Help! Brand new, just downloaded/installed OBS, just made first test recordings --- the AUDIO is terrible (muffled)

[misphit]

Brand new to all this, just downloaded/installed OBS, just made first test recordings --- the AUDIO is terrible (muffled) in every test, even though I'm using very hi-quality microphone which works perfectly for all my music and other recordings (which are all recorded using this same Win 10 computer). So the problem has to be with OBS, but I can't see anything in its settings that obviously need changing. Any helpful thoughts?

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

So the problem has to be with OBS,

Uh, no, that is NOT what that means.

but I can't see anything in its settings that obviously need changing. Any helpful thoughts?

One issue you may come across is that the Windows Audio sub-system is basically pathetic
With a good mic, I'm guessing you are using ASIO and/or a DAW?
But typical DAW won't output to Windows Audio (again, 'cuz windows audio), but some do, and there are workarounds (some better than others)

The common refrain you will hear is to do your audio adjusting outside of OBS Studio, and then after all audio processing input into OBS Studio (vs using OBS Studio's audio filter/effects, etc).. ymmv

So,
1. don't ignore the pinned post regarding OBS Studio log when asking for help/support (link in my .sig). Personally, I advise checking it yourself, and first/foremost making sure all audio using same sampling rate
2. Share with the community your specific physical and software audio path
3. if top-notch audio quality is important to you, you may want to look into adding Core AAC audio encoder to your computer for OBS Studio to use

OBS Studio is a powerful, complex tool. Expect to take some time to learn its nuances. I am much more of a person who learns by reading vs watching a video, so from a non-gamer perspective, the StreamGeeks (PTZ Optics) free OBS Studio eBook may be a good starting point

Also,
- hopefully you have come across OBS Studio's Advanced Audio Properties and understand the difference between Monitor and Output.
- and then there is the basic of which audio device are you using to pick up your mic? In OBS Studio Settings, I disabled ALL global audio devices, and then added (and learning difference between referenced and duplicated sources) specific Audio source for my mic (from mixer) to appropriate Scene(s)

 

[koala]

AUDIO is terrible (muffled) in every test, even though I'm using very hi-quality microphone

Make sure your OBS recordings actually use your hi-quality mic and not any other microphone you might have. You might have a webcam that comes with its own mic. You might have a laptop that has a built-in mic. You might have a headset with a mic. OBS activates the default recording device and adds it to the recorded audio by default, so it might for example happen it activates your headset mic in your drawer and records through this, or some other mic, instead of your intended mic. More cannot be said about this unless you post a logfile with a recording attempt that exhibits the muffled audio.