For a stereo internet-radio stream sent to YouTube Live over RTMP or RTMPS, use AAC audio at 44.1 kHz and set the audio bitrate to 128 kbps. YouTube also supports MP3 for stereo live audio, but AAC is the straightforward default. For an actual 5.1 surround stream, use AAC at 48 kHz and 384 kbps. These are YouTube’s recommended live-encoder settings, not guarantees of a particular sound quality.
Recommended YouTube Live audio settings
| Use case | Codec | Sample rate | Audio bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stereo live stream over RTMP/RTMPS | AAC or MP3; AAC is the simple default | 44.1 kHz | 128 kbps recommended |
| 5.1 live stream over RTMP/RTMPS | AAC | 48 kHz | 384 kbps recommended |
These figures are from YouTube Help’s current live-encoder guidance, accessed October 3, 2026: Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions. The settings apply to the listed RTMP/RTMPS live-ingest workflow. YouTube’s guidance does not specify a different rate for internet radio, music, or speech; select the row that matches the stream’s channel layout.
Should stereo audio be 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz?
For stereo live audio over RTMP/RTMPS, choose 44.1 kHz. The 48 kHz figure is YouTube’s recommendation for 5.1 live audio, and it also appears in separate recommendations for uploaded video files. It should not be substituted for the documented stereo live setting simply because it is used for uploads.
Keep the sample rate consistent across streams configured through YouTube’s Live Streaming API. Google’s API documentation identifies inconsistent audio sample rates as a configuration concern: LiveStreams | YouTube Live Streaming API.
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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
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What the settings mean
Codec: AAC or MP3
AAC and MP3 are audio codecs: they describe how audio is compressed. YouTube Help lists both for RTMP/RTMPS stereo live audio and states that 5.1 surround sound over RTMP/RTMPS is supported only for AAC. The documentation does not claim AAC sounds better than MP3; AAC is a practical default because it is listed for stereo and is required for the documented 5.1 case.
Sample rate: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
Sample rate is the number of audio samples represented per second. Configure 44.1 kHz for the recommended stereo live setup or 48 kHz for the recommended 5.1 setup. The correct choice here is determined by the live channel configuration, not by whether the program is music or talk.
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- 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
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Audio bitrate: 128 kbps or 384 kbps
Bitrate is the amount of encoded audio data sent per second. YouTube recommends 128 kbps for stereo live audio and 384 kbps for 5.1 live audio in the cited encoder guidance. These are recommendations, not evidence that increasing bitrate above them improves what viewers hear.
Do not confuse live-stream settings with upload settings
For uploaded video files—not live RTMP/RTMPS ingest—YouTube’s current upload-encoding guidance lists AAC-LC, Opus, or Eclipsa Audio and a 48 kHz sample rate. It recommends 384 kbps for stereo upload audio. Those are upload recommendations and are not the stereo live-stream recommendation. See YouTube recommended upload encoding settings (YouTube Help, current page accessed October 3, 2026).
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The distinction matters when preparing an internet-radio program in advance: encoding a file for upload is a different workflow from sending a live encoder feed. The sources cited here establish RTMP/RTMPS live settings and upload-file recommendations; they do not establish a best audio rate for every HLS arrangement or every special YouTube stream configuration.
Set up and check the audio before going live
- Choose the live workflow and channel layout. For the settings in this guide, use RTMP/RTMPS. Choose stereo for ordinary two-channel internet radio; select 5.1 only when the program is genuinely multichannel.
- Set both codec and sample rate in the encoder. For stereo, configure AAC at 44.1 kHz (or MP3 at 44.1 kHz if that is your chosen supported codec). For 5.1, configure AAC at 48 kHz.
- Set the audio bitrate. Use YouTube’s recommended 128 kbps for stereo or 384 kbps for 5.1.
- Test the actual program before the broadcast. YouTube advises testing with audio and movement similar to the intended stream, then checking stream-health messages during the event. A test helps expose problems in the full chain—source, encoder, connection, and YouTube ingest—rather than only confirming an encoder menu setting.
- Keep the sample rate consistent. If you configure streams through the Live Streaming API, use the same audio sample rate across them, as advised in the YouTube Live Streaming API documentation.
YouTube Help also recommends running a speed test to check upload bitrate. Follow the encoder guidance for the complete live setup; the audio values above do not replace the separate video, connection, or stream configuration requirements.
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Common configuration problems
- Using the upload sample rate for a stereo live feed: the 48 kHz upload recommendation is for uploaded files. For the documented stereo RTMP/RTMPS live setup, choose 44.1 kHz.
- Choosing 5.1 settings for a stereo program: the 48 kHz and 384 kbps live recommendations apply to 5.1. Use the stereo settings for a two-channel stream.
- Selecting a codec the live workflow does not accept: YouTube’s Live API documentation flags unsupported codecs as a configuration concern. Check that the encoder’s selected codec matches YouTube’s live guidance for the intended channel layout.
- Setting audio bitrate above the recommendation: the API documentation flags audio bitrate above recommendation as a configuration concern. Use the relevant recommended value rather than assuming a higher number will improve playback.
- Mixing sample rates across configured streams: the API documentation advises keeping audio sample rates the same. Make the streams consistent, then test again.
- Seeing stream-health warnings despite correct audio settings: codec, sample rate, and audio bitrate are only part of a live broadcast. Review YouTube’s stream-health messages and test the complete pipeline; the recommended audio values do not guarantee a trouble-free stream.
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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
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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