Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- OBS Studio allows you to capture multiple audio sources as separate tracks for easy editing and mixing
- Setting up audio tracks in OBS requires creating new audio sources and assigning them to different tracks
- Properly configuring audio tracks enables flexible post-production and clean audio separation
OBS Studio is a powerful open-source software for recording and live streaming video. One of its standout features is the ability to capture multiple audio sources as separate tracks simultaneously. This functionality is incredibly useful for content creators, streamers, and podcasters who need to record audio from different sources, such as microphones, game audio, and desktop audio, independently.
By recording separate audio tracks, you can easily edit, mix, and adjust the levels of each audio source during post-production, resulting in a polished final product with clean audio separation. This article will guide you through the process of setting up and recording separate audio tracks in OBS Studio.
Understanding Audio Sources and Tracks in OBS Studio
Before diving into the setup process, it’s essential to understand the concepts of audio sources and tracks in OBS Studio.
Audio Sources: These are the individual audio inputs that you want to capture, such as a microphone, desktop audio, or game audio. Each audio source represents a distinct audio signal that can be recorded or streamed.
Audio Tracks: Tracks are separate channels or layers within OBS Studio where you can assign and record your audio sources independently. By default, OBS Studio has a single audio track, but you can create additional tracks to separate your audio sources.
Setting Up Separate Audio Tracks in OBS Studio
Follow these steps to set up separate audio tracks in OBS Studio:
- Create New Audio Sources
- In the OBS Studio interface, click on the “+” icon at the bottom of the “Sources” box.
- Select the appropriate audio source type (e.g., “Audio Input Capture” for a microphone, “Audio Output Capture” for desktop audio).
- Configure the audio source settings as needed and click “OK” to add it to your sources list.
- Repeat this process for each audio source you want to capture separately.
- Create Additional Audio Tracks
- In the OBS Studio interface, click on the “Settings” button (or go to “File” > “Settings”).
- Navigate to the “Output” section and click on the “Audio” tab.
- Under the “Advanced” section, increase the “Track Count” value to the desired number of audio tracks you need (e.g., set it to 3 if you want three separate audio tracks).
- Click “OK” to apply the changes.
- Assign Audio Sources to Tracks
- In the OBS Studio interface, right-click on each audio source and select “Properties.”
- In the “Properties” window, navigate to the “Advanced Audio Properties” section.
- Under “Track,” select the desired track number to assign the audio source to that specific track.
- Repeat this process for each audio source, assigning them to different tracks as needed.
- Configure Audio Monitoring
- In the OBS Studio interface, click on the “Settings” button (or go to “File” > “Settings”).
- Navigate to the “Audio” section.
- Under the “Advanced” section, ensure that the “Track Monitor” option is enabled for each track you want to monitor during recording or streaming.
- Adjust the volume sliders for each track as desired.
- Start Recording or Streaming
- Once you have set up your audio sources and assigned them to separate tracks, you can start recording or streaming as usual.
- OBS Studio will capture each audio source on its assigned track, allowing you to edit and mix them independently during post-production.
- Use descriptive names for your audio sources to easily identify them during editing.
- Monitor your audio levels and adjust them as needed to avoid clipping or low volumes.
- Experiment with audio filters and effects, such as noise gates, compressors, and equalizers, to enhance the quality of your audio tracks.
- Regularly check for updates to OBS Studio, as new features and improvements are frequently added.
- Consider using a dedicated audio interface or mixer for more advanced audio routing and processing capabilities.
By following these steps, you can take advantage of OBS Studio’s powerful audio recording capabilities and capture separate audio tracks simultaneously. This will streamline your post-production workflow, allowing you to easily edit, mix, and fine-tune each audio source independently, resulting in a professional-quality final product.
