ARTIST SETUP

How to go live on Back2Back

Artists can go live on Back2Back from OBS on a laptop or from a phone using a mobile streaming app, as long as the stream is sent to the Back2Back live server.

01

Book a live slot first

Start by booking an open artist slot on the schedule so the team knows when your set is going live.

02

Choose laptop or phone streaming

Use OBS on laptop, or use a mobile streaming app on your phone. Both routes stream into the same Back2Back live feed.

03

Go live after your final check

Confirm your sound, scene, and timing before you start the stream on your booked slot.

STREAM SETTINGS

Back2Back live server

Use these settings in OBS or in your mobile streaming app:

Service: Custom

Server: rtmps://live.b2bmusic.co.uk:443/live/

Stream key: Shared privately with booked artists only

The Back2Back live server above is the correct server for both laptop OBS and phone streaming.

BEST QUALITY

Recommended full HD stream settings

For the sharpest Back2Back live picture, send a clean 1080p feed from OBS or your mobile streaming app.

  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • Frame rate: 30fps or 60fps if your upload is stable
  • Video codec: H.264
  • Audio codec: AAC
  • Video bitrate: 6000 to 8000 kbps
  • Keyframe interval: 2 seconds
  • Connection: Use wired internet or the strongest stable upload possible

4K OBS GUIDE

Ultra HD source setup for OBS

If your booth, camera chain, and internet are strong enough, you can build your OBS scene in 4K for a cleaner source. Keep in mind that viewer playback is still adaptive, so stability matters more than pushing resolution too far.

  • Base (Canvas) Resolution: 3840 x 2160
  • Output (Scaled) Resolution: 3840 x 2160 if your upload is very strong, or 1920 x 1080 for safer delivery
  • FPS: 30fps for reliability, or 60fps only if your machine and upload can hold it steadily
  • Rate Control: CBR
  • Bitrate: stay well under 12000 kbps to match Cloudflare Stream guidance
  • Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds
  • Video Encoder: H.264
  • Audio Encoder: AAC
  • Network: use wired ethernet wherever possible

If the stream becomes unstable, drop back to 1080p immediately. A stable 1080p broadcast will look better for listeners than a struggling 4K one.

BOOKED ARTIST ACCESS

Reveal your private stream key

If your artist account has a confirmed booked slot, you can unlock your private OBS details here. The key is not published publicly and only appears after a live booking check.

Book a slot

LAPTOP OR PHONE

Choose your go-live route

Back2Back supports both a laptop booth setup and a direct phone setup.

OBS

OBS on laptop

Best for full booth setups, multiple cameras, overlays, and stable wired audio from your mixer or interface.

  • Open OBS.
  • Set `Service` to `Custom`.
  • Set `Server` to rtmps://live.b2bmusic.co.uk:443/live/.
  • Add your private Back2Back stream key.
  • Route your DJ mixer audio into OBS through your audio interface.
PHONE

Mobile streaming from phone

Best when artists want to go live without a full laptop booth. Use a phone streaming app that supports custom RTMPS streaming.

  • Open your mobile streaming app.
  • Set a custom RTMPS destination.
  • Use the same Back2Back server and your private stream key.
  • Connect your DJ mixer audio into the phone through a wired adapter or audio interface.
  • Start streaming from the phone at your booked time.

PHONE AUDIO

DJ mixer audio into phone

To stream clean sound from a mixer into a phone, the phone needs a real wired audio input path rather than relying on its mic.

  • Take audio out from the DJ mixer.
  • Run that audio into a phone-compatible interface or adapter.
  • Use a TRRS, USB-C, or Lightning audio input path depending on the phone.
  • Check the mobile streaming app is using the wired input, not the phone mic.
  • Do a level test before the live slot starts so the stream is clean and not clipping.

SECURITY

Why the stream key is not published here

The stream key is effectively the password to broadcast into the live feed, so it should not be exposed on a public web page.

BOOKED ARTISTS

Get the stream key privately

Once a set is booked, the key should be shared directly with the artist through a private admin or support route, not a public menu page.

SUPPORT

Need help getting your stream online?

If your slot is booked and you still need the go-live details, or you want help choosing OBS laptop or mobile streaming, contact the Back2Back team directly.

Email artist support

CHECKLIST

Before you hit Start Streaming

Use this final check before your set:

  • Your slot is booked and confirmed.
  • Your OBS server is set to rtmps://live.b2bmusic.co.uk:443/live/.
  • If using a phone, your mobile streaming app is set to the same RTMPS server.
  • Your stream key has been received privately from Back2Back.
  • Your audio levels have been tested from the mixer into OBS or the phone input.
  • Your title, artist name, and timing are ready to match the schedule.