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In OBS Studio, choose a scene transition in the Scene Transitions controls, set its duration, and use Studio Mode if you want to preview a scene before sending it live. For a chillhop stream, a single stable scene may be enough; if you use multiple scenes, Fade gives a gradual visual change and Cut changes scenes immediately. To keep the music going, loop one file with a Media Source or use a VLC Video source for a playlist. These are separate controls: a visual scene transition does not, by itself, crossfade audio.
Choose the scene layout before setting transitions
An OBS scene is a layout of sources. A simple radio broadcast can run from one scene containing artwork and any text or visual elements you want to show. Add holding, intermission, or schedule scenes only if you have a reason to switch layouts; multiple scenes are not required for continuous playback.
To add a source, select the scene and use the Sources controls to add the relevant image, text, media, or other input. Arrange and verify the sources in the preview before you go live. OBS’s overview guide explains scenes, sources, and the main interface.
Set up a Fade, Cut, or other scene transition
- In OBS, select the scene you want to use as the current output.
- In the Scene Transitions area, choose Fade for a gradual visual change or Cut for an immediate change. OBS documents both as available from first launch.
- Set the transition duration in the transition controls. There is no universally correct duration for chillhop; choose one that suits your artwork and check how it looks in a test.
- To add another available transition type, use the add control in Scene Transitions, then select it from the transition drop-down and set its duration.
- Switch between scenes in a test and watch the output. Confirm that the change is visually clean and that no source disappears or appears unexpectedly.
These transitions control the change between visual scenes. They should not be treated as an audio crossfade between tracks. Smooth audio changes require a separate playback or audio-routing setup, which should be tested independently.
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Preview scene changes with Studio Mode
Studio Mode separates the scene being prepared in preview from the scene currently sent to the live output. Select or edit the next scene in preview, inspect it, then press Transition when you are ready to put it on air. Quick Transitions can also be configured with their own durations for manual scene changes.
Studio Mode helps avoid exposing an unfinished layout during a manual change. It does not schedule scenes or automate a 24/7 rotation; an operator must trigger the transition.
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Loop one recording or a playlist
Loop a single file with Media Source
For one local audio or video file, add an OBS Media Source, select the file, and enable its Loop setting. OBS restarts playback when that file finishes. Check the source’s playback in a test before going live.
Loop a playlist with VLC Video
For a playlist, OBS’s VLC Video source supports Loop Playlist. VLC must be installed; OBS’s documentation specifies that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. The documented defaults are Loop Playlist on and Shuffle Playlist off.
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Check what happens when the source is hidden. The VLC source’s visibility behavior includes stopping when not visible and restarting when visible. If your scene changes hide the playlist source, confirm that this behavior will not interrupt playback or restart it unexpectedly. See OBS’s Media Sources guide for the source controls.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live and test before launch
- In YouTube Live Control Room, create or select the stream you intend to use and obtain its stream key. Follow YouTube’s current encoder setup instructions.
- In OBS, select a YouTube connection if that option is available. Otherwise, copy the stream URL from YouTube into OBS’s stream settings, then paste the YouTube stream key into the key field.
- Treat the stream key like a password: do not publish it or include it in a screenshot. If it is exposed, replace it in YouTube and update OBS.
- Start streaming from OBS and check the preview in Live Control Room. Confirm the right scene, artwork, text, and media are visible and that audio is reaching YouTube.
- Use a test run to verify the transition, looping behavior, and scene visibility before committing to a continuous broadcast. OBS recommends testing settings and checking scenes before a first stream in its Quick Start Guide.
Plan for archives and viewer rewind
Do not assume YouTube will create a complete archive of a 24/7 broadcast. YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours can be automatically archived, but warns that streams exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. If keeping a complete recording matters, maintain a local archive backup. The 12-hour guidance is not a guarantee that every shorter stream will archive successfully.
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YouTube also warns that DVR rewind may be limited or unavailable for streams longer than 12 hours. Decide whether continuous viewing or manageable recording segments matter more, and verify how a planned restart affects the stream page, viewers, and recordings. YouTube’s archive guidance and DVR guidance describe these limitations; they do not prescribe one restart schedule for every radio channel.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Clear music rights before broadcasting
YouTube’s livestream terms place responsibility for rights on the creator: “You represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights for the exploitation of the Live Content on the Google Services throughout the world, including, without limitation, music licensing rights from artists, record labels, publishers (including public performance licenses) and any other royalty participants.” Read the current Livestream terms and conditions and confirm that your music permissions cover the uses you plan.
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YouTube scans live streams for third-party content. If it identifies content, YouTube may replace the live output with a placeholder and warn the streamer; if the content remains, it may interrupt or terminate the stream. Even licensed music can be interrupted if the rights owner has not allowlisted the channel through Content ID. Confirm that your license covers live use, archives, territories, and any monetization you plan, and arrange any required allowlisting with the rights owner. YouTube explains the process in its copyright guidance for live streams.
Troubleshoot common setup problems
- The scene changes instantly when you expected a fade: check that Fade, rather than Cut, is selected as the active transition.
- The fade is too abrupt or too slow: adjust the transition duration in Scene Transitions, then test the result on the actual scene artwork.
- A prepared scene appears on stream before it is ready: use Studio Mode to inspect it in preview and press Transition only when ready.
- A track stops when it reaches the end: if it is a single file, verify that Media Source’s Loop setting is enabled.
- A playlist stops or restarts during a scene change: inspect VLC Video’s Loop Playlist and visibility settings, and confirm that the source remains visible as intended. Check that VLC is installed and matches OBS’s 64-bit requirement where applicable.
- YouTube shows a blank or incorrect preview: confirm the stream key and server settings, the selected OBS scene, and that the media source is playing; then check Live Control Room again.
- The live output is replaced or interrupted: check YouTube’s copyright notification and resolve rights or allowlisting issues with the relevant rights owner. Changing the OBS transition cannot fix a music-rights claim.
- The stream ends but there is no complete archive: YouTube does not guarantee an archive for broadcasts exceeding 12 hours. Keep a local recording if a complete copy is essential.
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