Are you tired of dealing with unwanted Discord audio in your OBS recordings? Do you want to learn how to exclude it from your streams and videos? Look no further. In this article, we’ll explore the different methods to prevent Discord audio from being recorded in OBS, and provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
Understanding the Problem
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand why Discord audio is being recorded in the first place. OBS (Open Broadcasting Software) is a popular streaming and recording software that allows users to capture and mix audio from multiple sources. However, by default, OBS is set to capture all audio from your computer, including Discord.
This can be a problem for several reasons. For one, you may not want your Discord conversations to be recorded or streamed to your audience. Additionally, having multiple audio sources can cause echo, feedback, and other audio issues that can detract from the quality of your stream or video.
Method 1: Using the “Exclude” Feature in OBS
One of the easiest ways to exclude Discord audio from your OBS recordings is to use the “Exclude” feature. This feature allows you to specify which audio sources you want to exclude from your recordings.
To use the “Exclude” feature, follow these steps:
- Open OBS and go to the “Settings” menu.
- Click on the “Audio” tab.
- In the “Audio” settings, click on the “Advanced” button.
- In the “Advanced Audio Settings” window, click on the “Exclude” tab.
- In the “Exclude” tab, select the Discord audio source from the list of available audio sources.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
By excluding the Discord audio source, you can prevent it from being recorded in OBS. However, this method may not work for everyone, especially if you’re using a complex audio setup.
Method 2: Using a Virtual Audio Cable
Another way to exclude Discord audio from your OBS recordings is to use a virtual audio cable. A virtual audio cable is a software-based audio interface that allows you to route audio signals between different applications.
To use a virtual audio cable, follow these steps:
- Download and install a virtual audio cable software, such as VoiceMeeter or Virtual Audio Cable.
- Open the virtual audio cable software and create a new virtual audio device.
- In OBS, go to the “Settings” menu and click on the “Audio” tab.
- In the “Audio” settings, select the virtual audio device as the audio source.
- In the virtual audio cable software, route the Discord audio signal to a separate audio output, such as a virtual audio output or a physical audio output.
- In OBS, select the audio output that you routed the Discord audio signal to as the audio source.
By using a virtual audio cable, you can route the Discord audio signal away from OBS and prevent it from being recorded.
Method 3: Using a Separate Audio Mixer
If you’re using a complex audio setup, you may want to consider using a separate audio mixer to exclude Discord audio from your OBS recordings. A separate audio mixer allows you to mix and route audio signals from multiple sources, including Discord.
To use a separate audio mixer, follow these steps:
- Download and install a separate audio mixer software, such as Audacity or Adobe Audition.
- Open the audio mixer software and create a new audio project.
- In the audio mixer software, add the Discord audio source as a new track.
- In OBS, go to the “Settings” menu and click on the “Audio” tab.
- In the “Audio” settings, select the audio mixer software as the audio source.
- In the audio mixer software, route the Discord audio signal to a separate audio output, such as a virtual audio output or a physical audio output.
- In OBS, select the audio output that you routed the Discord audio signal to as the audio source.
By using a separate audio mixer, you can mix and route audio signals from multiple sources, including Discord, and prevent it from being recorded in OBS.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you’re having trouble excluding Discord audio from your OBS recordings, there are a few common issues that you may encounter. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve these issues:
- Discord audio is still being recorded: If Discord audio is still being recorded in OBS, check to make sure that you’ve excluded the correct audio source. Also, check to make sure that the virtual audio cable or separate audio mixer is set up correctly.
- Audio is not being recorded at all: If audio is not being recorded at all, check to make sure that the audio source is selected correctly in OBS. Also, check to make sure that the virtual audio cable or separate audio mixer is set up correctly.
- Audio is being recorded, but it’s distorted or choppy: If audio is being recorded, but it’s distorted or choppy, check to make sure that the audio source is selected correctly in OBS. Also, check to make sure that the virtual audio cable or separate audio mixer is set up correctly.
Conclusion
Excluding Discord audio from your OBS recordings can be a bit tricky, but it’s definitely possible. By using the “Exclude” feature, a virtual audio cable, or a separate audio mixer, you can prevent Discord audio from being recorded in OBS. Remember to troubleshoot common issues and adjust your settings as needed to get the best results.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can exclude Discord audio from your OBS recordings and improve the quality of your streams and videos. Happy streaming!
What is the purpose of excluding Discord audio from OBS recordings?
Excluding Discord audio from OBS recordings is useful when you want to focus on the game audio or other sounds in your recording, without the distraction of voice chat. This is particularly important for content creators who want to maintain a professional tone in their videos or streams. By excluding Discord audio, you can ensure that your recordings are free from unnecessary background noise.
Additionally, excluding Discord audio can also help to avoid any potential copyright issues. If you’re recording gameplay with copyrighted music playing in the background, excluding the Discord audio can help to minimize the risk of copyright infringement. This is especially important for content creators who monetize their videos or streams.
How do I exclude Discord audio from my OBS recordings?
To exclude Discord audio from your OBS recordings, you’ll need to access the OBS settings and adjust the audio filters. First, open OBS and go to the “Settings” menu. From there, navigate to the “Audio” section and click on the “Advanced” button. In the “Advanced Audio Settings” window, you’ll see a list of available audio devices. Look for the Discord audio device and uncheck the box next to it.
Once you’ve unchecked the Discord audio device, click “OK” to save the changes. You can then test your audio settings to ensure that the Discord audio is no longer being recorded. If you’re still having trouble, you may need to adjust the audio settings in Discord itself. You can do this by opening the Discord settings and navigating to the “Voice & Video” section.
Will excluding Discord audio affect my stream quality?
Excluding Discord audio from your OBS recordings should not affect your stream quality. The audio settings in OBS are designed to be flexible, allowing you to customize your audio inputs and outputs to suit your needs. By excluding the Discord audio, you’re simply telling OBS to ignore that particular audio source.
However, it’s worth noting that excluding Discord audio may affect the overall audio balance in your recordings. If you’re used to hearing the Discord audio in your streams, you may need to adjust the levels of your other audio sources to compensate. This can be done in the OBS audio settings, where you can adjust the gain levels for each audio device.
Can I still hear Discord audio while streaming if I exclude it from my recordings?
Yes, you can still hear Discord audio while streaming even if you exclude it from your recordings. The OBS audio settings only affect the audio that’s being recorded, not the audio that you hear in real-time. This means that you can still hear your friends and teammates chatting away in Discord, even if their audio isn’t being recorded.
To ensure that you can still hear the Discord audio, make sure that the Discord audio device is selected as the default playback device in your computer’s audio settings. This will allow you to hear the Discord audio in real-time, even if it’s not being recorded.
How do I include Discord audio in my OBS recordings if I’ve previously excluded it?
If you’ve previously excluded Discord audio from your OBS recordings and want to include it again, you can simply reverse the process. Go back to the OBS settings and navigate to the “Audio” section. Click on the “Advanced” button and look for the Discord audio device in the list of available devices. Check the box next to it to enable the Discord audio.
Once you’ve enabled the Discord audio, click “OK” to save the changes. You can then test your audio settings to ensure that the Discord audio is being recorded correctly. If you’re still having trouble, you may need to adjust the audio settings in Discord itself.
Will excluding Discord audio affect my ability to communicate with my teammates?
Excluding Discord audio from your OBS recordings should not affect your ability to communicate with your teammates. The OBS audio settings only affect the audio that’s being recorded, not the audio that you hear in real-time. This means that you can still hear your teammates chatting away in Discord, and they can still hear you.
However, it’s worth noting that if you’re excluding Discord audio from your recordings, you may need to communicate with your teammates in a different way. For example, you could use a different voice chat platform or communicate through text chat instead.
Can I exclude other audio sources from my OBS recordings?
Yes, you can exclude other audio sources from your OBS recordings in addition to Discord audio. The OBS audio settings allow you to customize your audio inputs and outputs to suit your needs. You can exclude any audio device that’s connected to your computer, including microphones, speakers, and other audio interfaces.
To exclude other audio sources, simply follow the same process as excluding Discord audio. Go to the OBS settings, navigate to the “Audio” section, and click on the “Advanced” button. Look for the audio device you want to exclude and uncheck the box next to it. Click “OK” to save the changes and test your audio settings to ensure that the audio source is no longer being recorded.