Lawrence_SoCal
Active Member
I've been reading, but not sure Pro's and Con's / implications etc, so that I'd ask here. Per
My understanding of the options for the many DAWs that don't output Audio to Windows Audio subsystem that OBS natively can use as an input, is the options are
1. Physical loopback cable
I suspect, like most things technical, the Pro's & Con's ... depends ;^) [on requirements]
Personally, I'd like to know what the considerations are, and for more than just my scenario. As for my specific scenario (in case it matters), I'm looking at using a DAW as we do NOT (and won't ever) have a sound engineer physically at Mixer to handle mid-stream sound adjustments. The physical 12ch mixer is set for in-person attendees and almost never needs adjusting. For livestreaming, additional mics were needed and installed, and those are used for livestream (on a sub-mix) while Main Mix does not amplify/use those channels. The reason for me thinking about using DAW on PC is
1. Ability to selectively Mute microphones when not in use (the need for additional mics for livestream is causing an echo, I think). And based on what we are trying to capture, not really practical for a physical setting/setup that avoids this. I suspect DAW is complete overkill for just this use case, but how do I accomplish this without a DAW and/or access to physical mixer? Is this a case where the ASIO approach and seeing all mixer channels in OBS is the way to go?
2. Possibly maturing to point of using some audio filters/effects like compression. Obviously could do this in OBS itself (natively or with VST plug-ins), but to do so properly means get each channel into OBS (over 10 at this point), so using DAW instead may be easier?? TBD... and again, maybe the ASIO approach woudl cover this as well. With using a DAW being only for more sophisticated setups?
Anyway, any insight would be appreciated
My understanding of the options for the many DAWs that don't output Audio to Windows Audio subsystem that OBS natively can use as an input, is the options are
1. Physical loopback cable
To me, this seems less than ideal with a Digital to Analog conversion to out to physical cable, then reverse that on the input side. Seems half-assed at best. And I don't have a sound card in the OBS Streaming PC (though I could use 3.5mm TRRS audio out on back panel to 3.5audio port on front (which can handle mic input)
2. Virtual loopback cable/adapterTo me, this seems 'better' but I've seen plenty of negative comments about VoiceMeeter Banana in the multi-channel DAW use case. what I'm not sure of is whether such criticism is still warranted, if reliable work-arounds, etc?.
3. An adapter/plug-in for OBS to connect to DAW audio, like OBS-ASIO? On the one hand, I've read enumeration issues?? ... Can someone point me to an article/FAQ/something on this? Yes, I found ASIO for OBS on GitHub/Andersama/obs-asio/. Then again, in my case (Presonus AR12 USB), it has its own ASIO drivers, ...
So the whole driver (assuming USB connection from physical mixer to OBS PC?) and then plug-in for OBS to have access to audio channels?? I'm not sure what all would exactly be required. Articles I've read often gloss over important details (for the audio ignorant like myself).
4. I recently came across (again) reference to reastream VST 2.x plug-in and how that creates Main Audio out interface and OBS can then listen (and very low to almost Zero latency) on same PCTo me, this seems pretty good, though should I be concerned that plugin was last updated over 5 years ago?
5. Upgrading to DAW that supports a standard Windows Audio Out (like Presonus's Studio Pro v5's "Listen Bus" feature)?Unfortunately, I need nothing else from a S1 Pro upgrade, so seems expensive for such a limited functionality for me, especially if one of the above (free) options works reliably and without audio quality degradation
I suspect, like most things technical, the Pro's & Con's ... depends ;^) [on requirements]
Personally, I'd like to know what the considerations are, and for more than just my scenario. As for my specific scenario (in case it matters), I'm looking at using a DAW as we do NOT (and won't ever) have a sound engineer physically at Mixer to handle mid-stream sound adjustments. The physical 12ch mixer is set for in-person attendees and almost never needs adjusting. For livestreaming, additional mics were needed and installed, and those are used for livestream (on a sub-mix) while Main Mix does not amplify/use those channels. The reason for me thinking about using DAW on PC is
1. Ability to selectively Mute microphones when not in use (the need for additional mics for livestream is causing an echo, I think). And based on what we are trying to capture, not really practical for a physical setting/setup that avoids this. I suspect DAW is complete overkill for just this use case, but how do I accomplish this without a DAW and/or access to physical mixer? Is this a case where the ASIO approach and seeing all mixer channels in OBS is the way to go?
2. Possibly maturing to point of using some audio filters/effects like compression. Obviously could do this in OBS itself (natively or with VST plug-ins), but to do so properly means get each channel into OBS (over 10 at this point), so using DAW instead may be easier?? TBD... and again, maybe the ASIO approach woudl cover this as well. With using a DAW being only for more sophisticated setups?
Anyway, any insight would be appreciated