Introduction
A Discord Stage Channel is a special channel for one-to-many audio and video events, like a live podcast, AMA (Ask Me Anything), or community meeting. Unlike a normal voice channel, it creates a clear divide between Speakers on a “stage” and the Audience listening, giving Moderators full control over the event.
How Stage Channels Work: The 3 Roles
The key to understanding a Stage is its three specific roles.
| Role | Who They Are | What They Can Do |
| Moderator | The event organizer / host. | Start/end the event, invite Speakers, approve “raised hands,” and mute or remove Speakers. |
| Speaker | The person on stage. | Talk, share their video, and share their screen. |
| Audience | A listener. | Listen to the event. They cannot speak unless they “Raise Hand” and are approved by a Moderator. |
Stage Channel vs. Regular Voice Channel
Which one should you use? Here’s a quick comparison.
| Feature | Regular Voice Channel | Stage Channel |
| Best For | Casual conversations, gaming, hanging out. | Structured events, AMAs, panels, presentations. |
| Speaking | Everyone can talk at any time (push-to-talk). | Only Speakers can talk. Audience must request. |
| Control | Limited (mute, deafen, kick). | Full (Mods control who speaks and when). |
| Discovery | Just another channel. | Displays at the top of the channel list when “Open.” |
How to Host an Event (Admin Guide)
Step 1: Create Your Stage Channel
First, you must have a “Community Server.”
What is a Community Server?
This is a setting in Server Settings > Enable Community. It’s free and unlocks powerful features, including Stage Channels, Announcement Channels, and Server Insights. You must enable this first.
Once your server is a Community Server:
- Click the “+” button in your channel list to “Create Channel.”
- Select the “Stage Channel” type.
- Give the channel a name (e.g., “Town Hall” or “AMA Stage”).
- Add the roles or members who you want to be Stage Moderators.
Step 2: Start the Event
- Join the Stage Channel you just created.
- A prompt will appear. Click “Open the Stage.”
- Enter a Topic for the event. This is crucial as it tells everyone in the server what the event is about.
- Click “Start”! The Stage is now live and will appear at the top of your server’s channel list.
Step 3: Manage Your Speakers
As a Moderator, you control the flow.
- Inviting Speakers: You can right-click an Audience member and click “Invite to Speak.”
- The “Raise Hand” Queue: Audience members can click the “Raise Hand” icon. You will see a list of requests and can approve them to bring them on stage.
- Moving Speakers: You can move a Speaker back to the Audience at any time.
Step 4: End the Event
When the event is over, click the “End Stage” button at the bottom. This will disconnect everyone and close the stage. (If all Moderators leave, the stage will also end automatically).
How to Participate (Audience Guide)
- Joining: Simply click on the live Stage Channel at the top of the channel list. You will join as an Audience member and be muted by default.
- Requesting to Speak: If you want to ask a question, click the “Raise Hand” icon in the bottom bar. A Moderator will be notified. If they approve, you will be promoted to a Speaker.
- Leaving: You can click the “Leave Quietly” button. This lets you exit the channel without the loud “disconnect” sound, avoiding disruption.
Advanced Features & Limits
Stage Channels are more than just audio.
- Video: Speakers can turn on their webcams.
- Limit: Up to 5 people can use their video at one time.
- Screen Sharing: Speakers can share their screen, just like in a regular call.
- Limit: 1 person can share their screen at a time.
- Text Chat: Every Stage Channel has a dedicated text chat thread. This allows the Audience to type questions and interact without “raising their hand.”
- Viewer Limits:
- Audio-Only: Up to 10,000 participants.
- With Video/Screen Share: Viewer limits depend on your Server Boost Level.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many Stage Moderators can I have?
A: There is no set limit. You can add as many roles or members as you need to moderate the event.
Q: Can I, as an Audience member, speak at all?
A: No, not directly. You must use the “Raise Hand” feature and be approved by a Moderator to be temporarily promoted to a Speaker.
Q: How do I turn on my video as a Speaker?
A: Once you are a Speaker, the video camera and screen share buttons will appear in the bottom bar, just like in a normal voice call.
QS: What are the best events for a Stage Channel?
A: They are perfect for AMAs, interviews, lectures, community-wide meetings, live podcast recordings, game tournaments (with casters as Speakers), and reading sessions.
Conclusion
Discord Stage Channels are a powerful tool for turning a chaotic server into a professional event space. They give you the control needed to host large-scale gatherings, panels, and presentations effectively.