How to Capture Specific Audio in OBS Studio Effectively

OBS Studio is a powerful and free software for broadcast quality recording and live streaming. Recording specific audio in OBS can be a bit tricky if you have multiple audio sources. This article will walk you through the process of capturing specific audio in OBS Studio, ensuring that your recordings and streams stay true to the sounds you need. Let's dive in!

Requirements

To capture specific audio in OBS Studio, you need to have the following: OBS Studio: Download it from the official OBS website. Audio Device: Ensure you have a compatible audio device installed on your computer. Virtual Audio Cables (Optional): You might need Virtual Audio Cable or similar tools if you want to capture audio from specific applications.

Steps to Capture Specific Audio

Install OBS Studio
Head over to the official OBS website and download the latest version of OBS Studio. Once downloaded, run the installer to install OBS on your computer.
Open OBS Studio
Launch the application after the installation is complete. Set Up Your Scene
Create a new scene by going to File > New Scene. Add Audio Sources
You can add different types of audio sources to capture specific audio. Capture Desktop Audio
Select Audio > Add Source > Desktop Audio. Choose a name for your audio source (e.g., “Desktop Audio”) and click OK. In the next window, select your audio device (like your speakers or headphones) and click OK. Capture Specific Application Audio
Install a tool like Virtual Audio Cable if you need to capture audio from a specific application (like games or media players). Go back to OBS and select Audio > Add Source > Application. Follow the instructions to name your source and select the virtual audio cable as the device. Configure Audio Settings
Go to Settings > Audio to configure your audio settings. Ensure that your audio devices are correctly set up for both Desktop Audio and Mic/Auxiliary Audio. Monitor Audio Levels
In the main OBS interface, you should see audio level meters for the sources you added. Ensure they are picking up audio correctly by playing sound from the desired application. Start Recording or Streaming
Once everything is set up, you can start recording or streaming by clicking Start Recording or Start Streaming.

Tips

Audio Filters
You can add filters to your audio sources for noise suppression or gain adjustments by right-clicking the source and selecting Filters. Testing
Test your setup before going live or starting a long recording to ensure everything works as expected.

By following these steps, you should be able to capture specific audio sources in OBS Studio effectively, ensuring that your recordings and streams are of the highest quality.