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To show podcast cover art inside your YouTube live video, add it to the OBS scene as an Image source. To set the separate preview tile people see on YouTube, change the stream’s thumbnail in YouTube Studio. You may want to do both.
Cover image in the video or YouTube thumbnail?
An OBS image source becomes part of the broadcast picture: viewers see it wherever you place it in the scene. A YouTube thumbnail is separate stream metadata managed in YouTube’s settings. Adding an image in OBS does not set the thumbnail, and setting a thumbnail does not put artwork over the live video.
- For cover art visible throughout the broadcast: add the image in OBS as described below.
- For the preview tile on YouTube: set the thumbnail in the stream’s YouTube settings.
- For both: do both separately and check the stream preview before going live.
Add the cover image in OBS
- Select the scene. In OBS, click the scene you intend to stream. Scenes are built from sources, which determine what appears in the video output. See the OBS Sources Guide.
- Add an Image source. In the Sources dock, click +, choose Image, and select the cover-art file on your computer. OBS also offers an image slideshow source, but a single still cover normally calls for Image.
- Place it in the layer stack. Sources higher in the list appear above sources below them. Put the cover above the background or other content it should cover. If it is below an opaque background, it may be hidden.
- Position and size it. Select the image and drag it in the scene preview. Use the red bounding-box handles to resize; use the context-menu Edit Transform option for more precise placement. Choose Fit to Screen if the image should fill the canvas, then inspect the result. A square cover fitted to a widescreen canvas may leave empty space or require cropping; avoid stretching it out of proportion.
- Check the composition. Confirm the cover is legible and not obscuring captions, other essential visuals, or content you want viewers to see. The OBS guide documents source transforms and layering; it does not specify a required overlay resolution or maximum image-file size.
Connect OBS to YouTube and verify the live preview
- In YouTube Studio, open Create → Go Live, then create or select the stream you plan to use.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key from YouTube’s encoder setup and enter them in OBS’s streaming settings. YouTube’s encoder setup instructions explain where to get these values. Treat the stream key like a password: do not show it in the scene or include it in screenshots.
- Start streaming from OBS. For a scheduled stream, wait for the feed to appear in YouTube Live Control Room. Inspect the cover’s placement and the audio and video before selecting Go live.
- During the broadcast, monitor the stream in Live Control Room. YouTube’s live streaming tips recommend checking the preview and stream quality.
Set a separate YouTube thumbnail if needed
Use the thumbnail control in the stream’s YouTube settings for the preview image; it is independent of the OBS scene. YouTube’s custom-thumbnail guidance gives requirements for YouTube thumbnails, including podcast playlist artwork. Its 1:1 recommendation for podcast playlist thumbnails and 50 MB desktop upload limit apply to that YouTube thumbnail workflow, not to an OBS Image source. Do not treat them as OBS overlay requirements.
Troubleshooting
- The cover does not appear: confirm the correct scene is selected, the Image source is visible, and it sits above any opaque source hiding it.
- The image is in the wrong place or size: select the source and adjust it in the preview, or use Edit Transform. Recheck the scene after resizing.
- The cover looks distorted: undo non-proportional stretching and resize it proportionally. A square cover does not naturally match a widescreen scene.
- The cover appears in OBS but not in YouTube’s preview: verify OBS is sending the intended scene to the stream, then allow the Live Control Room preview to appear and inspect it before going live.
- The stream does not connect: check that OBS has the correct YouTube stream URL and key. If you shared the key publicly, replace it in YouTube before streaming again.
- The YouTube tile still shows a different image: change the thumbnail in YouTube’s stream settings; changing an OBS source only changes the video picture.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep uploaded video playing as a YouTube live stream, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing needs to stay on at home; it streams uploaded video at the quality you made it, up to 4K 60fps, for one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1
Best Value
ZealSound Podcast Microphone for PC, Noise Cancellation USB Mic with Gain, Volume Adjustment & Mute Button, Monitoring & Echo, for YouTube, TikTok, Podcasting, Streaming, iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac
- Studio-Quality Sound for Clear Podcast Recording – The K66 USB podcast microphone delivers studio-quality, broadcast-level audio using a high-performance condenser capsule and cardioid pickup pattern that focuses on your voice while reducing unwanted background noise. Designed as a reliable microphone for PC, it features a wide 40Hz–18kHz frequency response and a 46kHz sampling rate to reproduce rich lows, smooth mids, and clear highs for natural, detailed vocals. With –45dB ±3dB sensitivity, it captures balanced sound without distortion during expressive speaking. Ideal for podcasting, voice-over, online classes, meetings, and professional content creation.
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Rank #4
FIFINE AmpliGame A6V USB Gaming Microphone, Condenser RGB Mic for Streaming
- [Award Honored, Full Audio] FIFINE AmpliGame A6V, a gaming mic, has earned the globally recognized iF Design Award. The PC microphone with 192kHz sampling rate delivers naturally detailed audio, making your team sound like they're right beside you. Cardioid polar pattern and 70dB SNR offer dual support for pure voice, sensitive to the front vocal and reducing background noise interference. The streaming mic helps you win more easily.
- [Quick Mute Button, Handy Gain Knob] Immediately silence the USB microphone with a tap, preventing emotional outbursts to maintain a positive team atmosphere. RGB off when muted to indicate status and prevent streaming accidents. Mic volume control conveniently located on the condenser microphone is intuitive to use. You can speak at a comfortable level without shouting or whispering during game.
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- [Useful Accessories] The podcast microphone features durable construction. Anti-vibration shock mount with four rubber bands absorbs tremor from keyboard taps and mouse clicks. The detachable pop filter reduces plosives caused by excited speech during gaming. The stable tripod stand with rubber feet allows for optimal recording positioning via an adjustable thumbscrew, whether you're leaning back or in.
Rank #3
FIFINE K669B USB Microphone, Condenser Recording Mic for Vocals, Meeting
- [Convenient Setup] Plug and play recording USB microphone for PC, with 5.9-Foot USB cable included for computer PC laptop, is connected directly to USB-A port for recording music, computer singing or podcast. The office condenser microphone for computer is easy to use and install. (NOT compatible with Xbox and Phones)
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- [Mic Volume Knob] Gaming condenser USB mic compatible for PS4 with additional volume knob itself has a louder or quieter adjustment and is more sensitive. Your voice would be heard well enough through the zoom microphone USB when gaming, skyping or voice recording. Also, you can adjust your volume to zero and protect your privacy.
- [Widely Use] USB-powered design, the condenser microphone for recording no need the 48v Phantom power supply, works well with Cortana, Discord, voice chat and voice recognition. The podcast microphone for Mac, with USB-B to USB-A/C cable, is compatible with desktop, laptop or PS4/PS5, which meets most of your daily recording needs.
- [Clear Output Voice] Cardioid condenser microphone for PC captures your voice properly, producing clear smooth and crisp sound. Great computer recording mic for gamers/streamers/youtubers focus on the main source and reduces background noise. The streaming microphone does the job well for broadcast ,OBS and teamspeak.
Rank #2
Sale
Logitech Creators Blue Yeti USB Microphone for PC, Mac, Gaming, Recording, Streaming, Podcasting, Studio and Computer Condenser Mic with Blue VO!CE effects, 4 Pickup Patterns, Plug and Play - Blackout
- Custom three-capsule array: This professional USB mic produces clear, powerful, broadcast-quality sound for YouTube videos, Twitch game streaming, podcasting, Zoom meetings, music recording and more
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- Positionable design: Pivot the mic in relation to the sound source to optimize your sound quality thanks to the adjustable desktop stand and track your voice in real time with no-latency monitoring
#1 Best Overall
FIFINE AmpliGame AM8 USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone for Gaming Streaming
- [Natural Audio Clarity] Operated with frequency response of 50Hz-16KHz, the podcasting XLR mic delivers balanced audio range, likely to resonate with your audience. Directional cardioid dynamic microphone corded will not exaggerate your voice, while rejects unwanted off-axis noise for vocal originality and intelligibility during your PS5 gaming streaming video recording. (Tips: Keep the top of end-addressing XLR dynamic microphone AM8 facing audio source, and suggested recording range is 2 to 6 in.)
- [XLR Connection Upgrade-Ability] To use XLR connection, connect the podcast microphone to an audio interface (or mixer) using a separate XLR cable (NOT Included) . Well-connected and smooth operation improves audio flexibility to make you explore various types of music recording singing. The streaming mic isolates the pristine and accurate sound from ambient noise with greater no interference and fidelity. (RGB and function key on mic are INACTIVE when using XLR connection.)
- [USB Connection with Handy Mute] Skip the hassle of setting something up and plug the cable to play the dynamic USB microphone directly, which suits for beginner creators or daily podcast. You can quickly control the gamer mic with tap-to-mute that is independent of computer/Macbook programs to keep privacy when live streaming. LED mute reminder helps you get rid of forgetting to cancel the mute. (RGB and function key are only available for USB connection, but NOT for XLR connection)
- [Soothing Controllable RGB] RGB ring on the desktop gaming microphone for PC, with 3 modes and more than 10 light colors collection, matches your PC gears accessories for gaming synergy even in dim room. You can control the RGB key button of the dynamic microphone USB directly for game color scheme gaming or live streaming. Configured memory function, the streaming microphone RGB no need to repeated selections after turnning off and brings itself alive when power on. (Only available for USB connection)
- [More Function Keys] Computer microphone with headphones jack upgrades your rhythm game experience and gets feedback whether the real-time voice your audience hear as expected. Get the desired level via monitoring volume control when gaming recording. Smooth mic gain knob on the PC microphone gaming has some resistance to the point, easily for audio attenuation or boost presence to less post-production audio. (Only available for USB connection)
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