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AzuraCast’s radio-video-stream Liquidsoap example is the documented way to send a station’s audio to YouTube Live with a looping video and a dynamic Now Playing overlay. It is an advanced custom configuration: you supply the video and font, configure YouTube’s RTMP details, then save and restart broadcasting. Check the script against your installed AzuraCast and Liquidsoap versions before using it; the repository warns that updates can break custom scripts.
Before you begin
- An existing AzuraCast station with broadcasting configured. The example attaches to the station’s composed radio output through Liquidsoap, AzuraCast’s AutoDJ layer. See the AzuraCast Liquidsoap documentation.
- Access to the station’s custom Liquidsoap configuration and application logs.
- A video file for the visual loop and a TrueType font (TTF) file for the Now Playing text. The example uses a media folder named
videostream; adapt the path to your station’s files. - A YouTube channel able to create a live stream, plus the stream’s server URL and private stream key.
The repository lists AzuraCast 0.19.0 or a later Rolling Release as its minimum, but that is not a guarantee that the script will work with every current release. Liquidsoap changes can make custom code fail to parse or launch, so compare the example with your installed release before applying it.
Configure the AzuraCast-to-YouTube stream
1. Create or schedule the YouTube stream
- In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and create a stream or schedule one.
- Copy the stream’s server URL and stream key from its setup. YouTube’s encoder instructions are to enter both values in the encoder settings; in this setup, the Liquidsoap script is the encoder destination. See YouTube’s encoder setup instructions.
- Treat the key like a password. Anyone who has it can publish to the associated stream or channel. Do not paste it into public code, screenshots, or support posts.
2. Add the video and font to station media
Upload the video you want displayed during the radio broadcast to the station’s media library. The example expects a video directory called videostream; either use that folder structure or update the script’s media path. Upload the TTF font used by the Now Playing overlay as well. The repository includes a sample loop, but you should configure files available in your own station storage.
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3. Add and customize the Liquidsoap example
- In AzuraCast, manage the relevant station and open Broadcasting → Edit Liquidsoap Configuration.
- Open the repository’s
video_stream.liqexample and paste or import it into the bottom custom configuration field, following the repository’s current directions. - Customize the station directory, RTMP destination and stream key, and font specifications for your installation. Verify file paths and do not leave sample credentials or paths in place.
The script’s role is to take the station’s radio audio, pair it with the video loop, and send the combined output to an RTMP destination such as YouTube. It can also draw the currently playing song across the video. This is custom Liquidsoap code, not a built-in one-click YouTube destination.
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4. Save and restart broadcasting
Save the custom configuration and use AzuraCast’s notice to restart broadcasting. Confirm the station returns online. If the custom script has a syntax or compatibility problem, the restart may fail; check the station’s Liquidsoap application log rather than repeatedly restarting without addressing the error.
5. Confirm the YouTube preview and go live
For a scheduled stream, wait for the encoder preview to appear in Live Control Room, check that audio and video are present, then click Go live. For a stream started directly from the encoder setup, follow YouTube’s on-screen live controls. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; do not assume that automatic archiving applies to broadcasts longer than 12 hours.
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Choose between Liquidsoap and a desktop encoder
| Approach | Where it runs | Visual control | Operational trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| AzuraCast custom Liquidsoap example | In the station’s server-side broadcast workflow | Video loop and dynamic Now Playing text as configured in the script | Keeps station audio and video output together, but requires custom code and can be affected by Liquidsoap updates. |
| Separate desktop encoder | On a separate computer running encoder software | Can provide more flexible scenes and graphics, depending on the software | Adds an application and an operating machine to maintain. The cited AzuraCast and YouTube documentation does not prescribe a desktop encoder as necessary. |
Choose the Liquidsoap route if you are comfortable maintaining custom configuration within AzuraCast. A separate encoder may suit you if its scene and graphics controls matter more than keeping the workflow inside the station server. In either case, YouTube still needs the correct server URL and stream key.
Troubleshooting and recovery
Broadcasting does not come back after saving
Inspect the station’s Liquidsoap application log for the parse or launch error. A Liquidsoap update may have changed what the custom script accepts. If needed, temporarily remove the custom code to restore the station, then compare the script with the version-compatible example before trying again.
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YouTube does not receive the stream
Check that the configured RTMP destination uses the server URL for the intended YouTube stream and that its stream key is correct. A mistyped or outdated key can prevent publishing. Keep the key private while checking it.
Video or Now Playing text is missing
Confirm that the configured video and TTF font paths match files uploaded to the station, and that the script’s station directory and media folder are correct. The sample directory name is not automatic if your files are stored elsewhere.
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The station works, but the custom output fails after an update
Check the application log, then remove or disable the custom code if necessary to bring the station back online. The repository describes this as a power-user example provided as-is, without active support or a warranty; maintain a copy of your working configuration and recheck compatibility after AzuraCast or Liquidsoap changes.
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Sending radio audio to YouTube does not establish that you have permission to retransmit every track. Confirm that you have the necessary rights for the music and other material in your broadcast and consider how rights claims may affect the stream. YouTube says live-stream monetization is available to channels in the YouTube Partner Program; that alone does not establish that a particular station or catalog is eligible or cleared. For archive expectations, YouTube’s stated automatic archiving applies to streams under 12 hours, not longer ones.
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