You can run a 24/7 video game soundtrack channel on YouTube with an encoder such as OBS Studio—but only after securing permission for every recording, composition and visual asset, and arranging Content ID allowlisting where needed. Then create an encoder broadcast in YouTube Live Control Room, test it as unlisted, and plan for connection failures and YouTube’s limits on long-stream archives.
Before you broadcast: clear the music and artwork
A soundtrack being available in a game, or gameplay streams being common, does not by itself grant permission to rebroadcast its music continuously as a radio stream. A game’s soundtrack may include tracks licensed from outside artists, so check the terms for the exact game and every track you plan to use.
Make an inventory of the recordings and compositions, identify their owners or administrators, and obtain written permission expressly covering continuous live streaming on YouTube. Confirm the permitted territories, term, monetization, artwork or visualizer, and whether you may retain an archived replay (VOD). Keep the permissions and rightsholder contact details available.
Ask each relevant owner or distributor to add your channel to its Content ID allowlist before you test. YouTube scans live streams for third-party content and can interrupt a licensed stream if the channel has not been allowlisted. Its guidance states: “If your channel isn’t added to their allowlist, your live stream can be interrupted even if you’ve licensed the third-party content.” YouTube Help: Copyright issues with live streams.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
A publisher’s fan-content policy is not automatically a license for every soundtrack component. YouTube’s Content ID reference policy says original game soundtracks are valid references only when owned by the game publisher; that policy concerns who may submit references, not whether a third party has permission to broadcast the music. YouTube Help: Content eligible for Content ID.
Set up the channel and encoder broadcast
Enable YouTube live streaming
Enable live streaming and complete the required account verification ahead of launch. YouTube for Artists advises first-time streamers to verify at least 24 hours before going live. Check YouTube’s current requirements for your account in YouTube Help: Get started with live streaming.
Create the broadcast in Live Control Room
In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and create or schedule an encoder broadcast. Set the title, description, visibility, category, thumbnail and audience declaration. Choose unlisted visibility for the test. YouTube’s encoder instructions explain how to create and manage the stream: YouTube Help: Create a live stream with an encoder.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Connect OBS Studio
- Install and open OBS Studio, then create a scene containing only cleared material—for example, an authorized still image or visualizer and your music source.
- In OBS, choose YouTube or YouTube RTMPS as the service, or connect your YouTube account. If configuring the connection manually, use the stream URL/service and stream key supplied by YouTube.
- Keep the stream key private. Treat it as a credential: do not show it in screenshots, publish it, or share it with people who should not control the broadcast.
- Start the encoder and check that YouTube Live Control Room receives the feed and displays a preview. Follow YouTube’s current encoder workflow and connection options in its official setup guide.
OBS Studio is free software, and YouTube says expensive equipment is not required to get started. Use equipment you already have if it meets your production needs; a dedicated streaming computer or hardware encoder is not an essential part of the basic setup. OBS Studio.
Test privately, then launch
Run the complete setup as an unlisted broadcast before announcing the channel. YouTube for Artists recommends an unlisted test stream ahead of a high-production or high-investment event. YouTube for Artists.
- Listen for clean audio, sensible levels and seamless transitions between tracks.
- Confirm that the visual scene uses only artwork and other assets covered by your permissions.
- Check the preview and stream-health status in Live Control Room, then watch from the devices your audience is likely to use.
- Make sure the computer is not accidentally capturing unlicensed system sounds, notifications or other audio.
- Test what you will do if OBS loses its connection, the network drops or YouTube interrupts the stream. Do not wait for a real outage to discover that the restart procedure is unclear.
After the test, fix any audio, scene, connection or rights issues before changing visibility and promoting the public broadcast.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Plan for uptime and replays
A 24/7 schedule needs recovery planning
“24/7” describes the intended schedule, not a guarantee that one encoder and network connection will never fail. Keep the encoder computer and network stable, monitor the feed, and decide who—or what monitoring process—will detect an outage and restart the broadcast. Write down and test the recovery procedure.
OBS’s community guide discusses scheduled streams with auto-stop disabled as one way to allow reconnection after a disconnect; it also notes that YouTube may eventually end a broadcast after no content is sent for multiple hours. These behaviors can change, so confirm the current controls and outcome with an unlisted test on your channel rather than treating the guide as a platform guarantee. OBS Project: Streaming to YouTube.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Do not count on a complete archive from one endless stream
YouTube says a live stream longer than 12 hours may not be archived at all, and DVR rewind may be limited or unavailable beyond 12 hours. If a complete replay matters, make a local recording and test that you have enough storage and recording capacity. If reliable VODs or viewer rewind are part of the channel’s promise, consider planned sessions shorter than 12 hours instead of one uninterrupted broadcast. YouTube Help: Archive live streams and YouTube Help: Use DVR controls on live streams.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Common problems and what to check
YouTube interrupts or blocks the live stream
Check Live Control Room alerts and contact the relevant rightsholder or distributor. Confirm that the permission covers this continuous music-only broadcast and that the channel has been added to the owner’s Content ID allowlist. A license by itself may not prevent an interruption.
The preview is missing or the stream is not reaching YouTube
Check that OBS is using the current YouTube stream URL or RTMPS service and the correct stream key, that the encoder is actually sending, and that the selected broadcast is open in Live Control Room. If you changed or reset the key, update OBS with the current one; never reveal it while troubleshooting in public.
The feed drops and does not return
Check the encoder computer, OBS status and network connection, then follow the reconnect steps you tested during the unlisted run. Verify in Live Control Room that the broadcast is still available to reconnect to; if YouTube has ended it, create or start a new broadcast as appropriate.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
The replay is incomplete or unavailable
A continuous stream longer than 12 hours may not be archived, and DVR may also be limited or unavailable beyond that point. Use a local recording for an archive you control, or break the schedule into shorter sessions when replay completeness matters.
Let the channel run from the cloud instead
If the music and artwork are cleared and you want a YouTube-only continuous stream without leaving an encoder computer running at home, StreamNeo offers a cloud option. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos from the cloud. It does not broadcast from a camera.
- Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on.
- Uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required (one free day per account).
- Every slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB storage per slot pooled across active slots, looping and playlists, automatic recovery, and StreamNeo team support. Plans have the same product; only the billing period changes.
Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start your free first day.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute
