Setting Up a Virtual Audio Cable for Discord and OBS

When you're playing games or streaming online, it's common to want to separate your Discord audio from your game audio. However, this can be tricky to achieve without the right setup. In this article, we'll explore two methods for separating Discord and game audio in OBS: using virtual devices and multiple physical audio devices.

Before we dive into the solutions, let's understand why it's necessary to manipulate your audio mixer in the first place. By default, OBS captures your entire desktop audio, which means that whatever you're hearing is what OBS will also be broadcasting. This can be problematic if you want to keep your Discord audio and game audio separate.

There are two possible ways to separate Discord audio from game audio in OBS: using virtual devices or through the use of multiple physical audio devices. Both methods require some technical knowledge, but they're worth the effort for a cleaner and more professional-sounding stream.

Method 1: Separating Discord and Game Audio through the Use of Virtual Devices

One way to separate Discord audio from game audio is by using virtual devices. This method involves creating a virtual audio cable that allows you to route your audio signals separately. Here's how:

Step #1: Add a new source in OBS for Audio Output Capture Device.

Step #2: Change the output device to another device, such as your headphones or speakers.

Method 2: Separating Discord and Game Audio through the Use of Multiple Physical Audio Devices

Another way to separate Discord audio from game audio is by using multiple physical audio devices. This method involves connecting multiple audio devices to your computer and configuring them in OBS. Here's how:

Step #1: Connect multiple audio devices to your computer, such as a microphone, headphones, and speakers.

Step #2: Configure each device in OBS as a separate audio input/output.

By using either of these methods, you can easily separate your Discord audio from your game audio in OBS, ensuring a cleaner and more professional-sounding stream.

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