Route Multiple Audio Mixes in OBS with Audio Monitor

This guide explains how to use the “Audio Monitor” plugin for OBS Studio to create and route distinct, localized audio mixes to different headphones or physical audio interfaces. By leveraging this plugin, broadcasters, podcasters, and production teams can send customized audio feeds—such as distinct monitor mixes for hosts, guests, or producers—directly to separate physical outputs without affecting the main stream or recording audio.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have: 1. OBS Studio installed. 2. The Audio Monitor plugin (by Exeldro) installed and integrated into your OBS Studio. 3. Multiple physical audio output devices (e.g., two different USB headphones, or a multi-channel audio interface) connected to your computer.

Step 1: Identify Your Audio Output Devices

Ensure your operating system recognizes your different headphones as separate playback devices. Note their exact names (e.g., “USB Headset A” and “Realtek High Definition Audio”) so you can easily identify them inside OBS.

Step 2: Add the Audio Monitor Filter to a Source

To route a specific audio source (like a microphone, desktop audio, or Discord) to a specific pair of headphones:

  1. Open OBS Studio.
  2. Locate the audio source you want to route in the Audio Mixer dock.
  3. Click the three dots (options icon) next to the source and select Filters.
  4. Click the + (plus) icon in the bottom-left corner of the Filters window and select Audio Monitor.
  5. Give the filter a descriptive name (e.g., “Route to Host Headphones”) and click OK.

Step 3: Configure the Route and Volume

Once the filter is added, configure its settings in the properties pane:

  1. Device: Click the dropdown menu and select the specific headphones you want to route this audio to (e.g., “USB Headset A”).
  2. Volume: Adjust the volume slider. This slider control is completely independent of the main OBS mixer, meaning you can turn the volume up or down for the headphones without affecting the volume level of the stream or recording.
  3. Mute: You can check this box to temporarily cut the feed to these headphones.

Step 4: Create a Custom Mix for the First Listener

To build a complete custom mix for the first set of headphones, repeat Step 2 and Step 3 for every other audio source you want that listener to hear.

For example, if the Host wants to hear both the Game Audio and the Discord Audio: * Add an “Audio Monitor” filter to the Game Audio source, selecting “USB Headset A”. * Add an “Audio Monitor” filter to the Discord Audio source, selecting “USB Headset A”.

Step 5: Route a Second, Distinct Mix to Different Headphones

To send a different mix to a second listener (e.g., a guest using “USB Headset B”):

  1. Go to the audio sources you want the guest to hear.
  2. Add a new Audio Monitor filter to those sources.
  3. Name this filter accordingly (e.g., “Route to Guest Headphones”).
  4. In the filter settings, select “USB Headset B” as the device.
  5. Set individual volume levels for the guest.

By omitting the filter on certain sources, you can easily prevent the guest from hearing specific audio. For example, if you do not want the guest to hear their own voice echo, simply do not add the “Audio Monitor” filter pointing to “USB Headset B” on the guest’s microphone source.