Stop the Crossover: How to Make OBS Not Record Discord Audio

Are you tired of dealing with the frustration of having your OBS recordings pick up Discord audio? Whether you’re a gamer, a streamer, or just someone who likes to create content, having unwanted audio in your recordings can be a real pain. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of OBS and Discord, and explore the different ways you can prevent OBS from recording Discord audio.

Understanding the Problem

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s take a moment to understand why OBS might be picking up Discord audio in the first place. OBS, or Open Broadcasting Software, is a popular tool for recording and streaming video game footage and other content. Discord, on the other hand, is a communication platform designed specifically for gamers and communities.

When you’re using OBS to record or stream, it’s not uncommon for the software to pick up audio from other sources, including Discord. This can be especially problematic if you’re trying to record or stream gameplay, as the Discord audio can often be loud and distracting.

Why OBS Picks Up Discord Audio

So, why does OBS pick up Discord audio in the first place? There are a few reasons for this:

  • Default Settings: By default, OBS is set up to capture all audio from your computer, including Discord. This means that unless you specifically tell OBS not to record Discord audio, it will continue to do so.
  • Audio Routing: When you’re using Discord, the audio is routed through your computer’s default audio device. If OBS is set up to capture audio from this device, it will pick up the Discord audio as well.
  • Lack of Isolation: If you’re not using a separate audio device for your gameplay or streaming, OBS may not be able to isolate the audio from your game or stream from the Discord audio.

Solutions to the Problem

Now that we understand why OBS might be picking up Discord audio, let’s take a look at some solutions to the problem.

Method 1: Disable Discord Audio in OBS

One of the simplest ways to prevent OBS from recording Discord audio is to disable it in the OBS settings. Here’s how:

  • Open OBS and go to the “Settings” menu
  • Click on the “Audio” tab
  • Look for the “Discord” option and uncheck the box next to it
  • Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes

By disabling Discord audio in OBS, you can prevent the software from picking up any audio from Discord.

Method 2: Use a Separate Audio Device

Another way to prevent OBS from recording Discord audio is to use a separate audio device for your gameplay or streaming. This can be a dedicated audio interface, a separate sound card, or even a USB headset.

By using a separate audio device, you can isolate the audio from your game or stream from the Discord audio, and prevent OBS from picking it up.

Method 3: Use the “Auxiliary Audio Device” Option

If you’re using a Windows computer, you can use the “Auxiliary Audio Device” option to prevent OBS from recording Discord audio. Here’s how:

  • Open the “Sound” settings on your computer
  • Click on the “Recording” tab
  • Look for the “Auxiliary Audio Device” option and right-click on it
  • Select “Properties” and then click on the “Advanced” tab
  • Uncheck the box next to “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device”
  • Click “OK” to save the changes

By using the “Auxiliary Audio Device” option, you can prevent OBS from picking up Discord audio and ensure that your recordings are clean and free of unwanted audio.

Method 4: Use a Third-Party Plugin

If you’re using a Mac computer, or if you’re looking for a more advanced solution, you can use a third-party plugin to prevent OBS from recording Discord audio. There are several plugins available that can help you achieve this, including the “OBS Audio Filter” plugin and the “Discord Audio Blocker” plugin.

By using a third-party plugin, you can gain more control over the audio in your OBS recordings and prevent Discord audio from being picked up.

Advanced Solutions

If you’re looking for more advanced solutions to the problem, there are a few options you can consider.

Using a Virtual Audio Cable

One advanced solution is to use a virtual audio cable. A virtual audio cable is a software-based audio device that allows you to route audio from one application to another.

By using a virtual audio cable, you can route the audio from your game or stream to a separate audio device, and prevent OBS from picking up the Discord audio.

Using a Audio Mixer

Another advanced solution is to use an audio mixer. An audio mixer is a software-based tool that allows you to mix and route audio from multiple sources.

By using an audio mixer, you can mix the audio from your game or stream with the audio from Discord, and prevent OBS from picking up the Discord audio.

Conclusion

Preventing OBS from recording Discord audio can be a challenge, but there are several solutions available. By disabling Discord audio in OBS, using a separate audio device, using the “Auxiliary Audio Device” option, or using a third-party plugin, you can prevent OBS from picking up unwanted audio and ensure that your recordings are clean and professional.

Whether you’re a gamer, a streamer, or just someone who likes to create content, having control over the audio in your OBS recordings is essential. By following the tips and solutions outlined in this article, you can take your content to the next level and ensure that your recordings are the best they can be.

Method Description
Disable Discord Audio in OBS Disable Discord audio in the OBS settings to prevent OBS from picking it up.
Use a Separate Audio Device Use a separate audio device for your gameplay or streaming to isolate the audio from Discord.
Use the “Auxiliary Audio Device” Option Use the “Auxiliary Audio Device” option on Windows to prevent OBS from picking up Discord audio.
Use a Third-Party Plugin Use a third-party plugin to gain more control over the audio in your OBS recordings and prevent Discord audio from being picked up.

By following these methods, you can prevent OBS from recording Discord audio and ensure that your recordings are the best they can be.

What is OBS and why is it recording Discord audio?

OBS, or Open Broadcasting Software, is a popular streaming and recording software used by many content creators. It allows users to capture and mix audio and video from multiple sources, including webcams, microphones, and screen captures. However, OBS may sometimes record Discord audio, which can be unwanted and distracting.

To prevent OBS from recording Discord audio, you need to adjust the settings in OBS and Discord. This can be done by selecting the correct audio sources and adjusting the audio settings in both applications. By doing so, you can ensure that your recordings and streams are free from unwanted Discord audio.

How do I stop OBS from recording Discord audio?

To stop OBS from recording Discord audio, you need to go to the OBS settings and select the correct audio source. You can do this by clicking on the “Settings” button in the OBS dashboard and then selecting the “Audio” tab. From there, you can choose the audio source that you want to use, such as your microphone or system audio.

Once you have selected the correct audio source, you need to adjust the audio settings in Discord. You can do this by clicking on the “User Settings” icon in the Discord dashboard and then selecting the “Voice & Video” tab. From there, you can choose the audio output device that you want to use, such as your headphones or speakers.

Why is OBS recording Discord audio in the first place?

OBS is recording Discord audio because it is set to capture all audio from your system, including audio from Discord. This is because the default audio settings in OBS are set to capture all system audio, which includes audio from all applications, including Discord.

To prevent OBS from recording Discord audio, you need to adjust the audio settings in OBS to only capture audio from specific sources, such as your microphone or system audio. You can do this by selecting the correct audio source in the OBS settings and adjusting the audio settings in Discord.

How do I select the correct audio source in OBS?

To select the correct audio source in OBS, you need to go to the OBS settings and click on the “Audio” tab. From there, you can choose the audio source that you want to use, such as your microphone or system audio. You can also select multiple audio sources and adjust the audio levels for each source.

Once you have selected the correct audio source, you need to make sure that the audio levels are set correctly. You can do this by adjusting the audio levels in the OBS settings and monitoring the audio levels in the OBS dashboard.

How do I adjust the audio settings in Discord?

To adjust the audio settings in Discord, you need to click on the “User Settings” icon in the Discord dashboard and then select the “Voice & Video” tab. From there, you can choose the audio output device that you want to use, such as your headphones or speakers. You can also adjust the audio levels and select the correct audio input device.

Once you have adjusted the audio settings in Discord, you need to make sure that the audio settings are set correctly in OBS. You can do this by selecting the correct audio source in the OBS settings and adjusting the audio levels in the OBS dashboard.

Will adjusting the audio settings in OBS and Discord affect my stream or recording quality?

Adjusting the audio settings in OBS and Discord should not affect the quality of your stream or recording. However, it’s possible that adjusting the audio settings may affect the audio levels or quality of your stream or recording.

To ensure that the audio quality is not affected, you need to monitor the audio levels and quality in the OBS dashboard and adjust the audio settings as needed. You can also test your stream or recording to make sure that the audio quality is good and that there is no unwanted Discord audio.

Can I still use Discord while streaming or recording with OBS?

Yes, you can still use Discord while streaming or recording with OBS. However, you need to make sure that the audio settings are set correctly in both OBS and Discord to prevent unwanted Discord audio from being recorded.

To use Discord while streaming or recording with OBS, you need to adjust the audio settings in both applications and select the correct audio source in OBS. You can also use the “Push-to-Talk” feature in Discord to prevent unwanted audio from being recorded.

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