To broadcast an online radio station on YouTube Live, send its audio and a visual—such as a station logo or still image—through an encoder such as OBS Studio. In YouTube Studio, create or schedule an encoder stream, then enter YouTube’s server URL and stream key in the encoder. Test that your station audio reaches the preview before going live, and confirm you have the rights to broadcast the music on YouTube and keep any resulting archive.
Before you set up the stream
Check that your channel can go live
Your YouTube channel must be verified and must not have had a live-streaming restriction in the preceding 90 days. First-time activation can take up to 24 hours, so enable live streaming well before your intended broadcast. See YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility requirements.
Confirm music rights for YouTube
Having permission to play music on your radio station does not necessarily grant permission to simulcast it on YouTube. You are responsible for obtaining the rights needed for the live broadcast and any recording YouTube makes available afterward. YouTube’s Livestream terms and conditions say providers must have the necessary rights for live content, including music licensing rights from artists, record labels, publishers and other royalty participants. Check the terms of your licenses for YouTube, territories and on-demand use before proceeding.
Choose how to send the station audio
An encoder is the bridge between your station and YouTube. It combines audio with a visual scene, encodes the result and sends it to YouTube’s Live Control Room.
#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.
| Option | Best fit | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Software encoder, such as OBS Studio | Operators who already have a suitable computer and want to build a simple scene or manage production on that computer. | No dedicated encoder hardware is required to start. The computer and its internet connection must remain available during the broadcast. |
| Standalone hardware encoder | More involved production setups or operators who want a dedicated encoding device. | It is optional, not a requirement for a basic station simulcast. YouTube describes both software applications and standalone hardware encoders in its encoder setup guidance. |
For a simple radio stream, OBS can place a still image, text and audio in a scene. Its documented sources include media sources and, with VLC installed, a VLC video source that can play playlists. Those source types do not guarantee that every online radio URL or streaming protocol will work when pasted into OBS. Test the exact feed you use.
Set up the YouTube encoder stream
- Open YouTube Studio and go to Go Live. In Live Control Room, choose the encoder option and create a stream or schedule one for later.
- Copy the server URL and stream key. YouTube supplies these for the encoder connection. Enter them in the encoder’s stream settings, and keep the key private: it lets an encoder send a feed to your YouTube channel.
- Leave Live Control Room open for the test. You will use its preview and status indicators to check the incoming stream before starting the public broadcast.
For the current workflow and stream-key details, use YouTube’s encoder setup instructions.
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.
Build the scene and route the station audio in OBS
- Create a scene. In OBS, add a scene for the radio broadcast. Add an image source for a station logo, cover art or other visual. You can add text such as the station name if useful.
- Try the station feed as a supported source. Add an audio or media source and test the station’s actual URL and format. OBS documents media sources and a VLC source for playlists, but support for a particular network-radio URL is not established for every protocol. Consult OBS’s media-source guidance.
- If direct playback fails, capture the station’s playback audio. Play the station on the computer and select the relevant audio device in OBS. The precise device name and routing steps depend on your operating system and audio setup. OBS warns that capturing the same device both as a scene source and globally can create echo; use one capture path rather than duplicating it. See OBS audio-source guidance.
- Check the audio meter. Confirm it moves while the station is playing. Listen to the encoder output if possible so you catch silence, clipping or duplicate audio before the broadcast.
OBS’s source documentation reviewed for this setup describes source concepts rather than guaranteeing compatibility with every current radio-stream format. If the feed will not play directly, use a supported playback-and-capture path and test it on your own system.
Set audio quality, connect and test
YouTube’s general encoder guidance lists AAC or MP3 audio codecs. For stereo audio, its recommended advanced settings include a 44.1 kHz sample rate and a 128 Kbps bitrate. Start with a YouTube-compatible encoder preset where available, then verify the actual incoming result in Live Control Room. See YouTube’s encoder settings for live streaming.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
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.
- Enter YouTube’s server URL and stream key in OBS. Open OBS stream settings and select the YouTube service or its custom-server option, depending on the available setup. Use the values shown for your stream in Live Control Room.
- Start the encoder. In OBS, start streaming and wait for YouTube’s preview to show the incoming feed.
- Inspect before going live. Check that the intended image is visible, the station audio is present, and the audio meter is active. Listen for the correct program and watch for interruptions or distortion.
- Start the broadcast in Live Control Room. Once the preview and audio are right, use YouTube’s Go Live control. Continue monitoring the stream while it runs; YouTube recommends testing the setup and monitoring audio and video quality in its live-stream monitoring guidance.
End the broadcast and account for the archive
When the simulcast is over, end the stream in YouTube Live Control Room and stop sending from the encoder. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. Treat that recording as a separate use of the music: your rights need to cover the archive as well as the live transmission. Check the current YouTube encoder guidance and your music licenses before relying on an archive being available.
Troubleshoot common setup problems
- You cannot start a live stream: Check channel verification and any live-streaming restriction. If this is the channel’s first activation, allow up to 24 hours for it to become available.
- YouTube receives no signal: Confirm the server URL and stream key match the stream in Live Control Room, and that OBS is actively sending. If you have regenerated the key, update the encoder with the current one.
- The radio URL will not play in OBS: The URL or protocol may not be supported by the source you selected. Test the real feed; if direct ingestion fails, play the station through a supported player and capture its audio device instead.
- You hear silence in the preview: Check that the station is playing, the correct audio source is selected and its OBS meter moves. Confirm the stream’s audio codec and stereo settings use a YouTube-compatible configuration.
- You hear echo or doubled audio: Look for the same device being captured both globally and as a scene source in OBS. Remove the duplicate route.
- The stream sounds distorted or cuts out: Listen to the local encoder output and YouTube preview, check that the station feed itself is stable, and monitor YouTube’s stream status while live. Test changes before the next scheduled broadcast.
- YouTube flags or removes music: A radio license may not cover YouTube distribution or an archived copy. Review the rights for the specific tracks, territories, live use and archive; do not assume that a station’s existing distribution permission transfers.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep a YouTube channel live around the clock with uploaded recordings rather than route a live radio URL through OBS, StreamNeo is a cloud option. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos from the cloud. Nothing has to stay on at home, it handles uploaded video at any quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, and it automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly service is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo plays uploaded videos to YouTube; it does not capture a live camera or ingest your online radio station as a live audio source. Start your free StreamNeo day.
Quick Recap
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.
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
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.
