How to Add Music to Your OBS Stream (from YouTube, Files, etc.)
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Background music (BGM) is a powerful tool that can dramatically improve your stream’s atmosphere. Whether you want chill lo-fi for a study session or upbeat tracks for gaming, adding music is simple.
This guide will show you the easiest ways to add music to OBS, from playing a YouTube video to using local audio files. The setup is straightforward, so follow along and give it a try.
There are two primary methods for playing music through OBS, each with its own pros and cons.
From YouTube (or any browser video)
This is the simplest method. You search for “royalty-free BGM” on YouTube, find a long video or playlist, and let it play in a browser tab. OBS will capture this sound via your “Desktop Audio.”
Pros: Extremely easy and requires no downloads.
Cons: You have no control over ads, which can abruptly interrupt your stream if you don’t have YouTube Premium.
From Local Audio Files
This method involves downloading royalty-free music from a dedicated site and playing the audio files from your computer.
Pros: No ads, no need to open a browser every time you stream, and more reliable.
Cons: Requires you to download files beforehand.
You can play local files using a standard media player (like Windows Media Player or VLC) or, for the most professional setup, by using the built-in OBS Media Source.
Essential Prerequisite: Checking Your OBS Audio Settings
Before adding music, it’s crucial to ensure OBS is configured to capture your computer’s audio. If this isn’t set up correctly, your BGM won’t be broadcast to your stream.
This guide uses the “Desktop Audio” method, which is the simplest for beginners. It captures all sounds your computer makes.
Here’s how to check your settings:
In OBS, go to File > Settings.
Click on the Audio tab.
Under Global Audio Devices, make sure Desktop Audio is set to Default. If it’s disabled, enable it by selecting “Default.”
Scroll down to the Advanced section and ensure Monitoring Device is also set to Default.
Click OK.
This pre-setup is now complete.
Troubleshooting: If you still hear no desktop audio after this, try selecting your specific headphones or audio interface from the dropdown menus instead of “Default.” Ensure you select the same device for both Desktop Audio and Monitoring Device.
How to Play Music in OBS
Choose your preferred method below. If you’re unsure, start with YouTube—it’s the easiest. The Media Source method is the most robust and recommended for regular streamers as it doesn’t require you to open any other applications.
In the OBS Audio Mixer, you should see the meter for Desktop Audio moving. This confirms OBS is capturing the sound.
The music will likely be too loud. Lower the volume slider for Desktop Audio so it sits well below your microphone’s volume. A good starting point is around -25dB to -35dB.
You can also adjust the volume directly on the YouTube player. Use both sliders to balance your mic and music audio perfectly.
Playing Music from a Media Player
This process is identical to the YouTube method.
Open a music app on your PC (like Windows Media Player, VLC, or Spotify) and play your BGM file.
Check the Desktop Audio meter in OBS to confirm the sound is being captured.
Use the OBS volume slider and the media player’s volume control to adjust the level.
Playing Music with the OBS Media Source (Recommended)
This is the most integrated and professional method.
Part 1: Adding the BGM as a Media Source
In the Sources dock, click the + button.
Select Media Source.
Give the source a name (e.g., “BGM – Chill Lo-Fi”) and click OK.
In the Properties window, click Browse and select the audio file from your computer.
To make the music play continuously, check the box for Loop.
Click OK.
A new audio source will appear in your Audio Mixer. Lower its volume slider to an appropriate background level.
Part 2: Hearing the BGM Yourself (Audio Monitoring) By default, you won’t hear the audio from a Media Source. Here’s how to monitor audio in OBS:
In the Audio Mixer, click the gear icon next to your BGM source.
In the Audio Monitoring dropdown for your BGM source, select Monitor Only (mute output).
Click Close. You will now hear the BGM through your headphones, and so will your stream.
To mute the BGM, simply click the speaker icon next to the source in the Audio Mixer.
Where to Find Royalty-Free BGM for Your Stream
Using copyrighted music can lead to VOD mutes or channel strikes. Always use music that is explicitly labeled as “royalty-free” or “copyright-free.” Here are some excellent sites to find royalty-free music for streaming:
You can play the downloaded files from these sites using the OBS Media Source method described above.
What to Do After Setting Up Your BGM
Now that your background music is set up, are you ready with the rest of your OBS configuration?
We have a comprehensive guide that covers all the basic operations and settings in OBS. If you’re new to streaming, we recommend checking it out to ensure you have everything covered.
[Link] The Ultimate OBS Guide: From Beginner to Pro
おやつの後は眠くなる – にゃるぱかBGM工房
