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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFor a standard stereo YouTube radio livestream, set FFmpeg to AAC at 128 kbps, 44.1 kHz, and two channels: -c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -ac 2. Add these audio options before the output URL, then test the stream and check YouTube’s stream-health diagnostics before relying on it for a continuous broadcast.
Recommended FFmpeg audio settings for stereo radio
YouTube’s live encoder guidance recommends AAC audio at 128 kbps and 44.1 kHz for stereo. In FFmpeg, use:
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -ac 2
-c:a aacselects the AAC audio encoder.-b:a 128ksets the audio bitrate target to 128,000 bits per second.-ar 44100sets the sample rate to 44.1 kHz.-ac 2requests two audio channels for stereo.
FFmpeg’s native AAC encoder is built in by default. Its bitrate option is expressed in bits per second; setting it activates constant-bitrate mode. The documented default is 128 kbps when the bitrate is omitted, but spelling it out makes the intended setting clear. YouTube also recommends CBR for live encoding. FFmpeg codec documentation; YouTube live encoder settings.
Put the audio options in the command
Place the audio options after the input and before the output URL, so they apply to the output audio stream. This command shows the structure; replace the input and ingest URL with values for your own source and YouTube Live setup:
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ffmpeg -re -i INPUT -c:v libx264 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -ac 2 -f flv 'rtmps://YOUR_YOUTUBE_INGEST_URL/YOUR_STREAM_KEY'
This is an example shape, not a tested, ready-to-run command. The video options and input must suit your actual source, and the stream must use the ingest configuration provided for your YouTube broadcast. Treat the stream key as a secret: do not publish it, share it, or include it in a publicly visible command or log.
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Choose stereo or 5.1 based on the actual program
For an ordinary stereo radio program, keep the stereo settings above. YouTube’s separate recommendation for 5.1 surround is 384 kbps at 48 kHz; use that only when the program is produced and delivered in 5.1, not as a higher-quality default for stereo radio. YouTube’s encoder guidance lists AAC or MP3 as supported audio codecs for RTMP/RTMPS.
| Program format | Audio codec | Sample rate | Audio bitrate | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stereo radio | AAC | 44.1 kHz | 128 kbps | 2 |
| 5.1 surround | AAC or MP3 supported for RTMP/RTMPS; the cited guidance does not assign a different codec by layout | 48 kHz | 384 kbps | 5.1 |
Check the output and test with YouTube
- Inspect FFmpeg’s output information and confirm the encoded audio is AAC, 44.1 kHz, and two channels for the stereo setup.
- Run a YouTube test stream with representative audio before depending on the configuration for a continuous broadcast. YouTube recommends testing before going live and monitoring stream health.
- Check YouTube Live Control Room or the Live API health messages. The API diagnostics can report audio bitrate, codec, sample rate, and channel-count issues; use the specific warning to find a mismatch. YouTube Live API stream diagnostics.
The configured bitrate is a target, not proof that every audio segment consumes exactly 128 kbps or that YouTube has accepted the stream. Verify the actual output and ingest diagnostics.
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Common bitrate-setting mistakes
- Changing video bitrate instead:
-b:aapplies to audio. Video bitrate is separate, commonly set with-b:v. A video bitrate recommendation does not replace YouTube’s separate audio recommendation. - Using 384 kbps for ordinary stereo: that figure is for 5.1 surround, paired with a 48 kHz sample rate, not stereo radio.
- Assuming a lower rate is YouTube’s stereo recommendation: a lower bitrate might suit another technical or bandwidth constraint, but the published stereo recommendation is 128 kbps.
- Switching to a VBR-only recipe without checking: the native AAC bitrate setting and YouTube’s CBR guidance support the fixed target shown here. Check the selected encoder’s documentation and YouTube’s current ingest guidance before choosing a different rate-control mode.
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