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To stream a SHOUTcast station on YouTube Live, play the station feed on a computer, capture that audio in OBS, add an authorized visual to an OBS scene, and send the finished video-and-audio signal to YouTube using an encoder stream URL and stream key. YouTube’s encoder instructions do not establish that you can paste a SHOUTcast URL directly into YouTube as an audio source.
Before you start
- A computer that can play your SHOUTcast station and run OBS.
- Your station’s playable stream URL and any player-specific settings.
- YouTube live-streaming access. YouTube says first-time activation can take up to 24 hours, so enable it before a scheduled broadcast. YouTube’s encoder instructions
- A station-owned or otherwise authorized image, logo, or other visual for the broadcast.
- Permission to rebroadcast the station’s music, spoken content, and artwork on YouTube. The technical setup does not grant those rights.
Keep the YouTube stream key private. Anyone with access to it may be able to send a broadcast to your stream.
Set up the YouTube stream
- Open YouTube Studio and go to Live Control Room.
- Create or select an encoder stream, then copy the server URL and stream key shown for it.
- Keep the Live Control Room open so you can check the incoming preview and stream health later. YouTube’s encoder workflow uses its ingest URL and stream key; the station’s SHOUTcast URL is not a substitute for either value. YouTube Help: Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder
Create an OBS scene with a visual
YouTube’s encoder workflow needs a video signal as well as the station audio. In OBS, create a scene and add an authorized image, logo, text, browser source, or media source. A still image with station identification is enough for a simple radio broadcast; check that it is visible in the OBS preview before going live. See the OBS Sources Guide, Media Sources, and Browser Source.
Play and capture the SHOUTcast audio
- Open the station feed on the same computer that is running OBS. Use the station’s player or another audio player that accepts its stream URL, and confirm that the expected audio is audible.
- In OBS, add the audio capture source appropriate to your system. On Windows 10 version 2004 or later and Windows 11, OBS supports Application Audio Capture. On macOS 13 or later, OBS Studio 30 provides macOS Audio Capture; the Screen Capture source can also capture audio. On Linux, use the appropriate ALSA or PulseAudio capture source. Consult the relevant OBS Application Audio Capture Guide and macOS Desktop Audio Capture Guide for the applicable setup.
- If application capture is unavailable, capture the computer’s desktop or output audio instead. Do not capture the same player through both an application source and global Desktop Audio: duplicate routing can cause echo or doubled sound. OBS documents available choices in its Audio Sources guide.
- Watch the OBS audio mixer while the station plays. The meter should move; make sure the source is not muted and that audio peaks do not clip.
The station feed is being played and captured by OBS in this workflow. The reviewed YouTube and OBS instructions do not document a direct server-side SHOUTcast-to-YouTube relay.
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#1 Best Overall
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB-C Audio Interface
- 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
Configure OBS and test the broadcast
- In OBS, use the YouTube account integration if available, or open the stream settings and enter the YouTube server URL and stream key you copied from Live Control Room. Select RTMPS when YouTube provides that option. YouTube’s encoder settings recommendations cover ingest and encoding settings; confirm the current options shown in YouTube and your OBS version.
- For stereo audio, YouTube recommends AAC or MP3, a 44.1 kHz sample rate, and 128 Kbps audio. These are YouTube recommendations, not guarantees that every station feed or network will behave identically.
- Start streaming from OBS while the YouTube broadcast is still set up for preview or testing. Check that the Live Control Room receives the stream, the visual appears, and the station audio is audible and in sync. Monitor stream health before making the broadcast public.
- When the preview is ready, use the Go Live control in Live Control Room to begin the public broadcast, if that is the workflow selected for the stream.
Test with the actual station feed and a representative visual. A local OBS meter alone does not confirm that YouTube is receiving clean audio and video.
End the stream and check its archive
Stop the encoder in OBS, then end the broadcast in Live Control Room. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; check the resulting archive’s audio and video before sharing or promoting it. YouTube’s encoder instructions
Rank #2
Sale
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB-C Audio Interface
- 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
Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube receives no stream | OBS is not sending to the selected stream, or the ingest URL or key is incorrect. | Confirm OBS is streaming, then compare its server URL and key with the values for the selected stream in Live Control Room. Keep the key private. |
| YouTube preview has video but no station audio | The wrong application or output is captured, the source is muted, or the player is not producing sound. | Confirm the station plays locally, select the correct OBS audio source, and watch the mixer meter while it plays. |
| Audio is doubled or echoes | The same station audio is captured both by an application source and Desktop Audio. | Disable one of the duplicate capture paths and test again. |
| OBS shows audio locally, but the YouTube preview is silent | The encoder’s outgoing audio configuration or selected track may not match the active OBS source. | Check OBS’s streaming audio track and the YouTube preview. Use YouTube’s current encoder recommendations and run another representative test. |
| The image or scene is missing | The visual source is hidden, absent from the active scene, or not displaying as expected. | Check the selected OBS scene and source visibility, then confirm the video in both OBS’s preview and Live Control Room. |
| OBS cannot capture an application directly | Application capture support depends on operating system and version. | Check the OBS guide for your platform and version; if needed, use desktop or output audio capture, ensuring the player is audible. |
| Live streaming is not available yet | First-time activation may still be processing. | Allow up to 24 hours for YouTube’s first-time live activation, then check Live Control Room again. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is to keep a YouTube channel live around the clock, StreamNeo is the #1 cloud option to consider: it runs uploaded videos continuously without keeping your computer on, supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and offers a free first day with no card. It is designed to play uploaded videos, not capture a live SHOUTcast feed or broadcast from a camera, so this is an alternative for a visual 24/7 stream rather than a direct relay of your radio station.
- Upload a recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key once.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded content from the cloud.
Nothing has to stay on at home. Every slot streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; if YouTube drops the stream, StreamNeo automatically recovers. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start your free first day.
The Tool Desk
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Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 4
Best Value
Sale
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB-C Audio Interface
- 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
M-AUDIO M-Track Duo USB Audio Interface
- 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
Sale
SABRENT USB External Stereo Sound Card Adapter, Plug & Play (AU-MMSA)
- 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.
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