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In OBS, add a stinger or jingle as a Media Source in the scene where you want it to play, select a local audio file, and configure whether it should restart or loop. Test the mix before going live, and confirm that you have permission to use the audio on the livestream and any archived replay.
Choose a cue and check its rights first
A stinger is a short sound or musical cue used for an intro, transition, or scene change. A jingle is typically a short branded musical phrase. Either can be added as a local audio file in OBS.
Use YouTube Audio Library for a straightforward option
YouTube Studio’s Audio Library lets you search for music and sound effects by keyword and download selected items as MP3 files. YouTube says Audio Library tracks are known to it as copyright-safe, and eligible YouTube Partner Programme creators can monetize videos that use this material. If a track is licensed under Creative Commons, include the required artist attribution in the video description. See YouTube’s Audio Library guidance.
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Check third-party and custom audio carefully
If you use original music or a third-party track, confirm that the permission or license covers YouTube livestreaming and the retained archive, if you plan to keep one. A “free” or “royalty-free” label, or a credit in the description, does not by itself establish that the use is cleared. YouTube warns that music found online and labeled free can still be flagged by Content ID. Its advice is to check third-party licenses; see Tips to find safe music.
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YouTube scans live streams for matches to third-party content. A detected match can replace the stream with a placeholder and a warning; if the content continues, YouTube may interrupt or terminate the stream. If you have a license for third-party content, ask the rights holder to add your channel to its Content ID allowlist. A license alone may not prevent a live interruption if the channel is not allowlisted. An archived livestream may also receive a Content ID claim after the broadcast. Details are in YouTube’s live-stream copyright guidance.
Add a one-shot stinger in OBS
- Prepare the file. Save the cue locally in a supported format. OBS Media Sources support MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV files.
- Select the scene. In OBS, choose the scene where the cue should be available—for example, your intro or transition scene.
- Add the source. In the Sources panel, click +, choose Media Source, and create or select a source. Browse to the audio file in the source settings. OBS describes Media Sources and their controls in its Media Sources documentation.
- Set playback behavior. For a one-shot cue, leave Loop off. If the cue should start from the beginning each time the source becomes active, enable Restart playback when source becomes active. These settings control whether the file repeats and whether it restarts when activated.
- Balance and test. Use the OBS audio mixer to set the cue against speech and other program audio. Make a test recording or use a private or unlisted stream to confirm the cue is audible, starts at the intended moment, and does not overpower speech. YouTube and OBS do not prescribe a single suitable loudness level for every production.
Play a cue on a scene change or manage a playlist
To trigger a sound when changing scenes, place the Media Source in the scene that should play it and use the restart setting if it needs to begin from the start whenever that scene becomes active. Test switching into and out of the scene: playback behavior depends on how the source is activated and configured, so confirm it in your own OBS setup before relying on it during a broadcast.
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For several cues managed together, OBS also offers a VLC Video source that supports playlists; VLC must be installed. A single Media Source is the simpler choice for one specific sting, while a playlist is useful when you want to manage multiple files as one source. Consult the OBS Media Sources documentation for source details.
Pre-live checklist
- Confirm the cue is in the format you intend to use and points to the correct local file.
- Check whether it should play once, restart when activated, or loop continuously.
- Listen to a test recording or private/unlisted stream with headphones, checking both the cue and speech.
- Verify the license covers live use and any archive. Add required Creative Commons attribution to the description.
- For licensed third-party material, request Content ID allowlisting from the rights holder before the broadcast.
Common problems and fixes
The cue does not play
Check that the Media Source points to the correct local file and that OBS supports its format. Confirm the source is in the scene being shown and that its audio is not muted in the mixer. Make another test recording after correcting the source or mixer setting.
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The cue plays only once
That is expected with Loop disabled. Enable Loop only if you intend continuous repetition; for a single sting that should play again after returning to a scene, enable restart-on-activation and test the scene change.
The cue starts partway through
Enable Restart playback when source becomes active if it should start from the beginning each time the source becomes active. Test the exact scene transition you plan to use.
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YouTube interrupts the live stream or displays a warning
A Content ID match can cause YouTube to replace the stream with a placeholder and warn you. Stop using the flagged content. For licensed audio, contact the rights holder about adding your channel to its Content ID allowlist; keeping a license without allowlisting may not prevent a live interruption. Review YouTube’s live-stream copyright guidance.
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YouTube may apply a Content ID claim after a livestream ends if it is archived. Check the track’s rights for the archive as well as live use; live permission should not be assumed to cover a retained recording.
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