If you have opened OBS and stared at the Sources panel wondering what “Audio Input Capture” actually does, you are not alone. OBS lists several audio source types, and the differences between them are not obvious at first glance. This guide explains exactly what Audio Input Capture is, how it compares to the other audio sources, and how to get your microphone showing up in OBS in just a few steps.
What Is Audio Input Capture in OBS? (And How to Use It)
What Is Audio Input Capture in OBS?
Audio Input Capture is an OBS source that records audio from a physical input device connected to your computer. In plain terms, that means microphones, audio interfaces, and wireless mic receivers — anything that sends audio into your PC rather than playing audio out of it.
What Is Audio Input Capture in OBS?
The word “input” is the key here. When sound travels from your mouth into a microphone and into your computer, that is an input signal. Audio Input Capture is designed to grab exactly that type of signal and route it into your OBS stream or recording session.
Once you add this source and select your device, OBS treats it as a dedicated audio track. You will see it appear in the Audio Mixer panel, where you can adjust its volume level, mute it, or apply filters like noise suppression and gain without affecting any other audio on your stream.
Audio Input Capture vs. Audio Output Capture vs. Desktop Audio
This is where most beginners get confused. OBS offers three distinct audio-related source types, and their names sound similar enough to cause real headaches. Here is how they break down:
|
Source Type |
What It Captures |
Typical Devices |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Audio Input Capture |
Audio coming into your PC |
Microphones, audio interfaces, wireless mic receivers |
Capturing your voice for streams, podcasts, or commentary |
|
Audio Output Capture |
Audio playing out of a specific application |
A browser, a media player, a game window |
Recording or streaming the audio from one specific program |
|
Desktop Audio |
All system-level audio playing out of your PC |
Speakers, headphone output, system sounds |
Capturing game audio, music, or app sounds system-wide |
For any workflow where you want your voice or an external mic on your stream, Audio Input Capture is the correct source to add. Desktop Audio and Audio Output Capture handle the sound your computer is playing, not the sound your microphone is recording.
How to Add Audio Input Capture in OBS
Adding this source takes less than two minutes once you know where to look. Follow these steps:
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Open OBS Studio.
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In the Sources panel at the bottom of the screen, click the + button.
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Select Audio Input Capture from the source list.
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Give the source a recognizable name (for example, “Microphone” or “USB Mic”), then click OK.
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In the Properties window that opens, click the Device dropdown menu.
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Select your microphone or input device from the list.
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Click OK to confirm.
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Look at the Audio Mixer panel and speak into your microphone. You should see the level meter moving, which confirms OBS is picking up your audio.
Note: If your device does not appear in the dropdown, the most likely cause is that Windows has it disabled. Open Windows Sound settings, go to the Recording tab, right-click on your device, and select Enable. Then reopen the Properties dropdown in OBS and it should appear.
Common Use Cases for Audio Input Capture
Understanding when and why to use this source makes setup decisions much easier. Here are the most common scenarios:
Common Use Cases for Audio Input Capture
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Streaming with a USB condenser microphone. Plug in your USB mic, add an Audio Input Capture source, select that mic from the device list, and your voice is live on stream.
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Recording podcast commentary. Use Audio Input Capture to create a dedicated microphone track in OBS, which keeps your voice separate from game or music audio in the final recording.
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Adding multiple mic tracks to one recording. You can add a separate Audio Input Capture source for each input device and control their levels independently in the Audio Mixer.
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Capturing a wireless microphone receiver. If you are using a wireless mic system like the Hollyland LARK MAX 2, whose receiver connects to your PC via USB or a 3.5mm-to-USB adapter, Audio Input Capture is the OBS source that picks up that signal and brings it into your stream or recording.
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Using an audio interface. If you run an XLR microphone through a USB audio interface, OBS sees the interface as the input device. Add it through Audio Input Capture just as you would a standard USB mic.
Quick Troubleshooting: Audio Input Capture Not Working
If your Audio Input Capture source is added but no audio is coming through, one of these four issues is almost always the cause:
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Wrong device selected in Properties. Open the source Properties and confirm the correct device is chosen from the dropdown. It is easy to accidentally select “Default” or a different input.
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Device disabled in Windows Sound settings. Go to Windows Sound settings, open the Recording tab, and make sure your device is enabled and set as the default recording device.
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Mic muted in the OBS Audio Mixer. Check the mixer panel for a speaker icon next to your Audio Input Capture track. If it is toggled off, click it to unmute.
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Exclusive mode conflict. Some audio drivers take exclusive control of a device, blocking OBS from accessing it. In Windows Sound settings, open your microphone’s properties, go to the Advanced tab, and uncheck “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Audio Input Capture the same as Desktop Audio in OBS?
No. Desktop Audio captures all system-level sound playing through your PC, such as game audio, music, and application sounds. Audio Input Capture specifically captures a microphone or external recording device connected to your computer. They serve opposite directions of audio flow, and most setups use both simultaneously.
Can I add multiple Audio Input Capture sources in OBS?
Yes. You can add a separate Audio Input Capture source for each input device you want to use, such as a USB microphone and a separate audio interface. Each source appears as its own track in the Audio Mixer, so you can control their volume levels and filters independently.
Why can’t I see my microphone in the Audio Input Capture device list?
Your device must be enabled as a Recording Device in Windows Sound settings. Right-click the device in the Recording tab and select Enable. If it still does not appear, unplug and reconnect the device, then reopen the Properties dropdown in OBS. Restarting OBS after reconnecting the device can also resolve the issue.
Conclusion
Audio Input Capture is the OBS source to reach for any time you need a microphone or physical audio input device in your stream or recording. It captures incoming audio only, which is what separates it from Desktop Audio and Audio Output Capture. Once you have it configured and showing levels in the mixer, consider exploring OBS audio filters — noise suppression and gain in particular — to further clean up and optimize your captured audio.
