To loop a 24/7 YouTube lofi stream, feed a playlist of rights-cleared tracks into OBS Studio using its VLC Video Source, then enable Loop Playlist. You can also enable Shuffle Playlist, but OBS does not promise a minimum time between repeats or track-history-based repeat avoidance. To reduce noticeable repeats, build a larger rotation and test how your playlist behaves before going live.
Build a playlist that can run continuously
Gather the audio and any accompanying visuals you have permission to broadcast, then keep those files accessible to the computer running OBS. A longer, varied rotation gives the stream more material before it cycles back through the same tracks, but there is no documented ideal playlist length or guaranteed repeat interval.
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OBS offers two relevant sources: VLC Video Source for a playlist of files, and Media Source for an individual file such as one long mix. OBS lists MP3, AAC, OGG and WAV among the audio formats supported by its media sources. The VLC source requires VLC to be installed. See OBS Media Sources.
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- Install OBS Studio and VLC. VLC is required for OBS’s VLC Video Source.
- Add the playlist source. In OBS, add a VLC Video Source and load the media files you want in the rotation.
- Choose the playback behavior. Enable Loop Playlist to repeat the list. Enable Shuffle Playlist if randomized order suits your channel. Shuffle randomizes files; OBS documentation does not describe it as a scheduler with a no-repeat window or a guarantee against quick repeats.
- For a single file, use Media Source instead. Add the file and enable its Loop setting. This is suitable for one long mix, rather than a multi-file rotation.
- Review the rotation before broadcasting. Check that the files play as expected and that the visuals and sound are appropriate. If you need greater variety, add more tracks or arrange them deliberately; do not advertise a guaranteed repeat-free period unless your playback system actually enforces one.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Check channel eligibility. YouTube says live streaming requires a verified channel with no live-streaming restrictions in the previous 90 days. See YouTube live streaming tips.
- Create or schedule the stream. Open YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room and create or schedule a live stream. YouTube’s encoder setup instructions explain how to obtain the stream server URL and key.
- Enter the connection details in OBS. Use YouTube’s server URL and stream key in the encoder’s stream settings. Treat the stream key like a password: do not share it publicly, and replace it if it is exposed.
- Preview and monitor the whole path. Confirm the playlist is playing, the broadcast has sound and video, and YouTube is receiving the stream before relying on it. YouTube recommends leaving upload-bandwidth headroom: its guidance says to leave room, with 20% recommended. See YouTube streaming tips. A 24/7 broadcast also depends on the local computer, power and internet connection remaining available.
Why YouTube’s Loop button is not enough
YouTube’s Loop control repeats a video or playlist for an individual viewer in the YouTube player. It does not feed that playlist into a live encoder. For a live broadcast, OBS needs its own playback source—such as the local VLC playlist—and sends that output to YouTube using the stream URL and key. See YouTube’s instructions for looping videos or playlists and its encoder setup guide.
#1 Best Overall
- Pro performance with great pre-amps - Achieve a brighter recording thanks to the high performing mic pre-amps of the Scarlett 3rd Gen. A switchable Air mode will add extra clarity to your acoustic instruments when recording with your Solo 3rd Gen
- Get the perfect guitar and vocal take with - With two high-headroom instrument inputs to plug in your guitar or bass so that they shine through. Capture your voice and instruments without any unwanted clipping or distortion thanks to our Gain Halos
- Studio quality recording for your music & podcasts - Achieve pro sounding recordings with Scarlett 3rd Gen’s high-performance converters enabling you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Your recordings will retain all of their sonic qualities
- Low-noise for crystal clear listening - 2 low-noise balanced outputs provide clean audio playback with 3rd Gen. Hear all the nuances of your tracks or music from Spotify, Apple & Amazon Music. Plug-in headphones for private listening in high-fidelity
- Everything in the box: Includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, and Hitmaker Expansion: a suite of essential effects, powerful software instruments, and easy-to-use mastering tools
Clear music rights before going live
Only broadcast recordings for which you have the necessary rights, including any required music licensing rights. YouTube scans live streams for third-party matches. A match can replace the stream with a placeholder, and unresolved third-party content can interrupt or terminate the broadcast. For licensed third-party content, YouTube says the rights owner may need to add your channel to its Content ID allowlist; having a license alone may not prevent an interruption. Review YouTube’s livestream terms and copyright issues with live streams.
Plan for outages and archive limits
Keep a local copy if the recording matters
Do not treat YouTube as a guaranteed archive of a 24-hour broadcast. YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours may be automatically archived, while a stream exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. If preserving the complete program matters, keep a local recording. See YouTube’s live-stream archive guidance.
Rank #2
- The new generation of the songwriter's interface: Plug in your mic and guitar and let Scarlett Solo 4th Gen bring big studio sound to wherever you make music
- 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
- Find your signature sound: Scarlett 4th Gen's improved Air mode lifts vocals and guitars to the front of the mix, adding musical presence and rich harmonic drive to your recordings
- All you need to record, mix and master your music: Includes industry-leading recording software and a full collection of record-making plugins
- Everything in the box: Includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, and Hitmaker Expansion: a suite of essential effects, powerful software instruments, and easy-to-use mastering tools
Expect local dependencies
A computer-based setup depends on the machine staying on, OBS continuing to run, the media remaining accessible, and the network staying connected. YouTube recommends monitoring stream quality because network disruption can break a stream. Test your particular setup rather than assuming it will stay live unattended.
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- The playlist stops at the end: Check that Loop Playlist is enabled on the VLC Video Source. For one file on Media Source, check its separate Loop setting.
- The playlist will not load: Confirm VLC is installed and that the files are accessible to the computer running OBS. Check the file paths and try a format supported by OBS’s media sources, such as MP3, AAC, OGG or WAV.
- A song returns sooner than expected: Shuffle is not a documented anti-repeat scheduler. Increase the size and variety of the rotation, curate the order, and test the playback behavior; do not promise a minimum interval.
- YouTube does not receive the broadcast: Check the server URL and stream key against the details shown for the stream in YouTube Studio, and confirm the channel meets YouTube’s live-stream eligibility requirements.
- The stream is interrupted after music plays: Check for a Content ID match or other rights issue. YouTube may interrupt live streams over third-party content; a license may not prevent this unless the rights owner has allowlisted the channel where required.
- The stream drops during a long run: Check the local computer, power, network and OBS status, then review YouTube’s stream-quality information. Leave upload bandwidth headroom rather than encoding at the full available connection capacity.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you do not want a computer at home to run OBS continuously, StreamNeo keeps a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops the content in the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It is for uploaded videos, not a live camera feed, and streams to YouTube.
Rank #3
- PLUG IN AND HEAR SOUND IN SECONDS - USB Type-A connector with a 3.5mm stereo headphone output and a separate 3.5mm mono microphone input. No drivers, no software, no external power - the adapter is USB bus-powered and is recognized as a standard USB audio device.
- WORKS ON WINDOWS, MAC AND LINUX - Driverless on Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7/8, Linux and Mac OSX, and compliant with the USB Audio Device Class 1.0 specification, so any system that supports class-compliant USB audio will see it. Select it as the sound output and input device after plugging it in.
- 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.
- FOR LAPTOPS AND DESKTOPS THAT NEED AN AUDIO PORT BACK - Adds a headphone and mic port to a laptop, desktop, or mini PC whose onboard jack has failed or was never there. Managed and work-issued computers can block new USB audio devices by policy - check with your IT department before ordering for a company machine.
- SABRENT SUPPORT AND WARRANTY - What is in the box: one USB audio sound adapter. Backed by a 1-year limited warranty, extended to 2 years when you register within 90 days on the manufacturer's website.
- One flat price per slot for any quality up to 4K 60fps, streamed as uploaded without re-encoding or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card, with one free day per account.
- Every slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB storage per slot pooled across active slots, 24/7 looping and playlists, and StreamNeo team support. Plans offer the same product; only the billing length changes.
- Daily $0.99 per day · Weekly $2.99 per week · Monthly $9.99 per month · 6 months $49.99 for 6 months · Yearly $89.99 a year.
Billing is available for a day, a week, a month, six months or a year, and you can cancel any time. UPI and cards are accepted in India; card checkout is available worldwide. For five or more slots, contact support. See StreamNeo for details and pricing. To try it, start your free first day.
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
Rank #4
- Podcast, Record, Live Stream, This Portable Audio Interface Covers it All - USB sound card for Mac or PC delivers 48kHz audio resolution for pristine recording every time
- Be ready for anything with this versatile M-AUDIO interface - Record guitar, vocals or line input signals with two combo XLR / Line / Instrument Inputs with phantom power
- Everything you Demand from an Audio Interface for Fuss-Free Monitoring - 1/4" headphone output and stereo 1/4" outputs for total monitoring flexibility; USB/Direct switch for zero latency monitoring
- Get the best out of your Microphones - M-Track Duo’s transparent Crystal Preamps guarantee optimal sound from all your microphones including condenser mics
- The MPC Production Experience - Includes MPC Beats Software complete with the essential production tools from Akai Professional
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