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How to Send Liquidsoap Audio to a YouTube Radio Livestream

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To send Liquidsoap audio to a YouTube radio livestream, create a Liquidsoap source, configure an encoder, and send the output to YouTube using the ingest URL and stream key shown in YouTube Live Control Room. On Liquidsoap 2.4.5, the dedicated operator is output.youtube.live.rtmp. Check your installed version before using examples: the operator name and arguments changed in recent releases.

What you need before configuring Liquidsoap

  • A Liquidsoap installation with the required encoder support. The documented YouTube output expects an encoder, most likely an FFmpeg encoder; available codecs and protocols depend on your build.
  • An audio source, such as a playlist or another supported input. Liquidsoap sources provide the content; outputs continuously pull that content toward a destination.
  • A YouTube stream URL and stream key from Live Control Room.
  • A visual track if your chosen encoder configuration sends video. An audio-only radio feed and an audio feed paired with a static image are different output configurations.

You do not need a capture card, audio interface, or dedicated streaming peripheral for this software workflow. Liquidsoap can run on a machine you manage or a hosted server; that is a deployment choice rather than a requirement of the YouTube output.

Configure Liquidsoap for YouTube Live

1. Check the installed Liquidsoap version

Use the versioned API reference matching your installation. The Liquidsoap 2.4.5 reference documents output.youtube.live.rtmp, which accepts a URL, secret key, encoder, and source. Its default URL is rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2. See the Liquidsoap 2.4.5 Source / Output reference for the operator signature and options.

Older examples may use output.youtube.live or generic output.url configurations with different arguments. Liquidsoap’s change notes in the versioned reference document the rename to output.youtube.live.rtmp and the move from older bitrate or quality arguments to an encoder argument. Do not combine syntax from different releases.

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2. Create or select a YouTube stream

In YouTube Live Control Room, create or select the stream and copy the ingest URL and stream key into your output configuration. YouTube describes the key as the information that lets the encoder send the feed to the right destination and lets YouTube accept it. Keep it private, like a password; if it is exposed, reset it in the Stream tab and update Liquidsoap. See YouTube’s guidance on managing live stream settings.

3. Define the source, encoder, and output

Build the configuration in three parts: define the audio source, configure an encoder supported by your installation, then pass that encoder and source to output.youtube.live.rtmp with the YouTube URL and key. The reference includes fallible and start options in addition to the URL; their values affect behavior if the source is unavailable and when the output starts.

There is no single complete script that is guaranteed to work across all installations: the exact configuration depends on your Liquidsoap release, FFmpeg support and codecs, and whether you are sending audio alone or a video presentation. Use the reference for the installed version rather than copying an unversioned snippet. Liquidsoap’s Quickstart explains the general distinction between sources and outputs, including why a playlist or remote source may be fallible.

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4. Choose RTMP or RTMPS deliberately

YouTube recommends RTMPS for encrypted ingest. The Liquidsoap 2.4.5 reference documents the default RTMP URL, but does not establish that every Liquidsoap or FFmpeg build supports a particular RTMPS configuration. Use the endpoint supplied in Live Control Room and verify that your installed build supports its protocol before relying on it. YouTube’s current encoder settings guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS as ingest options.

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5. Decide whether the radio stream needs a visual

If your encoder/output expects video, pair the audio with an appropriate visual source, such as a static image, or another video source. A Liquidsoap community discussion illustrates muxing radio audio with a video source and sending an FFmpeg FLV encode to YouTube, but it is an example rather than a substitute for the current versioned API: Liquidsoap for Streaming. Configure and test the video path supported by your own installation.

Use YouTube’s encoder settings as a checklist

YouTube’s encoder guidance, retrieved October 3, 2026, lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 for video; AAC or MP3 for audio; frame rates up to 60 fps; constant bitrate (CBR); and a recommended two-second keyframe interval, not exceeding four seconds. These are YouTube recommendations, not a guarantee that a given connection or encode will produce a particular result.

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Setting YouTube guidance
Ingest RTMP or RTMPS; YouTube recommends RTMPS for encrypted ingest.
Video codec H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1.
Audio codec AAC or MP3.
Frame rate Up to 60 fps.
Rate control CBR.
Keyframe interval Two seconds recommended; do not exceed four seconds.
Stereo audio AAC or MP3; 44.1 kHz and 128 Kbps recommended in YouTube’s advanced settings.
5.1 audio AAC, 48 kHz, and 384 Kbps.

For video bitrate, use the YouTube recommendation matching your codec, resolution, and frame rate. For H.264 at 30 fps, YouTube lists 3 Mbps minimum and 8 Mbps recommended for 720p, and 5 Mbps minimum and 14 Mbps recommended for 1080p. Do not treat those figures as universal settings for other resolutions, frame rates, or codecs. Keep upload capacity above the stream’s total bitrate; YouTube’s streaming tips recommend 20% additional bandwidth headroom.

Test the feed before leaving it live

  1. Start Liquidsoap with the source and output configuration intended for the broadcast.
  2. Open the stream in Live Control Room and confirm YouTube detects the incoming feed.
  3. Test representative audio and, if used, representative video motion. Listen for the expected program and check YouTube’s stream health messages.
  4. Monitor stream health during the event and address warnings rather than assuming that a successful connection means the whole program is arriving correctly.

Fix common connection and source problems

Liquidsoap rejects the operator or arguments

Check the installed Liquidsoap version and use its matching API. In 2.4.5, the dedicated operator is output.youtube.live.rtmp; examples for older names or arguments may not apply.

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The output cannot connect to YouTube

Verify the ingest URL and key in Live Control Room, confirm your encoder and codec support, check outgoing network capacity, and ensure the selected endpoint’s protocol is supported by your build. If the key may have been exposed, reset it in YouTube and replace it in the configuration.

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The source is unavailable or marked fallible

Check whether the playlist or input has content and can prepare in time. Liquidsoap’s quickstart explains that a normal output expects an infallible source, while playlists and remote inputs can fail or take time to prepare. The versioned YouTube output’s fallible option allows the child source to fail; in that case, the output stops until the source becomes available again. Choose the behavior that fits the source instead of treating an unavailable playlist as a YouTube ingest failure.

YouTube detects the stream but reports health warnings

Compare the actual encoder settings with YouTube’s recommendations for the selected codec, resolution, and frame rate. Check the two-second recommended keyframes, bitrate, and available upload headroom; test audio and video content representative of the broadcast.

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Choose how Liquidsoap stays running

Liquidsoap must continue running wherever you deploy it. A self-managed computer offers direct control; a hosted Linux server is another option for unattended operation. Neither is required by the Liquidsoap-to-YouTube configuration itself, and the choice depends on how you want to manage the running process.

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Or let it run in the cloud

If you want a prerecorded YouTube radio stream to continue without keeping Liquidsoap or a computer running at home, StreamNeo is a cloud service for looping uploaded videos on YouTube. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Each slot streams uploaded content as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; there are no quality tiers or re-encoding. StreamNeo also automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.

The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. The product plays uploaded videos and streams to YouTube; it does not broadcast a live camera feed. Start by uploading your video, adding the stream key, and going live: try StreamNeo.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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