DocsSessions and recording

YouTube live stream

Streaming a session live to YouTube from the host’s computer: stream key, cover picture, the stream picture and problems.

The host can stream the session live on YouTube while it is being recorded. The stream goes straight from the host’s computer to YouTube; it does not pass through the Mixapod server. Recording carries on as always, on everyone’s own computer.

Stream key#

1. In YouTube Studio, open Create › Go live. If you are enabling live streaming on your channel for the first time, YouTube may take up to 24 hours.
2. Copy the Stream key from the stream settings.
3. In Mixapod, go to Settings › YouTube, paste it into Stream key and press Save.

The key is kept only on this computer, in Windows’ encrypted storage, and is never shown on screen again after saving. To change it, paste a new one and save; to delete it, press Remove key.

You choose the stream’s title, description and visibility (public, unlisted, private) in YouTube Studio: in the Live Control Room, Stream tab, Edit. Mixapod does not send them to YouTube.

Cover and background picture#

• The Cover picture appears next to the episode title in the stream picture. It is cropped square; without one, the Mixapod cover is used.
• For the Background pick one of 24 themes that fits your podcast, or use My picture. Themes come in dark colours with a faint drawing of the subject (a running track for Sports, a staff for Music, stars for Space): Studio, News, Sports, Football, Business, Technology, Science, Space, History, Books, Film and TV, Music, Gaming, Food, Travel, Nature, Health, Psychology, Art and Design, Comedy, Society, Education, True Crime, Cars.
• Click a background to open a large preview of the stream in the middle of the window: the picture YouTube viewers will see, with your episode title, your cover, you and your guests, and the line of whoever is talking glowing. Change the number of people (2–5) at the top and browse the backgrounds with ← →; Use this background chooses it, Esc closes.
• For your own picture 1920×1080 (16:9) is recommended; it is gently darkened so the title and people stay readable. A picture you upload is chosen right away; switching to a theme keeps it.

Going live#

In a session, the host’s bottom bar has a Go live on YouTube button: in the lobby, while recording, while recordings are being collected and when the episode is ready.

• After you press it, it says Connecting…. Once YouTube accepts the stream the button turns red and shows LIVE with the elapsed time; the window’s title bar also says Live on YouTube.
• The stream carries on from the lobby into the recording and on into the merge.
• End stream ends it. Leaving or closing the session ends the stream too.

The stream keeps going while the Mixapod window is minimised or in the system tray.

The stream picture#

What goes to YouTube is a 720p picture Mixapod draws:

• a LIVE badge and the Mixapod logo at the top left, the stream time at the top right,
• the episode title, the participants’ names and the cover picture,
• at the bottom, each participant’s profile photo (or the first letter of their name), name, role and thin lines of light that ripple with their voice.

Whoever is speaking stands out; the background and the glow of the cover take on their colour.

What the stream carries#

The host’s voice (with the preamp and FX pad effects), the guests’ voices and the soundpad sounds. When the host presses Mute, they are silent on the stream too.

Requirements#

Problems#