This is our complete guide on how to separate audio in OBS. We will walk you through putting your microphone, Discord, music, and optional game audio on their own mixer sources, then assigning the microphone, Discord, and music to separate recording tracks. This is useful when you want to change one source without changing everything else, especially when you are recording and editing the finished video. Let's get started.
Download OBS Studio
If you do not already have OBS Studio installed, download it from TheBreakdown.xyz/OBS. Install the newest version available, because this guide uses Application Audio Capture, which is a newer OBS feature and may still be described as beta in some versions.
Disable Desktop Audio and Set Your Microphone
Before adding Discord, music, or game audio, disable the global desktop audio source. If desktop audio stays enabled, OBS can capture everything sent to your computer's default output, which makes it harder to control each application separately.
- Open OBS Studio.
- Click File in the top-left corner, then select Settings.
- Open the Audio tab.
- Set Desktop Audio to Disabled.
- Under Mic/Auxiliary Audio, select your primary microphone.
- If you are not using additional microphones, leave the other microphone slots disabled.
- Click Apply, then click OK.
After you apply those settings, your microphone should be the only source shown in the audio mixer. That is what you want at this point. Desktop audio is disabled, and you can add each application separately instead of capturing all computer audio through one source.
Add Application Audio Capture for Discord
Next, add Discord as its own audio source. Do not use Audio Input Capture for this setup, because that is intended for an input device such as a microphone. Also skip Audio Output Capture, because that is the type of source that can bring back broad desktop audio. Application Audio Capture is the source we want.
- Select the scene where you want to use the source.
- In the Sources box, click the plus button.
- Choose Application Audio Capture.
- Create a new source, or use the source name OBS provides.
- Select Discord from the application list.
- Set the window matching option to Match title, otherwise window of the same executable.
- Click OK to add the source.
The window matching setting matters for Discord. Matching the title, and otherwise using a window of the same executable, should allow Discord audio to continue working when you move between different servers or Discord windows. The exact window title can change, so matching the same executable gives the source another way to identify Discord.
After the source is added, rename it so the mixer is easy to understand. Right-click the new source, choose Rename, and call it Discord. Clear names matter once you have several sources in the scene.
Discord should now have its own mixer control. You can adjust it without changing your microphone or any other application source.
Add Application Audio Capture for Music
You can add music the same way. In this example, the music application is Apple Music, but the process is based on the application that is playing the audio on your computer.
- Click the plus button in the Sources box again.
- Choose Application Audio Capture.
- Select the music application, such as Apple Music.
- Click OK.
- Rename the new source to Music.
Music now has its own mixer source, just like Discord. You can lower the music while leaving your microphone and Discord at their existing levels. This is also where separate sources become useful during a recording, because you do not have to change the volume of every sound at once.
Optional: Add Game Audio the Same Way
Game audio is optional, and it uses the same general process. Add another Application Audio Capture source, select the game window, and use the matching option that identifies the game you want to capture. You can then control the game audio separately from Discord, music, and your microphone.
The exact application name and window title depend on the game you are running, so select the game window that appears in your own Application Audio Capture list. This guide does not require a separate global desktop audio source for game audio.
Use Advanced Audio Properties and Assign Recording Tracks
Once your sources are in the mixer, right-click inside the audio mixer and select Advanced Audio Properties. This window gives you more control over volume, monitoring, and the recording tracks assigned to each source.
For this setup, assign the tracks as follows:
- Microphone: Track 1.
- Discord: Track 2.
- Music: Track 3.
Track assignment is done in Advanced Audio Properties. You do not need to enable tracks in Settings → Output → Advanced for this setup. The important part here is selecting the correct track for each source in Advanced Audio Properties.
Monitoring is optional. If you want to hear a source in your headphones, change its monitoring option in this window. However, be careful because monitoring a sound that you are already hearing through another path can make you hear it twice. That can be distracting and can make it harder to judge the actual recording.
Separate recording tracks are most useful when you are recording and editing. For example, you can remove music from a recording, lower a Discord conversation, or raise a friend who was too quiet without changing the other audio. Separate tracks are less important for a live stream, but they can still make it easier to control each source while you are live.
Adjust Volume in Decibels or Percentages
Advanced Audio Properties also lets you set the volume for each source. OBS can show volume as decibels or as percentages. Decibels are usually easier to reason about when you are adjusting audio, while percentages can be more familiar if you want to think in terms of a source being at 100 percent or 50 percent.
To change the volume display, use the volume control in Advanced Audio Properties and adjust the value shown for the source. Music often needs to be lower than the other sources, and a starting point around 30 can make sense for music in some setups. The correct level depends on your microphone, your friends, the game, and how loud the music is, so listen to the result instead of treating one number as universal.
With the sources separated, you can turn Discord down if a friend is too loud, lower music without lowering your voice, or adjust game audio on its own. The mixer should show the microphone, Discord, music, and any optional game source as separate controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I disable Desktop Audio in OBS?
Desktop Audio can capture broad computer audio through the default output device. Disabling it prevents OBS from combining multiple applications into one source, which lets you add Discord, music, and optional game audio separately with Application Audio Capture.
What is Application Audio Capture in OBS?
Application Audio Capture is a newer OBS source that captures audio from a selected application. In the newest OBS versions, it can be used to add applications such as Discord, Apple Music, or a game as separate mixer sources. The feature may still be described as beta depending on your OBS version.
Which recording track should each source use?
For the setup in this guide, put the microphone on Track 1, Discord on Track 2, and music on Track 3. Assign those tracks in Advanced Audio Properties.
Why are separate audio tracks useful for recording?
Separate tracks let you edit each source independently. You can remove music, lower Discord, or raise a quiet friend in your editing program without changing your microphone or the other sources. This is especially useful for recordings, while it is less important when you are only streaming.
Can I add game audio with the same method?
Yes. Add another Application Audio Capture source and select the game window from the application list. The exact title depends on the game, but the source can then be controlled separately from Discord, music, and your microphone.
Should I use decibels or percentages for volume?
Either option can work. Decibels are often easier to use for audio adjustments, while percentages can make the control more familiar. Music is often set lower than the other sources, and a value around 30 can be a reasonable starting point in some setups, but listen and adjust based on your own levels.
