During the coronavirus pandemic, people are no longer gathering in large groups. Nevertheless, musicians and singers are still performing for audiences—but now via livestreams rather than in person. Even though the performance is remote, you shouldn't let your acoustics or visual presentation suffer. Below are some tips to improve your livestream performance.

3 Tips for a Better Livestream Concert

1. Minimize Background Noise

Air conditioners, fans, and phone alarms will interfere with even the most stellar performance, so make sure you choose a quiet spot to stream. Inside a small, soundproofed room is best. You can deaden noise by hanging thick drapes on the wall or—for a more permanent solution—affixing thick carpet squares or acoustic tiles to the walls and ceiling.

Finally, consider recording a few minutes of silence in your chosen spot so that you can hear what the microphone is picking up. It may reveal a humming sound from a refrigerator or air conditioner you never even noticed.

2. Consider Lighting

While your audience is interested in your music, don't neglect the visual component of your livestream. Make sure you have enough lighting so that the viewers can see you clearly. Light both sides of your face so that it’s not covered in stark shadows.

However, harsh lighting can wash out light faces or clothing, so reflect the beams off of the walls, ceiling, or a photographic reflector. Lastly, consider a backlight, which illuminates the area behind you, causing a glowing aura around the hair, shoulders, and arms, and adds depth to the shot.

3. Choose Quality Audio Equipment

The performance your audience receives during your livestream is only as good as your acoustics and audio equipment, so don't skimp on quality. While smartphones have decent microphones for phone calls, they’re not the right solution for recording audio. Make sure you choose performance-quality microphones, windshields for outdoor performances, and pop filters for vocal mics. It’s essential that you also have headphones to hear what you're capturing, sturdy microphone stands, and high-quality audio cables so that your audience can enjoy exactly what you create.

To make sure you're using high-quality acoustic equipment to capture your performance, stop by Claiborne Sharp Professional Audio in Shreveport, LA. They have served customers throughout the parishes of Caddo and Bossier since 1989, specializing in commercial sound and video, church sound systems, video cameras, and school audio. Learn more about them on their website or call (318) 861-5953 to ask about store hours or product availability.