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In OBS Studio, choose Fade or Cut in the Scene Transitions controls, set its duration, then use Studio Mode to preview and apply scene changes. For a 24/7 chillhop stream, keep the visual transition separate from audio playback: OBS scene transitions change what viewers see, not how tracks crossfade. You can loop one file with a Media Source or repeat a playlist with a VLC Video source.
Set up scenes and choose a transition
A scene is a layout made from sources. A simple radio stream can use one steady scene; if you want visual variety, add a holding or intermission scene and switch to it manually. OBS includes Fade and Cut as transition options from first launch. Its [Scene Transitions guide] explains how to select the active transition and adjust its duration.
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- Create the scenes you need. In the Scenes panel, add a scene for the main broadcast and any optional holding or intermission layouts. One scene is enough if the artwork will remain unchanged.
- Add the visual and audio sources. Select a scene, then add sources such as background artwork, text, and media. Arrange and size them in the preview so the composition looks right.
- Select a transition. In Scene Transitions, choose Fade for a gradual visual change or Cut for an immediate switch. Use the duration control to set how long the selected transition takes. There is no universally correct duration for chillhop; preview the result with your artwork and choose what looks appropriate.
- Add another transition if desired. Use the plus control in the Scene Transitions area to add another available transition, then select and configure it. The available choices depend on the OBS setup.
A Fade between scenes is a visual effect. It does not, by itself, crossfade one music track into another. If you need smooth audio transitions, configure and test that separately in your playback or audio-routing setup.
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Studio Mode separates the scene being prepared from the current live output. You can select or edit a scene in Preview while the live scene remains on Program, then press Transition when you are ready to show the prepared scene. This is useful for checking artwork, text, and layout before a manual change reaches viewers.
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- Enable Studio Mode in OBS.
- Select the scene you want to prepare in the Preview pane and make any required changes.
- Inspect the preview. Confirm that sources are positioned correctly and that no unwanted elements are visible.
- Press Transition to send the prepared scene to the live output.
For repeated manual switches, configure a Quick Transition with its own transition type and duration, then invoke it in Studio Mode. Quick Transitions make a manual scene change easier to repeat; they do not schedule automatic scene rotations for a 24/7 broadcast. See the OBS overview guide for the transition controls.
Loop a track or playlist
Use a Media Source for one local audio or video file, or a VLC Video source when you need a playlist. The OBS Media Sources documentation describes both options and their playback controls.
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Repeat one file with Media Source
- Add a Media Source to the scene and select the file you want to play.
- Enable Loop in the source properties so playback restarts when the file ends.
- Test the source through the end of the file, or use a short test file, to confirm playback restarts as intended.
Repeat a playlist with VLC Video
- Install VLC. OBS documentation specifies that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- Add a VLC Video source and add the media files to its playlist.
- Check the playlist options. The documented defaults are Loop Playlist on and Shuffle Playlist off; enable shuffle if you want a different order on each pass.
- Test what happens when the source’s scene is hidden. The documented visibility behavior is to stop when not visible and restart when visible; confirm that this suits your scene layout so the playlist does not stop unexpectedly during a scene change.
A single repeating file gives you a fixed cycle. A playlist gives you multiple tracks and control over ordering, but it adds a dependency on VLC and requires checking source visibility behavior.
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YouTube’s encoder workflow lets you connect a supported encoder directly or copy the stream URL and key from YouTube into the encoder’s stream settings. Treat the stream key as a credential: do not publish or share it. YouTube’s encoder setup instructions describe the connection and Live Control Room preview.
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- In YouTube Live Control Room, create or select the livestream and obtain the stream key. If OBS offers a YouTube connection, you can select it; otherwise, copy YouTube’s stream URL and key.
- In OBS, open Settings > Stream. Select the YouTube connection if available, or enter the stream URL and key provided by YouTube.
- Start streaming from OBS, then check the Live Control Room preview before taking the stream live.
- Test the scenes, transition, audio, and looping media before your first public broadcast. OBS recommends testing settings and confirming scenes work as intended before streaming.
For a long-running stream, decide whether uninterrupted viewing or manageable archive segments matter more. YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours can be automatically archived, but warns that streams exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all; this is not a guarantee that every shorter stream will be archived. Keep a local recording if a complete copy matters. YouTube also cautions that DVR rewind may be limited or unavailable for streams longer than 12 hours. See its guidance on archiving live streams and DVR on live streams.
Check music rights before broadcasting
YouTube’s livestream terms make the creator responsible for obtaining the necessary rights, including music licensing rights, for live content on Google services. A track being available online, or having permission for some uses, does not establish that you may use it in a live broadcast, archive it, monetize it, or stream it in every territory. Confirm that your license covers the intended uses with the rights holder.
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YouTube scans live streams for third-party content. If it identifies such content, it may replace the live output with a placeholder and issue a warning; if the content remains, the stream may be interrupted or terminated. Even licensed music can be interrupted if the rights holder has not allowlisted your channel through Content ID. Confirm any required allowlisting with the rights holder before going live. Read YouTube’s livestream terms and conditions and guidance on copyright issues with live streams.
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Troubleshoot common transition and looping problems
- The transition happens instantly. Check that Fade, rather than Cut, is selected as the active transition and adjust its duration in the Scene Transitions controls.
- The prepared scene is not live. In Studio Mode, the Preview scene is not the live output until you press Transition.
- The music does not restart. For one file, check the Media Source’s Loop option. For a playlist, check Loop Playlist in the VLC Video source.
- A playlist stops or restarts during a scene swap. Check whether the source is hidden when its scene is not visible and review the VLC source’s stop/restart visibility behavior.
- OBS cannot use the VLC source as expected. Confirm VLC is installed and, for 64-bit OBS, that the installed VLC version is 64-bit.
- YouTube interrupts the broadcast or shows a placeholder. Check for third-party content claims and warnings in Live Control Room. Confirm your music rights and any required Content ID allowlisting with the rights holder.
- The stream has no complete archive or rewind. A 24/7 stream can exceed YouTube’s 12-hour archive warning point, and DVR may be limited or unavailable for streams longer than that. Keep a local archive when completeness matters, and plan any stream segmentation around your channel’s continuity needs.
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