How to Use OBS Compressor for Consistent Voice

This guide provides a straightforward tutorial on how to set up and configure the OBS Studio compressor filter to achieve balanced, professional, and consistent microphone audio. You will learn the exact steps to add the filter, what each compressor setting does, and the recommended values to prevent your voice from becoming too loud when you get excited or too quiet when you whisper.

What is a Compressor?

A compressor automatically lowers the volume of your audio when it goes above a certain level (threshold) and can boost the overall volume afterward. This reduces the dynamic range of your voice, making the quietest and loudest parts sound much closer in volume.

Step 1: Add the Compressor Filter in OBS

1. Open OBS Studio and locate the Audio Mixer dock.
2. Find your microphone source (usually named Mic/Aux).
3. Click the three vertical dots (or gear icon) next to your microphone volume slider and select Filters.
4. In the Filters window, click the + (plus) icon in the bottom-left corner.
5. Select Compressor from the list, name it (e.g., “Mic Compressor”), and click OK.

Step 2: Configure the Compressor Settings

To get a natural and consistent voice, adjust the sliders to the following recommended baseline settings:

• Ratio (e.g., 3:1 to 4:1): This determines how much the compressor reduces the volume once the threshold is crossed. A ratio of 3:1 or 4:1 is ideal for speech, as it controls volume spikes without making your voice sound muffled or squashed.
• Threshold (e.g., -18 dB to -24 dB): This is the volume level at which the compressor starts working. Watch your audio meter while speaking normally. Set the threshold slightly below your normal speaking peaks (usually around -18 dB to -24 dB) so the compressor only activates when you speak louder than usual.
• Attack (e.g., 2 ms to 5 ms): This controls how quickly the compressor starts reducing the volume once your voice crosses the threshold. A fast attack time of 2 ms to 5 ms is best for catching sudden loud sounds immediately.
• Release (e.g., 50 ms to 100 ms): This controls how quickly the compressor stops working once your voice drops below the threshold. A release time of 60 ms to 80 ms ensures a smooth transition back to uncompressed audio without creating a “pumping” effect.
• Output Gain (e.g., 0 dB to 5 dB): Because compressing your voice reduces its peak volume, your overall sound might be slightly quieter. Use Output Gain (also known as makeup gain) to boost your voice back up. Increase this until your normal speaking voice consistently hits the high-green to low-yellow zone (around -15 dB to -10 dB) on the OBS audio meter.
• Sidechain/Ducking Source: Keep this set to None. Sidechaining is used to lower your mic volume based on another source, which is not needed for general voice consistency.

Step 3: Test and Fine-Tune

Test your new settings by recording a short clip in OBS. Speak at a whisper, a normal conversational level, and a louder, excited volume.

Listen to the playback to ensure your loud voice does not clip (hit the red zone on the meter) and your quiet voice remains easily audible. If your loud voice still feels too piercing, slightly lower the Threshold or increase the Ratio.