Are you tired of your OBS recordings picking up unnecessary background noise or your own voice when all you want is to capture the game audio? You’re not alone. Many gamers and streamers struggle with this issue, but the good news is that it’s easy to fix. In this article, we’ll show you how to make OBS only record game audio, so you can focus on what matters most – your gameplay.
Understanding OBS Audio Settings
Before we dive into the solution, it’s essential to understand how OBS handles audio. OBS, or Open Broadcasting Software, is a popular streaming and recording software that allows you to capture and mix multiple audio sources. By default, OBS is set to capture all audio sources, including your microphone, game audio, and any other sounds playing on your computer.
To change this, you’ll need to access the OBS audio settings. To do this:
- 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.
- Here, you’ll see a list of all the audio devices connected to your computer, including your microphone, speakers, and any other audio devices.
Disabling Microphone Audio
The first step to making OBS only record game audio is to disable your microphone. To do this:
- In the Audio Settings window, click on the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device” dropdown menu.
- Select “Disabled” from the list of options.
- This will prevent OBS from capturing any audio from your microphone.
Selecting the Correct Audio Device
Next, you’ll need to select the correct audio device for your game audio. This will depend on your computer’s audio setup, but in most cases, you’ll want to select the audio device that corresponds to your speakers or headphones.
- In the Audio Settings window, click on the “Desktop Audio Device” dropdown menu.
- Select the audio device that corresponds to your speakers or headphones.
- Make sure that the “Desktop Audio” option is enabled.
Using the “Exclusive Mode” Option
If you’re using a Windows computer, you may need to use the “Exclusive Mode” option to ensure that OBS only records game audio. This option allows OBS to take exclusive control of the audio device, preventing any other applications from accessing it.
- In the Audio Settings window, click on the “Advanced” button.
- In the Advanced Audio Settings window, click on the “Exclusive Mode” checkbox.
- Select the audio device that corresponds to your speakers or headphones from the dropdown menu.
Using the “Audio Mixer” to Control Audio Sources
Another way to control audio sources in OBS is to use the “Audio Mixer” feature. This feature allows you to adjust the levels of different audio sources in real-time, giving you more control over your audio mix.
- To access the Audio Mixer, click on the “Mixer” button in the bottom left corner of the OBS screen.
- In the Audio Mixer window, you’ll see a list of all the audio sources connected to your computer, including your microphone, game audio, and any other sounds playing on your computer.
- Use the sliders to adjust the levels of each audio source.
Muting the Microphone Audio Source
To make OBS only record game audio, you’ll need to mute the microphone audio source. To do this:
- In the Audio Mixer window, click on the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio” slider.
- Move the slider all the way to the left to mute the microphone audio source.
Boosting the Game Audio Source
If you want to make sure that your game audio is loud and clear, you can boost the game audio source. To do this:
- In the Audio Mixer window, click on the “Desktop Audio” slider.
- Move the slider to the right to boost the game audio source.
Using a Virtual Audio Cable to Separate Audio Sources
If you’re using a computer with multiple audio devices, you may need to use a virtual audio cable to separate your audio sources. A virtual audio cable is a software-based audio device that allows you to route audio signals between different applications.
- To use a virtual audio cable, you’ll need to download and install a virtual audio cable software, such as VoiceMeeter or Virtual Audio Cable.
- Once installed, you can select the virtual audio cable as the audio device in OBS.
Configuring the Virtual Audio Cable
To configure the virtual audio cable, you’ll need to access the software’s settings. This will depend on the software you’re using, but in most cases, you’ll need to:
- Open the virtual audio cable software and click on the “Settings” button.
- In the Settings window, select the audio device that corresponds to your speakers or headphones.
- Make sure that the virtual audio cable is set to “exclusive mode” to prevent any other applications from accessing it.
Testing Your Audio Settings
Once you’ve configured your audio settings, it’s essential to test them to make sure that OBS is only recording game audio. To do this:
- Start a recording or stream in OBS.
- Play some music or a video in the background to test the audio.
- Check the OBS audio levels to make sure that the microphone audio source is muted and the game audio source is boosted.
If everything is working correctly, you should only hear the game audio in your recording or stream.
Conclusion
Making OBS only record game audio is a simple process that requires some basic configuration of the audio settings. By disabling your microphone, selecting the correct audio device, and using the “Audio Mixer” feature, you can ensure that your recordings and streams are free from background noise and distractions. Additionally, using a virtual audio cable can help you separate your audio sources and give you more control over your audio mix. With these tips, you can take your streaming and recording to the next level and focus on what matters most – your gameplay.
What is OBS and why do I need it for recording game audio?
OBS, or Open Broadcasting Software, is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It’s widely used by gamers and content creators to capture and stream their gameplay. If you want to record or stream your gameplay, OBS is an excellent choice due to its flexibility, customization options, and high-quality output.
OBS allows you to capture and mix multiple audio sources, including game audio, microphone audio, and music. It also supports various video capture devices, such as webcams and capture cards. With OBS, you can record or stream your gameplay in high quality, with customizable settings and effects.
How do I set up OBS to only record game audio?
To set up OBS to only record game audio, you’ll need to configure the audio settings. First, open OBS and go to the “Settings” menu. Then, click on the “Audio” tab and select the audio device that corresponds to your game audio. This is usually the default audio device or the audio device associated with your game.
Next, you’ll need to disable any other audio sources that you don’t want to record. For example, if you have a microphone connected, you may want to mute it or set it to “Disabled” in the OBS audio settings. You can also adjust the audio levels and settings to optimize the quality of your game audio recording.
What are the benefits of recording only game audio?
Recording only game audio can be beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows you to focus on the gameplay audio, which can be useful for creating tutorials, walkthroughs, or Let’s Play videos. Secondly, it can help to reduce background noise and distractions, resulting in a cleaner and more professional-sounding recording.
Additionally, recording only game audio can also help to reduce the file size of your recordings, as you’re not capturing any unnecessary audio sources. This can be useful if you’re working with limited storage space or if you need to upload your recordings to a video sharing platform.
Can I still record my microphone audio with OBS?
Yes, you can still record your microphone audio with OBS, even if you’re only recording game audio. To do this, you’ll need to configure the audio settings to include your microphone as a separate audio source. You can do this by going to the “Settings” menu, clicking on the “Audio” tab, and selecting the microphone as an additional audio source.
Once you’ve added your microphone as an audio source, you can adjust the audio levels and settings to balance the game audio and microphone audio. This can be useful if you want to add commentary or voiceovers to your gameplay recordings.
How do I adjust the audio levels in OBS?
To adjust the audio levels in OBS, you’ll need to go to the “Settings” menu and click on the “Audio” tab. From there, you can adjust the audio levels for each audio source, including the game audio and microphone audio. You can also use the “Audio Mixer” panel to adjust the audio levels in real-time.
It’s a good idea to monitor your audio levels regularly to ensure that they’re not too loud or too quiet. You can do this by using the “Audio Mixer” panel or by listening to your recordings and adjusting the levels accordingly.
Can I use OBS to record game audio on a Mac?
Yes, you can use OBS to record game audio on a Mac. OBS is available for both Windows and macOS, and the process of setting up OBS to record game audio is similar on both platforms. However, you may need to use a different audio device or configure the audio settings slightly differently on a Mac.
To record game audio on a Mac, you’ll need to configure the audio settings in OBS to use the correct audio device. You may also need to adjust the audio levels and settings to optimize the quality of your recording.
What file format does OBS use for recording game audio?
OBS can record game audio in a variety of file formats, including MP3, AAC, and FLAC. The default file format is usually MP3, but you can change this to a different format if needed. You can also adjust the bitrate and quality settings to optimize the file size and quality of your recordings.
When choosing a file format, consider the intended use of your recordings. For example, if you’re uploading your recordings to a video sharing platform, you may want to use a format that’s compatible with that platform.