Open Broadcasting Software (OBS) is a popular, free, and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It’s widely used by gamers, YouTubers, and podcasters due to its flexibility and customization options. One of the common questions asked by OBS users is whether it’s possible to record just audio on OBS. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide a step-by-step guide on how to record audio only on OBS.
Why Record Audio Only on OBS?
Before we dive into the process of recording audio only on OBS, let’s discuss why you might want to do so. There are several scenarios where recording audio only is necessary or preferred:
- Podcasting: If you’re a podcaster, you might want to record high-quality audio for your podcast episodes. OBS allows you to record audio only, which can be edited and mixed later.
- Voiceovers: If you’re creating voiceovers for videos or animations, you might want to record audio only. This allows you to focus on the audio quality without worrying about the video.
- Audio commentary: If you’re creating audio commentary for videos or live streams, you might want to record audio only. This allows you to focus on the audio quality and add commentary later.
Can You Record Just Audio on OBS?
The answer to this question is yes, you can record just audio on OBS. OBS allows you to record audio only by selecting the “Audio” option in the “Settings” menu. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Open OBS and Create a New Scene
To record audio only on OBS, you need to create a new scene. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open OBS and click on the “+” button in the “Scenes” panel.
- Select “Scene” from the dropdown menu.
- Name your scene (e.g., “Audio Only”).
Step 2: Add an Audio Source
To record audio only, you need to add an audio source to your scene. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click on the “+” button in the “Sources” panel.
- Select “Audio Input Capture” from the dropdown menu.
- Select your audio input device (e.g., microphone).
Step 3: Configure Audio Settings
To configure audio settings, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Settings” button in the bottom right corner of the OBS window.
- Select “Audio” from the left-hand menu.
- Select your audio input device (e.g., microphone).
- Adjust the audio settings as needed (e.g., gain, bitrate).
Step 4: Start Recording
To start recording audio only, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Start Recording” button in the bottom right corner of the OBS window.
- Select the “Audio” option from the dropdown menu.
- Choose a file format (e.g., MP3, WAV).
- Choose a file location.
- Click “Start Recording” to begin recording audio only.
Recording Audio Only on OBS: Advanced Settings
In addition to the basic settings, OBS provides advanced settings for recording audio only. Here are some advanced settings you can use:
Audio Filters
OBS provides several audio filters that you can use to enhance your audio quality. Here are some common audio filters:
- Noise suppression: This filter reduces background noise in your audio.
- Noise gate: This filter reduces background noise in your audio by cutting off low-level signals.
- Equalization: This filter adjusts the tone of your audio.
To add an audio filter, follow these steps:
- Click on the “+” button in the “Filters” panel.
- Select an audio filter from the dropdown menu.
- Adjust the filter settings as needed.
Audio Monitoring
OBS provides audio monitoring options that allow you to listen to your audio in real-time. Here are some audio monitoring options:
- Monitor audio: This option allows you to listen to your audio in real-time.
- Monitor audio with delay: This option allows you to listen to your audio with a delay.
To enable audio monitoring, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Settings” button in the bottom right corner of the OBS window.
- Select “Audio” from the left-hand menu.
- Select the “Monitor audio” option.
Recording Audio Only on OBS: Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues while recording audio only on OBS, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Audio Not Recording
If your audio is not recording, check the following:
- Audio input device: Make sure your audio input device is selected correctly.
- Audio settings: Make sure your audio settings are configured correctly.
- Audio filters: Make sure your audio filters are not causing issues.
Audio Quality Issues
If you’re experiencing audio quality issues, check the following:
- Audio input device: Make sure your audio input device is of high quality.
- Audio settings: Make sure your audio settings are configured correctly.
- Audio filters: Make sure your audio filters are not causing issues.
Conclusion
Recording audio only on OBS is a straightforward process that requires some basic settings and configuration. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can record high-quality audio for your podcast, voiceover, or audio commentary. Remember to configure your audio settings correctly, add audio filters as needed, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. With OBS, you can create high-quality audio recordings that meet your needs.
What is OBS and why is it used for recording audio?
OBS, or Open Broadcasting Software, is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It is widely used by gamers, YouTubers, and podcasters due to its flexibility and customization options. OBS allows users to capture and mix audio from multiple sources, making it an ideal choice for recording high-quality audio.
OBS is particularly useful for recording audio-only content, such as podcasts, voiceovers, and music. Its ability to handle multiple audio sources and apply effects in real-time makes it a popular choice among content creators. Additionally, OBS is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to users across different platforms.
How do I set up OBS for recording audio only?
To set up OBS for recording audio only, you need to configure the software to capture audio from your desired source. This can be done by selecting the audio input device in the OBS settings. You can choose from a variety of audio sources, such as your computer’s built-in microphone, an external microphone, or a virtual audio cable.
Once you have selected your audio source, you can adjust the audio settings to optimize the quality of your recording. This includes setting the sample rate, bitrate, and audio format. You can also apply effects, such as noise reduction and compression, to enhance the quality of your audio. Additionally, you can configure OBS to record audio in a specific format, such as MP3 or WAV.
What are the system requirements for recording audio on OBS?
The system requirements for recording audio on OBS are relatively modest. You will need a computer with a multi-core processor, at least 4 GB of RAM, and a compatible operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). You will also need a compatible audio input device, such as a microphone or audio interface.
In terms of software requirements, you will need to have OBS installed on your computer. You can download the software from the official OBS website. Additionally, you may need to install additional software or plugins to enhance the functionality of OBS. For example, you may need to install a virtual audio cable to capture audio from a specific source.
How do I record audio from multiple sources on OBS?
To record audio from multiple sources on OBS, you need to configure the software to capture audio from each source. This can be done by adding multiple audio sources to the OBS scene. You can add audio sources, such as microphones, audio interfaces, or virtual audio cables, to the scene and adjust their settings to optimize the quality of your recording.
Once you have added multiple audio sources to the scene, you can adjust their levels and apply effects to each source individually. This allows you to customize the audio mix to your liking. Additionally, you can use the OBS mixer to adjust the levels and panning of each audio source in real-time.
Can I record audio in different formats on OBS?
Yes, OBS allows you to record audio in different formats. You can choose from a variety of audio formats, such as MP3, WAV, AAC, and FLAC. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of format will depend on your specific needs.
For example, MP3 is a compressed format that is suitable for web-based applications, while WAV is an uncompressed format that is suitable for professional audio applications. AAC is a compressed format that is suitable for streaming applications, while FLAC is a lossless format that is suitable for archiving audio files.
How do I troubleshoot common audio issues on OBS?
To troubleshoot common audio issues on OBS, you need to identify the source of the problem. This can be done by checking the OBS logs and adjusting the audio settings. Common audio issues on OBS include low volume, distortion, and echo.
To resolve these issues, you can try adjusting the audio levels, applying effects, or changing the audio format. You can also try updating your audio drivers or reinstalling OBS. Additionally, you can seek help from the OBS community or online forums if you are unable to resolve the issue on your own.
Can I use OBS to record audio for live streaming?
Yes, OBS can be used to record audio for live streaming. In fact, OBS is widely used by live streamers due to its flexibility and customization options. You can use OBS to capture and mix audio from multiple sources, apply effects in real-time, and stream high-quality audio to your audience.
To use OBS for live streaming, you need to configure the software to stream audio to your desired platform. This can be done by selecting the streaming platform in the OBS settings and adjusting the audio settings to optimize the quality of your stream. You can also use OBS to record audio locally while streaming, allowing you to create a backup of your stream.