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You can capture a radio station’s website player in OBS and send its audio to a YouTube livestream—but only if you have permission to retransmit the station’s programming. A player being publicly accessible does not grant that permission. Once rights are confirmed, choose desktop or app audio capture, test an unlisted stream, and monitor both OBS and YouTube before broadcasting publicly.
Before you stream: confirm the rights
Ask the station and any other relevant rights holders for permission that specifically covers livestreaming the programming on YouTube in the territories where your stream will be available. Also ask whether the permission covers an archived replay if you plan to leave the stream available afterward. YouTube makes the provider responsible for obtaining the necessary rights, including music rights; a station’s public website player is not evidence that you have them. See YouTube’s livestream terms and conditions.
Even with a license, YouTube may interrupt a stream if the rights holder has not allowlisted your channel. Ask the owner to add your channel to its allowlist when applicable, and confirm the arrangement before relying on the license during a live broadcast.
Choose how OBS will capture the station audio
The station audio plays in a browser or other app on the streaming computer. OBS can capture all desktop output or, on supported systems, audio from a specific application. The right choice depends on your operating system, OBS version, and whether you want other computer sounds in the stream.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
| Capture route | Best when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop/output audio | You want the full computer output, and can prevent notifications and unrelated sounds. | System alerts or other apps may be sent to YouTube along with the station. |
| Single-application capture | You want the station browser or app without other desktop audio. OBS 30 or later on macOS 13 (Ventura) or later supports macOS Audio Capture for a single application. | Confirm that the intended app is selected and its audio meter moves. |
| Audio-routing software | You have an older macOS setup that needs a route for desktop or app audio. | Set up and test the route before the broadcast; OBS’s macOS guide describes additional routing software for older configurations. |
On Windows and macOS, OBS also supports adding selected input or output devices as sources. The cited OBS guidance does not establish a complete current Linux procedure, so check current OBS and distribution-specific guidance rather than assuming the same steps apply. Read the OBS macOS Desktop Audio Capture Guide and OBS Audio Sources guide.
Set up the station audio in OBS
- Open the radio player. On the computer running OBS, open the station’s website in a stable browser session and start playback. If you capture desktop audio, silence notifications and close or mute unrelated apps that might make sound.
- Check OBS’s audio source. OBS captures desktop audio and microphone by default in its Quick Start setup, but you can choose devices manually. If the station audio does not appear in the mixer, add or select the relevant desktop, output-device, or application capture source for your system. The OBS Quick Start Guide explains the default audio setup.
- Avoid capturing the same device twice. If you add a device capture source directly to a scene, disable that same device as a global source. Duplicate capture can create echo; OBS documents this warning in its Audio Sources guide.
- Check the outgoing mix. Confirm the source is not muted and its meter responds while the station plays. Listen to the mix so you can catch silence, distortion, echo, or unwanted computer sounds before going live.
Test the YouTube stream before going public
- In YouTube’s live-stream setup, make the test stream unlisted, then connect OBS using your YouTube stream setup and key. Keep the key private; anyone who obtains it may be able to send a stream to your channel.
- Start the OBS stream and verify that the station source meter moves. Check the YouTube preview for both picture and audio, and listen to confirm the sound is clear and the correct source is being sent.
- Confirm that the unlisted stream is accessible as intended. YouTube recommends testing and continuously monitoring audio and video quality in its live streaming tips.
- Only after the rights and test are in order should you switch to a public broadcast. Continue monitoring the OBS mixer and YouTube stream while live.
What YouTube may do when it detects radio audio
YouTube scans live streams for matches to third-party content, including another copyrighted live broadcast. A match can trigger a warning and replacement placeholder image; if the content continues, YouTube may interrupt or terminate the stream. Detection is not the same as a decision about whether you hold a license, so a license alone may not prevent an interruption. YouTube says licensed creators should ask the content owner to allowlist their channel. See Copyright issues with live streams.
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
Do not treat Creator Music as a workaround for radio in a livestream. YouTube’s Creator Music guidance describes tracks for long-form videos, not live streams. It also states that paid Creator Music licenses were deprecated starting August 10, 2026, with gratis-license offerings the focus. The page describes availability as U.S. YouTube Partner Program creators, with expansion outside the U.S. pending; check current terms in YouTube Studio rather than assuming access or livestream rights.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesYouTube identifies public-domain works and content used with the copyright owner’s permission as safer music sources. A label such as “free” does not by itself establish that you may rebroadcast the audio, and a platform claim can still arise. See YouTube’s tips to find safe music.
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.
Troubleshoot common capture problems
- The OBS meter does not move: Make sure the station is playing, the intended output or app is selected, and the source is not muted. Recheck the audio device selection in OBS and the operating system.
- The station is audible locally but missing from YouTube: Local playback does not prove OBS is capturing it. Confirm the correct capture source is in the active scene and check both the OBS mixer and YouTube preview.
- You hear echo or doubled audio: Look for the same device configured as both a global source and a scene source, then disable one capture route.
- Notifications or other apps are audible: Desktop capture includes computer output beyond the station. Silence notifications and unrelated apps, or use supported single-application capture instead.
- YouTube shows a copyright warning or replaces the picture: Treat this as a rights and platform issue, not an OBS setting. Follow YouTube’s notice, stop or change the content as appropriate, and contact the rights holder about permission and allowlisting before attempting another broadcast.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is an always-on YouTube channel playing uploaded recordings rather than a live feed from a radio website, StreamNeo is a cloud option. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so no computer or home connection has to stay on. It streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo plays uploaded videos; it does not capture a radio website player or go live from a camera. Start your free 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
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