How to Live Stream on Kick with OBS including the Best Settings for OBS

Live streaming is exploding right now, and Kick is the platform to be on. 

With over 770 million hours watched in its first year, this live streaming platform is quickly becoming the go-to destination for creators seeking higher payouts and a more engaged community. 

But how do you tap into this audience? That’s where OBS Studio comes in.

OBS, the free and incredibly versatile streaming software, is your key to unlocking Kick’s full potential. With OBS, you have complete control over your stream’s look and feel. Combine that with Kick’s viewer-friendly interface, and you’ll have the formula for successful live streaming.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started on Kick using OBS.

Table of Contents:

• Kick – The Live Streaming Platform on the Rise
• Kick vs. Twitch
• RTMP – The Backbone of Live Streaming
• OBS Studio – Your Live Streaming Powerhouse
• Configuring OBS for Optimal Kick Streaming
• Going Live on Kick with OBS
• Elevate Your Live Streaming with Dacast and OBS

Kick – The Live Streaming Platform on the Rise

Before we get into Kick streaming, let’s answer some of the most important questions about the platform.

What is the Kick streaming platform?

Kick is a new live streaming platform that is quickly gaining popularity. It’s similar to Twitch and YouTube Live, but it offers creators a larger share of their earnings. Kick also has a strong focus on community, which makes it a great place to connect with other streamers and viewers.

Is Kick a good streaming platform?

Yes, Kick is a great streaming platform for creators who want a larger share of their earnings and a strong focus on community. 

Who created the Kick streaming platform?

Kick was created by a team of experienced entrepreneurs, including Bijan Tehrani and Ed Craven. The two are also the founders of the online casino website called Stake.com.

Why Choose Kick?

Here are some of the benefits of using Kick streaming platform:

• Larger Share of Earnings: Creators on Kick earn up to 95% of their revenue, compared to 50% on Twitch and 70% on YouTube Live.
• Strong Focus on Community: Kick has a built-in chat feature that makes it easy for streamers to connect with their viewers.
• High-Quality Content: Kick offers high-quality content that is streamed at up to 1080p resolution.
• Multiple Ways to Make Money: Creators on Kick can make money through subscriptions, donations, and advertising.

Getting Started on Kick

Step 1: Account Creation and Channel Setup

1. Visit the Kick website and click on “Sign Up.”
2. Enter the required details and verify.
3. Fill out your profile information.

Step 2: Navigating the Kick Dashboard

The Kick dashboard is where you can manage your channel, view your analytics, and interact with your viewers. The dashboard is divided into several sections, including:

• Home: This is an overview of your channel, including your recent activity, followers, and views.
• Channel: Here, you can manage your channel settings, such as your profile information, stream settings, and monetization settings.
• Analytics: These are insights into your channel’s performance, such as your views, followers, and engagement.
• Community: This section allows you to interact with your viewers, such as responding to comments and messages.

Step 3: Finding Your Kick Stream Key and Server URL

Your Kick stream key is a unique identifier that you will need to use to connect your streaming software to Kick. To start streaming, you’ll also need your Kick server URL. Follow these steps to get both.

• Go to your Kick dashboard and click on “Settings.”
• Click on the “Stream” tab.
• Copy the key displayed under “Stream Key.”
• Copy the URL displayed under “Server URL.”

Once you have your Kick stream key and server URL, you can connect your streaming software to Kick and start streaming!

Kick vs. Twitch

Kick is a newer platform that is known for its focus on community and its more relaxed content guidelines. Meanwhile, Twitch is a more established platform with a larger user base – over 7 million monthly streamers. It has a wider range of features, a more robust chat system, and a more comprehensive library of games.

Here’s a complete list of the pros and cons of Kick streaming vs. Twitch.

Why is Kick Better Than Twitch for Some Streamers?

Many new streamers are turning to Kick instead of Twitch – here’s why.

1. Higher Revenue Split: The main difference between Kick and Twitch is their creators’ share of platform revenue. Kick’s generous 95/5 revenue split is more appealing than Twitch’s 50/50 for most creators, putting more money in streamers’ pockets. Even with their Partner Plus Program, Twitch only offers 70% of the revenue to creators. 
2. Relaxed Content Guidelines: Kick takes a more relaxed approach to content moderation, allowing for a wider range of content and creative expression. This appeals to streamers who find Twitch’s policies too restrictive.
3. Community-Centric Approach: Kick emphasizes a strong sense of community, with features like easy-to-use chat and interactive elements that encourage viewer engagement.

However, Twitch is still a great platform for creators who value extensive features and an established audience. Learn how to start streaming on Twitch here.

RTMP – The Backbone of Live Streaming

RTMP, or Real-Time Messaging Protocol, is a method for transmitting video/audio over the internet in real-time. It’s essentially a delivery system for your live stream, ensuring a smooth and (almost) instant viewing experience.

Why is RTMP important for live streaming on platforms like Kick?

RTMP’s ability to handle real-time data transfer is crucial for live streaming. It minimizes latency, which is very important for platforms like Kick, where interactive features like chat and real-time reactions are key to a good streaming experience. 

How does RTMP work?

RTMP takes your video and audio data, compresses it using codecs (like H.264 for video and AAC for audio), and then splits it into small packets. These packets are sent over the internet using a persistent connection between the RTMP encoder (your streaming software, like OBS) and the server. 

The server then distributes these packets to your viewers, who use a compatible video player to decode and display the video.

Platforms like OBS Studio also use RTMP to send your live stream to platforms like Kick. You simply enter your Kick stream key and server URL into OBS, and it handles the rest – guaranteed seamless delivery of your content to your audience.

Dacast’s RTMP Streaming Platform

Dacast’s streaming software recognizes the power and versatility of RTMP as a core protocol for live streaming. Our RTMP streaming platform offers robust RTMP ingest, so broadcasters can effortlessly send their live streams to Dacast for delivery to a global audience.

But Dacast goes beyond just RTMP ingest. Our platform offers all kinds of tools and features for professional-grade RTMP server hosting and delivery. For businesses seeking advanced video monetization options, Dacast provides pay-per-view, subscription, and advertising models – all easily integrated with your RTMP-based live streams. 

Plus, Dacast’s RTMP infrastructure is designed for scalability and reliability. Whether you’re streaming to a small audience or broadcasting a large-scale event, you can count on your stream reaching your viewers with latency as low as 10 seconds or less!

OBS Studio – Your Live Streaming Powerhouse

OBS Studio is a completely free, open-source streaming software for Kick video recording and live streams. It’s a powerful tool that can be used to manage your videos and stream to a variety of platforms, including Kick. Key features include:

• Scenes and sources: OBS Studio allows you to create multiple scenes, each of which can contain different sources, such as your webcam, game capture, or browser windows. This makes it easy to switch between different layouts during your stream.
• Audio mixing: OBS Studio has a native audio mixer that provides complete control over the volume of your microphone, game audio, and other sources. You can even add specialized filters and effects to your audio.
• Video effects and transitions: OBS Studio has a wide variety of video effects and transitions that you can use to enhance your stream. You can also create customized effects using the built-in scripting engine.
• Recording capabilities: OBS Studio can be used to record your streams to a local file. This is a great way to save your streams for later viewing or editing.

OBS vs. Other Streaming Software

Does OBS support Kick? Absolutely! You can also use other similar software to broadcast your streams on Kick, but OBS Studio takes the cake in terms of practicality and results.

Many readers may also ask for an OBS vs. Kick comparison, but it’s worth noting that the two aren’t the same type of platform. OBS is the streaming software tool you use to create and manage your stream, while Kick is the platform where you broadcast your content. In fact, you can even integrate OBS with Kick for a seamless streaming experience and maximize your Kick streaming revenue.

Installing and Setting Up OBS

To install OBS Studio, you can download the installer from the OBS website. Once you have installed OBS Studio, you can launch it and start setting up your stream. Here’s how to use OBS for professional video streaming:

1. Add your Kick stream key: You can find your Kick stream key in your Kick dashboard. Once you have your stream key, you can add it to OBS Studio by going to Settings > Stream > Service.
2. Adjust your OBS output settings: You can adjust your OBS output settings by going to Settings > Output. You will need to select the appropriate video encoder and bitrate for your stream.
3. Edit your Kick stream details: Once you have your OBS settings configured, you can edit your Kick stream details by going to your Kick dashboard. You can add a unique title, description, and tags to your stream.
4. Test and start your Kick streaming: Once you have everything set up, you can test your stream by clicking the “Start Streaming” button in OBS Studio.

Configuring OBS for Optimal Kick Streaming

Now that you know what streaming software to use for Kick (Hint: it’s OBS Studio all the way), it’s time to learn how to stream on Kick with that platform. The first step is configuring your OBS settings and account for optimal Kick streaming. 

Step 1: Optimal OBS Settings for Kick

Adjust to these best OBS settings for Kick streaming:

• Resolution and Bitrate: Kick supports a maximum bitrate of 8000 kbps, but your internet upload speed may limit it. A good starting point for most users is 1080p resolution at 6000 kbps. If you experience buffering or dropped frames, lower your bitrate accordingly.
• Encoder: If your computer has a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, leverage its power by using the NVENC or AMD encoders, respectively. These hardware encoders offer better performance and efficiency compared to the software-based x264 encoder. If you don’t have a dedicated GPU, x264 is a reliable option, but you may need to lower your resolution or bitrate to avoid overloading your CPU.
• Audio Settings: For audio, focus on a sample rate of 44.1 kHz and a bitrate of 128 kbps. Make sure your microphone is selected as the main audio input source, and adjust the volume levels accordingly.

Step 2: Connecting OBS to Kick

1. In your Kick dashboard, navigate to the “Settings” tab and click on “Stream.” Copy your unique Stream Key and Server URL.
2. Launch OBS Studio and go to “Settings” > “Stream.”
3. Choose “Custom” as the service.
4. Paste your Kick Stream Key into the “Stream Key” field and your Server URL into the “URL” field.
5. Set your desired resolution, bitrate, encoder, and audio settings as described above.

Step 3: Setting Up Scenes and Sources

1. Add Sources: Click the “+” button under the “Sources” box to add your webcam, game capture, display capture, or other sources you want to include in your stream.
2. Arrange Scenes: Create different scenes for various parts of your stream (gameplay, intermission, just chatting, etc.) and easily switch between them.
3. Add Overlays and Alerts: Personalize your stream with custom overlays, logos, and alerts for new followers, subscribers, and donations.

Step 4: Test Your Stream

Finally, before going live, click “Start Streaming” to get a preview. Check your audio and video quality, look for any lag or dropped frames, and adjust settings as needed. 

Going Live on Kick with OBS

Wait, our tutorial on how to livestream on Kick with OBS isn’t over yet! Once you’ve configured OBS Studio to work perfectly with Kick, it’s time to finally start streaming! Here’s what to keep in mind.

Step 1: Start Streaming

1. Head over to your Kick Creator Dashboard and click on “Edit Stream Info” (located in the bottom right corner).
2. Fill out essential information like your stream title, category (gaming, IRL, music, etc.), and whether it’s 18+ content. Click “Save.”
3. In OBS Studio, make sure your scenes and sources are set up and ready to go.
4. Hit the big “Start Streaming” button in OBS Studio. You should see a confirmation message indicating you’re now live on Kick.

Step 2: Monitoring Your Stream Health

Keep an eye on the OBS Studio interface for indicators of your stream’s health. Pay attention to:

• Bitrate: Make sure it stays within the recommended range for your internet speed and Kick’s limits.
• Dropped Frames: A high number of dropped frames can indicate your encoder is struggling. That means you should lower your resolution or bitrate.
• CPU/GPU Usage: Monitor your system’s resource usage to make sure it’s not being overloaded, which could lead to lag or crashes.

Step 3: Overlays and Branding

Custom overlays are a fantastic way to amp up your stream’s visual appeal. They can include elements like a lower-third banner with your name and social media handles, frames for your webcam, and eye-catching graphics to highlight your stream title or game.

Several websites and graphic designers offer free and premium OBS overlays tailored just for Kick. We recommend platforms like OWN3D, Nerd or Die, and Visuals by Impulse to find overlays that match your aesthetic.

Step 4: Stream Alerts

Stream alerts are animated notifications that pop up on your screen when certain events occur, like new followers, subscribers, or donations. They add excitement and energy to your stream and make viewers feel more involved.

Visual alerts are great, but don’t forget about audio alerts! A catchy sound effect to accompany your visuals is a great way to create a more immersive experience for your viewers.

Step 5: Ending Your Stream

When you’re ready to sign off, click the “Stop Streaming” button in OBS Studio. The Kick dashboard will automatically reflect that your stream has ended.

Elevate Your Live Streaming with Dacast and OBS

Kick and OBS Studio are the perfect combination for live streaming, giving creators a way to connect with their audience without giving up half of their revenue. But as your streaming aspirations grow, you’ll need a robust and reliable platform to host, manage, and monetize your content.

That’s where Dacast comes in.

Dacast is a leading online video platform (OVP) that provides businesses and broadcasters with all-inclusive streaming solutions. With Dacast, you can:

• Effortlessly stream with OBS. Dacast’s seamless RTMP ingest makes it easy to integrate OBS Studio and deliver your live stream to a global audience with exceptional quality and stability.
• Enjoy powerful video monetization. Dacast offers various video monetization tools, including subscriptions, pay-per-view, and advertising, to help you maximize your streaming revenue.
• Brand your stream: Customize your video player with Dacast’s white-label branding to create a professional and consistent streaming experience for your audience.
• Expand your viewership. Dacast’s OTT platform allows you to reach viewers across all kinds of devices and platforms.
• Manage your video library. Dacast’s video-on-demand (VOD) hosting and EXPO library lets you store, organize, and deliver your pre-recorded videos alongside your live streams.

Want to connect your OBS account to Dacast’s streaming solution? Check out our Quick Start guide to Live Streaming with OBS Studio.

Explore Dacast’s comprehensive streaming solutions and discover how to take your live streaming to the next level. With flexible live streaming pricing plans tailored to your needs, Dacast is your committed partner in growing your audience and monetizing your content.

You can try Dacast and all its features with our 14-day free trial today.

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