routing audio inputs

[helpful55]

I am just doing recording. What I want to do is record some video and audio with obs while using my speakers to listen to a different source. I can do this with two separate browsers or other sources for the inputs. Can I separate these using the built in obs routing?

 

[AaronD]

You probably want the Audio Monitoring part of the Advanced Audio Properties:

The UI design is not very good, but there are two destinations at that point in the audio chain:

• Output goes to the Tracks selection here. Track 1 goes to the Simple Streaming and Recording mode, and all 6 Tracks are available in the Advanced Streaming and Recording mode. (choose that mode in Settings -> Output) You can mix any number of things into each Track, but the Tracks do not mix with themselves. You can only stream one Track, and when you record multiple Tracks, they appear as alternative audio. You might use that for a different language, or descriptive audio, or a "minus one" mix for karaoke or other music practice, etc., all in the same recording file.
  • Or you can use it with a video editor that can pick those tracks back out again to mix later. Though keep in mind if you do that, that OBS is limited to 16 bits, and lossy compression on the way out. That's fine for distribution, but not so much for production. You might have quality issues if you push the post-production too hard with that workflow.
• Monitor goes to the physical device that you select in Settings -> Audio -> Advanced:

 

[helpful55]

Ok great. I will give that a try.

 

[Weijeff]

You probably want the Audio Monitoring part of the Advanced Audio Properties:
View attachment 92840
The UI design is not very good, but there are two destinations at that point in the audio chain:

• Output goes to the Tracks selection here. Track 1 goes to the Simple Streaming and Recording mode, and all 6 Tracks are available in the Advanced Streaming and Recording mode. (choose that mode in Settings -> Output) You can mix any number of things into each Track, but the Tracks do not mix with themselves. You can only stream one Track, and when you record multiple Tracks, they appear as alternative audio. You might use that for a different language, or descriptive audio, or a "minus one" mix for karaoke or other music practice, etc., all in the same recording file.
  • Or you can use it with a video editor that can pick those tracks back out again to mix later. Though keep in mind if you do that, that OBS is limited to 16 bits, and lossy compression on the way out. That's fine for distribution, but not so much for production. You might have quality issues if you push the post-production too hard with that workflow.
• Monitor goes to the physical device that you select in Settings -> Audio -> Advanced:

View attachment 92842

I actually can't figure out what these tracks do? What can I do by using these tracks?

 

[AaronD]

I actually can't figure out what these tracks do? What can I do by using these tracks?

I'm not sure what to say to that, except to copy/paste from what you quoted:

You can mix any number of things into each Track, but the Tracks do not mix with themselves. You can only stream one Track, and when you record multiple Tracks, they appear as alternative audio. You might use that for a different language, or descriptive audio, or a "minus one" mix for karaoke or other music practice, etc., all in the same recording file. Or you can use it with a video editor that can pick those tracks back out again to mix later, but that comes with problems...

Most of the time, you'll stream one and record the same one, and not use the others.