Discord isn’t just for voice and text chats anymore; it has grown into a platform that offers more interactive and engaging features, including the ability to play music. Whether you’re setting the mood in a gaming session, hosting a listening party, or just chilling with friends, playing music on Discord can make the experience more enjoyable. Here’s how to do it:
1. Using Bots to Play Music:
Bots are third-party applications that you can add to your server to enhance its functionality. Many bots can play music directly from YouTube, Spotify, and other sources.
a. Selecting a Music Bot:
- Rythm: Highly popular, easy to use, and offers seamless music streaming.
- Groovy: Another popular choice, known for its reliability.
- FredBoat: A versatile bot that can play from various sources.
(Search for these bots online to find their official websites and invitation links.)
b. Adding a Bot to Your Server:
- Go to the official page of the bot you chose.
- Click on the ‘Invite’ or ‘Add to Server’ button.
- Select the server you want to add the bot to.
- Authorize permissions (ensure you’re comfortable with the permissions you’re granting).
c. Playing Music: After you’ve added the bot:
- Join a voice channel.
- Use the bot’s command prefix followed by a play command and your music choice. For example, with Rythm, you’d type:
!play [song name or link]. - The bot will join the channel and start playing the song.
2. Using Soundboard Applications:
Soundboard apps play predefined sound clips, including music snippets, memes, or any audio.
Applications like ‘Resanance’ or ‘EXP Soundboard’:
- Download and install a soundboard application of your choice.
- Load your music or sound clips.
- Connect the soundboard to Discord using a virtual audio cable (like VB-CABLE).
- Play sounds on the soundboard, and they’ll be broadcasted into your voice channel.
3. Streaming Audio Directly (for casual listening):
If you just want to share a tune or two with friends without setting up a bot:
a. Join a Voice Channel:
- Click on the voice channel you want to join.
b. Share Your Screen:
- Click on the ‘Screen’ icon (next to the video icon) at the bottom of Discord.
- Choose the application or browser tab playing the music.
- Click ‘Go Live’. Users in your voice channel can now watch and listen.
4. Things to Remember:
a. Respect Copyright:
- Ensure you have the rights to broadcast the music. Avoid playing copyrighted music if you’re streaming to a public server or a large audience.
b. Server Permissions:
- If you’re not the server owner, ensure you have the necessary permissions to add bots or stream audio.
c. Quality and Latency:
- Some bots or methods may have better sound quality or lower latency. Experiment and see which one works best for your needs.
Conclusion:
Playing music on Discord can elevate your server’s experience. Whether you’re hosting a virtual party, setting the background score for your game, or just sharing a new song you discovered, these methods make it simple and fun. Dive in, explore the bots and tools, and get your groove on in your favorite server!