How to Auto Mute OBS Audio When Launching Apps

Managing your audio sources automatically in OBS Studio prevents unwanted background noise from ruining your recordings or live streams. This guide will show you how to configure OBS Studio to automatically mute your desktop audio whenever a specific application launcher opens and unmute it once the application is closed. To achieve this automation, we will use the highly versatile and free OBS plugin called Advanced Scene Switcher.

Step 1: Install the Advanced Scene Switcher Plugin

OBS Studio does not support application-based audio muting out of the box. You must first install the Advanced Scene Switcher plugin. 1. Download the Advanced Scene Switcher plugin from the official OBS Studio Resources forum. 2. Install the plugin using the installer or by manually placing the files into your OBS plugins directory. 3. Restart OBS Studio.

Step 2: Open the Advanced Scene Switcher

Once installed, you can access the automation tool directly within OBS. 1. In the top menu of OBS Studio, click on Tools. 2. Select Advanced Scene Switcher from the dropdown menu. 3. Go to the General tab and click Start to ensure the plugin is active.

Step 3: Create the Mute Macro

Now, you will create a rule (macro) that mutes your desktop audio when the target application launcher is running. 1. Click on the Macro tab at the top of the Advanced Scene Switcher window. 2. Click the + (plus) button at the bottom left to create a new macro and name it “Mute Desktop Audio”. 3. Under the Conditions section (the “If” statement), configure the following settings: * Change the first dropdown to Process. * In the next field, select or type the name of your application launcher’s executable file (e.g., Steam.exe, EpicGamesLauncher.exe, or Discord.exe). * Set the condition state to is running. 4. Under the Actions section (the “Then” statement), configure the action: * Change the first dropdown to Audio. * Select your Desktop Audio source. * Set the action to Mute.

Step 4: Create the Unmute Macro

To ensure your desktop audio turns back on when you close the application launcher, you need a reverse macro. 1. Click the + button to create another macro and name it “Unmute Desktop Audio”. 2. Under the Conditions section: * Set the dropdown to Process. * Select your application launcher’s executable file. * Set the condition state to is not running. 3. Under the Actions section: * Set the dropdown to Audio. * Select your Desktop Audio source. * Set the action to Unmute.

Step 5: Test the Automation

With both macros configured, you can now test the setup. 1. Ensure the Advanced Scene Switcher status is set to Active on the General tab. 2. Open your chosen application launcher. You should see the volume slider for Desktop Audio in the OBS Audio Mixer automatically display the red mute icon. 3. Close the application launcher. The Desktop Audio source should instantly unmute itself.