How to Play Music in Live Stream without Copyright? Rules and Tips

A livestream without background music feels flat. Imagine a documentary on Lord Buddha without a Tingsha Bell or a Singing Bowl. It feels incomplete, right?

🔉

The right music adds life to your content. It is like the dipping sauce for your sushi!

Good background music sets the mood and tone of a YouTube livestream, enhancing the viewing experience. It sets the mood and tone of the live stream and enhances the viewing experience.

But here’s the issue: if you use random music, you will likely get a copyright strike. This can be a major setback for your channel, dipping your reach instantly.

Ask any YouTuber; copyright strike is their biggest nightmare.

But what does this mean?

According to YouTube’s guidelines, receiving a copyright strike leads to your video being taken down, imposing limitations on your account, and even potentially terminating your channel.

If you get a copyright strike for your active live stream, it will not only be removed, but you will also lose access to live streaming for seven days.

This article will explore the intricacies of playing music during a YouTube livestream, share tips on avoiding copyright issues, and discuss how to create original music.

How to Play Music in Live Stream without Copyright

Navigating through copyright claims is haunting. One wrong move and all your hard work is tossed down the drain. Penalties, account suspension, and whatnot!

Who will take all that risk? It’s better to continue without music.

If you have had this thought ☝️, this section is critical.

Follow these YouTube Live music ‘rules’ to avoid copyright strikes and go live boldly.

Understand YouTube’s copyright system

YouTube manages copyright detection through two systems: Content ID system and Manual Claims

The content ID system automatically scans every uploaded video and runs a comparison check to evaluate similarities against other content. If there’s a match, the content owner claims copyright on that. This is an automated system that keeps track of copyright issues.

In the manual claims, the original content owner can manually submit copyright claims for content that infringes their rights.

Use royalty-free music

Always use music labeled as royalty-free, copyright-free, or creative commons. This means you can use the music without worrying about copyright issues. It is crucial to read the terms of use before using the music.

Besides these, you also have the option to use the vast YouTube library of royalty-free music for your content without copyright concerns.

Obtain proper license

If you want to use commercial or popular music for your content or live stream, purchase the music to obtain a proper license for using it or get legal/written permission from the copyright owner. Some creators allow their work to be used under conditions under the ‘Creative Commons License.’ In such cases, check the specific terms carefully and ensure compliance.

Generate original music

Besides using the music created by others, take a step ahead and create your own original music. Hire someone to make music for you or use AI music generators like Beatoven.ai to create royalty-free original music.

This saves you from copyright claims, gives you a perpetual license to use the music piece, and allows you to create music to suit your live stream.

Monitor and respond to copyright claims

Watch your YouTube studio for copyright claims on your uploaded videos and live streams. If you receive one, remove or replace the copyrighted content. If you believe the claim is unjust, dispute it through YouTube’s copyright dispute process.

YouTube keeps updating its policies over time. Stay updated about the latest policies and guidelines to avoid copyright claims.

What are the consequences of using copyrighted music in YouTube live streams?

When you live stream on YouTube, it is scanned for matches to third-party and copyrighted content. If YouTube identifies third-party content or copyrighted music, you get a warning to stop streaming it. If you adhere, you can continue. If not, your stream will be terminated or temporarily interrupted.

While the above is a direct consequence of using copyrighted music, this also has long implications.

Loss of monetization and limited features: When you get a copyright claim, you may lose the ability to monetize your live stream or video. Any ad revenue generated from the stream using copyrighted content will go to the copyright owner instead of you.

YouTube may also restrict certain features on your channel, like live streaming and custom thumbnails, for repeated violations. This will hinder your connection with your audience and channel growth.

Drop in engagement: YouTube puts multiple blocks on your live stream if copyrighted music is detected, such as muting the audio or blocking the entire stream. This causes severe damage to the audience experience and a drop in engagement.

This also results in lower retention rates as viewers may find it frustrating to watch a live stream that gets muted or interrupted. They will jump to another content creator who offers a seamless viewing experience.

Damage to reputation: Copyright claims damage your reputation as a content creator. Your audience may perceive you as unprofessional or even a ‘copycat.’ You lose your credibility and attract negative comments and feedback from your viewers or online community.

Legal repercussions: Using copyrighted music can also lead to lawsuits from copyright owners. This can land you serious legal trouble, penalties, fines, legal fees, and even shutting your channel.

Disruption in creative flow and wastage of time & effort: If you are unsure of the copyright terms and constantly worry about copyright issues, you might suffer from creativity loss. You feel restricted and tensed about copyright which hinders your ability to innovate and differentiate from other content creators.

If you get copyright claims, all your efforts get wasted, and you spend a lot of time mitigating the copyright issue.

Can you Stream Music on Twitch?

Twitch allows music during live streams but has guidelines for copyrighted music, which is only allowed with legal rights or permission. If you don’t comply with copyright rules and laws, Twitch can take down your content, suspend your channel, or mute your videos.

How to find royalty-free music for YouTube live streams

Royalty-free music is a game-changer for YouTube live streams. They add life to the live stream, saving you from worrying about copyright claims. Get royalty-free music from various sources and AI music generators. Here and some options to consider.

Beatoven.ai is an excellent tool for generating royalty-free, 100% original music. It uses advanced music theories and technology to create music and gives you a perpetual license to use the music. Generate mood-based high-quality music by giving easy text prompts using its ‘Text-to-music’ feature to choose from moods and genres to generate music.

Key features

High customisation: Beatoven.ai allows you to customize music according to your preferences and needs. Change the mood and genre or some parts of the track, change or remove instruments, adjust tempo and volume, and even make granular edits using timeline navigation.

Text-to-music: This Beatoven.ai feature allows you to give a text prompt to generate music. You just have to describe the type of music you need, the instruments you would like to be highlighted, the duration of the track, etc.

The more descriptive your prompt is, the more precise the music Beatoven.ai generates. If you struggle to write the text, the AI generator helps you write the prompt correctly to generate the right music.

Version history and feedback tracking: Beatoven.ai mandatorily keeps version history to allow you to return to any edited music. It also gathers your detailed time-stamped feedback on the generated music to improve music generation.

YouTube Audio Library

The YouTube audio library offers a wide range of royalty-free music and sound effects. It allows you to use royalty-free music only on YouTube videos and does not allow standalone distributions or use outside of YouTube.

Key features

Easy to use

Directly accessible through YouTube Studio

Assortment based on mood, genre, duration, and instruments

Free Music Archive

Free Music Archive is an accessible online repository of royalty-free music in various genres. This community-based initiative allows you to download and use music effortlessly. Artists worldwide create every piece of music on the platform, and it comes with an open license. You must read the license terms before using the music to ensure compliance.

Key Feature

A curated selection of high-quality music

Genre, mood, and artist filters to choose music from

Original music from independent artists

How do you add royalty-free music to YouTube Live Streams?

Let’s get down to the real deal–How to add royalty-free music for YouTube Live Streams. Now, you cannot directly add music to YouTube live stream. You need streaming software to add music.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on adding music to your live stream:

1. Choose royalty-free music or create it using AI music generators
2. Download the music on your computer in a format compatible with your streaming software or platform.
3. Choose a streaming software like OBS Studio to add music to your live stream
4. Add YouTube in the Stream option under Settings and follow the instructions to connect OBS studio with your YouTube Channel
5. Once connected, set up your live stream. Go to the ‘Sources’ panel, click ‘+’, and choose Media Source.
6. Select the downloaded music from your computer and adjust settings like the volume, playback speed, loop, etc.

Best practices for using background music for live streaming in YouTube

Here are some best practices to ensure you create an engaging and enjoyable experience for your audience during live streams.

Type of music: Pay attention to the kind of music you choose. Look for music that complements your live stream’s theme and mood. Go for instrumental tracks instead of lyrical background sound, as the vocals disrupt the conversation. Another critical point to consider here is adding tracks and creating a mix for live stream segments.

Timing of the music: Nobody likes high-pitched music when the live stream is at its peak, and you and your audience are talking seriously. Ensure a smooth transition between segments, control the volume based on what you do in the live stream, and ensure the music does not overshadow your voice.

For example, your audience may not understand what you say during your live stream because of the loud music. In such a case, adjust the music volume manually or note where you want the music volume to be low when you plan the live stream.

When you generate music using Beatoven.ai, adjust the volume and tempo right when you create the music.

Editing: Use fade in and out when starting the music during the live stream for a smoother transition, and try to sync the music with the pace of your content. For example, use slow music to support calm moments; use fast-paced music to energize your audience.

With Beatoven.ai, you can create a music track that has both a fast and slow pace, as it allows you to edit the AI-generated track in sections. You can also adjust the volume and tempo using the Beatoven.ai music generator.



Test before going live: Always test your music and live stream settings to ensure everything works smoothly.

Feedback from audience: Take the input from the audience seriously and constructively. Adjust the music and other settings based on their preferences to enhance their viewing experience.

Respect copyrights: Always ensure using royalty-free music and respect the terms of use by adhering to them strictly. Ensure that credit is given to the artist to support the content creator community.

How to check if a song is copyrighted before using it in a YouTube Live

Here are several ways to ensure that the music you are using is copyrighted:

YouTube’s copyright match tool helps determine if the song has a copyright claim. Additionally, upload the track on YouTube in private settings, and YouTube’s Content ID will let you know if it is copyright-free

Use YouTube Audio Library to find royalty-free music that you can use worry-free

Search for a song in the audio library, check its terms, and use it in your live stream

Choose AI music generation tools that allow you to create music and give you a license to use the music. This way, you can also dispute the copyright claims in case of false claims

If you really like music, contact the artist or copyright holder to get permission to use the music

Read the licensing terms very carefully for any music that you download online for streaming

Additional Tips

Always keep documentation or screenshots of the license or permission obtained. This helps in case you need to prove that you’ve done the due diligence for checking the copyright status

Avoid using the music if you are not sure of its copyright status

What are the licensing options for using copyrighted music in YouTube live streams?

Here are some standard licensing options available for using copyright-free music for your YouTube live streams:

Public Domain Music: It is the music whose copyrights have been forfeited or expired, and the music is free to be used freely by the public

Creative Commons License: Public copyright licenses enable free use of otherwise licensed music. They come with certain conditions like attribution to the artist

Perpetual License: This license allows you to use the music indefinitely. You only pay a one-time fee to use the music for an unlimited period without any recurring fee

Public performance license: This license allows the user to perform the copyrighted music in public, like a podcast or live stream

Mechanical license: This allows you to use the track in your projects, such as films, cover recordings, etc.

Sync license: This license is typically for music that is paired with visual media

Conclusion

YouTube live streams are exceptional ways to connect with your audience. Background music in your live stream adds an extra layer to your content plan. But, it is essential to ensure that you only use royalty-free music to avoid any copyright strikes and claims.

It disrupts the live stream and leaves a bad reputation among your audience. Always remember to:

Choose royalty-free music or licensed music

Read the license carefully before using the music

Balance the audio levels so that the music does not overpower any other element of the live stream, especially your voice

Keep records of all the licenses and permissions granted for using the music for future reference

Stay abreast of the latest copyright guidelines of the platforms you use

Give credit to the artists wherever possible

As a content creator, you must prioritize the legality of the music you use and the music you choose to create a captivating live experience for your audience.

Get going on creating more awesome content!

Sign up to generate royalty-free music.

FAQs

How long can I play copyrighted music in my YouTube live stream without getting a strike?

There is no specific duration for playing copyrighted music and getting a copyright strike. YouTube can warn you for even a short excerpt of copyrighted music.

What are some popular copyright-free music genres for YouTube live streams?

Electronic, lo-fi, ambient, and instrumental tracks are popular genres for YouTube live streams.

Can I use royalty-free music in my YouTube live streams without attribution?

The requirement of attribution depends on specific licensing terms of the royalty-free music. Carefully check the licensing term for attribution requirements.