If audio and video drift out of sync in a Castr playlist broadcast, first check the uploaded file, then compare Castr’s preview with a private or unlisted YouTube test. Where the mismatch first appears—and whether it stays constant or grows—helps narrow the next step. An OBS audio offset is relevant only if OBS is actually feeding the stream; it does not control Castr’s cloud playlist playback.
First identify which Castr workflow you are using
Castr’s pre-recorded workflow lets you upload videos, arrange them into a scheduled premiere or continuous loop, and have Castr play the broadcast from the cloud to destinations such as YouTube. OBS is not required for that workflow. Castr’s pre-recorded streaming page describes those modes.
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If you uploaded files into a Castr playlist, OBS audio controls are not controlling Castr’s playlist playout. If you are instead sending an OBS or other encoder feed into Castr, OBS may be part of the source path and its sync settings may be relevant.
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Use the same visible and audible cue—a clap, impact, or spoken word—to compare the local file, Castr preview, and YouTube output. Check near the beginning and again later in the program. A mismatch that remains about the same is a fixed offset; one that increases over time is drift. These observations narrow the investigation but do not identify a cause by themselves.
#1 Best Overall
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- Check the exact uploaded file locally. If the cue is already out of sync, correct the file and export it again before uploading a replacement.
- Compare with Castr preview. Castr’s pre-recorded troubleshooting guidance and testing guide recommend checking that the source reaches the preview and testing the destination separately. The cited guidance does not establish a universal playlist sync repair.
- Test YouTube privately. Use an unlisted or private YouTube stream, then compare the same cue in the destination output. Keep the test running long enough to see whether an issue develops later. Castr recommends monitoring Analytics/Input Health during testing.
Record which stage first shows the mismatch, whether it is fixed or growing, and the test time. If the local file and Castr preview match but the YouTube output does not, those details are useful when asking Castr support to investigate.
If the uploaded file is already out of sync
Repair the source in the editing or export workflow that produced it, then play the new export locally at both an early and a later cue before uploading it to Castr. Do not assume that changing a bitrate will fix timing: Castr’s file guidance recommends AAC audio averaging 128 kbps and mentions HandBrake to reduce bitrate when a file fails to reach destinations. Those are compatibility and delivery suggestions, not a demonstrated cure for audio/video misalignment. See Castr’s pre-recorded troubleshooting guidance.
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If OBS is actually in the stream path
Castr’s sync-specific OBS advice applies to an OBS-based live workflow, not directly to a Castr cloud playlist. Its wedding-streaming guidance suggests measuring sync in OBS Advanced Audio Properties and trying a 50–100 ms offset during rehearsal. This is an example to test, not a universal setting or a guaranteed fix for progressive drift.
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- Identify whether audio leads or trails by comparing a clear cue in a test stream.
- In OBS, open Edit > Advanced Audio Properties and adjust the relevant source’s sync offset in a small, measured increment and the appropriate direction.
- Run another private or unlisted test and compare the same cue. Do not apply an offset merely because it is an example value.
If the mismatch grows over time, a single fixed offset may not address the cause. The cited Castr material does not provide a playlist-specific drift diagnosis.
Rank #3
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- TWO JACKS, TWO JOBS - The green jack is stereo OUT for headphones or powered speakers; the pink jack is mono microphone IN for a 3.5mm mic. It does NOT support 4-pole headsets on a single combo plug, it does NOT power passive speakers, and it does NOT add surround sound - it is a stereo 2-channel adapter.
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Check broader stream quality when other symptoms are present
Buffering, dropped frames, choppy playback, or disconnections justify a separate stream-health check. They do not prove that a stable audio lead or lag is caused by the network.
- Review the source encoder and stream health charts, including audio/video bitrate and frame rate.
- Check that the upload connection is stable and consider a nearby ingest server.
- Castr’s general quality guidance discusses H.264 video and AAC audio; its OBS recommendations include CBR, a two-second keyframe interval, and 128 kbps audio. These are general compatibility suggestions, not guaranteed sync repairs.
- If 1080p causes broader stream problems, Castr suggests reverting to 720p as a quality troubleshooting step.
See Castr’s stream-quality guidance and OBS recommendations for the context of those settings.
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Verify the fix and escalate with useful details
- After each change, repeat the private or unlisted YouTube test and compare the same cue near the start and later in the program.
- Note whether the local file is aligned, whether Castr preview is aligned, whether the mismatch is fixed or grows, and whether the source is a cloud playlist or an OBS-fed stream.
- If a cloud playlist remains out of sync after the source and destination checks, contact Castr support with those observations and the test time. The cited public guidance does not specify a guaranteed automatic correction for playlist sync drift.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- The new generation of the artist's interface: Connect your mic to Scarlett's 4th Gen mic pres. Plug in your guitar. Fire up the included software. Start making your first big hit
- Studio-quality sound: With a huge 120dB dynamic range, the newest generation of Scarlett uses the same converters as Focusrite’s flagship interfaces, found in the world's biggest studios
- Never lose a great take: Scarlett 4th Gen's Auto Gain sets the perfect level for your mic or guitar, and Clip Safe prevents clipping, so you can focus on the music
- Find your signature sound: Air mode lifts vocals and guitars to the front of the mix, adding musical presence and rich harmonic drive to your recordings
- With Scarlett 4th Gen, you have all you need to record, mix and master your music: Includes industry-leading recording software and a full collection of record-making plugins
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