OBS Studio, also known as Open Broadcasting Software, is a popular free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. While it’s primarily used for video content creation, many users wonder if OBS can just record audio. In this article, we’ll delve into the capabilities of OBS Studio and explore its audio recording features.
Understanding OBS Studio
Before we dive into the audio recording capabilities of OBS, let’s take a brief look at what OBS Studio is and what it’s designed for. OBS Studio is a powerful software that allows users to capture and mix video and audio in real-time. It’s widely used by gamers, YouTubers, and live streamers to create high-quality video content.
OBS Studio offers a range of features, including:
- Video and audio capture from multiple sources
- Real-time video and audio mixing
- Chroma keying and green screen support
- Audio filters and effects
- Support for multiple streaming platforms
Can OBS Just Record Audio?
Now, let’s answer the question: can OBS just record audio? The short answer is yes, OBS Studio can record audio only. While it’s primarily designed for video content creation, OBS can be used to record high-quality audio without capturing any video.
To record audio only in OBS, you’ll need to set up your scene and sources correctly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Setting Up OBS for Audio-Only Recording
- Open OBS Studio and create a new scene.
- Add an audio source, such as a microphone or audio file, to the scene.
- Configure the audio settings to your liking, including the audio format, sample rate, and bitrate.
- Make sure that no video sources are added to the scene.
- Start the recording by clicking the “Start Recording” button.
Audio Recording Formats and Settings
OBS Studio supports a range of audio recording formats, including:
- WAV
- MP3
- AAC
- FLAC
- OGG
You can also configure the audio settings to suit your needs, including:
- Sample rate: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, or 96 kHz
- Bitrate: 128 kbps, 256 kbps, or 512 kbps
- Audio codec: AAC, MP3, or Opus
Using OBS for Podcasting and Voiceovers
OBS Studio is a popular choice for podcasters and voiceover artists due to its high-quality audio recording capabilities. Here are some benefits of using OBS for podcasting and voiceovers:
- High-quality audio: OBS can record audio at high sample rates and bitrates, resulting in professional-sounding recordings.
- Low latency: OBS has low latency, which means that you can monitor your audio in real-time without any significant delay.
- Audio filters and effects: OBS offers a range of audio filters and effects, including noise reduction, compression, and EQ.
Recording a Podcast with OBS
To record a podcast with OBS, you’ll need to set up your scene and sources correctly. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Open OBS Studio and create a new scene.
- Add an audio source, such as a microphone, to the scene.
- Configure the audio settings to your liking, including the audio format, sample rate, and bitrate.
- Add any additional audio sources, such as a co-host or guest, to the scene.
- Start the recording by clicking the “Start Recording” button.
Comparison with Other Audio Recording Software
OBS Studio is not the only audio recording software available. Here’s a comparison with other popular audio recording software:
- Audacity: Audacity is a free, open-source audio recording software that’s popular among podcasters and voiceover artists. While it offers many of the same features as OBS, it’s not as powerful or flexible.
- Adobe Audition: Adobe Audition is a professional audio recording software that’s part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. While it offers advanced features and high-quality audio recording, it’s more expensive than OBS and may be overkill for simple podcasting or voiceover work.
Conclusion
In conclusion, OBS Studio can indeed record audio only, making it a powerful tool for podcasters, voiceover artists, and anyone who needs to record high-quality audio. With its range of audio recording formats and settings, low latency, and audio filters and effects, OBS is a popular choice for audio content creators. Whether you’re recording a podcast, voiceover, or simply need to capture high-quality audio, OBS Studio is definitely worth considering.
| Software | Audio Recording Formats | Sample Rate | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | WAV, MP3, AAC, FLAC, OGG | 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz | 128 kbps, 256 kbps, 512 kbps |
| Audacity | WAV, MP3, OGG | 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz | 128 kbps, 256 kbps |
| Adobe Audition | WAV, MP3, AAC, FLAC | 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz | 128 kbps, 256 kbps, 512 kbps |
By understanding the capabilities of OBS Studio and its audio recording features, you can make an informed decision about whether it’s the right software for your audio content creation needs.
Can OBS Studio record only audio?
OBS Studio is capable of recording only audio. This feature is useful for podcasters, voiceover artists, and anyone who wants to capture high-quality audio without the need for video. To record only audio in OBS Studio, you can simply select the audio source you want to record and disable the video source.
When recording only audio, OBS Studio allows you to choose from a variety of audio formats, including MP3, AAC, and FLAC. You can also adjust the audio settings, such as the bitrate and sample rate, to suit your needs. Additionally, OBS Studio allows you to record audio from multiple sources simultaneously, making it a powerful tool for recording podcasts, interviews, and other types of audio content.
How do I set up OBS Studio to record only audio?
To set up OBS Studio to record only audio, you need to select the audio source you want to record and disable the video source. You can do this by going to the “Sources” panel and clicking on the “+” button to add a new source. From there, you can select the audio source you want to record, such as your microphone or a virtual audio cable.
Once you have selected the audio source, you can disable the video source by clicking on the “Video” tab in the “Settings” panel and selecting “No Video” or “Disable Video”. You can then adjust the audio settings, such as the bitrate and sample rate, to suit your needs. Finally, you can start recording by clicking on the “Start Recording” button.
What are the benefits of using OBS Studio to record audio?
Using OBS Studio to record audio has several benefits. One of the main benefits is that it allows you to record high-quality audio with low latency. OBS Studio also allows you to record audio from multiple sources simultaneously, making it a powerful tool for recording podcasts, interviews, and other types of audio content.
Another benefit of using OBS Studio to record audio is that it is free and open-source. This means that you can use it without having to pay any licensing fees or subscription costs. Additionally, OBS Studio has a large community of users and developers, which means that there are many resources available to help you get started and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.
Can I use OBS Studio to record audio from multiple sources?
Yes, OBS Studio allows you to record audio from multiple sources simultaneously. This feature is useful for podcasters, voiceover artists, and anyone who wants to capture audio from multiple sources at the same time. To record audio from multiple sources, you can simply add multiple audio sources to the “Sources” panel and adjust the settings as needed.
When recording audio from multiple sources, OBS Studio allows you to adjust the levels and settings for each source individually. This means that you can customize the audio settings for each source to suit your needs. Additionally, OBS Studio allows you to record audio from multiple sources in different formats, such as stereo and mono.
How do I adjust the audio settings in OBS Studio?
To adjust the audio settings in OBS Studio, you can go to the “Settings” panel and click on the “Audio” tab. From there, you can adjust the audio settings, such as the bitrate and sample rate, to suit your needs. You can also adjust the levels and settings for each audio source individually.
Additionally, OBS Studio allows you to use audio filters to customize the audio settings. Audio filters can be used to adjust the levels, EQ, and compression of the audio signal. You can also use audio filters to remove noise and hum from the audio signal. To use audio filters, you can go to the “Filters” panel and add a new filter.
Can I use OBS Studio to record audio for live streaming?
Yes, OBS Studio can be used to record audio for live streaming. In fact, OBS Studio is a popular choice among live streamers due to its ability to record high-quality audio and video. To record audio for live streaming, you can simply select the audio source you want to record and adjust the settings as needed.
When recording audio for live streaming, OBS Studio allows you to adjust the audio settings in real-time. This means that you can adjust the levels and settings for each audio source on the fly, without having to stop the recording. Additionally, OBS Studio allows you to use audio filters to customize the audio settings and remove noise and hum from the audio signal.
Is OBS Studio compatible with all audio formats?
OBS Studio is compatible with a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, AAC, and FLAC. However, it may not be compatible with all audio formats. To check if OBS Studio is compatible with a particular audio format, you can go to the “Settings” panel and click on the “Audio” tab.
From there, you can select the audio format you want to use and adjust the settings as needed. If OBS Studio is not compatible with a particular audio format, you may need to use a third-party plugin or software to convert the audio file to a compatible format. Additionally, OBS Studio allows you to use audio codecs to customize the audio settings and ensure compatibility with different audio formats.