How to Add an EQ to Your Microphone in OBS Studio

Adding an equalizer (EQ) to your microphone in OBS Studio is one of the easiest ways to instantly improve your audio quality. By adjusting specific frequencies, you can boost your voice’s clarity, remove muddy low-end rumble, and deliver a more professional sound to your stream or recording. This guide will walk you through the quick steps of adding and configuring both the built-in OBS equalizer and advanced VST plugins.

Method 1: Using the Built-in OBS 3-Band Equalizer

OBS Studio includes a simple, built-in 3-band equalizer that allows you to adjust High, Mid, and Low frequencies.

  1. Open the Filters Menu: In the Audio Mixer dock at the bottom of your OBS screen, locate your microphone (usually labeled Mic/Aux). Click the three dots (options icon) next to it and select Filters.
  2. Add the Equalizer: In the new window, click the + (plus) icon in the bottom-left corner of the “Audio Filters” section. Select 3-Band Equalizer from the list, give it a name, and click OK.
  3. Adjust the Frequencies:
    • High: Adjusts the treble. Turn this up slightly to add clarity and crispness to your voice.
    • Mid: Adjusts the presence of your voice. Modifying this can help your voice cut through game audio.
    • Low: Adjusts the bass. Turn this down slightly if your microphone sounds too boomy or muffled.

Method 2: Using a VST 2.x Plugin (For Advanced EQ)

If you want more precise control over your audio (like a 10-band or parametric EQ), you can use third-party VST 2.x plugins. A highly recommended free option is the ReaPlugs suite (specifically ReaEQ) by Cockos.

  1. Install the VST Plugin: Download and install your preferred VST 2.x plugin. Ensure you install the 64-bit version, as OBS Studio is a 64-bit application and will not recognize 32-bit plugins.
  2. Add the VST Filter in OBS: Open the Filters menu for your microphone again. Click the + (plus) icon and select VST 2.x Plug-in.
  3. Select your Plugin: In the drop-down menu under “Please select a plug-in,” choose your installed EQ (e.g., reaeq-standalone).
  4. Configure the EQ: Click the Open Plug-in Interface button. This will open the plugin’s native window, allowing you to add points to the frequency graph, cut out low-end rumble below 80Hz (high-pass filter), and fine-tune your vocal presence.