How to Set Up Audio in OBS for Recording and Streaming?

Introduction

OBS Studio is a popular program for recording and streaming. However, without proper audio setup, even good equipment can sound poor: with echo, hissing, or delay. Let's walk through how to step-by-step configure microphone, system audio, and filters for perfect sound quality.

1. Check Input and Output Devices

  1. Open Settings → Audio.
  2. In Mic/Auxiliary Audio section, select your main microphone (USB, external card, etc.).
  3. In Desktop Audio section — select the source that will capture computer sounds.
  4. Click Apply and verify that audio meters are moving.

Tip: if you have multiple devices, keep only those actually in use to avoid echo.

2. Set Volume Levels

  • In the main OBS window at the bottom, find the audio mixer.
  • For microphone, volume should be around -10 dB to -5 dB.
  • For system audio — slightly lower, so voice isn't covered by music or game sounds.
🎚️ Ideal balance:
Microphone: -6 dB
System audio: -12 dB

3. Add Filters to Microphone

OBS allows adding filters to improve recording quality:

  1. Click the gear icon next to your microphone → Filters.
  2. Add in sequence:
    • Noise Suppression — removes background noise.
    • Noise Gate — disables microphone during silence.
    • Compressor — balances voice volume.
    • Limiter — prevents audio "clipping".

Example optimal filter order:

1. Noise Suppression
2. Noise Gate
3. Compressor
4. Limiter

4. Fix Delay and Echo

  • If you hear echo — disable the second microphone in sources.
  • If audio "lags" behind video:
    1. Go to Settings → Audio → Advanced.
    2. Add microphone delay in milliseconds (usually 100–200 ms).

5. Test Quality Before Streaming

  1. Click Start Recording and speak a few phrases.
  2. Check volume level and sound quality.
  3. If voice is too loud or quiet — adjust level in the mixer.

Tip: test audio in headphones to hear the real quality.

6. Additional Recommendations

  • Use an external microphone — quality is significantly better than built-in.
  • Save all settings to an OBS profile.
  • Regularly update OBS to the latest version.

Conclusion

Summary: properly configured audio in OBS is key to professional streaming or podcasting. Balance levels, add filters, and test before going live.

Before recording or streaming, test your microphone on DoCam.io.