Configure OBS Studio Limiter to Prevent Audio Clipping

Preventing audio distortion is crucial for maintaining a professional broadcast. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough on how to configure the built-in Limiter filter in OBS Studio, ensuring your stream’s audio level never exceeds your designated decibel ceiling and protects your viewers from sudden volume spikes.

Step 1: Open the Filters Menu for Your Audio Source

1. Launch OBS Studio.
2. Locate the Audio Mixer dock, which displays the volume meters for your active audio sources (e.g., Mic/Aux, Desktop Audio).
3. Click the three vertical dots (or gear icon in older versions) next to the audio source you want to limit.
4. Select Filters from the context menu.

Step 2: Add the Limiter Filter

1. In the new Filters window, click the + (plus) icon in the bottom-left corner of the “Audio/Video Filters” pane.
2. Select Limiter from the list of available filters.
3. Give the filter a name (such as “Safety Limiter”) and click OK.

Step 3: Configure the Limiter Settings

You will see two primary sliders in the Limiter settings interface:

• Threshold: This is the maximum volume ceiling that your audio cannot cross. To guarantee your audio never clips (which occurs at 0 dB), set this slider between -1.0 dB and -3.0 dB. Setting it to -2.0 dB is highly recommended for streaming, as it provides a safe buffer for digital conversion without sacrificing overall volume.
• Release: This determines how quickly (in milliseconds) the limiter stops compressing the audio after the input volume drops below your threshold. The default setting of 60ms is optimal for most broadcasts, as it prevents “pumping” artifacts while recovering quickly enough for natural speech.

Step 4: Test and Verify

1. Close the Filters window.
2. Speak loudly into your microphone or play loud audio through your system.
3. Watch the green/yellow/red meter in the Audio Mixer.
4. The visual indicator should rise up to, but never pass, the threshold you established (e.g., -2.0 dB), ensuring a consistent maximum volume for your audience.