In my 2+ years working with OBS as a user, I don't recall a time when someone posted about audio where the problem was OBS.
When you say there was an update, to what? an OBS update? OS? I'm assuming OBS. Did you go from version 26 to v27? or an update within v27? The recent OBS v27.2 updated the OBS browser, which could/would impact plugins based on older browser interface. My point - check your plugins
Now, as for audio never being great - makes me think either OS setting, or the mic interface (getting the multitude of mic physical hardware interface standards to work with a PC seems plug 'n play, but there is more to matching a plug than just the physical interface (line level, etc). So, just because you can plug it in doesn't mean it will work. In my HoW setting, getting audio from a mixer (XLR output) required multiple adapters (using what was on hand) to get gain and other settings to work. And then, via a TRRS connection to front of PC worked, while supposedly same audio interface on back of PC tower didn't work right. go figure (with a Tier 1 business class PC, no less... oh, and the Realtek audio software on this PC isn't always a help. Figuring out how that s/w and the OS audio settings worked together... and then OS updates... yea, what ... fun )
My rule of thumb is getting Audio and Video working OUTSIDE OBS (OBS not even started/running) first, and only then integrate into OBS. I recommend using Windows Video Recorder to check audio and camera. I would not expect OBS to fix a bad audio setup. OBS can help, but 'garbage in, garbage out'. And if audio ok in a certain app, don't assume that means audio is ok for all apps on that same PC.
So as to avoid certain audio issues in my setup, I disable OBS' Global Audio inputs (ie Desktop Audio). I add only those audio sources I want, in the scenes I want them. that works for me. ymmv. I'll share these
OBS Audio related articles I've collected over time, maybe they might help
IF you want help, be sure follow the pinned post regarding posting an OBS log from a recording (or streaming session) at least 30 seconds, please. link in my .sig
