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Change the audio bitrate in OBS
OBS has separate streaming controls for audio and video. The exact fields you see depend on the selected Output Mode and OBS version, but the setting you want is in the streaming output—not a recording track setting.
Simple output mode
- In OBS, open Settings → Output.
- Set Output Mode to Simple, if it is not already selected.
- Under the streaming section, locate Audio Bitrate and set it independently of Video Bitrate.
- Select Apply, then OK.
Changing Audio Bitrate does not require changing Video Bitrate. OBS’s general overview gives around 160 kbps as an example for streaming audio, but that is not YouTube’s platform-specific target; use YouTube’s recommendation below for a YouTube Live broadcast. OBS Studio Overview Guide.
Advanced output mode
- Open Settings → Output and set Output Mode to Advanced.
- Choose the Streaming tab.
- Find the streaming audio bitrate control and adjust it without changing the video encoder’s bitrate.
- Apply the setting and confirm you are editing Streaming, not Recording.
Advanced mode offers more control over stream and recording output independently. Recording settings, including recording tracks and recording encoders, do not necessarily change what goes to your live stream. See the OBS Standard Recording Output Guide. Names or options can vary with OBS version and selected encoder.
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Choose the YouTube Live audio settings
YouTube Help recommends these audio settings for Live encoder streams. They are recommendations for live streaming, not settings for ordinary uploaded videos.
| Live audio format | YouTube-recommended bitrate | Sample rate | Codec notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stereo | 128 Kbps | 44.1 kHz | AAC or MP3 over RTMP/RTMPS |
| 5.1 surround | 384 Kbps | 48 kHz | RTMP/RTMPS 5.1 requires AAC |
For a typical stereo broadcast, set the OBS streaming audio bitrate to 128 Kbps as the YouTube-recommended starting point. Choose 5.1 only if your production actually supplies surround audio and your encoder and delivery path support it; the 384 Kbps recommendation is not for stereo. Consult YouTube’s Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions.
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Set video bitrate separately
There is no single correct video bitrate for every YouTube stream. YouTube’s recommendations vary with the video codec, resolution, and frame rate. For H.264, its current examples include:
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|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 17 Mbps |
These figures are video recommendations, not audio values. Use the relevant row only when your stream is H.264 at that resolution and frame rate; check YouTube’s live encoder guidance for other codecs or formats. YouTube recommends CBR for RTMP/RTMPS and a 2-second keyframe interval, not exceeding 4 seconds. Set those in the streaming video encoder controls, separately from Audio Bitrate.
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Check total bitrate against your connection
The outgoing stream uses bandwidth for both audio and video, along with transport overhead. YouTube recommends leaving 20% of upload bandwidth unused as headroom. Its Streaming tips advise leaving room; a speed test alone cannot guarantee a stable stream, so check performance while streaming under representative conditions.
- If OBS reports dropped frames, first check whether your stable upload capacity can support the chosen video bitrate. OBS’s connection troubleshooting guidance suggests using 75% of total upload speed as a starting point for stream bitrate while troubleshooting—not as a guarantee of stability.
- If you need to reduce the stream’s bandwidth demand, lower video bitrate in line with your connection and YouTube’s guidance. That is a separate adjustment from audio bitrate.
- Do not treat a reduction in audio bitrate as equivalent to fixing an unstable video connection; the two settings control different parts of the stream.
See OBS Stream Connection Troubleshooting and YouTube’s Streaming tips.
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Verify the stream and troubleshoot common issues
Audio quality is poor, but video looks fine
Confirm that you changed the streaming Audio Bitrate in Settings → Output, not a recording track setting. For stereo YouTube Live, check that it is set to the recommended 128 Kbps, and verify that the audio is actually being captured cleanly in OBS.
Video has dropped frames after changing audio bitrate
Audio and video bitrates are separate controls, but both contribute to the total outgoing stream. Check your stable upload capacity and the selected video bitrate; reduce video bitrate if needed rather than assuming the audio field controls video transmission.
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The setting you changed did not affect the live stream
Return to Settings → Output and check that you edited the Streaming controls. In Advanced mode, recording settings are separate and may not alter live output. Also confirm which Output Mode and encoder are selected, since available controls can vary by OBS version and encoder.
You are unsure whether YouTube is receiving the new settings
Apply the OBS changes, then check the live control room’s stream health and audio during a representative test stream. Compare the encoder settings with YouTube’s live recommendations; do not use its separate uploaded-video audio guidance for a live encoder setup.
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