Can OBS Record Audio Only? All Answers Are Here with Steps

You know that OBS Studio is a powerful software known for its recording and streaming capabilities, but does OBS record audio only? If so, how can you capture professional-sounding audio with it? This guide right here will answer all these questions. Discover today how to do ‘OBS recording audio only’ for your podcasts, voiceovers, or other audio projects. Furthermore, you’ll get an alternative and some tips for audio recording. Dive in now.

Is It Possible to Make OBS Record Audio Only?

To answer your question about ‘OBS record audio only’ directly, it’s a no. Since OBS Studio is a dedicated program for screen recording and live streaming, it has no option for recording audio only. You can only use it to capture your screen activities with sound on various operating systems, like Windows, Mac, and Linux.

However, there’s still a way to make OBS record audio only, and this is by creating with no video but only adding audio sources. Doing so will record audio but still be stored as a video file. But there’s another solution for that, discovered in the following part.

Best Alternative Way to Record Audio Only without OBS

To avoid experiencing additional steps provided by ‘OBS record audio only’, get the best alternative to OBS called 4Easysoft Screen Recorder. This tool is a versatile one designed for recording video and audio, but it provides an excellent way for audio-only recordings, too! Unlike OBS, 4Easysoft can record audio without video, making it perfect for podcasting, voiceovers, or simply capturing sound from various applications. Besides allowing you to choose specific audio sources, including system sound, mic input, or both, you have the freedom to toggle or adjust the volume independently before and during the recording session. With its straightforward interface as well, combined with editing tools and more functionalities, it is an efficient way to record and refine your audio.

Step 1After launching the 4Easysoft Screen Recorder, choose the “Audio Recorder” option from the main screen.

Select the audio you wish to record, e.g., system sound, microphone, or both. Turn on their switch buttons, and don’t forget to pull their sliders to adjust the audio volume.

Step 2Before recording, you can set the format and other audio settings using the “Settings” button on the above right part. Here, you can change the bitrate, sample rate, quality, and more. Once ready, click the “REC” button to capture your audio only without OBS.

Step 3Once done, click the “Stop” button and listen to the audio recording in the preview window. You can trim some unnecessary parts and do more enhancements before clicking the “Done” button.

How to Record Game Audio Only with OBS on Windows/Mac

As already mentioned, OBS cannot record audio only unless you record without footage and only with an audio source. It may seem a bit complex, especially for beginners, but here are detailed steps to follow on how to make OBS only record game audio on Windows and Mac:

How to Make OBS Record Audio Only on Windows:

Step 1Run OBS Studio on your computer to begin. Head to the “File” menu and click “Settings” to adjust OBS recording settings; inside the “Audio” section from the left pane, set the “Desktop Audio” to “Default”. Please disable all other audio sources if you don’t want an extra one to be captured, and click “OK” to save.

Step 2Next, go to the “Output” section and change the “Output Mode” to “Advanced”. Then, click the “Recording” tab above and change the format to “MP4”. Proceed to the “Audio Bitrate” field and change it to the bitrate you want.

Step 3Once you're done with all the settings, you’re good to go! Click the “Start Recording” button to begin the ‘OBS recording audio only’ session.

How to Make OBS Record Audio Only on Mac:

Step 1Open the OBS Studio on your Mac screen, then click the “Add” button to create a new project. To enable audio monitoring in the program, right-click on the mixes area and head to the “Advanced” Audio Properties.

Step 2Please enable the audio output for “Desktop”, then go to the recording interface. Set the screen and output modes to capture the sound source you wish to capture. Now, click the “Start Recording” button to make OBS record Mac audio out.

Step 3Later, finish the recording; by default, the program will export and save the file to your Mac’s default playback device. If you wish to adjust the monitoring output device, use the “Audio” tab in the OBS’s settings.

Bonus Tips to Enhance the Audio Recording on OBS

Getting to know how OBS records audio only is not enough to get the perfect results. Thus, you need to learn how to optimize the program for recording game audio to ensure you get the highest quality. Before concluding this entire post, here are some of the best tips to enhance the audio recording on OBS Studio.

Monitor Audio Levels. Regularly check and change your audio levels to avoid distortion or super low volume, ensuring a clear and balanced sound.

Utilize Noise Suppression Filters. To reduce noise within OBS, you can use noise suppression filters to prevent sounds like fan noise or air conditioning from being heard, improving the overall audio quality.

Manage Game or System Audio. Fine-tuning the game and system audio levels is also a big help to enhance the audio recording. Doing so will avoid conflicts and guarantee a smooth audio recording experience.

Optimize Recording Settings. Ensure you have selected the proper file format, such as MP4, and set settings like quality, audio bitrate, and more to balance quality with file size and compatibility.

Invest in Quality Equipment. To make OBS record audio only with high quality, use high-quality mics and headphones to capture a broader range of sound frequencies.

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