Route OBS Audio to Multiple Headphones with Audio Monitor

This guide explains how to use the “Audio Monitor” plugin in OBS Studio to route separate, custom audio mixes to different physical headphone outputs. By leveraging this plugin, broadcasters and streamers can configure independent monitor feeds for hosts, guests, or technical directors, ensuring each person hears only the specific audio sources they need.

Step 1: Install the Audio Monitor Plugin

Before beginning, you must install the Audio Monitor plugin by Exeldro. 1. Download the plugin installer compatible with your operating system from the official OBS Resources forum. 2. Close OBS Studio. 3. Run the installer or extract the files into your OBS Studio installation directory. 4. Restart OBS Studio to activate the plugin.

Step 2: Connect and Identify Your Audio Devices

Ensure all physical headphones or audio interfaces are connected to your computer. 1. In Windows or macOS, verify that each set of headphones is recognized as a separate playback device. 2. Note the exact names of these devices (e.g., “Realtek USB Audio,” “Focusrite Scarlett Headphone Output”) as you will need to select them individually inside OBS.

Step 3: Add the Audio Monitor Filter to a Source

The Audio Monitor plugin works as an audio filter that can be applied to any individual source in OBS. 1. Locate the Audio Mixer dock in OBS Studio. 2. Click the three dots (options icon) next to the audio source you want to route (e.g., Desktop Audio, Mic/Aux) and select Filters. 3. Click the + (plus) icon in the bottom-left of the Filters window. 4. Select Audio Monitor from the list and give it a descriptive name (e.g., “Monitor to Host Headphones”).

Step 4: Route the Audio to Specific Headphones

Once the filter is added, you must configure its settings to target your physical hardware. 1. In the filter settings panel, locate the Device dropdown menu. 2. Select the specific physical headphones you want this audio source routed to. 3. Use the Volume slider to adjust the level of this source specifically for these headphones without affecting the main stream volume. 4. Set the Track selection if you only want to monitor specific audio tracks.

Step 5: Create Distinct Mixes for Multiple Headphones

To route a different mix to a second set of headphones, repeat the process with different routing targets. 1. Open the Filters menu for another audio source (or the same source if you want it in both outputs). 2. Add a new Audio Monitor filter. 3. In the Device dropdown, select your second physical headphone device. 4. Adjust the volume slider independently.

By applying multiple Audio Monitor filters across your various OBS audio inputs, you can customize exactly what is sent to each physical headphone output, creating professional-grade, independent monitor mixes directly inside OBS Studio.