OBS (Open Broadcasting Software) is a popular, free, and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It’s widely used by gamers, YouTubers, and live streamers to capture and share their content with the world. One of the most common questions asked by OBS users is, “Does OBS record audio?” In this article, we’ll delve into the world of OBS audio recording, exploring its capabilities, settings, and troubleshooting tips.
Understanding OBS Audio Recording
OBS is designed to capture both video and audio from various sources, including your computer’s screen, webcam, microphone, and external audio devices. By default, OBS records audio from the selected audio input device, which can be a built-in microphone, an external USB microphone, or a virtual audio cable.
When you start recording or streaming with OBS, it captures the audio signal from the selected device and encodes it into a digital format, such as AAC or MP3. The recorded audio is then saved along with the video file or streamed live to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook.
Configuring OBS Audio Settings
To ensure that OBS records high-quality audio, you need to configure the audio settings correctly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up your OBS audio settings:
- Open OBS and navigate to the “Settings” panel by clicking on the “Settings” button in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- In the “Settings” panel, click on the “Audio” tab.
- Select the desired audio input device from the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device” dropdown menu.
- Adjust the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio Gain” slider to optimize the audio levels.
- Choose the desired audio codec and bitrate from the “Audio Codec” and “Bitrate” dropdown menus.
- Click “Apply” to save the changes.
Choosing the Right Audio Input Device
OBS allows you to select from various audio input devices, including:
- Built-in microphone: This is the default audio input device, which uses your computer’s built-in microphone.
- External USB microphone: This option allows you to connect an external USB microphone, such as a Blue Yeti or a Rode NT-USB.
- Virtual audio cable: This option enables you to capture audio from a virtual audio cable, such as a software synthesizer or a digital audio workstation.
Troubleshooting Common OBS Audio Issues
Despite its robust audio recording capabilities, OBS can sometimes encounter audio issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
No Audio Recorded
If OBS is not recording any audio, check the following:
- Ensure that the correct audio input device is selected in the OBS audio settings.
- Verify that the audio levels are not muted or too low.
- Check that the audio codec and bitrate are set correctly.
Distorted or Low-Quality Audio
If the recorded audio sounds distorted or low-quality, try the following:
- Adjust the audio gain levels to optimize the signal.
- Use a high-quality audio codec, such as AAC or Opus.
- Increase the bitrate to improve the audio quality.
Audio Delay or Sync Issues
If the audio is delayed or out of sync with the video, try the following:
- Adjust the audio delay settings in the OBS audio settings.
- Use a hardware audio mixer to synchronize the audio and video signals.
- Check that the video and audio codecs are compatible.
Recording Audio from Multiple Sources
OBS allows you to record audio from multiple sources, including:
- Multiple microphones: You can connect multiple microphones to your computer and select them as separate audio input devices in OBS.
- Audio from games: OBS can capture audio from games using the “Game Capture” feature.
- Audio from webcams: Many webcams have built-in microphones that can be used as an audio input device in OBS.
To record audio from multiple sources, follow these steps:
- Open OBS and navigate to the “Settings” panel.
- Click on the “Audio” tab.
- Select the first audio input device from the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device” dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Add” button to add a new audio input device.
- Select the second audio input device from the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device” dropdown menu.
- Repeat steps 4-5 to add more audio input devices.
- Adjust the audio levels and settings for each device as needed.
Recording Audio for Live Streaming
When live streaming with OBS, it’s essential to ensure that the audio quality is high and the audio levels are optimized. Here are some tips for recording audio for live streaming:
- Use a high-quality audio codec, such as AAC or Opus.
- Set the bitrate to a high value, such as 128 kbps or 256 kbps.
- Adjust the audio gain levels to optimize the signal.
- Use a hardware audio mixer to synchronize the audio and video signals.
- Monitor the audio levels and adjust them as needed during the live stream.
Conclusion
In conclusion, OBS is a powerful tool for recording and streaming audio. By understanding the audio settings and troubleshooting common issues, you can ensure that your recordings and live streams sound professional and high-quality. Whether you’re a gamer, YouTuber, or live streamer, OBS is an excellent choice for capturing and sharing your audio content with the world.
| Audio Input Device | Description |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | The default audio input device, which uses your computer’s built-in microphone. |
| External USB Microphone | An external USB microphone, such as a Blue Yeti or a Rode NT-USB. |
| Virtual Audio Cable | A virtual audio cable, which enables you to capture audio from a software synthesizer or a digital audio workstation. |
By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this article, you can unlock the full potential of OBS audio recording and create high-quality recordings and live streams that engage and entertain your audience.
Does OBS Record Audio by Default?
OBS does record audio, but it’s not enabled by default for all audio sources. When you first set up OBS, it will only record the audio from your default microphone or the audio source you’ve selected. However, you can easily enable or disable audio recording for specific sources in the OBS settings.
To record audio from a specific source, you need to add that source to the OBS scene and then enable the audio recording option for that source. You can do this by going to the OBS settings, selecting the “Audio” tab, and then checking the box next to the audio source you want to record. Once you’ve enabled audio recording for a source, OBS will capture the audio from that source whenever you start recording.
How Do I Enable Audio Recording in OBS?
To enable audio recording in OBS, you need to add an audio source to your scene and then configure the audio settings. To add an audio source, click the “+” button in the “Sources” panel and select “Audio Input Capture” or “Audio Output Capture” depending on the type of audio source you want to record. Then, go to the OBS settings, select the “Audio” tab, and check the box next to the audio source you just added.
Once you’ve added and enabled the audio source, you can adjust the audio settings to optimize the recording quality. You can select the audio format, sample rate, and bitrate, as well as adjust the gain levels and apply filters to the audio signal. Make sure to test the audio recording before starting your actual recording to ensure that the audio is being captured correctly.
Can OBS Record Multiple Audio Sources at Once?
Yes, OBS can record multiple audio sources at once. You can add multiple audio sources to your scene and enable audio recording for each source. OBS will capture the audio from all the enabled sources and mix them together into a single audio track. This is useful if you want to record audio from multiple microphones or audio devices simultaneously.
To record multiple audio sources, simply add each source to the OBS scene and enable audio recording for each source. You can then adjust the audio settings for each source individually to optimize the recording quality. Keep in mind that recording multiple audio sources can increase the file size and processing requirements, so make sure your computer is powerful enough to handle the workload.
How Do I Record Audio from a Specific Application in OBS?
To record audio from a specific application in OBS, you need to use the “Audio Output Capture” source. This source allows you to capture the audio output from a specific application or process. To add the “Audio Output Capture” source, click the “+” button in the “Sources” panel and select “Audio Output Capture”.
Once you’ve added the “Audio Output Capture” source, you need to select the application or process that you want to capture the audio from. You can do this by selecting the application from the list of available processes in the OBS settings. Make sure to select the correct application and adjust the audio settings as needed to optimize the recording quality.
Can OBS Record Audio from a Webcam?
Yes, OBS can record audio from a webcam. Most webcams have a built-in microphone that can capture audio, and OBS can record this audio along with the video. To record audio from a webcam, simply add the webcam as a video source in OBS and enable the audio recording option for that source.
Once you’ve enabled audio recording for the webcam, you can adjust the audio settings to optimize the recording quality. Keep in mind that the audio quality from a webcam microphone may not be as good as a dedicated microphone, so you may need to adjust the gain levels and apply filters to the audio signal to get the best results.
How Do I Fix Audio Sync Issues in OBS?
Audio sync issues in OBS can occur when the audio and video tracks are not properly synchronized. To fix audio sync issues, you can try adjusting the audio delay settings in OBS. You can do this by going to the OBS settings, selecting the “Audio” tab, and adjusting the “Audio Delay” setting.
Another way to fix audio sync issues is to use the “Sync Offset” feature in OBS. This feature allows you to adjust the timing of the audio and video tracks to ensure that they are properly synchronized. You can access the “Sync Offset” feature by right-clicking on the audio source in the OBS mixer and selecting “Sync Offset”.