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To loop one prerecorded radio show in OBS, add it as a Media Source and enable Loop. To play several shows in sequence, use VLC Video, add the files to its playlist, and enable Loop Playlist. Then connect OBS to YouTube Live, verify the audio in the preview, and test the full stream before broadcasting.
Choose the OBS source that fits your show
| Setup | OBS source | Loop setting | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| One local show | Media Source | Loop | Simplest option for repeating a single audio or video file. |
| Several shows in a fixed order | VLC Video | Loop Playlist | Requires VLC to be installed. For 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC. |
OBS documents MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV among supported local audio formats, and MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM among supported video formats. See the OBS Media Sources guide for source options.
Loop one prerecorded show
- Create or select a scene. In OBS, choose the scene you want to use for the radio stream.
- Add the file. In the Sources dock, select +, choose Media Source, and select your local audio or video file.
- Enable looping. In the Media Source properties, turn on Loop, then confirm the source. OBS should restart playback after the file reaches its end.
- Decide what viewers will see. An audio-only show can be paired with a still image, logo, or other scene element if you want a visual. OBS sources are layered: items higher in the Sources list appear above items lower in the list. A still image is optional, not a requirement for looping.
For a single-file audio show, the documented workflow does not require converting the audio into a video file. If you add visuals, check the final picture in YouTube’s preview rather than assuming the OBS preview represents the viewer’s experience. The OBS Sources Guide explains source layering.
Loop multiple shows as a playlist
- Install VLC if needed. OBS’s VLC Video source depends on VLC being installed. Match the VLC architecture to OBS; use 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS.
- Add the playlist source. In the scene’s Sources dock, select + and add VLC Video.
- Populate the media playlist. Add the prerecorded shows in the order you want them to play.
- Set playback behavior. Enable Loop Playlist. Leave shuffle off when the program must follow a fixed order. Review the source’s visibility behavior if it may be hidden during scene changes, so playback behaves as intended when you switch scenes.
- Check the scene and audio. Confirm the source is visible in the intended scene and that sound reaches the OBS Audio Mixer.
VLC Video offers playlist, loop, shuffle, and visibility behavior controls; OBS documents these in its Media Sources guide. Neither source is established as universally more reliable: choose based on whether you have one file or need a multi-file playlist.
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Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Confirm live access early. Enable live streaming for the YouTube channel before the scheduled broadcast. YouTube says first-time enablement may take up to 24 hours; check your account in advance using YouTube’s live-streaming setup guidance.
- Create or schedule an encoder stream. In YouTube Studio, open the Live Control Room and create or schedule a stream using the encoder workflow. YouTube’s encoder setup guide covers the connection process.
- Enter the connection details in OBS. In OBS stream settings, select YouTube if available. Otherwise, enter the stream URL and stream key shown in YouTube Studio. Treat the stream key as private: anyone who can use it may be able to send a feed to your stream.
- Preview before going public. Start the OBS feed and wait for it to appear in YouTube’s Live Control Room. Check the picture, audio, and stream health there before starting the public broadcast.
Use YouTube’s encoder settings guidance if you need to choose resolution, bitrate, or other output settings. The appropriate settings depend on the output you intend to send and the connection available; do not assume that a setting suitable for one broadcast fits every setup.
Check sound and test the complete path
While the source is playing, watch the OBS Audio Mixer. The meter for the show should move. If it does not, verify that the source is active, not muted, and included in the scene being sent to YouTube. OBS’s Quick Start Guide recommends checking mixer meters and selecting audio devices manually when meters are not moving or the wrong device is being captured.
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- Listen for silence at the beginning, between files, and at the loop point.
- Check for clipping, unexpected background audio, or a source that stops when you change scenes.
- Verify both audio and any still image or video in YouTube’s Live Control Room preview.
- Run a private or unlisted test before the scheduled public broadcast. A local OBS preview alone does not confirm that YouTube is receiving the intended feed.
Headphones can help you monitor for gaps or distortion during a test, but they are optional and do not enable looping.
Clear music rights before broadcasting
Prerecording a show does not clear its rights. YouTube’s livestream terms place responsibility on the provider to have the rights needed to use live content, including music licensing rights. Confirm that your permissions cover the relevant recordings and the intended use before streaming.
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YouTube says live streams are scanned for third-party content. A match may replace the stream with a placeholder and trigger a warning; continued third-party content can result in temporary interruption or termination. If you have licensed third-party content, YouTube advises asking the rights owner to add your channel to its Content ID allowlist. Permission to use the music and Content ID allowlisting are separate checks: having a license does not necessarily prevent an automated interruption if the channel is not allowlisted. See YouTube’s guidance on copyright issues with live streams.
Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The show stops at the end of the file. | Loop is not enabled on the Media Source. | Open the source properties and turn on Loop. |
| The playlist stops after the last show. | Loop Playlist is off. | Open VLC Video properties and enable Loop Playlist. |
| VLC Video is unavailable in the source menu. | VLC is not installed or its architecture does not match OBS. | Install VLC; for 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC, then check the source menu again. |
| The OBS mixer shows no audio. | The source may be inactive, muted, or not routed into the active scene; the wrong device may also be selected. | Check source and mixer mute states, scene visibility, and audio device selection. Confirm the meter moves while the show plays. |
| YouTube does not receive the OBS feed. | Live access may not be enabled, or the stream URL or key may be wrong. | Confirm channel eligibility and enablement in YouTube, then compare OBS’s connection details with the values in the Live Control Room. |
| YouTube interrupts or replaces the stream. | Third-party content may have triggered detection, even if you believe it is licensed. | Review the rights for the content and, where applicable, ask the rights owner to allowlist your channel in Content ID. |
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