Discord doesn't have a built-in intro music feature, but you can add one using your streaming software or by playing audio through a separate application while you broadcast

If you want intro music to play when you go live on Discord, you have two main routes: use your streaming software (like OBS Studio or Streamlabs) to layer the audio into your stream, or play the music through your computer's speakers and capture it as part of your stream audio. The first method gives you more control and is cleaner; the second works if you already have music playing but is harder to time precisely.

The method you choose depends on what streaming software you're already using and how much control you want over when the music starts and stops. Most people find the streaming software route simpler because the music stays in your stream file and doesn't leak into your Discord voice chat.

Key Takeaways

  • OBS Studio and Streamlabs both let you add audio files to your stream as separate layers, so intro music plays only in the broadcast, not in Discord voice chat.
  • You need an audio file on your computer (MP3 or WAV format works in most streaming software) before you can add it to your stream setup.
  • In OBS, add a new Audio Input Capture or Media Source, point it to your intro file, and mute it in Discord's audio settings so only stream viewers hear it.
  • You can set the audio to play automatically when you start streaming, or trigger it manually by clicking a button during your broadcast.
  • Test your intro music with a friend in a Discord call before going live to make sure the timing and volume sound right.

Setting up intro music in OBS Studio

OBS Studio is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. To add intro music, you first create a new scene or use your existing one, then add a Media Source that points to your audio file. Click the plus icon under Sources, select Media Source, name it (something like "Intro Music"), and browse to the MP3 or WAV file on your computer.

Once the file is added, you'll see it listed under Sources. Right-click on it and select Mute to silence it in your Discord voice chat—this way only people watching your stream hear the music. You can set the media source to loop if you want it to repeat, or leave it as a one-time play. In the media source properties, you can also set it to restart when the scene loads, which means the intro plays automatically every time you switch to that scene.

To trigger the intro manually instead, leave the auto-play setting off and click the Media Source in OBS when you want the music to start. This gives you more control if you're not sure exactly when you'll go live or if you want to skip the intro some streams.

Using Streamlabs for intro music

Streamlabs (the desktop version) has a similar setup. Add a new source, select Audio Input Capture or Media Source depending on whether you're pulling from a file or a device, and point it to your intro music file. The muting and scene-based triggering work the same way as OBS—mute the source in Discord settings so it only plays in the stream, and set it to auto-play or manual trigger based on your preference.

Streamlabs also includes built-in alert sounds and music libraries if you don't have an intro file yet. You can browse royalty-free music directly in the app, download it, and add it as a source without leaving Streamlabs. This is faster than hunting for music elsewhere if you're starting from scratch.

Finding and preparing intro music files

You need an audio file in MP3 or WAV format. Sites like Pixabay Music, YouTube Audio Library, and Epidemic Sound offer free or low-cost intro music you can download. Make sure the license allows streaming use—most free music sites do, but check the terms before you broadcast.

Once you download the file, save it somewhere easy to find on your computer, like a Streams folder or your Music folder. Keep the file name simple so you can locate it quickly in OBS or Streamlabs. If the intro is longer than 10 or 15 seconds, consider trimming it using free software like Audacity so viewers don't wait too long before your actual stream starts.

Testing your intro before going live

Start a Discord voice call with a friend or a test server, then start your streaming software and trigger the intro music. Listen in Discord to confirm the music doesn't play in voice chat, then check the stream preview or have your friend watch the stream to confirm they hear it. Adjust the volume in OBS or Streamlabs if it's too loud or too quiet compared to your voice.

Pay attention to timing: if the intro is too long, viewers might leave before you start talking. If it's too short, it might feel rushed. Most streamers aim for 5 to 10 seconds so the music sets the mood without eating into broadcast time. Once you're happy with how it sounds, you're ready to use it on your actual streams.

Alternatives if you don't use streaming software

If you're streaming directly from Discord without OBS or Streamlabs, you can play intro music through your computer's speakers and Discord will pick it up as part of your microphone audio. Open Spotify, YouTube, or a music player, start the intro, then go live in Discord. The downside is that everyone in the Discord voice chat hears the music too, and you have to time it manually.

This method also makes it harder to control volume separately—if your intro is loud, it might drown out your voice when you start talking. For these reasons, using streaming software is almost always cleaner, even if it takes a few extra minutes to set up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use copyrighted music as my intro?

Technically Discord won't stop you, but the copyright holder can claim the stream or video later, which may mute the audio or prevent you from monetizing. Stick to royalty-free music or music you have explicit permission to use. Most free music sites are safe because the creators have already given permission for streaming.

What if my intro music plays in Discord voice chat too?

You didn't mute the source in Discord's audio settings. In OBS, right-click the media source and select Mute. In Streamlabs, check the audio mixer at the bottom and make sure the source is muted. The music should then play only in the stream, not in voice chat.

How do I make the intro play automatically when I start streaming?

In OBS, right-click the Media Source, select Properties, and check "Restart playback when source becomes active." In Streamlabs, look for similar auto-play settings in the source properties. This way the intro starts the moment you switch to that scene or go live.

Can I use different intro music for different streams?

Yes. Create separate scenes in OBS or Streamlabs, each with a different Media Source pointing to a different audio file. Switch to the scene you want before going live, and the corresponding intro will play. This is useful if you stream different games or content types.

What audio formats work in OBS and Streamlabs?

Both support MP3, WAV, FLAC, and OGG. MP3 and WAV are the most common and easiest to find. If you download music and it's in a different format, you can convert it free using Audacity or an online converter before adding it to your streaming software.