These are the tools I use when streaming. All of them are free, or have a free price plan.
Video-tools
Obs Project (source)
The place where I “direct” my classes (read here how).
Other alternatives worth checking out:
- StreamLabs (a more modernlooking OBS fork)
- Xsplit Broadcaster
NDI 4 Tools (source)
This used to be my most important piece of equiment (read here how). Thanks to the built-in virtual camera of OBS I only use it if I need to incorporate a network device in my stream :
Xsplit Vcam (source)
I use this to remove the background behind me without a greenscreen on my camera and then consume that stream in obs. This one is only useful if you buy the full version otherwise you’ll have stupid watermarks all over (tip I found a 50% deal on stacksocial.com)
Microphone & Speaker tools
Voicemeeter & VB cable (source)
OBS is used as my virtual camera, Voicemeeter (& VB-cables) acts is my virtual mic. Voicemeeter always you to route your sound(s) anyway you like.
Audio Switcher (source & source 2)
This tool allows you to more easily switch between your audio devices (speakers AND microphones) because the UI clearly shows what device is what using clean icons.
Other worth mentioning:
-
- EarTrumpet: Will visualise your peak volume in the task-tray & allows to route the audio of an app to a specific device
- SoundSwitch: less sexy but more customisable
- Check out this tip to remove unused device
Spacedesk (source)
This free tool allows you to create a secondary (or more) monitor of any android device you have lying arround. I use an old tablet for it and then put my OBS (or the OBS multiview) on it, giving me more space on the screen I use to show to student. The tool also detects touch, so you can actually click the OBS multiview to choose what scene to show!
Pretzel Rocks (source)
A sweet little tool that allow you to have copyfree music in your streams. Usefull for example to have playing while you have a ‘waiting’ screen being streamed.
Voice Mod (source)
A realtime voice changer. Funny if you’re doing more silly teaching streams 😉
Krisp.AI (source)
This one was a lifechanger in our “open environment” house where kids run around playing and as long as they are in the house…we hear them. This tool will remove all those background noises without a fuzz. Really love it. Check out my “review” here.
Other usefull tools and links
Free audio & music libraries
Video tools
- Streamyard.com: I use this if I want to broadcast with multiple people as hosts
- Riverside.fm: Haven’t used this one yet, but looks promising as it does the same thingas streamyard, but different.
- DYI “Presenter in a box”
Windows 10 PowerTools (source)
Two (at the moment) very useful tools while teaching/streaming:
- Shortcut guide: visualises all existing shortcuts in windows. I use this to rapidly place shortcuts in my Elgato Stream Deck
- Fancy Zones: “FancyZones is a window manager that’s designed to make it easy to arrange and snap windows into efficient layouts for your workflow, and also to restore these layouts quickly.” This is extremely useful to rapidly place all my program in the correct manner before I start a stream
Be sure to check out the other tools! There’s some really nifty ones!
A big guide (source)
Not a tool but a very exhaustive overview of the platforms, tools and manners one can start streaming online. It might overwhelm you so be warned. For now, I stick to my obs+ndi+twitch/teams setup. Tough Streamyard.com is something that’s been on my radar for quiet some time.
Tim Dams 