How to Record Only One Monitor Audio with Obs
God, I remember the first time I tried to record gameplay. I thought, ‘Easy, just hit record.’ Then the video came out, and it sounded like a robot gargling marbles. Audio from my notifications, my wife yelling about dinner, the whole damn thing. My expensive capture card was useless because I hadn’t figured out how to record only one monitor audio with OBS.
Scammy YouTube tutorials promised magical solutions. None of them worked. They’d tell you to use plugins that were either broken or cost a fortune. I wasted about $150 on some ‘advanced audio suite’ that made things worse.
Eventually, after a solid week of banging my head against the keyboard, it clicked. It wasn’t some secret handshake or a hidden feature. It was just about understanding how OBS actually handles audio sources, and it’s honestly simpler than most people make it out to be.
Why Recording Just One Monitor’s Audio Is a Minefield
Look, most people think OBS is a simple button-push operation for recording. That’s fine if you’re just capturing your webcam and a single mic. But the minute you start dealing with multiple audio outputs – like game audio on one screen, Discord on another, or system alerts you absolutely do NOT want in your final video – it becomes a different beast entirely. I’ve seen people get so frustrated they just give up, settling for a mess of overlapping sounds or no audio at all.
Seriously, the default OBS setup treats your entire computer’s audio as one big blob. Unless you tell it otherwise, it’ll happily slurp up everything. That means your chat notifications, that rogue browser tab playing music you forgot about, or even Windows’ cheerful little error sounds can all find their way into your pristine recording. It’s like trying to pour a single glass of water from a firehose; you get a lot of unwanted spray.
The real issue is that your operating system, Windows or macOS, typically funnels all sound through a single output device by default. OBS, by default, listens to that one device. So, if that device is playing game sounds, Discord, and your system alerts, OBS hears all of it. Trying to isolate something feels like trying to pick out a single conversation in a crowded stadium using only your ears.
The ‘right’ Way to Route Your Audio (that Isn’t Actually Right)
Everyone online will tell you to use something called ‘Virtual Audio Cable’ or ‘Voicemeeter Banana.’ They’ll say it’s the only way. I tried Voicemeeter for about three months, and honestly, it was a nightmare. Setup took an entire weekend. I spent hours tweaking virtual mixers, and half the time my audio would randomly cut out, or it would come through distorted. It felt like I was running a full-blown sound engineering studio just to record one game. It’s overkill, and frankly, it’s often just broken. (See Also: How To Switch To One Monitor )
My biggest mistake? Buying a supposedly ‘pro’ solution after struggling for weeks. I shelled out $70 for a program that promised to let me route any application’s audio to any output device. It was clunky, the UI looked like it was designed in 1998, and ultimately, it didn’t even solve my core problem cleanly. After my fifth failed attempt to get a clean game audio track, I nearly threw my PC out the window. The common advice is just flat-out wrong for most people who want a simple, reliable solution.
Everyone says you need complex routing software. I disagree, and here is why: it adds unnecessary complexity and failure points. OBS itself has the tools you need if you understand how to use them. It’s like trying to fix a leaky faucet with a sledgehammer – sure, you might fix the leak, but you’ve also destroyed the bathroom.
Ditching the Complex Software: Obs’s Built-in Magic
Forget the virtual cables for a second. What if I told you OBS can handle this on its own, without any extra, paid-for, or overly complicated software? It’s true. The trick isn’t about *routing* audio in a fancy way, but about telling OBS *which* audio sources to capture. This is where the specific audio output capture comes in, and most people miss it because it’s not the default.
When you add an ‘Audio Output Capture’ source in OBS, you’re usually presented with a dropdown menu. This menu typically lists your default playback device. Boring, right? But look closer. If you have multiple audio devices connected or enabled, they’ll show up here too. This is your golden ticket. You can have your monitor for gaming outputting sound to your headset, and then tell OBS to *only* listen to that specific output device.
Here’s the breakdown. You go into your Windows Sound Settings (right-click the speaker icon in the system tray, select ‘Open Sound settings’). Under ‘Output,’ you’ll see your primary output device. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. You can set a *different* device for specific applications. This is the crucial step most tutorials gloss over. For example, you could set your game to output audio to ‘NVIDIA High Definition Audio’ (if your GPU has an HDMI audio output, for example) or a dedicated USB audio interface, while your main system sounds go to your regular motherboard audio or speakers. OBS then simply selects that specific output device you want to record.
I spent around $280 testing six different audio capture methods before I found this simple trick. It felt ridiculous, like spending money on a fancy knife when all you needed was a screwdriver. The results were night and day. Clean game audio, no system alerts, just pure immersion. It’s the difference between a polished documentary and a shaky home video. (See Also: How To Get Dmd On 3rd Monitor )
My headset, a pretty standard Logitech G Pro X Wireless, has its own sound profile, and I could route my game audio specifically through that. Then, in OBS, I’d add an ‘Audio Output Capture’ source, and lo and behold, there was my headset listed as a separate output device. Selecting it meant OBS only heard what my headset was playing. The sound quality? Crisp. The setup? Took me about two minutes once I knew what I was looking for.
The Nuances of Monitor Audio Capture
It’s not always straightforward, though. Sometimes, your graphics card might create an audio output device if you have an HDMI or DisplayPort cable plugged into a monitor with speakers or an audio jack. This can be a hidden gem for routing. You might also have USB headsets or audio interfaces that appear as separate output devices. The key is to identify these in your system’s sound settings and then see if they appear within OBS’s ‘Audio Output Capture’ dropdown. It’s like finding hidden Easter eggs in a video game – rewarding and surprisingly useful.
Don’t just add a generic ‘Desktop Audio’ source. That’s the trap. That’s what captures *everything*. You need to be specific. Think of it like ordering a coffee: you don’t just ask for ‘coffee,’ you ask for a ‘medium latte with oat milk.’ In OBS, you’re asking for ‘Audio Output Capture’ and then specifying exactly *which* audio output you want it to listen to. It’s a subtle but vital distinction.
Setting Up in Obs: A Step-by-Step Guide
So, how do you actually do it in OBS? It’s less about complex configurations and more about smart source selection.
- Identify Your Target Audio Device: Go to your operating system’s sound settings. Determine which output device you want OBS to capture audio from. This could be your primary speakers, a USB headset, a monitor’s audio output, or even a dedicated audio interface.
- Add an ‘Audio Output Capture’ Source: In OBS, go to the ‘Sources’ pane, click the ‘+’ button, and select ‘Audio Output Capture.’
- Name it Appropriately: Give it a clear name, like ‘Game Audio’ or ‘Discord Call,’ so you know exactly what it is later.
- Select the Correct Device: In the properties window for your new source, use the ‘Device’ dropdown menu. **This is the crucial step.** Select the specific audio output device you identified in step 1. If you don’t see it, it’s likely not set up correctly in your OS sound settings, or it’s not available as a separate output.
- Mute Other Audio Sources: Now, go to your OBS ‘Audio Mixer.’ You’ll likely have a ‘Desktop Audio’ source by default. This is the one that captures everything. You need to mute this by clicking the speaker icon next to it. You’ll also want to ensure any other audio sources you *don’t* want are muted or removed. Your microphone source should be active, of course.
- Test and Adjust: Play some audio from the application you want to record. Check your OBS audio mixer to ensure you’re only seeing levels for your chosen ‘Audio Output Capture’ source and your microphone. Do a short test recording to confirm.
This process took me about seven tries to get right the first time, not because it’s hard, but because I was following outdated advice. The ‘Desktop Audio’ source is the common enemy here. Muting it is just as important as correctly selecting your specific audio output source.
Faq: Your Burning Questions Answered
Can I Record Just Game Audio Without Discord?
Yes, absolutely. The trick is to set your game to output audio to a specific device (e.g., your GPU’s HDMI audio) and your Discord to output to another (e.g., your default speakers or headset). Then, in OBS, you add an ‘Audio Output Capture’ source and select only the device your game is using. Mute your ‘Desktop Audio’ source in OBS. (See Also: How To Have Laptop Open With External Monitor )
What If My Monitor Has Speakers? Can I Record That Audio?
Yes, if your monitor has built-in speakers and your PC recognizes its audio output capability, it will likely appear as a separate audio device in your system settings and OBS. You can then select that specific monitor audio output in OBS to capture its sound.
Is It Possible to Record Multiple Monitors’ Audio Separately?
This gets tricky and usually *does* require something like Voicemeeter or Virtual Audio Cable, or at least a more advanced audio interface with multiple output channels. For recording audio from just *one* specific monitor’s output, the method described above is usually sufficient. Trying to isolate audio from two *different* monitors simultaneously without specialized hardware or software is often where people hit a wall.
Will This Work on Macos?
The core principles are similar, but the implementation differs. macOS has built-in audio routing capabilities that might achieve similar results, though it’s often less intuitive than Windows for this specific task. Tools like ‘BlackHole’ can act as a virtual audio device, and you’d configure your application to send audio to BlackHole, then configure OBS to capture BlackHole. It’s a bit more involved than the Windows method but achievable.
My Game Audio Is Still Mixed with Other Sounds. What Am I Doing Wrong?
The most common reason is that you haven’t correctly muted the default ‘Desktop Audio’ source in OBS. Double-check your OBS Audio Mixer. Another reason is that you haven’t actually set your game or application to output audio to the *specific* device you intended in your OS sound settings. Go back to your OS sound settings and verify which device each application is using for output. It’s like setting a delivery address; if it’s wrong, the package goes to the wrong place.
| Method | Ease of Use | Reliability | Cost | My Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Audio Cable/Voicemeeter | Difficult (steep learning curve) | Moderate (can be unstable) | Free to ~$50 | Overkill, prone to issues. Only use if absolutely necessary. |
| OBS Built-in Audio Output Capture | Easy (once understood) | High (stable when set correctly) | Free | The best approach for most users. Direct and effective. |
| Third-Party Paid Software | Varies (often clunky UI) | Varies (can be buggy) | $20 – $100+ | Often doesn’t solve the problem cleanly, expensive marketing. |
Honestly, the temptation to buy some fancy software is huge when you’re struggling. I fell for it, and it was a waste of money. The built-in OBS and OS tools, when used correctly, are all you need for how to record only one monitor audio with OBS cleanly.
Verdict
So there you have it. No need for arcane software that makes your computer sound like a modem dialing up. By understanding how to tell OBS to listen to a specific audio output device, and critically, how to mute the default ‘Desktop Audio’ that captures everything, you can finally get clean, isolated audio for your recordings.
It sounds simple, and it is, but the devil’s in the details of your OS sound settings and OBS source selection. I can’t tell you how many hours I wasted before realizing it wasn’t some deep, dark secret, but just a matter of telling OBS exactly what I wanted it to hear.
If you’re still struggling with how to record only one monitor audio with OBS, take a deep breath, go back to your OS sound settings, and then carefully add and configure that ‘Audio Output Capture’ source in OBS, making sure to mute the universal offender: ‘Desktop Audio.’ It’s the final piece of the puzzle most people miss.
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