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# Starting a Multistream with a Single Hotkey

XSplit Broadcaster's **Macros extension** works by creating events that **automate** various actions for you to save time and help get you through livestreams/recordings more efficiently.

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In this guide, we'll learn how Macros can be used to **automatically start your streaming outputs simultaneously** with just a single key press.

1. Go to **Broadcast** and make sure all your streaming outputs are set up.

![Highlighting two stream outputs ready for streaming under the Broadcast Menu](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/xsplit_zg0i16.gif)

| [Click here](/en/article/how-to-setup-your-stream-1bqqtpg/) to learn how to setup a streaming output.

2. Go to **Extensions > Macros**. The Macros window should appear.

![Selecting Macros under the Extensions Menu in XSplit Broadcaster](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/002_kvao7i.png)

3. Click the **+ icon** to add a new macro.

![Clicking the + icon on an empty Macros window adds a new one](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/003_1p1rmlv.gif)

| If you already have other macros, you can instead click the + icon at the top-left portion of the window to add a new one.  

4. Choose and select **On key down** under **Event**. A new entry field should appear just below it.

![Selecting "On key down" as an event in XSplit Broadcaster's Macros](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/004_3bge6i.gif)

5. Click the entry field once, then type in your preferred key combination or mouse click. In this guide we'll use **CTRL+DOWN** as an example.

![Using CTRL + Down Arrow as the key down trigger for the Macro](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/005_mii0t4.gif)

6. Under **Action**, select **Start/stop broadcast** in the drop down menu. Two new dropdown menus should appear.

7. In **Select output/channel**, select the first streaming output you want to use.

|| It's also possible to select **Local Recording** instead of a streaming output if you wish to do a simultaneous recording and streaming. 

8. In **Select Function**, select **Start**. 

![Creating a YouTube Live Start Stream Action in Macros](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/youtube-live-action_kjlvim.png)

9. Click **Add action**. This  creates a new one within the same event.

![Clicking on Add Action creates a new Action field within the same Event in Macros](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/add-action_fmccnb.gif)

10. Choose and select **Wait**, then set the **time (ms)** to **1000**. Do not skip this step, as this action creates a momentary, albeit unnoticeable gap between the first and second stream output, allowing XSplit Broadcaster to properly process each action.

![The Wait action with a wait value of 1000 milliseconds](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/wait_fcm0z6.png)

11. Click **Add action** again. 

12. Under **Action**, select **Start/stop broadcast** in the drop down menu. Two new dropdown menus should appear.

13. In **Select output/channel**, select the second streaming output you want to use.

14. In **Select Function**, select **Start**. 

![Creating a Facebook Live Start Stream Action in Macros](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/facebook-live-action_1myozs7.png)

Your Macros Actions should look like this: 

![Showing how the Actions on a Multistreaming Event should look like](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/action-set-multistreaming_navwcb.png)

| OPTIONAL: Don't forget to rename your Macro by clicking the **Pencil icon** at the top.

15. Check **Enable event listener** to activate the macro.

![Checking Enable event listener to activate the Macro](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/event-listener-multi_le281v.png)

16. To ensure everything is working, it's best to use the **Test button** located at the upper right corner of the Macros extension window. Close the window when done.

![Clicking the Test button at the upper-right corner of the Macros extension window](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/567507547fcdcc00/test-button_12eftjf.png)

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That's it! Go back to the XSplit Broadcaster main program window then **press your assigned key** to start the simultaneous streaming process.