Open Broadcasting Software (OBS) is a popular, free, and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It’s widely used by gamers, YouTubers, and podcasters due to its flexibility and customization options. One of the lesser-known features of OBS is the ability to record only audio. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why you might want to record only audio on OBS and provide a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
Why Record Only Audio on OBS?
There are several scenarios where recording only audio on OBS might be useful:
Podcasting
If you’re a podcaster, you might want to record only audio for your episodes. OBS allows you to record high-quality audio without the need for a separate audio recording software. You can also use OBS to record video podcasts, but if you only need the audio, it’s easier to record only the audio track.
Commentary and Voiceovers
If you’re creating commentary or voiceovers for videos, you might want to record only audio. This allows you to focus on the audio quality without worrying about the video. You can then add the audio track to your video editing software and sync it with the video.
Audiobooks and Voice Acting
If you’re creating audiobooks or voice acting for animations or videos, recording only audio on OBS can be a great option. You can use OBS to record high-quality audio and then edit it in your audio editing software.
How to Record Only Audio on OBS
Recording only audio on OBS is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Set Up Your Audio Settings
Before you start recording, you need to set up your audio settings. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open OBS and click on the “Settings” button in the bottom right corner.
- In the Settings window, click on the “Audio” tab.
- Select your audio device from the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device” dropdown menu.
- Adjust the audio settings as needed. You can adjust the gain, boost, and noise suppression.
Step 2: Create a New Scene
To record only audio, you need to create a new scene that doesn’t include any video sources. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click on the “+” button in the bottom left corner of the OBS window.
- Select “Scene” from the dropdown menu.
- Name your scene (e.g., “Audio Only”).
Step 3: Add an Audio Source
To record audio, you need to add an audio source to your scene. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click on the “+” button in the bottom left corner of the OBS window.
- Select “Audio Input Capture” from the dropdown menu.
- Select your audio device from the “Device” dropdown menu.
- Name your audio source (e.g., “Microphone”).
Step 4: Start Recording
Now that you’ve set up your audio settings and created a new scene with an audio source, you can start recording. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Start Recording” button in the bottom right corner of the OBS window.
- Select the format and quality of your recording. You can choose from a variety of formats, including MP3, WAV, and FLAC.
- Choose a location to save your recording.
Advanced Audio Settings
OBS provides a range of advanced audio settings that you can use to customize your recording. Here are a few options:
Audio Filters
OBS provides a range of audio filters that you can use to customize your recording. These include:
- Noise suppression: This filter reduces background noise and hiss.
- Gain: This filter adjusts the volume of your recording.
- Boost: This filter boosts the volume of your recording.
Audio Monitoring
OBS allows you to monitor your audio in real-time. This allows you to adjust your audio settings and make sure that your recording sounds good. To enable audio monitoring, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Settings” button in the bottom right corner of the OBS window.
- In the Settings window, click on the “Audio” tab.
- Check the “Monitor and Output” box.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are a few common issues that you might encounter when recording only audio on OBS:
No Audio Input
If you’re not getting any audio input, check that your audio device is selected in the OBS settings. Also, make sure that your audio device is working properly and that you’re using the correct cable.
Low Audio Quality
If your audio quality is low, check that your audio settings are correct. Make sure that you’re using the correct audio format and that your gain and boost settings are adjusted correctly.
Conclusion
Recording only audio on OBS is a straightforward process that can be useful for a range of applications, including podcasting, commentary, and voiceovers. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can record high-quality audio using OBS. Remember to adjust your audio settings and use the advanced audio features provided by OBS to customize your recording.
What is OBS and why is it used for recording 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, YouTubers, and podcasters due to its flexibility and customization options. OBS allows users to record high-quality audio and video, making it an ideal choice for various applications.
While OBS is primarily known for its video recording capabilities, it can also be used to record high-quality audio. This feature is particularly useful for podcasters, voiceover artists, and musicians who need to record audio without the need for video. By using OBS to record audio, users can take advantage of its advanced features, such as noise reduction and audio filtering.
How do I set up OBS for audio-only recording?
To set up OBS for audio-only recording, you need to configure the software to ignore video inputs and focus solely on audio. This can be done by creating a new scene in OBS and adding an audio source, such as a microphone or audio file. You can then adjust the audio settings to optimize the recording quality.
Once you have set up the audio source, you can configure the recording settings to save the audio file in your preferred format. OBS supports various audio formats, including MP3, WAV, and AAC. You can also adjust the bitrate, sample rate, and other settings to customize the recording quality.
What are the benefits of using OBS for audio-only recording?
Using OBS for audio-only recording offers several benefits, including high-quality audio, advanced noise reduction, and customizable settings. OBS also allows users to record audio from multiple sources, such as microphones and audio files, and mix them together in real-time.
Another benefit of using OBS for audio-only recording is its flexibility. OBS can be used on various platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it a versatile tool for audio recording. Additionally, OBS is free and open-source, making it an affordable option for users who need to record high-quality audio.
Can I use OBS to record audio from multiple sources?
Yes, OBS allows users to record audio from multiple sources, such as microphones, audio files, and other devices. This feature is particularly useful for podcasters and musicians who need to record audio from multiple sources simultaneously. By using OBS, users can mix and match different audio sources in real-time, creating a high-quality audio recording.
To record audio from multiple sources in OBS, you need to add each source as a separate audio input. You can then adjust the levels and settings for each source to optimize the recording quality. OBS also allows users to create custom audio mixes, making it easy to balance the levels and create a professional-sounding recording.
How do I optimize the audio quality in OBS?
To optimize the audio quality in OBS, you need to adjust the audio settings to match your recording environment. This includes setting the correct sample rate, bitrate, and audio format. You can also use OBS’s built-in noise reduction and audio filtering features to improve the audio quality.
Additionally, you can use external audio processing tools, such as equalizers and compressors, to further enhance the audio quality. OBS also supports plugins, which can be used to add advanced audio processing features to the software. By optimizing the audio settings and using external tools, you can create high-quality audio recordings using OBS.
Can I use OBS to live stream audio-only content?
Yes, OBS can be used to live stream audio-only content, such as podcasts and radio shows. By using OBS, you can stream high-quality audio to various platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook. OBS also allows users to customize the streaming settings, including the bitrate, sample rate, and audio format.
To live stream audio-only content using OBS, you need to configure the software to ignore video inputs and focus solely on audio. You can then set up the streaming settings to match your desired platform and adjust the audio quality to optimize the stream. OBS also allows users to monitor the stream in real-time, making it easy to adjust the settings and ensure a high-quality stream.
What are the system requirements for using OBS for audio-only recording?
The system requirements for using OBS for audio-only recording are relatively modest, making it accessible to users with a wide range of hardware configurations. OBS can run on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, and requires a minimum of 4 GB of RAM and a dual-core processor.
In terms of audio hardware, OBS can work with a wide range of devices, including USB microphones and audio interfaces. However, the quality of the audio recording will depend on the quality of the audio hardware. To achieve high-quality audio recordings, it is recommended to use a good-quality microphone and audio interface.