How to Apply Multiple VST Plugins in OBS Studio

This article provides a straightforward, step-by-step guide on how to apply and chain multiple VST 2.x plugins to a single audio source in OBS Studio. You will learn the exact sequence required to add these filters, how to access their interfaces, and how the order of your plugins impacts your final audio quality.

Step 1: Open the Filters Menu

  1. Locate the Audio Mixer dock in the main OBS Studio window.
  2. Find the specific audio source (e.g., Mic/Aux) to which you want to apply the plugins.
  3. Click the three vertical dots next to the volume slider for that source, or right-click the source name.
  4. Select Filters from the context menu.

Step 2: Add Your First VST Plugin

  1. In the bottom-left corner of the Filters window, click the plus (+) icon.
  2. Select VST 2.x Plug-in from the list of available filters.
  3. Give the filter a descriptive name (e.g., “EQ” or “Noise Gate”) and click OK.
  4. In the right-hand panel, click the dropdown menu labeled Please select a plug-in and choose the VST plugin you wish to use.
  5. Click Open Plug-in Interface to configure the plugin’s settings, then close the plugin’s floating window when finished.

Step 3: Add Additional VST Plugins

  1. To add a second plugin, click the plus (+) icon at the bottom-left of the Filters window again.
  2. Select VST 2.x Plug-in once more.
  3. Give this second filter a unique name (e.g., “Compressor”) and click OK.
  4. Select your second plugin from the dropdown menu and configure its settings via the Open Plug-in Interface button.
  5. Repeat this exact sequence for any subsequent plugins you want to add to the chain.

Step 4: Arrange the Plugin Sequence (Signal Flow)

OBS Studio processes audio filters from top to bottom. The order in which your VST plugins are listed determines the signal flow. For example, if a Noise Gate is above a Compressor, the audio will be gated before it is compressed.

To change the sequence of your plugins: 1. Click on the plugin filter you want to move in the left-hand list. 2. Use the Up and Down arrow buttons located at the bottom of the Filters list to change its position in the stack.

For the best audio results, stack your VST plugins in the following top-to-bottom sequence: 1. Noise Reduction / Gate: Cleans up background noise before any amplification occurs. 2. Equalizer (EQ): Shapes the frequency response of your clean audio. 3. Compressor: Evens out the dynamic range by taming loud peaks and boosting quiet moments. 4. Limiter: Placed at the very bottom of the list to prevent audio clipping and distortion.