Question / Help Streaming w/ 2 sound cards

[InfurnoBurnz]

I am currently running on-board audio to my headset: which is isolated to mumble transmissions. I am using a discrete sound card for all other audio transmissions, game sounds, itunes or pandora. I am unable to get mumble transmissions to stream save for my own transmissions and not the rest of the members. Any way to resolve this??

i7 2700k @ 4.6
Asus Z77 Sabertooth
Creative Fatality PCiE

 

[dodgepong]

Where does the sound that is sent to the discrete sound card go? Do you have speakers set up there? You said that Mumble is the only thing going to your headphones...

OBS outputs the audio that is sent to your default audio device, which sounds like your discrete card. If you want to keep the two sound streams separate for your own purposes, but want them combined for the stream, you will need to use a program like VAC to route both of them to the same audio device (probably a virtual one) and then stream that device.

 

[InfurnoBurnz]

I am using my on board sound card to transmit incoming mumble transmission. I am using my discrete sound card for all other audio, games, music and outgoing mumble transmission. So I am utilizing the PCie card to output both to my speakers using green, orange, black and my headset using the microphone jack for outgoing communication. Hope this makes sense.

 

[dodgepong]

I think so...you're saying your headphones are plugged into the output of the onboard card, and Mumble's Audio Output is sent to the output of the audio card, so you hear Mumble in your Headphones. Other than that, you have your discrete card set as the default audio device, and speakers plugged in there so you can hear music/game sounds out of your speakers but not Mumble. And apparently your microphone is plugged into the discrete card, too.

If you want to keep that setup, then yes, you'll have to get Virtual Audio Cable (or a full-on sound mixing board) to add Mumble to your stream but not to your speakers.

 

[InfurnoBurnz]

That's it! Exactly how I have it set up. I have searched for tutorials for VAC but it appears to be a tad overwhelming as I am not fluent with this. Any tips for setting this up or a good tutorial link? Thanks for your help.

 

[dodgepong]

It's funny, most people have the opposite problem from you, because they want to stream with game audio, but not Mumble audio...you're trying to unsolve the problem that most people are trying to solve :)

The easiest solution without VAC is to just send all your audio to the same device, output that to your headphones, and set that device as your default device. It means everything would be in the headphones and nothing in the speakers...though I have to admit, your current setup seems odd to me as it is. But to each his own.

 

[InfurnoBurnz]

What I am essentially trying to accomplish is have my mumble communications isolated thru my headphones and my game and other audio routed thru my main speaker setup. I have no need to play games or other audio thru my headphones. Is there a more accurate way to accomplish this? I figured my discrete card has a better mic input and has better audio output which is why I have it set up this way. Again I am fairly new to this and any info is helpful.

 

[dodgepong]

Right, you have no need to, but playing all audio on the same device is the easiest way to solve your stream problem. Another option is to go into your Recording Devices > Stereo Mix for your discrete card > Properties > Listen and check the box and select your Onboard audio to listen to it. Then Mumble will also play out your speakers, but it will also play in your headphones with no other game audio. That's probably not idea either.

If you don't want to change your current audio setup at all, then you'll have to buy VAC and use that, and even then, it will be a sub-optimal setup until OBS adds support to be able to change the source of your Primary audio.

To use VAC with your setup, here is what you need to do:

1. Open VAC Control panel and create 1 Virtual Sound Card (Line 1).
2. In your recording devices, go into the Properties for the Stereo Mixes for both of your physical sound cards, and your microphone. Go to the Listen tab and check the box to Listen to this device, and select Line 1 for the device that should listen to it. (If your stereo mixes aren't shown, right-click -> show disabled devices and enable them). So all 3 devices (2 Stereo Mixes and 1 Mic) should all be listened by Line 1.
3. In OBS, Mute your Desktop sound and change your Microphone selection from your actual microphone to Line 1.

If it all went well, I believe this will get you what you want. It's not ideal, but it should work.

 

[InfurnoBurnz]

Yea I see what you are saying about using 2 different audio sources. The problem I have is trying to hear mumble communication either over game audio files on main speakers or thru headphones. I do not want to have to struggle to hear the mumble communication and this isolates the communication so this does not happen. I mean my mic is on my headphones so I have to wear it anyway? I will use the settings you provided to see if my results are what you posted.

 

[dodgepong]

Mumble has an attenuate feature that makes other sounds quieter when others are speaking...maybe you should look into that?