# Use Meld Studio with Kick > Connect Meld Studio to Kick with the built-in Kick output, use the right stream settings, and add KickBot chat, alerts and TTS as browser layers. Source: https://kickbot.com/guides/setup/meld-and-kick Meld Studio works with Kick, and Kick lists MELD as supported streaming software ([How to stream on Kick.com](https://help.kick.com/en/articles/7066931-how-to-stream-on-kick-com)). In Meld, open the **Outputs** panel, click **+**, choose **Kick** and click **Login**. You sign in to Kick in your browser, and you do not need to copy a stream key. Kick overlays, such as KickBot widgets, go into a **Browser** layer. Meld Studio is free, with no watermark and no time limit, and runs on Windows and macOS ([meldstudio.co](https://meldstudio.co/)). This guide covers the Kick setup from Meld's own [Kick docs](https://meldstudio.co/docs/outputs/kick/), and how to add KickBot overlays. ## What you need - **Windows:** 64-bit Windows 10 version 2004 or later, or Windows 11, on an Intel or AMD processor. Windows on Arm is not supported. - **macOS:** macOS 12 or later, on Intel or Apple Silicon. - A Kick account. Meld Studio is not available for Linux, Chromebooks, phones or tablets. Source: [Install Meld Studio](https://meldstudio.co/docs/getstarted/install/). ## Connect Meld Studio to Kick 1. Open the **Outputs** panel in the top-right corner of Meld Studio. 2. Click the **+** icon and choose **Kick**. 3. In the Kick output settings, click **Login**. 4. Your browser opens. Sign in to the Kick account you want to stream to, check that it is the right account, and allow the connection. 5. Go back to Meld and check the output's details. The **Kick Channel** field shows a label that you can edit. Changing the label does not change the connected account. Meld gets your Kick server and stream key for you. If you prefer to use a stream key, add a **Custom RTMP** output and paste the server URL and stream key from your Kick Creator Dashboard. See [Find your Kick stream key](https://kickbot.com/guides/start/kick-stream-key). ## Stream settings for Kick Meld recommends these settings for Kick: | Setting | Meld's recommendation | | --- | --- | | Resolution | 1920×1080 | | Frame rate | 60 fps | | Hardware encoder | On (for example NVENC on an NVIDIA GPU) | | Video bitrate | Up to 8,000 kbps | | Audio bitrate | 160 kbps or higher | | x264 (CPU encoder) | Quality preset **Fast** or **Standard** | Kick's own limits are H.264 only, constant bitrate (CBR), 1,000 to 8,000 kbps, up to 1920x1080 at 60 fps, and a keyframe interval of 2 seconds ([Kick help center](https://help.kick.com/en/articles/7066931-how-to-stream-on-kick-com)). If your upload speed is low, pick a lower bitrate. [Best OBS settings for Kick](https://kickbot.com/guides/setup/best-obs-settings-for-kick) explains how to choose; the values are the same in Meld. Kick may show smaller channels to viewers at up to 720p60 until the channel reaches an engagement threshold, even when you send 1080p. You do not need to change your settings for this ([Kick help center](https://help.kick.com/en/articles/15638073-why-1080p-may-not-be-available-on-your-channel)). For a vertical stream, assign the Kick output to a portrait canvas in Meld. ## Go live 1. Set your stream title and category. Kick says your stream may not start correctly without them. If Meld's **Go Live Review** window shows a title and category for Kick, check them there. If not, set them in your [Kick Creator Dashboard](https://dashboard.kick.com/stream). 2. In the **Outputs** panel, check that the Kick output is on. 3. Click **Go live**. If the review window opens, confirm your details. Meld shows a confirmation when the stream is live and stable. To stop, click **Go Offline**, or turn off one output to stop only that platform ([Meld: Going Live](https://meldstudio.co/docs/outputs/going-live/)). ## Add KickBot overlays to Meld Every KickBot overlay is a web link that you add as a **Browser** layer. This works for the chat overlay, alerts, goals, TTS, tip alerts and AI images. 1. Copy the link in KickBot: - Widgets (chat, alerts, counts, goals): [Saved widgets](https://kickbot.com/dashboard/saved-widgets), **Copy URL**. Install them first from the [widget library](https://kickbot.com/dashboard/widget-library). - TTS: the widget URL on [TTS settings](https://kickbot.com/dashboard/tts/settings). - Tip alerts: [Tipping > Widget](https://kickbot.com/dashboard/tipping/widget). 2. In Meld, click **+** in the **Layers** panel and choose **Browser**. You can also paste the link straight onto the canvas. 3. Paste the link in the **URL** field in the **Inspector**. 4. Set the size to the widget size shown in KickBot, for example 800 × 600 for an alert. 5. For anything with sound (alerts, TTS, tip alerts), turn on **Add an audio track for the source** under the URL field. Meld does not add an audio track for a browser layer by itself. Turn on **CUE** on that track if you want to hear it yourself. Use the reload icon next to the URL field to reload an overlay. Meld's [layers docs](https://meldstudio.co/docs/layers/) have more about browser layers, including **Lock Size**, which keeps the page size the same when you resize the layer. > **Caution:** Your overlay links are private. Do not show them on stream, and do not paste them into a public layer template. For the same steps in OBS and Streamlabs Desktop, and for troubleshooting, see [Add a browser source](https://kickbot.com/docs/getting-started/add-browser-source-obs). Widget settings are on [Chat overlay](https://kickbot.com/docs/widgets/chat-overlay), [On-screen alerts](https://kickbot.com/docs/alerts/on-screen-alerts) and [Set up TTS](https://kickbot.com/docs/tts/set-up-tts). ## Meld widgets or KickBot widgets? Meld has built-in widgets, such as a chat widget and an activity widget, that react to events on Kick, Twitch, YouTube and TikTok. Meld says the events you can use differ per platform ([Meld widgets](https://meldstudio.co/docs/widget/)). KickBot widgets are made for Kick only. They have alerts for gifted subs and KICKs with a minimum and maximum, raid alerts, sub and follower goals, TTS with 3,000+ voices, and a Kick chat overlay. You can use both. Use one tool for each kind of alert, so a follow does not show two pop-ups. ## Kick chat in Meld Meld's **Stream Chat** panel shows your Kick chat, and you can reply to Kick messages from Meld ([Meld Multi Chat](https://meldstudio.co/docs/integrations/multi-chat/)). Log in to the Kick output first. KickBot's chat bot does not run in Meld. It runs on KickBot's servers and posts in your Kick chat, whatever app you stream with. KickBot must be a moderator in your channel. See [Add KickBot as a moderator](https://kickbot.com/docs/getting-started/add-kickbot-as-moderator) and [Set up a chat bot on Kick](https://kickbot.com/guides/setup/kick-chat-bot-setup). ## Stream to Kick and other platforms Meld can stream to Kick, Twitch, YouTube and other platforms at the same time. Add one output for each platform. Kick Partners must turn on Kick's Multistreaming toggle when they also stream to Twitch or YouTube. See [Multistream to Kick and Twitch](https://kickbot.com/guides/setup/multistream-kick-and-twitch). ## Troubleshooting **A KickBot overlay is empty.** Many overlays only show something when there is an event, for example a follow or a chat message. Click the reload icon next to the URL. Check that you pasted the full link. **No sound from alerts or TTS.** Turn on **Add an audio track for the source** on the browser layer, and check that the track is not muted in the Audio Mixer. **The overlay is cut off or blurry.** Set the layer to the widget size in the Inspector instead of stretching it on the canvas. **The stream does not start on Kick.** Check that the title and category are set on Kick, that the Kick output is on, and that your bitrate is 8,000 kbps or lower. Then try to log in to the Kick output again. **The stream goes to the wrong Kick channel.** The **Kick Channel** field is only a label. Click **Login** in the Kick output again and sign in with the right Kick account in your browser. ## FAQ **Does Meld Studio work with Kick?** Yes. Meld Studio has a built-in Kick output. Add it in the **Outputs** panel and click **Login** to connect your Kick account. **Do I need a stream key for Meld and Kick?** No, if you use the Kick output with **Login**. You need the stream key only for a **Custom RTMP** output. **Is Meld Studio free?** Yes. Meld says Meld Studio is free with no watermarks, time limits or hidden fees. It runs on Windows and macOS. **Can I use KickBot with Meld Studio?** Yes. Add KickBot overlays as Browser layers. The chat bot works with any streaming app, because it runs on KickBot's servers.