Guides2025-03-206 min read
OBS Audio Setup – Mic, Desktop & Monitoring Guide
Set up your microphone and desktop audio in OBS Studio. Configure levels, add filters, and avoid common OBS audio mistakes.
Getting audio right in OBS is critical for streaming and recording quality.
Step 1: Test Your Mic First
Before touching OBS, confirm your mic works at miccheckonline.com/obs-mic-test. If it fails there, OBS will not fix it.
Step 2: Add Your Microphone in OBS
- In the Audio Mixer panel, click the gear icon on Mic/Aux
- Select Properties → choose your microphone device
- You should see the level meter move when you speak
Step 3: Set Correct Input Levels
Your mic should peak around -12dB to -6dB during normal speech. This leaves headroom without being too quiet.
If too low: increase mic gain in Windows, or add a Gain filter in OBS.
Step 4: Add Noise Suppression
- Right-click your mic in Audio Mixer → Filters
- Click + → Noise Suppression
- RNNoise = best quality, Speex = lower CPU
Step 5: Add a Compressor
- Filters → + → Compressor
- Ratio: 4:1, Threshold: -18dB, Attack: 6ms, Release: 60ms
Step 6: Configure Desktop Audio
- Settings → Audio → Desktop Audio → select your output device
- Keep desktop audio around -20dB so it does not overpower your voice
Common OBS Audio Mistakes
- Mic Boost too high → clipping
- No noise suppression → captures keyboard and fan noise
- Desktop audio louder than microphone