Recording game audio without capturing any background noise or external sounds is a common requirement for gamers, streamers, and content creators. Open Broadcasting Software (OBS) is a popular choice for recording and streaming games due to its flexibility and customization options. However, by default, OBS records all audio inputs, including system sounds, microphone audio, and game audio. In this article, we will explore how to configure OBS to record only game audio, ensuring that your recordings are clean and professional.
Understanding OBS Audio Settings
To record game audio only, it’s essential to understand the audio settings in OBS. The software allows you to configure multiple audio inputs, including system sounds, microphone audio, and game audio. By default, OBS records all audio inputs, which can result in a mix of game audio, system sounds, and background noise. To isolate game audio, you need to adjust the audio settings and configure the software to prioritize game audio over other inputs.
Configuring Audio Inputs
To configure audio inputs in OBS, follow these steps:
Navigate to the Settings panel in OBS by clicking on the “Settings” button in the bottom-right corner of the main window. In the Settings panel, click on the “Audio” tab. In the Audio tab, you will see a list of available audio inputs, including system sounds, microphone audio, and game audio. To record game audio only, you need to disable all other audio inputs and configure the game audio input as the primary audio source.
Disabling System Sounds and Microphone Audio
To disable system sounds and microphone audio, follow these steps:
In the Audio tab, locate the “System Sounds” and “Microphone Audio” inputs. Click on the minus (-) button next to each input to disable them. Alternatively, you can also mute these inputs by clicking on the speaker icon next to each input. Once you have disabled system sounds and microphone audio, the only audio input that should be active is the game audio input.
Configuring Game Audio Settings
To configure game audio settings in OBS, follow these steps:
In the Audio tab, locate the “Game Audio” input. Click on the gear icon next to the Game Audio input to access the advanced settings. In the advanced settings, you can configure the game audio input to use a specific audio device, such as a sound card or a virtual audio cable. You can also adjust the audio bitrate, sample rate, and channels to optimize the game audio quality.
Using a Virtual Audio Cable
A virtual audio cable is a software-based audio device that allows you to route audio signals between applications. Using a virtual audio cable, you can isolate game audio and prevent system sounds and background noise from being recorded. To use a virtual audio cable in OBS, follow these steps:
Download and install a virtual audio cable software, such as Virtual Audio Cable or VoiceMeeter. Configure the virtual audio cable software to create a new audio device. In OBS, navigate to the Audio tab and select the virtual audio cable device as the game audio input. This will allow you to route game audio through the virtual audio cable and isolate it from system sounds and background noise.
Adjusting Audio Bitrate and Sample Rate
Adjusting the audio bitrate and sample rate can significantly impact the quality of your game audio recordings. A higher bitrate and sample rate will result in higher quality audio, but may also increase the file size and processing requirements. To adjust the audio bitrate and sample rate in OBS, follow these steps:
In the Audio tab, locate the “Game Audio” input. Click on the gear icon next to the Game Audio input to access the advanced settings. In the advanced settings, adjust the audio bitrate and sample rate to your desired settings. For example, you can set the bitrate to 128 kbps and the sample rate to 44.1 kHz for a balanced quality and file size.
Testing and Verifying Game Audio Settings
Once you have configured the game audio settings in OBS, it’s essential to test and verify that the settings are working correctly. To test the game audio settings, follow these steps:
Start a game or a video playback in the background. In OBS, start a recording or a stream. Monitor the audio levels and verify that only game audio is being recorded. You can use the audio meters in OBS to monitor the audio levels and adjust the settings as needed.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues with game audio recording in OBS, here are some common problems and troubleshooting steps:
| Issue | Troubleshooting Steps |
|---|---|
| Game audio not being recorded | Verify that the game audio input is enabled and configured correctly. Check that the virtual audio cable software is installed and configured correctly. Restart OBS and try again. |
| System sounds or background noise being recorded | Verify that system sounds and microphone audio are disabled. Check that the virtual audio cable software is configured correctly. Adjust the audio settings and try again. |
Conclusion
Recording game audio only in OBS requires careful configuration of the audio settings and inputs. By disabling system sounds and microphone audio, configuring the game audio input, and using a virtual audio cable, you can isolate game audio and prevent background noise and system sounds from being recorded. Remember to test and verify your game audio settings to ensure that they are working correctly. With these tips and tricks, you can optimize OBS for game audio recording and produce high-quality recordings that are free from background noise and system sounds. By following these steps, you can take your game audio recordings to the next level and create professional-sounding content that engages and entertains your audience.
What are the system requirements for running OBS smoothly for game audio recording?
To run OBS smoothly for game audio recording, your system should meet certain requirements. The minimum requirements include a multi-core processor, at least 4 GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card. However, for optimal performance, it is recommended to have a more powerful system with a recent-generation processor, 8 GB or more of RAM, and a high-end graphics card. Additionally, having a 64-bit operating system, such as Windows 10 or macOS, is also essential for running OBS without any issues.
Having a powerful system is crucial for handling the demands of game audio recording, as it allows for smoother video and audio capture, as well as faster encoding and rendering. If your system does not meet the recommended requirements, you may experience issues such as lag, dropped frames, or poor audio quality. Therefore, it is essential to check your system’s specifications before installing OBS and to consider upgrading your hardware if necessary. By doing so, you can ensure that your system can handle the demands of game audio recording and provide high-quality output.
How do I configure OBS for game audio recording to achieve the best possible sound quality?
Configuring OBS for game audio recording requires attention to several settings to achieve the best possible sound quality. First, you need to select the correct audio input device, which is usually the microphone or the game’s audio output. Then, you need to adjust the audio settings, such as the sample rate, bitrate, and format, to match your requirements. It is also essential to enable the “Use custom audio device” option and select the correct audio device for your game. Additionally, you can adjust the audio filters, such as noise reduction and gain, to enhance the sound quality.
To further optimize the audio settings, you can use the “Audio Mixer” feature in OBS, which allows you to adjust the levels of different audio sources, such as the game audio, microphone, and music. You can also use the “Advanced Audio Settings” to adjust the audio delay, sync offset, and other settings to fine-tune the audio output. By carefully configuring these settings, you can achieve high-quality game audio that is free from distortion, noise, and other issues. It is also recommended to test your audio settings before recording to ensure that they are working as expected and make any necessary adjustments.
What are the best audio settings for recording game audio in OBS, and how do I adjust them?
The best audio settings for recording game audio in OBS depend on several factors, such as the type of game, the audio input device, and the desired sound quality. However, some general guidelines include setting the sample rate to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, the bitrate to 128 kbps or 256 kbps, and the format to AAC or MP3. You can also adjust the audio filters, such as noise reduction and gain, to enhance the sound quality. Additionally, you can use the “Audio Mixer” feature in OBS to adjust the levels of different audio sources and create a custom audio mix.
To adjust the audio settings in OBS, you need to go to the “Settings” menu and select the “Audio” tab. From there, you can adjust the audio input device, sample rate, bitrate, and format, as well as enable or disable audio filters and adjust their settings. You can also use the “Advanced Audio Settings” to adjust the audio delay, sync offset, and other settings to fine-tune the audio output. It is recommended to experiment with different audio settings to find the best combination for your specific use case and to test your audio settings before recording to ensure that they are working as expected.
How do I reduce background noise and echo in my game audio recordings using OBS?
Reducing background noise and echo in game audio recordings using OBS can be achieved through several methods. One way is to use the “Noise Reduction” filter, which can be found in the “Audio Mixer” section of OBS. This filter uses advanced algorithms to reduce background noise and hiss, resulting in cleaner and more professional-sounding audio. Another way is to use the “Noise Gate” filter, which can be used to remove background noise and hum by setting a threshold below which the audio signal is cut off. You can also use the “Expander” filter to reduce echo and ambiance.
To use these filters effectively, you need to adjust their settings carefully. For example, you can adjust the “Noise Reduction” filter’s settings, such as the noise reduction amount and the attack and release times, to fine-tune its performance. You can also adjust the “Noise Gate” filter’s settings, such as the threshold and the attack and release times, to optimize its performance. Additionally, you can use the “Audio Mixer” feature in OBS to adjust the levels of different audio sources and create a custom audio mix that minimizes background noise and echo. By using these filters and adjusting their settings carefully, you can significantly reduce background noise and echo in your game audio recordings.
Can I use external audio equipment with OBS for game audio recording, and how do I set it up?
Yes, you can use external audio equipment with OBS for game audio recording, such as microphones, audio interfaces, and mixers. Using external audio equipment can significantly improve the sound quality of your recordings and provide more flexibility and control over your audio settings. To set up external audio equipment with OBS, you need to connect the equipment to your computer and select it as the audio input device in OBS. You can then adjust the audio settings in OBS to optimize the sound quality and configure the equipment to work with your game audio.
To set up external audio equipment with OBS, you need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting the equipment to your computer. Once connected, you can select the equipment as the audio input device in OBS by going to the “Settings” menu and selecting the “Audio” tab. From there, you can select the external audio equipment as the audio input device and adjust the audio settings, such as the sample rate, bitrate, and format, to optimize the sound quality. You can also use the “Audio Mixer” feature in OBS to adjust the levels of different audio sources and create a custom audio mix. By using external audio equipment with OBS, you can achieve high-quality game audio that is free from distortion, noise, and other issues.
How do I troubleshoot common audio issues in OBS, such as distortion, noise, and syncing problems?
Troubleshooting common audio issues in OBS, such as distortion, noise, and syncing problems, requires a systematic approach. First, you need to identify the source of the issue, which could be the audio input device, the game audio, or the OBS settings. Then, you can try adjusting the audio settings, such as the sample rate, bitrate, and format, to see if it resolves the issue. You can also try using audio filters, such as noise reduction and gain, to enhance the sound quality. Additionally, you can check the OBS logs and the system event logs to see if there are any error messages that can help you diagnose the issue.
To troubleshoot syncing problems, you can try adjusting the audio delay and sync offset settings in OBS to ensure that the audio and video are in sync. You can also try using the “Audio Mixer” feature in OBS to adjust the levels of different audio sources and create a custom audio mix. If the issue persists, you can try updating your audio drivers, checking for firmware updates for your audio equipment, and ensuring that your system meets the minimum requirements for running OBS. By following these steps, you can troubleshoot common audio issues in OBS and achieve high-quality game audio that is free from distortion, noise, and syncing problems. It is also recommended to test your audio settings before recording to ensure that they are working as expected and make any necessary adjustments.