How to Legally Stream Music on Twitch Without Getting Banned

14 June 2025

Let’s be real — Twitch is a fantastic platform for gamers, creatives, and just about anyone who loves sharing live content. But one misstep with music, and suddenly you’re staring down a copyright claim or worse — a ban. Yep, nothing kills the vibe faster than that dreaded DMCA takedown notice. So let’s talk about it — how can you legally stream music on Twitch without getting banned?

In this guide, I’m going to break everything down in simple terms, answer your burning questions, and give you all the tools you need to stay in Twitch's good graces while still keeping your stream fun and full of personality.

Why Music Can Get You Banned on Twitch

First, let’s address the elephant in the stream — copyright.

When you stream on Twitch, you're not just playing games or chatting with your audience — you're broadcasting content to the public. That means every song you use is subject to copyright laws. Most popular music is protected under strict copyright rules, and you can't just play your favorite hits in the background without permission.

If you do, Twitch might mute your VODs (Video on Demand), issue a DMCA strike (Digital Millennium Copyright Act), or even ban your account after multiple offenses.

And trust me, that's not a road you want to travel.

What Is DMCA, and Why Should You Care?

DMCA sounds like a government agency, but it’s really a law — and a nasty one at that when it comes to streaming music without permission.

DMCA takedowns come from rights holders (record labels, artists, publishers), telling Twitch that someone is using their content without legal rights. Twitch is then legally required to act on those notices, which can result in:

- Muted VODs
- Stream clips being deleted
- Temporary suspensions/bans
- Permanent account termination (if you get three strikes)

So yeah... ignoring it is not an option.

Common Music Mistakes Streamers Make

Before we dive into the legal options, here’s what not to do:

- Playing Spotify/Apple Music/YouTube playlists during streams — Even if you've paid for a subscription, personal use does not mean public streaming rights.
- Having music in your games — Some games include licensed tracks. If you don’t turn them off (assuming there’s an option), you might get flagged.
- Leaving your speakers on — Background music playing in your room can get picked up by your mic.
- Using remixes or covers — Even these are risky unless you have permission from the original rights holder.

Now that we’ve covered the pitfalls, let’s get into how you can actually do it right.

Legal Ways To Stream Music on Twitch

1. Use Twitch-Safe Music from Approved Sources

There are several platforms built specifically for streamers, offering royalty-free music or licensing options that are Twitch-safe. Here are a few of the best:

🎵 Soundtrack by Twitch

This is Twitch’s own answer to the music licensing problem. It’s a curated library of rights-cleared music, made specifically for streams.

- Free to use
- Integrates with OBS and other popular software
- Automatically separates music from VODs

It’s a decent option to get started, but the track selection might be limited depending on your taste.

🎶 Pretzel Rocks

Pretzel offers two types of music libraries — one for live streaming and another for VOD-safe tracks. Make sure you’re selecting the right one depending on your use.

- Free and premium versions
- Easy integration with streaming software
- Comes with attribution settings

Great for background vibes or focus music.

📻 Epidemic Sound, Monstercat Gold, and StreamBeats by Harris Heller

- Epidemic Sound: Monthly subscription, huge library, VOD-safe
- Monstercat Gold: Excellent for EDM and electronic genres. Subscription required.
- StreamBeats: Free, no DMCA issues, created for streamers, by a streamer

All of these are goldmines for content creators and won’t get you a slap on the wrist — or worse — from Twitch.

2. Create or Commission Your Own Music

If you or someone you know is musically inclined, creating your own beats is a major win.

- 100% yours = 0% risk
- Adds a unique flavor to your stream
- You can license it to others later

Just make sure you own both the composition and the recording (yes, there’s a difference). If you're outsourcing, get written confirmation that you have the streaming rights.

3. Get Explicit Written Permission

Got a friend in a band or a local musician you vibe with? Ask them for written permission to use their music.

Make sure the permission includes:

- The tracks you can use
- How you can use them (live streaming, VOD, clips)
- Permission from both the songwriter and recording artist (yep, they’re not always the same)

Keep this doc handy. If you ever get a DMCA claim, this is your proof.

4. Use Public Domain or Creative Commons Music

Some music is so old, it’s no longer protected by copyright — think classical scores or jazz classics. Others are released under Creative Commons licenses that allow use under specific terms.

- Check out sites like Free Music Archive or Incompetech
- Read the license! Some require giving credit, some don’t allow for commercial use

This option takes a bit more research, but it’s 100% legal and free. Not a bad combo.

What About Muting Games to Avoid Music Copyright?

Yep, that’s a thing. Many modern games include licensed tracks — especially sports games, racing sims, and GTA-style open-world games.

Some games (like Cyberpunk 2077 or Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2) include a “Streaming Mode” that disables copyrighted tracks. Always check audio settings and toggle that on if it's available.

For other games, you might just need to mute the music entirely. Is it ideal? Nope. But better than getting a strike.

What Happens If You Still Get Hit With a DMCA Claim?

Mistakes happen. Maybe you played a short clip of a song accidentally. You need to act fast and smart:

1. Delete the clip/VOD immediately
2. Don’t fight it unless you’re 100% sure you own the rights
3. File a counter-notification only if you know the claim is false and you can prove it
4. Learn from it and adjust your stream setup to avoid future hits

Twitch doesn’t handle the appeals — that goes to the copyright holders. So make sure you’re armed with facts and documents.

Pro Tips for Streamer Music Safety

- 🎧 Use OBS audio filters to block background music picked up by your mic
- 🎚 Always separate your audio sources — game, mic, music, alerts
- 📁 Keep a folder of your licensed music and permission docs
- 🔇 Turn off music in games before streaming
- 🤫 Avoid reacting to music videos or TikToks with background songs

It’s all about being proactive.

Can You Use Music from YouTube?

Short answer: No, unless you have explicit permission.

Just because a track says “Free to Use” on YouTube doesn’t mean it’s safe for Twitch or commercial purposes. Always check licensing terms, or better yet, don’t risk it.

TL;DR – How to Stream Music on Twitch Without Getting Slammed with a Ban

If you’re streaming on Twitch and want to include music, you’ve got to play by the rules. Here's a super quick cheat sheet:

✅ Use music from Twitch-safe platforms (Soundtrack by Twitch, Pretzel, StreamBeats)
✅ Turn on “Streamer Mode” in games whenever possible
✅ Mute or remove music if it’s not cleared
✅ Get written permission for any music you use
✅ Don’t use personal Spotify/Apple/YouTube music in your stream
✅ Keep proof of licensing handy — just in case

Wrapping It Up

Streaming on Twitch is supposed to be fun — not a legal minefield. But when it comes to music, you’ve got to be careful. Like it or not, DMCA laws are strict, and Twitch isn’t going to go to bat for you if you mess up.

But guess what? You don’t have to choose between silence and strikes. With royalty-free music platforms, streamer-friendly artists, and a little bit of planning, you can keep your stream sounding awesome without fear of bans or mutes.

So go forth, find your perfect vibe, and keep it legal. Your future self (and your Twitch channel) will thank you.