how to fix volume balance on stream labs obs | W&J

Streaming on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook Gaming has become increasingly popular over the years. Many content creators use software like Streamlabs OBS to enhance their streams with overlays, alerts, and other features. However, sometimes streamers may encounter issues with volume balance on Streamlabs OBS, where one source's audio is too loud or too quiet compared to others. In this article, we will discuss how to fix volume balance on Streamlabs OBS to ensure a smoother streaming experience for both the streamer and their viewers.

Understanding Volume Balance

Volume balance refers to the relative loudness of audio sources in a stream. When one source's volume is significantly higher or lower than another source, it can lead to an unpleasant viewing experience for viewers. For example, if the game audio is too loud compared to the streamer's voice, viewers may have difficulty hearing the streamer's commentary. Similarly, if alerts or music are too quiet, viewers may miss important information or cues during the stream.

To fix volume balance issues, it's essential to understand how audio sources are managed in Streamlabs OBS. Streamlabs OBS allows users to add multiple audio sources, such as desktop audio, microphone input, alerts, and music. Each audio source has its volume controls, which can be adjusted to achieve the desired balance between different sources.

Adjusting Individual Audio Sources

One way to fix volume balance issues in Streamlabs OBS is to adjust the volume of individual audio sources. To do this, click on the gear icon next to the audio source in the "Sources" panel. This will open the properties window for that audio source, where you can adjust the volume slider to increase or decrease the audio level.

It's essential to test different volume settings while playing back your stream or recording to ensure that all audio sources are balanced properly. Keep in mind that what sounds balanced to you may not sound the same to your viewers, so it's crucial to test your audio settings with headphones or external speakers to get an accurate representation of the audio levels.

Using Filters to Normalize Audio

Another way to fix volume balance issues in Streamlabs OBS is to use filters to normalize audio levels. Filters allow you to apply audio effects, such as compression, noise gate, or gain, to individual audio sources. By using filters, you can adjust the volume of an audio source dynamically based on its input levels, ensuring that it remains at a consistent volume throughout your stream.

To add a filter to an audio source in Streamlabs OBS, right-click on the audio source in the "Sources" panel and select "Filters." This will open the filters window, where you can add, remove, or adjust filters for that audio source. For volume balance issues, consider adding a gain filter to increase or decrease the volume of the audio source as needed.

Setting Audio Levels in Advanced Audio Properties

Streamlabs OBS also allows users to adjust audio levels for individual audio sources in the Advanced Audio Properties window. This window provides more detailed controls over audio sources, including volume levels, monitoring options, and audio routing. By adjusting audio levels in the Advanced Audio Properties window, you can fine-tune the volume balance between different sources in your stream.

To access the Advanced Audio Properties window in Streamlabs OBS, click on the settings icon in the audio mixer section and select "Advanced Audio Properties." This will open a new window where you can adjust the audio properties of each audio source independently. Experiment with different volume levels for each audio source to achieve the desired volume balance in your stream.

Using Audio Monitoring to Test Volume Balance

Finally, one effective way to test the volume balance of your audio sources in Streamlabs OBS is to use audio monitoring. Audio monitoring allows you to hear the audio levels of each source in real-time, helping you identify any volume balance issues before they become apparent to your viewers. By monitoring your audio levels, you can make on-the-fly adjustments to ensure that all audio sources are balanced correctly during your stream.

To enable audio monitoring in Streamlabs OBS, click on the settings icon in the audio mixer section and select "Advanced Audio Properties." In the Advanced Audio Properties window, click on the gear icon next to the audio source you want to monitor and select "Monitor Only." This will route the audio of that source to your monitoring device, allowing you to hear its levels without affecting the stream's output.

In conclusion, fixing volume balance issues in Streamlabs OBS is crucial for creating a pleasant streaming experience for both the streamer and their viewers. By understanding volume balance, adjusting individual audio sources, using filters, setting audio levels in Advanced Audio Properties, and using audio monitoring, streamers can ensure that all audio sources are balanced properly in their streams. Experiment with different techniques and settings to find the optimal volume balance for your stream and provide viewers with high-quality audio throughout your broadcasts.