Best OBS Audio Settings for Streaming 2026
50sFixes the most common mistake streamers make with audio devices, instantly improving stream quality.
▶ Play ClipAI Summary
This video presents the best OBS audio settings for streamers and content creators in 2026, covering device selection, sample rate, channels, and a complete filter chain. It details noise suppression, noise gate, compressor, and limiter settings, plus monitoring and sync tips, and stresses the importance of test recordings before going live.
Chapters
[00:01]
Video goal
The video promises the best OBS audio settings for streaming and recording in 2026, fixing common audio problems.
[00:05]
Sample rate
Set the sample rate to 48 kHz, which matches Twitch, YouTube, and most capture cards to help prevent audio issues.
[00:14]
Channels
Set the audio channels to stereo.
[00:17]
Desktop audio device
Under desktop audio, select your headphones — the audio your audience will hear.
[00:26]
Microphone device
Under mic/auxiliary audio, set your actual microphone, not the default device — using the wrong device is a common mistake.
[00:38]
Noise suppression
Add a noise suppression filter: use RNNoise if your PC can handle it (removes hiss/room noise well), or Speex for weaker PCs.
[00:52]
Noise gate
Set the noise gate background noise and open threshold just below your normal speaking volume, so the mic stays quiet when you're not talking but sounds natural when you are.
[01:07]
Compressor values
Starting compressor values: threshold -18 dB, ratio 4:1, attack 10 ms, release 100 ms, output gain +2 dB.
[01:19]
Compressor purpose
Compression makes quiet parts louder and loud parts controlled, so your voice stays even and clear.
[01:24]
Limiter
Add a limiter with threshold at -1 dB to prevent clipping when you laugh, shout, or get excited on stream.
[01:45]
Monitoring and sync
In advanced audio properties, set monitoring to off to avoid echo/delay; leave sync offset at 0 ms for most setups.
[02:03]
Test recording
Always do a test recording before going live or recording: talk normally, get loud for a second, then listen back to confirm consistent levels.
With a 48 kHz stereo setup, the right device selection, the four-filter chain (noise suppression, gate, compressor, limiter), monitoring off, and a quick test recording, you can achieve clean, consistent stream audio in about two minutes.
Mentioned in this Video
Tutorial Checklist
6
00:52
Add a Noise Gate: set background noise and open threshold just below your normal speaking volume.
7
01:07
Add a Compressor with threshold -18 dB, ratio 4:1, attack 10 ms, release 100 ms, output gain +2 dB.
11
02:03
Do a test recording: talk normally, get loud, listen back, and confirm levels are consistent.
Study Flashcards (12)
What sample rate should be set in OBS for streaming and recording?
easy
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What sample rate should be set in OBS for streaming and recording?
easy
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48 kHz, to match Twitch, YouTube, and most capture cards.
00:05
What channel format should OBS audio be set to?
easy
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What channel format should OBS audio be set to?
easy
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Stereo.
00:14
Which noise suppression filter is recommended if your PC can handle it?
easy
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Which noise suppression filter is recommended if your PC can handle it?
easy
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RNNoise.
00:38
Which noise suppression filter is recommended for weaker PCs?
easy
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Which noise suppression filter is recommended for weaker PCs?
easy
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Speex.
00:52
What are the recommended starting compressor settings in OBS?
hard
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What are the recommended starting compressor settings in OBS?
hard
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Threshold -18 dB, ratio 4:1, attack 10 ms, release 100 ms, output gain +2 dB.
01:07
What does the compressor do to your voice?
medium
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What does the compressor do to your voice?
medium
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It makes quiet parts louder and loud parts controlled, so your voice stays even and clear.
01:19
What threshold should the limiter be set to?
easy
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What threshold should the limiter be set to?
easy
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-1 dB.
01:24
What does the limiter prevent?
easy
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What does the limiter prevent?
easy
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Clipping when you laugh, shout, or get excited on stream.
01:32
What should your mic's monitoring setting be and why?
medium
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What should your mic's monitoring setting be and why?
medium
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Monitor off, unless you know you need monitoring, because incorrect monitoring can cause echo or delay.
01:45
What sync offset is recommended for most people?
easy
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What sync offset is recommended for most people?
easy
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0 ms.
01:58
What should you always do before going live or recording?
easy
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What should you always do before going live or recording?
easy
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Do a test recording: talk normally, get loud, and listen back to check consistent levels.
02:03
What is one of the most common OBS audio mistakes?
medium
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What is one of the most common OBS audio mistakes?
medium
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Using the default device instead of your actual microphone in mic/auxiliary audio settings.
00:26
💡 Key Takeaways
📊
48 kHz sample rate standard
A specific, platform-compatible setting that prevents many common audio issues.
00:05
🔧
Filter chain order
Noise suppression, gate, compressor, and limiter form the standard production chain for clean stream audio.
00:38
🔧
Concrete compressor values
Gives viewers immediate, actionable starting points instead of vague advice.
01:07
⚖️
Monitoring off by default
A simple setting that avoids echo and delay, a common beginner pitfall.
01:45
⚖️
Always test before going live
A quick 30-second test catches audio problems before the audience hears them.
02:03Full Transcript
[00:01] sound [music] clean, this video fixes that. These are the best OBS audio settings for streaming and recording in 2026. Let's get into it. First, [music] go to settings, then audio. Set your sample rate to 48 kHz. This matches
[00:14] Twitch, YouTube, and most capture cards to help prevent audio issues. Then, set your channels to stereo. Now, under desktop audio, select your headphones what your audience is also hearing.
[00:26] Under mic/ axiliary audio, make sure to set your actual microphone and not default. Using the wrong device is one of the most common mistakes. Once that's set, click apply. Now we're setting up filters. This is where your audio really
[00:38] and go to filters. First, we're going to add noise suppression. If your PC can handle it, use RN noise. It removes background hiss and room noise without killing your voice. If your PC is weaker, spex works, too, but RN noise
[00:52] This stops your mic from picking up sound when you're not speaking. Set your background noise. Then set your open threshold just below your normal things quiet when you're not talking, but natural when you are. Now add a
[01:07] at a constant volume so it's not too quiet or too loud. Here are some solid starting values. Threshold at 18 dB, ratio 4:1, attack at 10 ms, release at
[01:19] 100 ms, and output gain at plus 2 dB. In simple terms, compression makes quiet parts loud and loud parts controlled so your voice stays even and clear. The last filter we'll be adding is limiter. Set the threshold to negative 1 dB. This
[01:32] prevents clipping if you laugh, shout, or get excited on stream. So, every mic if you're finding this video helpful so far, be sure to drop a like and helps my channel. All right, now let's get back into the video. Now, click on
[01:45] the gear icon next to your mic and open advanced audio properties. Make sure your mic is set to monitor off unless you know you need monitoring. Monitoring incorrectly can cause echo or delay. If your audio ever feels out of sync, this
[01:58] is also where you can adjust sync offset. For most people, leaving it at 0 m is perfect. Finally, before you go live or record, always do a test recording. Talk normally, get loud for a second, and then listen back to it. If
[02:10] consistent, you're good to go. So, those are the best OBS audio settings for streaming and recording in 2026. If you want more tips and tricks, be sure to like the video and subscribe down below. And I hope to see you in the next video.
