How to Use Virtual Audio Cables in OBS Studio

This guide explains how to install and configure virtual audio cables to separate individual application audio sources in OBS Studio. By isolating your game, voice chat, and music, you gain precise control over your stream’s audio levels and can easily prevent copyrighted music from saving to your stream VODs.

Step 1: Download and Install a Virtual Audio Cable

To get started, you need a software tool that acts as a virtual bridge for your audio.

  1. Download a free virtual audio cable driver, such as VB-CABLE Virtual Audio Cable.
  2. Extract the downloaded folder, right-click the setup file (VBCABLE_Setup_x64.exe), and select Run as administrator.
  3. Click Install Driver, then restart your computer when the installation is complete.

Step 2: Route Application Audio in Windows

Once the driver is installed, you must direct the audio of a specific application (such as Discord, Spotify, or a web browser) into the virtual cable.

  1. Open the application you want to isolate and play some audio through it.
  2. Right-click the speaker icon in your Windows system tray and select Open Sound settings (or search for Volume mixer in Windows 11).
  3. Scroll down and open App volume and device preferences (or Volume mixer).
  4. Locate your target application in the list.
  5. Change its Output device from “Default” to CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable).

Step 3: Add the Virtual Cable to OBS Studio

Now you need to bring that isolated audio channel into your streaming software.

  1. Open OBS Studio.
  2. In the Sources dock, click the + (Add) icon and select Audio Output Capture.
  3. Name the source based on the application (e.g., “Discord Audio”) and click OK.
  4. In the Device dropdown menu, select CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable).
  5. Click OK. The audio from that specific application will now display as its own volume slider in the OBS Audio Mixer.

Step 4: Configure Audio Monitoring (To Hear the Audio)

Because you routed the application’s audio to a virtual cable, you will no longer hear it through your headphones by default. You must configure OBS to output the sound back to your headset.

  1. In OBS Studio, click the three dots (or gear icon) next to your newly created audio source in the Audio Mixer.
  2. Select Advanced Audio Properties.
  3. Find your virtual cable source in the list.
  4. Change the Audio Monitoring setting from “Monitor Off” to Monitor and Output.
  5. Ensure your playback device is correctly configured by going to Settings > Audio > Advanced and verifying that the Monitoring Device is set to your primary headphones or speakers.