Streaming OBS to Discord with Sound: A Masterclass

So, you want to stream your OBS output, complete with crisp audio, directly into Discord? Excellent! This is the definitive guide to achieving precisely that. Forget complex setups and frustrating configuration – we’re diving into the nitty-gritty, equipping you with the knowledge to stream flawlessly. Let’s get your stream flowing.

The Direct Approach: Virtual Audio Cable and Discord’s Go Live Feature

The simplest and generally most reliable method involves leveraging a Virtual Audio Cable and Discord’s native “Go Live” screen sharing functionality. This method allows you to directly route your OBS audio output into a virtual input recognized by Discord.

Step 1: Install a Virtual Audio Cable

This is the linchpin. A Virtual Audio Cable acts as a bridge, letting you reroute audio from one application to another.

• Download a Virtual Audio Cable solution: Voicemeeter Banana (a personal favorite with advanced features) or VB-Cable (a simpler, more lightweight option) are both excellent choices. VB-Cable is generally sufficient for basic OBS to Discord streaming.
• Install the cable: Follow the installation instructions provided by the software. It typically involves extracting the files and running a setup executable. Restart your computer after installation to ensure the virtual audio devices are properly recognized by Windows.

Step 2: Configure OBS Audio Settings

This is where you tell OBS where to send its audio output.

• Open OBS Studio.
• Go to Settings > Audio.
• Under “Global Audio Devices,” disable all “Desktop Audio” devices. This is crucial to prevent duplicate audio.
• Set “Mic/Auxiliary Audio” to your actual microphone.
• Under “Advanced,” set “Monitoring Device” to your headphones or speakers. This ensures you can still hear the audio.
• Navigate to “Audio Mixer” (typically at the bottom of the OBS window).
• Click the gear icon for each audio source (microphone, game audio, etc.) and select “Properties.” For each source you want to include in your stream, select “Monitor and Output” in the Audio Monitoring dropdown. This sends the audio to your monitoring device and allows it to be routed via the virtual cable.
• Go back to Settings > Audio. In the “Advanced” section, find “Monitoring Device.” Set this to the Virtual Audio Cable input. For example, if you’re using VB-Cable, set it to “CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable).” If you are using Voicemeeter, you may need to configure Voicemeeter to output to the VAIO input.

Step 3: Configure Discord’s Audio Input

Now, we tell Discord to listen to the virtual cable output.

• Open Discord.
• Go to User Settings > Voice & Video.
• Under “Input Device,” select the Virtual Audio Cable output. For example, if you’re using VB-Cable, set it to “CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable).”
• Set “Output Device” to your headphones or speakers.
• Adjust input volume as needed. Experiment to find the right balance.
• Disable “Automatically determine input sensitivity.” Manually adjust the input sensitivity slider to prevent audio from being cut off.

Step 4: Start Streaming in Discord

• Join the Discord server and voice channel where you want to stream.
• Click the “Go Live” button (the monitor icon) in the voice channel.
• Select OBS Studio as the application to share. If OBS isn’t listed, make sure it’s running.
• Choose the window you want to share (usually the entire OBS Studio window).
• Click “Go Live.”

You’re now streaming your OBS output, complete with audio, directly into Discord. Tweak the audio levels in OBS and Discord until you achieve the desired balance.

Alternative Method: Using a Separate Bot

While the above method is generally preferred for simplicity, some users prefer using a dedicated bot for more control over audio and stream management.

Step 1: Find and Add a Music Bot

Numerous Discord music bots can stream audio. Some popular choices include:

• Hydra
• Rythm (check for version availability and functionality changes)
• FredBoat

Refer to the bot’s documentation for specific commands and setup instructions. Typically, you’ll need to invite the bot to your server and give it the necessary permissions.

Step 2: Configure OBS to Output to a Specific Audio Device

This step mirrors the previous method, using a Virtual Audio Cable to route your OBS output.

• Follow steps 1 and 2 from the “Direct Approach” section above to install and configure a Virtual Audio Cable. Specifically, make sure your OBS “Monitoring Device” is set to the Virtual Audio Cable input.

Step 3: Use Bot Commands to Play the Virtual Audio Cable Output

This is where the bot comes into play.

• Join the same voice channel as the bot.
• Use the bot’s command to connect to the virtual audio cable. This command varies depending on the bot, but it will often involve specifying the “CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)” as the audio source. Consult the bot’s documentation for the exact command.

Now, anything you output through OBS will be streamed through the bot in your Discord channel. While this can work, it’s often less reliable and requires managing an extra bot.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• No Audio: Double-check that all audio devices are correctly selected in both OBS and Discord. Ensure that the Virtual Audio Cable is properly installed and configured.
• Echoing: Make sure you’ve disabled all “Desktop Audio” devices in OBS settings. Avoid sending audio to both your speakers and the virtual audio cable simultaneously.
• Low Audio: Increase the volume of the audio sources in OBS. Adjust the input volume in Discord’s Voice & Video settings.
• Choppy Audio: Ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for OBS and Discord. Close unnecessary applications to free up resources. Check your internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why use a Virtual Audio Cable?

A Virtual Audio Cable is essential because it allows you to route audio from one application (OBS) to another (Discord) as if it were a physical cable connecting two devices. Without it, Discord wouldn’t “hear” the audio output from OBS.

2. Which Virtual Audio Cable is best?

Voicemeeter Banana is a powerful, feature-rich option, but VB-Cable is a simpler, more lightweight choice ideal for basic routing. Choose based on your needs and technical comfort.

3. Does Discord’s “Go Live” feature support multiple audio tracks?

No, Discord’s “Go Live” feature primarily streams a single audio source. For more complex audio setups with multiple tracks, consider using a bot with advanced audio capabilities, although this is a more complex setup.

4. My audio is delayed. What can I do?

Audio delay can be caused by several factors. Try these fixes:

• Reduce OBS buffering: Decrease the buffer size in OBS settings.
• Lower Discord audio quality: Reducing audio quality in Discord settings can sometimes improve latency.
• Upgrade your hardware: A faster processor and more RAM can help reduce delays.

5. Can I stream from OBS to Discord on mobile?

Direct streaming from OBS to Discord on mobile is not officially supported. You would need a desktop setup for OBS and then share the stream to your mobile device through Discord.

6. How do I adjust the audio balance between game audio and my microphone?

Adjust the volume sliders for each audio source in the OBS Audio Mixer. You can also adjust the microphone input level in Windows sound settings.

7. How do I prevent my microphone from picking up game audio?

Use a headset to prevent sound leakage from your speakers. Employ noise suppression filters in OBS (right-click the microphone in the Audio Mixer > Filters > Add Noise Suppression) to reduce background noise. Consider a dynamic microphone, which is less sensitive to ambient sound.

8. Do I need a powerful computer to stream OBS to Discord?

While a powerful computer isn’t strictly required, it certainly helps. Streaming requires significant processing power. A dedicated graphics card and a multi-core processor are highly recommended.

9. Can I stream my desktop audio and microphone audio to Discord?

Yes, as detailed above, by configuring the Virtual Audio Cable and setting both your microphone and desktop audio output to be monitored and outputted to that cable, Discord will receive both audio streams.

10. My friends can hear themselves echoing when I stream. What’s happening?

This usually indicates that audio is being captured twice – once directly and once through your microphone. Ensure you’ve disabled all “Desktop Audio” devices in OBS except the Virtual Audio Cable output. Also, make sure your friends aren’t hearing your stream through both the Discord stream and your regular speakers.

11. What if my Go Live button isn’t working?

Ensure you have the necessary permissions in the Discord server to stream. Restart Discord. Update Discord to the latest version. If OBS isn’t being detected, try restarting OBS and Discord.

12. Can I use OBS filters like noise suppression for my Discord stream?

Absolutely! OBS filters apply to the audio before it’s sent through the Virtual Audio Cable to Discord. This is a major advantage of using OBS for streaming to Discord, allowing you to clean up your audio and enhance the overall streaming experience.