In this in-depth guide, we’ll show you how to safely use music during your live streams. We’ll be teaching you how the biggest streaming platforms deal with music licenses. Moreover, we will show you where you can find royalty-free music that won’t get you or your channel in trouble.
Can you play music while streaming on YouTube? Yes, if it is music you own, music you have a license for, a public domain recording or a track from YouTube’s Audio Library. Popular songs are not safe: YouTube scans every live stream for third-party content, can swap your stream for a placeholder image and warn you, and interrupts or ends the stream if the song keeps playing. A live stream removed for copyright gives your channel a strike and blocks live streaming for 7 days. Paying for Spotify or buying the song does not give you broadcast rights, and YouTube’s Creator Music licenses do not cover live streams.
The Importance of Music For Live Streaming
Beyond the fact that music can set a unique tone for your streaming broadcast, it also helps break up any awkward silences that often occur in the virtual world. Of course, the natural and unedited style of streaming is one of the reasons it’s so popular, though one of the major downsides to the format is that EVERYTHING goes out raw and unedited. Even the tiniest awkward moments, such as mic noises, extended pauses, etc., can ruin the flow of a stream.
For this reason, having quality non-copyrighted music for streaming is crucial.
There are DOZENS of ways you can incorporate music into your live stream, including:
- Playing 10 seconds of a track as your “walk-on song,” which is perfect for when you come on-screen and begin streaming,
- Using energetic stings for transitional points,
- Having ambient music play in the background as you speak to your viewers.
With the right non-copyrighted music for streaming, the possibilities are almost endless! If you ever feel that there’s a lull in your stream, you can try jolting it with a nice tune. But before you dive into the discography of your favorite artists searching for songs to use in your stream, it’s crucial to understand the legal boundaries when it comes to using another person’s music.
What Kind of Music Can I Use For Streaming?
If you’re looking for background audio for your stream, it’s important to make sure it’s copyright-free music for streaming.
Public Domain
Public Domain music is music that had copyright at one point which has since expired, never had copyright in the first place or music whose authors purposefully made it public domain to start with. In the US, as of 2026, songs (the music and lyrics) published in 1930 or earlier are in the public domain, and so are sound recordings from 1925 or earlier. Other countries count the years differently.
Anyone can use a public domain song without permission, but a newer recording of it has its own copyright: perform the song yourself or use a recording that is in the public domain too.
Royalty-Free Music
You can purchase royalty-free songs and use them within the boundaries of their terms (i.e., the type of content that creators allow them to be used in) using a one-time payment. More often than not, the rights to royalty-free music are non-exclusive, meaning other people have the right to use the same track as you.
There are royalty-free music tracks that do not require any form of purchase as well. Of course, just because you plan on using royalty-free music in your streams does not mean you have free reign. You’ll often find license terms (limited use, attributing the authors, etc.), which you must follow. Make sure to keep the terms and conditions of the track you license so you can maintain full compliance and avoid having your stream removed.
PRO TIP: Keep your license proofs organized by stream name, as the number of license folders you’ll have will continue growing throughout your streaming journey.
Original Music
While it might seem obvious, you can use music in your live streams if YOU were the creator.
How Can I Tell If a Song Is Copyrighted?
There are a few surefire ways to know if a song is under copyright or not.
For starters, you can head to PDinfo, better known as the Public Domain Information Project, to search for any song you have your doubts about. Its lists show which songs are in the US public domain; if a song is not there, assume it is still under copyright. The lists cover the music and lyrics, not later recordings.
In case you search the information of the copyright holder(s), you can search on the US Copyright Office website or the Harry Fox Agency website. If you still cannot find the copyright holder(s) this way, you can often find what you’re looking for with a general Google search.
Twitch Music Restrictions
Twitch is arguably one of the most popular streaming platforms out there today. If you have a Twitch channel or are thinking about making one, you need to understand what kind of music you can use to keep your channel safe.
There are SO many cases of players who have had their broadcasts silenced by the DMCA due to unlawful use of copyrighted music.
DMCA, for those who don’t know, stands for “Digital Millennium Copyright Act,” a 1998 US law that set up the notice-and-takedown process platforms like Twitch follow when rights holders report infringing content. For this reason, it’s important to find DMCA-free music for Twitch.
Any piece of work that is under copyright may not be reproduced or distributed by another person. Therefore, if you want to share a copyrighted song you like on Twitch, you’ll have to get a license to do so.
Many streamers think that because they purchased an MP3 or CD that they have the right to play the music on it to their followers. Some streamers also think that because they have a subscription to Spotify, they can stream music from it legally.
What’s important to understand is that a subscription or purchase ONLY grants the use of a personal license. With a personal license, you can only play this music privately, but you can’t broadcast it to an audience of any size.
To be completely clear, here are the only types of music you can use while streaming on Twitch:
- Music that’s your property
- Music you have obtained a license for
- Cover songs you perform live yourself, creating all the audio without backing tracks or other recordings
You may NOT use:
- DJ sets, unless you stream them in the Twitch DJ Program, which shares part of your channel’s earnings with the music companies
- Lip-sync performances to recordings
- Karaoke Performances
- Lyrics, sheet music or tabs of songs you have no license for
- Radio-style broadcasts of recorded music, for example from Spotify or Apple Music
YouTube Live Music Restrictions
YouTube scans every live stream for matches to third-party content, music included. If it finds a match, it may replace your stream with a placeholder image and warn you to stop; once you remove the content, the stream can go on. Even licensed music can trigger this, so ask the rights owner to add your channel to its Content ID allowlist.
If the content stays, YouTube interrupts or ends the stream. An active live stream removed for copyright also gives your channel a copyright strike and blocks live streaming for 7 days, or 14 days after another strike, and three copyright strikes can get the channel terminated. Content ID claims on the recording come only after the stream ends, and only if you keep the archive.
X (Twitter) Music Restrictions
X, formerly Twitter, handles live streams with copyrighted material much like YouTube. X is testing automated matching for live video, and a broadcast that matches copyrighted content may be disabled or have its visibility limited.
You may dispute the claim with X by arguing that the material is “fair use” or that you have a license to back it up. Remember, if you organized your licenses and kept them in an easily-accessible folder, you’ll have everything you need. When you dispute, X restores your broadcast as a replay. The copyright holder can still send a formal takedown notice, which you can answer with a counter-notice. One claim brings no long-term penalty, but repeated claims within a few hours can temporarily stop you from broadcasting.
Facebook Music Restrictions
Facebook works much like YouTube and X. Meta’s Music Guidelines say content with music you are not authorized to use may be blocked, muted or removed, and using a live video to create a music listening experience can get it blocked and your page, profile or group deleted. The more full-length recorded music a video has, the more likely it is limited, so Meta recommends short clips and always a visual component.
If you have the rights to the music or think the action was a mistake, you can dispute it through the notification you received.
Kick, Instagram Live and TikTok LIVE work the same way: play only music you own or have the rights to. Kick acts on DMCA notices with a three-strike system, and the third strike bans the account. Instagram says the more full-length recorded tracks a live video has, the more likely it is muted or blocked, and it may warn you while you are still live. TikTok’s Music Terms rule out its Sounds and Commercial Sounds libraries in a LIVE, and any other recorded music you play needs all the rights.
How To Get Permission From An Artist To Use Their Song On a Live Stream
Let’s first start by noting that it’s not always only about contacting the artist. If an artist is signed to a recording/publishing/licensing label, you’ll have to get in contact with them as well. In many cases, there are other rights owners: the written song owners (music publisher, lyricist, composer) and recording (performers, label).
If you want to use a song you’ve found on Soundcloud, for example, you must find the copyright holder. You can typically find this information on BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC. Once you’ve found the copyright holder, you can send them a message through email or written letter.
Start by identifying yourself and explaining how and where you plan on using the artist’s music. Will it be for profit or not? Will it be for commercial use? Regardless, you should ask them to send you a signed agreement letter to solidify your agreement.
If they come back with a ‘no’ or give you no answer at all, it is time to turn to plan B – finding non-copyright music for your live stream.
Where Can I Find Music For My Live Streams?
There are plenty of great online sources where you can download royalty-free music for streaming. Here are some of the top platforms where you can find high-end tracks.
Mubert Render
Mubert’s music licensing platform is THE platform for royalty-free music, whether you are a streamer, app builder or filmmaker. The unique thing about Mubert is that you can use AI music generator to make royalty-free songs for streaming from its database of millions of music samples.
Every time you use music through Mubert, you can craft a completely different sound than the time before. Not only do you never have to worry about paying music royalties or copyright claims, but you’ll also never have to worry about using the same copyright-free track as another live streamer. Because AI is involved in the process, you can create a unique track each time. Even if you use the same parameters and duration, the AI engine will build the music from scratch.
Mubert allows users to generate tracks based on several variables, such as mood, genre and duration. If you’re looking for royalty-free music for streaming, this platform is one of the most diverse around. Whether you’re looking for free music for twitch or YouTube, you can find it here.
Restream
With Restream, you can add license-free, copyright-free, royalty-free music to your live stream. Restream teamed up with Mubert to create a Background Music feature that allows users to add AI-generated tracks to their streams.
The beauty of this feature is that you can completely forget about playlists as Mubert’s music streams continue infinitely throughout your video stream. You never have to swap your music and kill your flow in the middle of your streaming session.
Restream lets you pick a genre or mood, and on Mubert you can generate Rock, Metal, Pop, Hip-Hop, Chill, Ambient, EDM and Classical. With Mubert’s unique AI-generated technology, you can create the ideal vibe for your stream all without ever having to worry about copyright infringement.
The best thing about Restream is that it is incredibly easy to use. Open Restream Studio, click Music on the right side of the screen and pick a genre or mood: the music starts playing, and you can pause it, shuffle it or change the volume. The feature is free for all users, though some genres need a paid plan.
YouTube Audio Library
The official YouTube audio library has TONS of high-quality tracks that you can use for your streams. Similar to many of the top royalty-free music platforms, you can find music using a range of filters.
Beyond music, the YouTube Audio library provides access to several sound effects, which can act as the cherry on the cake of your stream. YouTube calls these tracks copyright-safe on YouTube but gives no guidance on using them off the platform, so check each track’s license before you play it elsewhere. Tracks with a Creative Commons license need a credit to the artist in your description.
Twitch Amazon Music Extension (Retired)
Twitch used to offer an Amazon Music extension for Prime members, but it is no longer available, and Twitch’s help article about it has been taken down. Soundtrack by Twitch, the platform’s rights-cleared music tool, was shut down in 2023 as well.
That leaves Twitch without a built-in library of background music. Its Music Guidelines allow music you own, music you have licensed and covers you perform live yourself, and DJs can play popular tracks only inside the Twitch DJ Program.
How can I play music on my stream?
You must be careful if you want to play music on your stream without copyright-related penalties. Your best choice would be royalty-free tracks or services like Mubert that will provide you with music you can legally integrate into your streams. Avoid using mainstream songs unless you have explicit rights to use them.
Tools like OBS allow you to play music on stream by adding audio sources directly to your scenes. Some streamers put music on a separate audio track so it stays out of the VOD, but that only keeps it out of the recording: the live stream still needs music you have the rights to.
Can I listen to music while streaming on Twitch?
You can, but only if at least one of the following conditions is met:
- The music you listen to complies with copyright laws.
- The music doesn’t go through your stream audio (private listening via headphones).
Repeat DMCA strikes on Twitch can end in account termination, and Twitch’s audio recognition separately mutes the parts of VODs that contain copyrighted music. Services like Mubert provide safe-to-use tracks.
Can I play music on YouTube live stream?
YouTube checks every live stream for third-party content while it runs, and unauthorized songs can get your stream replaced with a placeholder image, interrupted or shut down mid-broadcast. Can you stream music on YouTube without licenses? That’s not safe enough. Consider YouTube’s Audio Library or services like Mubert to stay compliant with copyright laws.
How to play music on stream without copyright?
If you’re wondering how to play music on stream without copyright troubles, consider royalty-free libraries. Are you live streaming to an audience on Twitch, YouTube, or elsewhere? These platforms share strict policies on music usage. Whether you ask, “Can I play music on YouTube live stream?” or “How to play music on stream in general?” the answer depends on using safe, pre-approved audio content. That’s why we advise going to Mubert when you need premium-quality music to safely use on your streams.
Can you stream music on YouTube?
Unauthorized streaming of popular music often triggers copyright issues through YouTube’s automated Content ID system. If you’re wondering, “Can you play music on YouTube live?” — choose tracks from YouTube’s built-in Audio Library. But if you want your streamed music to stand out, find the perfect music for your streams on Mubert. Mubert knows no boundaries when it comes to music variety. Need to amplify the action with crunchy metal riffs or build an atmosphere with space ambient? On Mubert, you shall find music that your viewers will love.
FAQ
How Do Streamers Get Away With Playing Music During Their Live Streams?
If you were watching a stream and heard your favorite Drake or Billie Eilish track come on, you may have wondered,
How did they get away with that?
Twitch’s audio recognition mutes copyrighted music in VODs and Clips after the fact, so a song can go out live and only disappear from the recording, and rights holders can still send a DMCA notice later. Just because it took some time for Twitch to catch on doesn’t mean that it was legal for the streamer to be doing it. There’s no way around it. Unless you’ve been granted a license to use a particular copyrighted song during your live stream, you can’t use it.
What Should I Do If My VoD is Silenced?
If you think that Twitch made a mistake in silencing the audio from your stream, you can appeal in the Video Producer section of your Creator Dashboard: pick the muted tracks and a reason, such as owning the music or having a license. Buying the song, streaming it from a paid service or crediting the artist are not valid reasons. Make sure that you have licenses available for your Twitch free music to prepare for your appeal.
Can I Play Music from Spotify or Apple Music While Streaming?
Not from the apps themselves.
Most songs that you find on Spotify and Apple Music are under copyright. It means they are off-limits and you cannot play them during a stream. A subscription gives you a personal license only, and Spotify’s User Guidelines forbid broadcasting any content from the service. Spotify is still handy for finding free-to-use music: the label Bass Rebels, for example, keeps a playlist of tracks that YouTube, Twitch, Kick and Rumble streamers may use for free, as long as they credit Bass Rebels with a link to its website in the stream description.
Can I Play Music from Soundcloud on My Live Stream?
SoundCloud has more than 500 million tracks from over 40 million artists. In that mix, you’ll find both copyrighted music and royalty-free music. Prior to using any music you find on SoundCloud for your stream, make sure that you check the guidelines assembled by the creator to see if there are any stipulations for use.
Sometimes, the creator will have boundaries as to what kinds of streams you can use their music for, whether you must give them credit or you want to remix their track, etc.
Do I Need Music For My Live Stream?
A great broadcast needs a tone and what better way to set the tone than with music? The new normal in today’s society is watching content on screens. We often listen to our favorite streamers, influencers, co-workers, family members and friends talk to us for hours and hours. With a bit of music to break up the monotony, you can re-engage your viewers and create a unique soundscape for your carefully-curated content.
Plus, music can help create a more cohesive stream by blocking out unwanted sounds, such as equipment static or unwanted micro sounds.
Using another platform too? Each one has its own rules: see our guides to Twitch, copyright-free music for YouTube, TikTok and Facebook. Not sure a track is safe to use? Here is how to check if a song is copyrighted.
Final Thoughts
Though it may seem like DMCA copyright claims are getting out of hand these days, it’s only because new streamers are still learning the nuanced legalities of streaming. Of course, you shouldn’t let that scare you, as you now know many ways in which you can stream music safely.
Non-copyrighted music for streaming has the ability to enhance your stream for viewers, no matter the genre.
Why wait?
Start browsing the massive library of royalty-free, AI-generated tunes picked by our staff here at Mubert!
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