How to Enable ASIO Drivers in OBS Studio

This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough on how to enable and configure ASIO audio drivers in OBS Studio to achieve ultra-low latency audio recording and streaming. You will learn how to install the necessary OBS-ASIO plugin, configure your audio interface, and map your input channels directly within OBS Studio for optimal, lag-free performance.

Step 1: Install Your Audio Interface’s ASIO Driver

Before configuring OBS Studio, ensure that you have installed the official ASIO driver provided by your audio interface manufacturer (such as Focusrite, Behringer, Universal Audio, or PreSonus).

  1. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your specific hardware model.
  2. Install the driver and restart your computer if prompted.
  3. Connect your audio interface to your computer.

Step 2: Install the OBS-ASIO Plugin

OBS Studio does not support ASIO natively out of the box due to licensing restrictions. To bypass this, you must install a free, open-source plugin called obs-asio.

  1. Go to GitHub and search for the obs-asio project (created by community contributors like Andersama).
  2. Navigate to the Releases section on the right side of the page.
  3. Download the latest installer (usually an .exe file for Windows).
  4. Close OBS Studio if it is currently running.
  5. Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Step 3: Add an ASIO Source in OBS Studio

Once the plugin is installed, you can add your ASIO device as an audio source directly in OBS.

  1. Open OBS Studio.
  2. In the Sources dock at the bottom of the screen, click the + (Add) button.
  3. Select ASIO Input Capture from the list of available sources.
  4. Name your source (e.g., “Guitar” or “Studio Mic”) and click OK.

Step 4: Configure the ASIO Input Capture

A properties window will appear, allowing you to link your hardware channels to OBS.

  1. Device: Click the dropdown menu and select your audio interface’s ASIO driver (e.g., “Focusrite USB ASIO”).
  2. Format: Select your preferred channel configuration. Choose Mono if you are recording a single microphone or instrument, or Stereo if you are capturing a stereo keyboard or mixer output.
  3. Channel Mapping: Assign the physical inputs of your interface to the OBS channels. For example, if your microphone is plugged into input 1 of your interface, map “OBS Channel 1” to “Input 1”.
  4. Click OK to save the settings.

Step 5: Optimize for Low Latency

To get the lowest possible latency without audio crackling, you must balance your buffer size and sample rate.

  1. Open your audio interface’s control panel (usually accessible via a system tray icon or through your OS settings).
  2. Set the Buffer Size to a lower value. A buffer size of 64 samples or 128 samples is ideal for low-latency monitoring. If you hear clicks or pops in your audio, increase this value to 256 samples.
  3. Ensure the Sample Rate in your interface control panel matches the sample rate in OBS Studio (typically 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz). You can verify OBS settings by going to File > Settings > Audio.