How to Separate Audio Tracks in OBS Studio

Configuring OBS Studio to output separate audio tracks allows you to deliver a clean audio mix to your live stream, capture isolated audio channels in your recordings for easier video editing, and monitor specific sounds in your headphones without causing echoes. This guide provides a direct, step-by-step walkthrough to configure your output settings, route your audio sources using the Advanced Audio Properties matrix, and set up localized monitoring.

Step 1: Enable Advanced Output Settings

To split your audio into multiple tracks, you must first switch OBS Studio from Simple to Advanced output mode.

  1. Open OBS Studio and click Settings in the bottom-right corner.
  2. Select the Output tab from the left-hand menu.
  3. At the top of the window, change the Output Mode dropdown from Simple to Advanced.

Step 2: Configure Streaming and Recording Tracks

Once in Advanced mode, you can assign which tracks are sent to your live stream and which are saved to your local recording file.

  1. Click on the Streaming tab. Locate the Audio Track setting and select Track 1. This will be your master stream mix. If you are streaming to Twitch and want to use the Twitch VOD Track feature to keep music out of your clips, check Twitch VOD Track and set it to Track 6.
  2. Click on the Recording tab. Under the Audio Track section, check the boxes for the tracks you want to record (for example, tracks 2, 3, and 4).
    • Tip: Avoid checking Track 1 for recording if you want your recorded audio sources to remain completely separated on their own individual channels in your editing software.
  3. Ensure your Container Format (like MKV or MP4) supports multiple audio tracks.

Step 3: Route Audio Sources in Advanced Audio Properties

Now you must assign your physical audio inputs (mic, game, desktop, music) to the specific tracks you enabled.

  1. Locate the Audio Mixer dock in the main OBS window.
  2. Click the gear icon next to any audio source, or right-click inside the mixer, and select Advanced Audio Properties.
  3. On the right side of the window, you will see a grid labeled Tracks numbered 1 through 6.
  4. Route your sources by checking or unchecking the boxes:
    • Track 1 (Stream Mix): Check every source you want your live audience to hear (Mic, Game, Discord, Music).
    • Track 2 (Microphone Only): Check only your Microphone source. Uncheck all other sources.
    • Track 3 (Game/System Only): Check only your Desktop or Game audio source.
    • Track 4 (Discord/Chat Only): Check only your communication software source.
    • Track 6 (Twitch VOD Track, optional): Check only the sources you want saved to your Twitch VOD (uncheck your music source to prevent copyright strikes).

Step 4: Configure Localized Audio Monitoring

Audio monitoring allows you to hear certain OBS sources (like alert sounds or soundboards) through your headphones without routing your microphone back into your ears.

  1. Go back to OBS Settings and select the Audio tab.
  2. Scroll down to the Advanced section and locate Monitoring Device. Select your headphones or primary audio interface from the dropdown menu. Click Apply and OK.
  3. Open Advanced Audio Properties again.
  4. Locate the Audio Monitoring column for your sources:
    • Monitor Off: Set this for sources you can already hear naturally through your computer (like your game and Discord).
    • Monitor and Output: Set this for sources you cannot hear unless OBS plays them (like stream alerts, browser sources, or a soundboard). This sends the audio to your headphones and to your stream/recording.
    • Monitor Only (Mute Output): Use this if you want to hear a source in your headphones, but do not want it broadcasted to your stream or recorded.