Recording Discord audio separately in OBS can be a game-changer for content creators who want more control over their final output. Let’s break down how to achieve this and why it’s so valuable for your streaming or recording setup.
Why Separate Discord Audio Matters
Think about those moments when you’re recording gameplay with friends, and someone’s microphone suddenly peaks or there’s an unexpected background noise. When everything’s mixed together, these audio hiccups can ruin an otherwise perfect recording. By separating Discord audio, you’re essentially giving yourself an insurance policy against these common audio mishaps.
Setting Up Virtual Audio Cables
First, you’ll need to install virtual audio cable software – VB-Audio VoiceMeeter is a popular free option that I’ve found incredibly reliable. Think of it as creating invisible audio pipes in your computer that can route different sounds to different destinations.
Basic Configuration Steps
1. Install VoiceMeeter Banana or Potato
2. Set Discord’s output to one of your virtual cables
3. Add this virtual cable as a separate audio source in OBS
4. Configure your desktop audio to use a different output
Discord Settings Configuration
Here’s where the magic happens. In Discord’s audio settings, change your output device to your virtual cable. I always tell my friends to imagine this as creating a separate lane on a highway – Discord’s audio traffic now has its own dedicated path to OBS.
OBS Audio Setup
In OBS, you’ll want to create two distinct audio tracks:
– Track 1: Your main desktop audio
– Track 2: The virtual cable carrying Discord audio
Pro tip: Always do a quick test recording before any important session. I learned this the hard way in 2025 when I recorded an entire podcast only to find the audio routing wasn’t quite right!
Fine-Tuning Your Setup
Once you’ve got the basic setup working, you can start playing with audio levels. I recommend keeping Discord at about 75% of your game volume – this gives you enough headroom to adjust in post-production without losing clarity in either source.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you’re experiencing echo or feedback:
– Double-check that Discord isn’t outputting to multiple devices
– Ensure your monitoring settings in OBS aren’t creating loops
– Verify that your desktop audio isn’t picking up the Discord feed
Remember, this setup might take some trial and error to perfect, but once you’ve got it dialed in, you’ll have much more flexibility in editing and mixing your content. It’s like having separate ingredients while cooking – you can adjust the balance until it’s just right, rather than being stuck with a pre-mixed solution.
