How to add music in your Twitch stream

Fletcher
By Fletcher · November 18, 2024

Adding music to your Twitch stream is a fantastic way to create a more engaging and dynamic experience for your viewers. Music can set the mood, energize your audience, and make your streams stand out. Let’s explore how to add music to your Twitch stream effectively and legally.

What Type of Music Is Allowed on Twitch Live Stream

Twitch allows music on streams as long as you have the proper rights to use it. There are three categories of music that you can use without any issues:

  1. Music You Own: This includes songs that you have composed or have explicit ownership rights to.
  2. Music Licensed to You: These are songs for which you have obtained specific usage rights, such as tracks from royalty-free platforms or services like Lickd.
  3. Twitch-Specific Soundtracks: Twitch offers a library of free music through its Twitch Soundtrack feature, which is pre-approved for streaming.

Using these types of music ensures that your stream complies with Twitch's guidelines and avoids copyright violations.

What Music Is Not Allowed on Twitch Stream

Music without proper licensing is prohibited on Twitch. Examples include:

  • Commercial songs you don’t own or have not been licensed to use.
  • Background music from games or movies unless explicitly allowed.
  • Songs played directly from Spotify, Apple Music, or other streaming platforms (as these don’t provide streaming rights).

Violation of these rules may lead to DMCA takedowns or account penalties.

How to Add Music to Twitch Live Stream

Here are the most effective ways to incorporate music into your streams:

  1. Twitch Soundtrack Integration: Use Twitch Soundtrack, a tool that offers a variety of music licensed for use during live streams.
  2. OBS Studio or Streamlabs: Add a music source through these streaming tools. Simply link an audio file or service to play in the background while streaming.
  3. Third-Party Music Services: Platforms like Epidemic Sound or Artlist provide royalty-free music that can enhance your streams legally.
  4. Custom Playlists: Create and upload playlists of licensed tracks to play seamlessly during your streams.

What Are the Soundtracks Licensed by Twitch

Twitch provides its own Twitch Soundtrack, a library of music specifically licensed for live streaming. This feature allows creators to access pre-approved songs across various genres, ensuring compliance with copyright laws. Highlights include:

  • An easy-to-use interface integrated with streaming software.
  • Access to curated playlists designed for gaming, relaxing, or energetic streams.
  • Free access to thousands of tracks with no licensing fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you add music to your Twitch streams?
You can use Twitch Soundtrack, OBS Studio, or a royalty-free music service. Simply integrate the chosen platform or playlist with your streaming setup.

How do I legally play music on Twitch?
To play music legally, ensure you own the rights, have a license, or use pre-approved music libraries like Twitch Soundtrack or Epidemic Sound.

How do I add a song request to my Twitch stream?
Song requests can be managed using bots like Nightbot or StreamElements. These tools allow viewers to request tracks from a pre-approved playlist.

Where do Twitch streamers get their music from?
Streamers often use royalty-free music services such as Lickd, Epidemic Sound, or Twitch Soundtrack to source legal and engaging tracks.