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.
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By Naren · Founder, MicCheck Online
Software Engineer · Last reviewed:
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OBS Mic Test →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