ShadowPlay is a powerful tool developed by NVIDIA that allows users to record their gameplay with ease. However, one common issue that users face is that ShadowPlay records both game audio and system sounds, which can be distracting and unwanted. In this article, we will explore the ways to make ShadowPlay only record game audio, ensuring that your recordings are clean and professional.
Understanding ShadowPlay’s Audio Settings
Before we dive into the solutions, it’s essential to understand how ShadowPlay’s audio settings work. By default, ShadowPlay records both game audio and system sounds, including notifications, music, and other background noises. This is because ShadowPlay uses the Windows default audio device to capture sound, which includes all system sounds.
To change this behavior, we need to configure ShadowPlay to use a specific audio device that only captures game audio. This can be done by using a combination of Windows settings and ShadowPlay’s built-in audio options.
Method 1: Using the Windows Sound Settings
The first method involves using the Windows sound settings to configure the default audio device. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Windows Sound settings by right-clicking on the speaker icon in the system tray and selecting “Sounds.”
- In the Sound window, click on the “Recording” tab and select the device that corresponds to your game audio (e.g., “NVIDIA High Definition Audio”).
- Right-click on the selected device and choose “Set as Default Device.”
- Now, open ShadowPlay and go to the “Settings” menu.
- In the Settings window, click on the “Audio” tab and select the “Use default audio device” option.
By setting the default audio device to the one that corresponds to your game audio, ShadowPlay will only record game audio and ignore system sounds.
Method 2: Using the NVIDIA Audio Driver
Another method involves using the NVIDIA audio driver to configure the audio settings. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the NVIDIA Control Panel by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “NVIDIA Control Panel.”
- In the NVIDIA Control Panel, click on the “Sound” tab and select the “Audio” option.
- In the Audio window, select the device that corresponds to your game audio (e.g., “NVIDIA High Definition Audio”).
- Click on the “Properties” button and select the “Advanced” tab.
- In the Advanced tab, uncheck the box that says “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.”
- Now, open ShadowPlay and go to the “Settings” menu.
- In the Settings window, click on the “Audio” tab and select the “Use NVIDIA audio driver” option.
By using the NVIDIA audio driver, you can configure the audio settings to only record game audio.
Using a Virtual Audio Cable
Another solution involves using a virtual audio cable to route the game audio to ShadowPlay. A virtual audio cable is a software-based audio device that allows you to route audio signals between applications.
Here’s how to use a virtual audio cable:
Step 1: Download and Install a Virtual Audio Cable
There are several virtual audio cables available, including Virtual Audio Cable, VoiceMeeter, and Stereo Mix. For this example, we will use Virtual Audio Cable.
Download and install Virtual Audio Cable from the official website.
Step 2: Configure the Virtual Audio Cable
Once installed, open the Virtual Audio Cable settings and configure the audio device to route the game audio to ShadowPlay.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Virtual Audio Cable settings by right-clicking on the system tray icon and selecting “Settings.”
- In the Settings window, select the “Audio” tab and choose the device that corresponds to your game audio (e.g., “NVIDIA High Definition Audio”).
- Click on the “Route” button and select the “ShadowPlay” option.
- Now, open ShadowPlay and go to the “Settings” menu.
- In the Settings window, click on the “Audio” tab and select the “Use virtual audio cable” option.
By using a virtual audio cable, you can route the game audio to ShadowPlay and ignore system sounds.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you’re experiencing issues with ShadowPlay only recording game audio, here are some common troubleshooting steps:
Issue 1: ShadowPlay is still recording system sounds
If ShadowPlay is still recording system sounds, try the following:
- Check that the default audio device is set to the one that corresponds to your game audio.
- Ensure that the NVIDIA audio driver is configured correctly.
- Try using a virtual audio cable to route the game audio to ShadowPlay.
Issue 2: ShadowPlay is not recording any audio
If ShadowPlay is not recording any audio, try the following:
- Check that the audio settings are configured correctly in ShadowPlay.
- Ensure that the game audio is not muted or turned down.
- Try using a different audio device or virtual audio cable.
Conclusion
Recording game audio with ShadowPlay can be a challenge, but by using the methods outlined in this article, you can ensure that your recordings are clean and professional. Whether you’re using the Windows sound settings, the NVIDIA audio driver, or a virtual audio cable, there’s a solution that’s right for you.
By following these steps and troubleshooting common issues, you can make ShadowPlay only record game audio and take your recordings to the next level.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Using the Windows Sound Settings | Configure the default audio device to the one that corresponds to your game audio. |
| Using the NVIDIA Audio Driver | Configure the audio settings using the NVIDIA audio driver. |
| Using a Virtual Audio Cable | Route the game audio to ShadowPlay using a virtual audio cable. |
By using these methods, you can ensure that your ShadowPlay recordings are of the highest quality and only include the game audio.
What is ShadowPlay and how does it work?
ShadowPlay is a feature of the GeForce Experience software developed by NVIDIA. It allows users to record their gameplay and capture screenshots with ease. ShadowPlay works by utilizing the GPU to handle the video encoding, which reduces the performance impact on the system.
This means that users can record their gameplay without experiencing significant frame rate drops or other performance issues. ShadowPlay also supports various recording settings, such as resolution, frame rate, and bitrate, allowing users to customize their recordings according to their preferences.
What are the system requirements for using ShadowPlay?
To use ShadowPlay, users need a computer with a NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, a 64-bit version of Windows 7 or later, and the GeForce Experience software installed. The graphics card should be a Kepler-based or later model, such as the GeForce GTX 650 or higher.
Additionally, users should ensure that their system meets the minimum system requirements for the game they want to record. This includes having sufficient RAM, a compatible processor, and enough storage space to save the recorded videos.
How do I enable ShadowPlay in GeForce Experience?
To enable ShadowPlay, users need to open the GeForce Experience software and navigate to the “Settings” menu. From there, they can toggle the “In-game overlay” switch to the “On” position. This will enable the in-game overlay, which includes the ShadowPlay feature.
Once the in-game overlay is enabled, users can press the “Alt + F1” keys to toggle ShadowPlay on or off. They can also customize the ShadowPlay settings, such as the recording resolution and frame rate, by clicking on the “Settings” icon in the in-game overlay.
Can I record gameplay with ShadowPlay in the background?
Yes, ShadowPlay allows users to record gameplay in the background while they are playing other games or using other applications. This feature is called “Background Recording” and can be enabled in the GeForce Experience settings.
When Background Recording is enabled, ShadowPlay will continuously record the user’s gameplay in the background, allowing them to save the last few minutes of gameplay by pressing the “Alt + F1” keys. This feature is useful for capturing unexpected moments or highlights during gameplay.
How do I customize the ShadowPlay recording settings?
Users can customize the ShadowPlay recording settings by clicking on the “Settings” icon in the in-game overlay. From there, they can adjust settings such as the recording resolution, frame rate, bitrate, and audio quality.
Additionally, users can also customize the recording format, such as choosing between MP4 or AVI, and selecting the recording directory. They can also toggle features such as microphone recording and webcam overlay on or off.
Can I use ShadowPlay to record gameplay on multiple monitors?
Yes, ShadowPlay supports recording gameplay on multiple monitors. Users can select which monitor to record by clicking on the “Settings” icon in the in-game overlay and selecting the desired monitor from the “Display” dropdown menu.
ShadowPlay will then record the gameplay on the selected monitor, allowing users to capture gameplay on multiple monitors simultaneously. However, users should note that recording gameplay on multiple monitors may impact system performance.
How do I troubleshoot common issues with ShadowPlay?
If users experience issues with ShadowPlay, such as poor video quality or audio sync problems, they can try troubleshooting by checking the GeForce Experience settings and ensuring that their system meets the minimum system requirements.
Additionally, users can also try updating their graphics drivers, disabling other recording software, and adjusting the ShadowPlay settings to optimize performance. If the issue persists, users can contact NVIDIA support for further assistance.