But then runs can easily be spliced because the audio is off. I know there are other ways to check, like the speed starting the level, but audio was one that was really important because even if they put audio over it over it, the sound effects of collecting stars, beating levels and killing enemies won't be synchronized.
Well, we all have to mute the music because in the boss, the music is copyrighted. So we just want to make sure our game audio is muted. Sometimes our runs might be spliced. But because of the speed in Red Ball 4, it will give away as a run being spliced. Its not a copyright strike so you can still have music on. Since then, I have the music on and the YouTube gave me a copyright claim because of the boss music. But I'm not in trouble so this won't affect your channel. So for you, your channel won't be affected at all. Unless you mute the music, you are good. :)
How about the top 20-30 runs need music? because higher level speedrunners have a higher chance of being spliced
A solution of "top times" requiring it should be based on the time of the run rather than leaderboard placement. In an ideal world, those top 30 runs would continue to drop as they are beaten. Sub 3:20 or sub 3:15 for example for Any% is a better idea if a restriction must be put in place. I'm not sure how many people are making sick bank off their no audio red ball runs, so plenty of runs will still have music surely.