Are you tired of your streams being ruined by background noise or unwanted sounds? Do you want to focus on the game audio and provide a more immersive experience for your viewers? Look no further! In this article, we’ll show you how to record game audio only with OBS (Open Broadcasting Software), a popular streaming software used by gamers and streamers worldwide.
Understanding OBS Audio Settings
Before we dive into the steps, it’s essential to understand how OBS handles audio. OBS allows you to capture and mix multiple audio sources, including game audio, microphone audio, and desktop audio. However, by default, OBS records all audio sources, which can lead to unwanted sounds and background noise in your streams.
To record game audio only, you need to configure OBS to capture only the game audio source and exclude other audio sources. This can be done by adjusting the audio settings in OBS.
Accessing Audio Settings in OBS
To access the audio settings in OBS, follow these steps:
- Open OBS and click on the “Settings” button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- In the Settings window, click on the “Audio” tab.
- In the Audio tab, you’ll see a list of available audio devices and sources.
Understanding Audio Devices and Sources
In the Audio tab, you’ll see two types of audio devices and sources:
- Audio Devices: These are the physical audio devices connected to your computer, such as your microphone, speakers, or headphones.
- Audio Sources: These are the virtual audio sources that OBS uses to capture audio from your games, desktop, or other applications.
Configuring Audio Sources in OBS
To record game audio only, you need to configure the audio sources in OBS to capture only the game audio source. Here’s how:
- In the Audio tab, click on the “Desktop Audio” dropdown menu and select “Disabled”. This will prevent OBS from capturing desktop audio.
- Click on the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio” dropdown menu and select “Disabled”. This will prevent OBS from capturing microphone audio.
- Click on the “Game Audio” dropdown menu and select the game audio source you want to capture. This can be a specific game or application, or a generic game audio source.
Using the “Game Capture” Audio Source
If you’re using the “Game Capture” audio source, you may need to configure the game capture settings to capture only the game audio. Here’s how:
- In the Audio tab, click on the “Game Capture” dropdown menu and select the game you want to capture.
- In the Game Capture settings window, click on the “Audio” tab.
- In the Audio tab, select the “Capture audio only” checkbox. This will prevent OBS from capturing video and only capture audio.
Using the “Audio Mixer” in OBS
Another way to record game audio only in OBS is to use the “Audio Mixer” feature. The Audio Mixer allows you to mix multiple audio sources and adjust their levels, making it easy to focus on the game audio.
To use the Audio Mixer in OBS, follow these steps:
- In the main OBS window, click on the “Mixer” button in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- In the Audio Mixer window, you’ll see a list of available audio sources, including game audio, microphone audio, and desktop audio.
- To focus on the game audio, click on the “Game Audio” slider and adjust the level to your desired level.
- To exclude other audio sources, click on the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio” and “Desktop Audio” sliders and adjust the levels to zero.
Using the “Advanced Audio Settings” in OBS
If you’re using a complex audio setup or need more advanced audio settings, you can use the “Advanced Audio Settings” feature in OBS. The Advanced Audio Settings allow you to configure audio filters, adjust audio levels, and more.
To access the Advanced Audio Settings in OBS, follow these steps:
- In the Audio tab, click on the “Advanced” button.
- In the Advanced Audio Settings window, you’ll see a list of available audio filters and settings.
- To focus on the game audio, you can use the “Noise Suppression” filter to reduce background noise or the “Gain” filter to adjust the audio level.
Recording Game Audio Only with OBS: Best Practices
To ensure that you’re recording game audio only with OBS, follow these best practices:
- Use a dedicated game audio source: Instead of using the “Desktop Audio” source, use a dedicated game audio source, such as the “Game Capture” audio source.
- Disable microphone audio: Disable microphone audio to prevent unwanted sounds and background noise from being recorded.
- Adjust audio levels: Adjust the audio levels to your desired level to ensure that the game audio is clear and loud.
- Use audio filters: Use audio filters, such as the “Noise Suppression” filter, to reduce background noise and improve audio quality.
Common Issues and Solutions
If you’re experiencing issues with recording game audio only with OBS, here are some common solutions:
- Game audio not being captured: Check that the game audio source is selected and that the audio levels are adjusted correctly.
- Background noise or unwanted sounds: Use audio filters, such as the “Noise Suppression” filter, to reduce background noise and improve audio quality.
- Audio levels too low: Adjust the audio levels to your desired level to ensure that the game audio is clear and loud.
By following these steps and best practices, you can record game audio only with OBS and provide a more immersive experience for your viewers. Remember to experiment with different audio settings and filters to find the perfect balance for your streams.
What is OBS and how does it help with recording game 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 and content creators to capture and stream their gameplay. OBS helps with recording game audio by allowing users to select specific audio sources and customize their settings to achieve high-quality audio.
With OBS, users can choose to record only the game audio, excluding any external noise or commentary. This feature is particularly useful for content creators who want to focus on the game’s audio and provide a more immersive experience for their audience. By using OBS, users can ensure that their game audio is recorded clearly and without any distractions.
Why would I want to record game audio only with OBS?
Recording game audio only with OBS can be useful for several reasons. For one, it allows content creators to focus on the game’s audio and provide a more immersive experience for their audience. By excluding external noise or commentary, the audio becomes more engaging and easier to follow. Additionally, recording game audio only can help to reduce the overall file size of the recording, making it easier to edit and upload.
Another reason to record game audio only is to create a more professional-sounding recording. By isolating the game audio, content creators can ensure that their recording sounds polished and high-quality. This is particularly important for content creators who want to build a reputation for producing high-quality content.
What are the system requirements for using OBS to record game audio?
To use OBS to record game audio, users will need a computer with a relatively modern operating system, such as Windows 10 or macOS High Sierra. They will also need a decent graphics card, a multi-core processor, and at least 8 GB of RAM. Additionally, users will need a stable internet connection to stream their content online.
In terms of specific hardware requirements, OBS can run on a variety of devices, including laptops and desktops. However, users may need to adjust their settings to achieve optimal performance. For example, they may need to reduce the resolution or frame rate of their recording to avoid lag or dropped frames.
How do I set up OBS to record game audio only?
To set up OBS to record game audio only, users will need to follow a few simple steps. First, they will need to download and install OBS on their computer. Next, they will need to launch the software and create a new scene. From there, they can add a new audio source, such as the game’s audio, and adjust the settings to their liking.
Once the audio source is set up, users can configure the recording settings to capture only the game audio. This may involve selecting a specific audio device, adjusting the gain levels, and choosing a file format for the recording. Users can also customize the recording settings to suit their specific needs, such as choosing a different sample rate or bitrate.
Can I use OBS to record game audio on a console?
While OBS is primarily designed for use on computers, it is possible to use it to record game audio on a console. However, this will require some additional hardware and software. For example, users may need to use a capture card to capture the console’s audio and video signals, and then route them to their computer for recording.
Once the console’s audio and video signals are captured, users can use OBS to record the game audio. However, they may need to adjust the settings to account for any latency or sync issues. Additionally, users may need to use a separate software to capture the console’s audio, such as a digital audio workstation (DAW).
How do I edit and enhance my recorded game audio in OBS?
OBS has a range of built-in features for editing and enhancing recorded game audio. For example, users can use the software’s audio filters to remove noise, adjust the gain levels, and add effects such as reverb or echo. Users can also use OBS’s built-in equalizer to adjust the tone and frequency of the audio.
In addition to OBS’s built-in features, users can also use external software to edit and enhance their recorded game audio. For example, they may use a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Audacity or Adobe Audition to edit and mix the audio. By using a combination of OBS and external software, users can achieve high-quality audio that sounds professional and polished.
Can I use OBS to live stream game audio only?
Yes, OBS can be used to live stream game audio only. In fact, OBS is widely used by gamers and content creators to live stream their gameplay, including the audio. To live stream game audio only, users will need to set up OBS to capture the game’s audio and configure the streaming settings to send only the audio to the streaming platform.
Once the streaming settings are configured, users can start the stream and OBS will capture and transmit the game audio in real-time. Users can also use OBS’s built-in features to monitor the stream’s audio levels, adjust the gain, and add effects such as compression or limiting. By using OBS to live stream game audio only, users can provide a high-quality audio experience for their audience.