Guide: The Ultimate Guide to Separate Audio Sources in OBS Studio

Are you frustrated with the lack of control over your game audio, Discord voice chat, music, and microphone during your streams? Look no further – the solution lies in creating separate audio sources in OBS Studio. Say goodbye to the need for pricey equipment like GoXLR or Elgato Wave microphones and the complexities of software like Voicemeeter. This guide unveils a new method that can be executed entirely within OBS Studio, without the need for additional plugins.

Step 1: OBS Audio Settings

Before diving into individual audio sources, it’s crucial to ensure your OBS audio settings are correctly configured. Navigate to the Audio tab in OBS settings and disable Desktop Audio and Desktop Audio 2 to prevent duplicate audio. Confirm that your microphone is correctly added in the Mic/Auxiliary Audio dropdown. Once adjustments are made, close the settings to proceed.

Step 2: Creating a Nested Scene

To streamline the process and avoid repetition, leverage a nested scene for all individual audio sources. Add a new scene labeled [NS] Audio Sources (where NS signifies it’s a Nested Scene). This step minimizes the effort required to incorporate separate audio sources into multiple scenes.

Step 3: Adding Audio Sources

Begin by adding the first audio source, such as music, to the nested scene. Open the application you wish to capture, like Spotify or Apple Music, and switch back to the new nested scene in OBS. Add an Application Audio Capture source, naming it appropriately (e.g., Music), and select the application in the Window dropdown. This creates a distinct audio source in the OBS Audio Mixer, isolated from other PC audio sources.

Repeat this process for each audio source, whether it’s Discord voice chat, game audio, or a browser for watching YouTube on stream.

Step 4: Adding Your Nested Scene as a Source

After incorporating all audio sources into the nested scene, add it as a source to your regular scenes. This allows easy control of independent audio sources through the Audio Mixer. In each regular scene, add a new source, select Scene as the source type, and choose the existing nested scene named [NS] Audio Sources.

Step 5: Adjust Audio Levels with Stream Deck

For Stream Deck users, simplify audio control by adding actions to adjust volumes without switching back to OBS. Add the Audio Mixer key under the OBS Studio category, select the desired audio source (e.g., Music), and adjust volume settings effortlessly.

Step 6: Automatically Lower Music when Speaking

Implement audio ducking or side-chaining to automatically lower music volume when speaking. Select the music source in OBS, add the Compressor filter, and designate your microphone as the Sidechain/Ducking Source. Adjust filter settings like Ratio, Threshold, Attack, and Release for optimal performance.

Test the audio ducking filter by playing music, observing volume adjustments when speaking, and fine-tuning as needed. Conduct a test recording in OBS to ensure the audio ducking effect meets your preferences before going live.

Summary

Mastering the art of separating audio sources in OBS Studio provides complete control, enhancing the overall streaming experience for both streamers and viewers. Utilize the nested scene method to effortlessly manage individual audio sources, adjusting levels, muting sources, and applying advanced filters as desired.