Live Stream Audio, Done Properly
Setting up audio for live streams, webinars and broadcasts so speech is clear, levels are safe and sound stays in sync with video.
Tomas Lindqvist
Where most projects go wrong
The usual mistakes:
- Relying on laptop microphones
- No limiter on live output
- Unmonitored streams
- Unmuted microphones picking up private conversation
What good looks like instead
- Test audio before every stream
- Use a limiter on the master output
- Monitor the stream on headphones
- Keep backup microphones ready
- Check sync on a test stream
Why it matters
Viewers forgive imperfect video more readily than bad audio, and live streams cannot be fixed afterward.
The specs that matter
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| YouTube settings | YouTube recommends AAC or MP3 audio at 128 kbps stereo for live streams |
| Limiters | prevent clipping from sudden loud sounds |
| Sync | audio and video delays may need offsetting |
| Monitoring | headphones reveal problems speakers hide |
Knowing when to hand it over
Tip: Bring in help when live events matter to customers or investors.
Where this comes from
- YouTube Help — Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions
- Audio Engineering Society — AES Standards
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
We take on Audio Editing & Production work for teams who want it done once, properly. Tell us what you are building and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right studio for it. Start a project.
Where to go next
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
