How to Set Up Push to Talk in OBS Studio

This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to enable and configure a push-to-talk hotkey for your microphone in OBS Studio. By the end of this article, you will know how to navigate the OBS settings, activate the push-to-talk feature for your specific audio input device, and assign a dedicated key on your keyboard or mouse to control when your voice is broadcasted or recorded.

Step 1: Open the OBS Studio Settings

Start by launching OBS Studio on your computer. In the bottom-right corner of the main window, click on the Settings button in the Controls dock. Alternatively, you can click on File in the top menu bar and select Settings from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Enable Push-to-Talk for Your Microphone

Once the Settings window is open, follow these steps to enable the feature: 1. Click on the Audio tab in the left-hand sidebar. 2. Scroll down to the Global Audio Devices section to identify your active microphone (usually listed as Mic/Auxiliary Audio). 3. Scroll further down to the Hotkeys section within the Audio tab. 4. Locate your microphone in the list and check the box next to Enable Push-to-talk. 5. Click Apply at the bottom-right of the window to save this change.

Step 3: Assign Your Push-to-Talk Hotkey

Now that the feature is enabled, you need to assign the specific key you want to press to unmute your microphone: 1. Click on the Hotkeys tab in the left-hand sidebar of the Settings window. 2. Scroll down or use the search bar at the top to find your microphone (labeled Mic/Aux). 3. Look for the action labeled Push-to-talk. 4. Click inside the empty text box next to Push-to-talk and press the key on your keyboard or button on your mouse that you want to use. 5. If you want to adjust the delay (how long the mic stays active after you release the key), go back to the Audio tab and adjust the Push-to-talk delay slider. 6. Click Apply and then OK to close the Settings window.

Your push-to-talk hotkey is now fully configured. Your microphone will remain muted in OBS Studio until you press and hold your designated hotkey.