WTF is going on here??

[aaasc20]

Issue seems to be with Output. As soon as I play audio (i.e. in Youtube) the audio does this. Wont stop until I close OBS. Everything was working fine for months but now I'm suddenly having this issue. Can't even properly describe what's happening all I know is that it has to do with my output.

Here's a video of the audio issue: https://streamable.com/9ajask


This even happens when I have the regular Macbook speakers set as my output instead of the multi-output device seen in the video. Only happens when OBS is open and monitoring my desktop audio. Any ideas?

 

[AaronD]

monitoring my desktop audio

That would be it! Don't use the same device for both the Monitor and any Desktop or Output Capture. The Capture happens *after* everything is mixed together to send out, and that includes the Monitor.

If you Monitor that Capture, it creates a complete loop, so the sound never ends.
If you don't Monitor that Capture, then you just get a single echo of everything you do Monitor.

Don't use the same device for both the Monitor and any Desktop or Output Capture.

 

[aaasc20]

That would be it! Don't use the same device for both the Monitor and any Desktop or Output Capture. The Capture happens *after* everything is mixed together to send out, and that includes the Monitor.

If you Monitor that Capture, it creates a complete loop, so the sound never ends.
If you don't Monitor that Capture, then you just get a single echo of everything you do Monitor.

Don't use the same device for both the Monitor and any Desktop or Output Capture.

Thanks so much dude! Now I'm wondering:

1. Why was this never an issue before?
2. How to figure out a way to record desktop audio so that I can listen to videos while on stream

 

[AaronD]

Why was this never an issue before?

I'm pretty sure it's always worked like that. You might have just not had a configuration before, that created that loop.

How to figure out a way to record desktop audio so that I can listen to videos while on stream

Use different devices for your feed to OBS and for your physical output. One of those devices could be virtual, from installing something like this:

VB-Audio Virtual Apps

VB-Audio Virtual Cable and App's

vb-audio.com

or it could be an additional sound card (cheap USB should be fine) that goes nowhere. Output or Desktop Capture that "dummy plug" in OBS, and send the Monitor to your actual output. Then send everything you want OBS to pick up, to that "dummy plug".

 

[aaasc20]

I'm pretty sure it's always worked like that. You might have just not had a configuration before, that created that loop.


Use different devices for your feed to OBS and for your physical output. One of those devices could be virtual, from installing something like this:

VB-Audio Virtual Apps

VB-Audio Virtual Cable and App's

vb-audio.com

or it could be an additional sound card (cheap USB should be fine) that goes nowhere. Output or Desktop Capture that "dummy plug" in OBS, and send the Monitor to your actual output. Then send everything you want OBS to pick up, to that "dummy plug".

Thanks a lot dude. Been looking everywhere for answers but can't find any videos to help so thanks a lot!

I actually use VB Cable now. My current setup that's giving me problems is here: https://imgur.com/a/0duIuw4

In Sound Settings, I use Multi-Output Device > VB Cable + Macbook Speakers (as seen in video in OP) as my Sound Output and that's how I've been able to watch and hear Youtube when streaming.

In OBS, my current "Audio Output Capture" device is VB Cable in Properties. As stated above, I've configured my sound settings on Macbook to use VB Cable + Macbook Speakers as the Multi-Output Device

If I'm understanding you correctly, I should:

1. Create 1 Audio Output Capture strictly for VB Cable (this is the "dummy plug" that goes nowhere). So in Properties I would select VB Cable and in Advanced Audio Properties for this scene, I would select "Monitor Off" so that it "goes nowhere".
2. Then create another Audio Output Capture for my Macbook Speakers and set Advanced Audio Properties to the "Monitor Only (mute only)" setting?

The issue I showed in OP seems to come and go. Like right now it's working but after tinkering with stuff in OBS the issue has stopped. But I fear it will return mid-stream.

 

[AaronD]

I actually use VB Cable now. My current setup that's giving me problems is here: https://imgur.com/a/0duIuw4

Oh yeah, I forgot you had that. It *is* in your OP. I've just been reading so many similar posts that they kinda ran together.

In Sound Settings, I use Multi-Output Device > VB Cable + Macbook Speakers (as seen in video in OP) as my Sound Output and that's how I've been able to watch and hear Youtube when streaming.

What's your "Multi-Output Device?"

Create 1 Audio Output Capture strictly for VB Cable (this is the "dummy plug" that goes nowhere). So in Properties I would select VB Cable and in Advanced Audio Properties for this scene, I would select "Monitor Off" so that it "goes nowhere".

The "dummy plug" that goes nowhere, is a hardware device. Get a dirt cheap USB sound card, stick it in a port somewhere, and don't wire it to anything. Then Output Capture that physical device.

But since you already have VB Cable, we can go with that instead.

I think you say you have this:

+-------+
| App 1 |-------+
+-------+       |
                |
+-------+       V
| App 2 |-------+
+-------+       |
                |
+-------+       V           +-----------+       +-----------+
| App 3 |-------+---------->| VB Cable  |------>| Speakers  |
+-------+       ^       +---|           |       +-----------+
                |       |   +-----------+
                |       |
                |       |   +-------+
                |       +-->|  OBS  |---+
                |           +-------+   |
                |                       |
                +-----------------------+

The loop should be obvious now. You need to break that loop. Maybe something like this:

+-------+
| App 1 |-------+
+-------+       |
                |
+-------+       V
| App 2 |-------+
+-------+       |
                |
+-------+       V           +-----------+               +-----------+
| App 3 |-------+---------->| VB Cable  |-------+------>| Speakers  |
+-------+               +---|           |       ^       +-----------+
                        |   +-----------+       |
                        |                       |
                        |   +-------+           |
                        +-->|  OBS  |-----------+
                            +-------+