenses risk facing DMCA takedowns. Repeated violations can lead to account suspensions or bans, so it’s essential to ensure that all music played on your stream complies with copyright regulations.
What About Music in Twitch VODs?
A popular workaround for streamers is to play music during their live broadcasts while excluding it from their Video on Demand (VOD) recordings. This approach allows live viewers to enjoy the music while keeping the recorded content free of copyrighted material. However, it's important to note that this method isn’t completely risk-free.
How to Exclude Music from VODs
To exclude music from your Twitch VODs, you can set up a separate audio track for your music. This way, the music plays during your live stream but isn’t included in the recorded version. Twitch offers built-in tools and guides, like their VOD Track Guide, to help you configure this setup in your streaming software.
TL;DR: How to Remove Music from Your Twitch VODs
Link Your Twitch Account: Connect your Twitch account in OBS Studio under Settings → Stream → Connect Account.
Enable VOD Settings: In OBS settings, go to the Output tab, enable "Custom Encoder Settings," or switch to “Advanced” mode and check "Twitch VOD Track."
Set Up Audio Tracks: Use the Advanced Audio Properties in the Audio Mixer to assign track 1 for live streams and track 2 for VODs.
Exclude Music: Route your Music source only to track 1 (live stream) and remove it from track 2 (VODs).
Final Thoughts
Navigating Twitch’s music policies might seem overwhelming, but by understanding your options and taking the proper precautions, you can enhance your streams with music while staying within the rules. By using Twitch’s tools or configuring your audio settings, you can deliver a seamless experience to your live audience without worrying about copyright issues in your recordings.
With the right approach, you can stream safely, creatively, and confidently on Twitch.