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For continuous background music while OBS changes playlist videos, add the music as a separate Media Source, enable Loop, and keep it active in the scene. If you want only that music—not the videos’ own sound—mute the playlist source in the OBS mixer. This is a practical setup, not a guarantee of gapless audio at every video boundary. If you mean the soundtrack embedded in each clip must flow seamlessly into the next, OBS’s documentation does not promise that behavior for VLC playlists.
Set up a continuous background audio track
- Add the audio file. In your OBS scene, add a Media Source and select the file you want to play. OBS lists MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV among the supported formats. See the OBS Project Media Sources guide.
- Enable Loop. Open the Media Source properties and turn on Loop. OBS describes this as repeating the file after playback completes.
- Keep the video playlist in the scene. Use a VLC Video source for the playlist. OBS supports playlist items and controls including loop, shuffle, visibility behavior, caching, and audio-track selection. VLC must be installed for the source to appear, and its architecture should match OBS: install 64-bit VLC for 64-bit OBS.
- Balance or mute the playlist audio. Keep both sources active for the duration of the playlist and adjust the music level in the OBS mixer. If the clips’ embedded sound should not play, mute the VLC source there.
- Test clip boundaries. Make a short recording containing several playlist items and listen for gaps, overlaps, or silence at the ends and starts of files. The separate looping source is a practical way to maintain a background bed, but OBS does not document this combination as a guarantee of gapless playback.
Background music versus seamless clip sound
For one continuous music bed
A separate looping Media Source is the clearest setup when the same background audio should continue regardless of which video is playing. The music loops independently of the VLC playlist, so changing video items does not require changing the audio file. Test it in the scene and with the files you plan to use before relying on it live.
For the videos’ own soundtracks
If each clip’s embedded audio must continue seamlessly into the next, the reviewed OBS guide confirms playlist playback but does not state that VLC transitions are sample-continuous or gapless. Do not assume that enabling playlist loop or shuffle removes every boundary gap. One practical option is to prepare a single continuous audio track—or join the media in a suitable editor—and test the finished asset. That is a workflow alternative, not an OBS-specific guarantee.
Would another playlist source help?
The community Media Playlist Source plugin is an alternative for managing playlists, not a documented fix for audio cutouts. Its listing identifies OBS 30.0.0 as the minimum version and Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported platforms; it says audio-track and subtitle selection are not supported. The listing does not claim gapless playback.
The Tool Desk
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- Pro performance with great pre-amps - Achieve a brighter recording thanks to the high performing mic pre-amps of the Scarlett 3rd Gen. A switchable Air mode will add extra clarity to your acoustic instruments when recording with your Solo 3rd Gen
- Get the perfect guitar and vocal take with - With two high-headroom instrument inputs to plug in your guitar or bass so that they shine through. Capture your voice and instruments without any unwanted clipping or distortion thanks to our Gain Halos
- Studio quality recording for your music & podcasts - Achieve pro sounding recordings with Scarlett 3rd Gen’s high-performance converters enabling you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Your recordings will retain all of their sonic qualities
- Low-noise for crystal clear listening - 2 low-noise balanced outputs provide clean audio playback with 3rd Gen. Hear all the nuances of your tracks or music from Spotify, Apple & Amazon Music. Plug-in headphones for private listening in high-fidelity
- Everything in the box: Includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, and Hitmaker Expansion: a suite of essential effects, powerful software instruments, and easy-to-use mastering tools
Common problems and fixes
- The VLC Video source is missing: Install VLC and match its architecture to OBS. For 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC.
- The background audio stops after one play: Reopen the Media Source properties and check that Loop is enabled.
- You hear both the music bed and clip sound: Lower or mute the VLC source in the OBS mixer if you want only the separate audio file.
- You hear a gap or overlap at a video boundary: OBS’s VLC playlist documentation does not guarantee gapless transitions. Check for silence or overlap in the source files, then test a prepared continuous audio asset if seamless clip-native sound is essential.
- The audio ends when the playlist changes: Confirm that the audio Media Source remains active in the scene rather than being tied to a scene or visibility change that stops it.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep uploaded videos live on a YouTube channel around the clock, rather than operate an OBS playlist on your computer, StreamNeo runs the stream in the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it plays uploaded videos, not a live camera feed. Any quality up to 4K 60fps is streamed as uploaded at one price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, and the monthly option is $9.99 per month. Start your free first day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The new generation of the artist's interface: Connect your mic to Scarlett's 4th Gen mic pres. Plug in your guitar. Fire up the included software. Start making your first big hit
- Studio-quality sound: With a huge 120dB dynamic range, the newest generation of Scarlett uses the same converters as Focusrite’s flagship interfaces, found in the world's biggest studios
- Never lose a great take: Scarlett 4th Gen's Auto Gain sets the perfect level for your mic or guitar, and Clip Safe prevents clipping, so you can focus on the music
- Find your signature sound: Air mode lifts vocals and guitars to the front of the mix, adding musical presence and rich harmonic drive to your recordings
- With Scarlett 4th Gen, you have all you need to record, mix and master your music: Includes industry-leading recording software and a full collection of record-making plugins
Rank #4
- Podcast, Record, Live Stream, This Portable Audio Interface Covers it All - USB sound card for Mac or PC delivers 48kHz audio resolution for pristine recording every time
- Be ready for anything with this versatile M-AUDIO interface - Record guitar, vocals or line input signals with two combo XLR / Line / Instrument Inputs with phantom power
- Everything you Demand from an Audio Interface for Fuss-Free Monitoring - 1/4" headphone output and stereo 1/4" outputs for total monitoring flexibility; USB/Direct switch for zero latency monitoring
- Get the best out of your Microphones - M-Track Duo’s transparent Crystal Preamps guarantee optimal sound from all your microphones including condenser mics
- The MPC Production Experience - Includes MPC Beats Software complete with the essential production tools from Akai Professional
Rank #3
- PLUG IN AND HEAR SOUND IN SECONDS - USB Type-A connector with a 3.5mm stereo headphone output and a separate 3.5mm mono microphone input. No drivers, no software, no external power - the adapter is USB bus-powered and is recognized as a standard USB audio device.
- WORKS ON WINDOWS, MAC AND LINUX - Driverless on Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7/8, Linux and Mac OSX, and compliant with the USB Audio Device Class 1.0 specification, so any system that supports class-compliant USB audio will see it. Select it as the sound output and input device after plugging it in.
- TWO JACKS, TWO JOBS - The green jack is stereo OUT for headphones or powered speakers; the pink jack is mono microphone IN for a 3.5mm mic. It does NOT support 4-pole headsets on a single combo plug, it does NOT power passive speakers, and it does NOT add surround sound - it is a stereo 2-channel adapter.
- FOR LAPTOPS AND DESKTOPS THAT NEED AN AUDIO PORT BACK - Adds a headphone and mic port to a laptop, desktop, or mini PC whose onboard jack has failed or was never there. Managed and work-issued computers can block new USB audio devices by policy - check with your IT department before ordering for a company machine.
- SABRENT SUPPORT AND WARRANTY - What is in the box: one USB audio sound adapter. Backed by a 1-year limited warranty, extended to 2 years when you register within 90 days on the manufacturer's website.
Rank #2
- The new generation of the songwriter's interface: Plug in your mic and guitar and let Scarlett Solo 4th Gen bring big studio sound to wherever you make music
- Studio-quality sound: With a huge 120dB dynamic range, the newest generation of Scarlett uses the same converters as Focusrite’s flagship interfaces, found in the world's biggest studios
- Find your signature sound: Scarlett 4th Gen's improved Air mode lifts vocals and guitars to the front of the mix, adding musical presence and rich harmonic drive to your recordings
- All you need to record, mix and master your music: Includes industry-leading recording software and a full collection of record-making plugins
- Everything in the box: Includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, and Hitmaker Expansion: a suite of essential effects, powerful software instruments, and easy-to-use mastering tools
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.
