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To record separate audio tracks in OBS Studio, assign each audio source to its own track in Advanced Audio Properties, then enable those tracks under Settings → Output. For a recording that can also play as a normal mix in standard video players, route the sources to track 1 as well as to their individual tracks.
Choose how you want the recording to work
OBS lets you route audio sources to multiple tracks. The right setup depends on whether you want a file that plays immediately as a mix, or separate sources that you can adjust in an editor.
| Setup | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| One mixed track | Send all sources to track 1. | Simple playback and publishing without later audio editing. |
| Mixed track plus isolated tracks | Send all sources to track 1, then send each source to its own additional track. | Keeping a ready-to-play mix while retaining separate audio for editing. |
| Isolated tracks only | Send each source to its own track, without routing the full mix to track 1. | Post-production when you do not need the recording to play as a complete mix in a standard player. |
OBS warns that “all standard video players will only play back one audio track at a time.” If you need a straightforward playback copy, include all relevant sources on track 1. The OBS guide illustrates using track 1 for the mix and tracks 2–6 for separated audio.
Assign sources to separate tracks
- In OBS, find the Audio Mixer dock and click its gear icon. Select Advanced Audio Properties. OBS also documents opening this window from the Edit menu.
- In the Advanced Audio Properties window, locate the row for each audio source. Check the track boxes for the tracks that should receive that source.
- For an isolated recording, assign each source to a different track—for example, your microphone to one track and game audio to another. The sources must appear separately in OBS for this routing to work.
- If you also want a complete mix for normal playback, check track 1 for each source that belongs in that mix, as well as the source’s individual track.
Track assignment determines where each source is routed; it does not by itself make OBS record every track. Enable the tracks in the output settings next.
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Enable the tracks in recording output
- Open Settings → Output.
- Set Output Mode to Advanced if you need to choose which audio tracks are recorded. OBS’s Standard Recording Output Guide documents track selection in Advanced output mode.
- In the recording settings, enable each track you assigned in Advanced Audio Properties. For the common mix-plus-isolated setup, that means enabling track 1 and the additional tracks you use.
- Apply the settings, then make a short test recording. Open it in the video editor or player you intend to use and confirm that the tracks are present and behave as expected before recording a long session.
Capture a game or app separately from desktop audio
Separate tracks can only isolate sources that OBS exposes independently. OBS documents Application Audio Capture for supported Windows setups: OBS Studio 28 or later on Windows 10 version 2004 or later, and Windows 11. OBS labels the feature beta, so availability and behavior may vary by configuration.
- In the Sources dock, click + and select Application Audio Capture.
- Name the source, choose the target application window, and select a matching priority.
- For most applications, OBS recommends matching by type. For apps whose window titles change, such as Chrome or Spotify, matching by executable name can keep capture working despite title changes.
- When using Application Audio Capture, disable global Desktop Audio in Settings → Audio to avoid capturing the same sound twice and creating echo.
Some applications may not work with Application Audio Capture. OBS lists VB-Cable as a workaround: route the application’s sound to the virtual cable, then add the cable’s output as an OBS audio input source. This is an optional workaround, not a requirement for ordinary multitrack recording.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Choose a recording format that suits your workflow
Container choice is separate from track routing. Consider whether you need protection against an interrupted recording, whether your editor supports the container and codecs, and whether you are willing to remux after recording.
| Format approach | Trade-off described by OBS | When to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| MKV, then remux if needed | OBS recommends MKV because an ungraceful stop will not corrupt the whole file. Some editing software may have weaker MKV support. | A practical default when recording resilience matters and you can convert the completed file if necessary. |
| Direct MP4 or MOV | These formats generally have stronger editor support, but direct recordings can require finalization and may be unrecoverable if interrupted. | When your workflow requires the format and you accept the interruption risk. |
| Fragmented MP4 or MOV | OBS describes these as combining fault resistance with broader compatibility; codec and editor combinations still matter. | When your editor supports the specific format and codecs you plan to record. |
OBS’s Standard Recording Output Guide recommends MKV in case a recording cannot stop gracefully. If you need MP4, use OBS’s built-in File → Remux Recordings after recording, or enable automatic remuxing in Advanced settings. Confirm that your intended editor supports the resulting container and audio codecs; compatibility is not identical across editors.
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Troubleshoot missing, duplicated, or unplayable audio
- A source is missing from the file: Check both its track boxes in Advanced Audio Properties and the recording-track selections under Settings → Output. Routing and recording enablement are separate settings.
- The video plays only one audio track: This is expected in standard video players. Use an editor that can select or mix multiple tracks, or include the full mix on track 1 when recording.
- You hear echo or doubled desktop sound: If you are using Application Audio Capture, disable global Desktop Audio in Settings → Audio as OBS recommends.
- An application is not captured: Application Audio Capture may be incompatible with some apps. Try the OBS-documented VB-Cable workaround, routing the app to the cable and adding its output as an OBS audio input source.
- An interrupted recording will not open or is incomplete: OBS recommends recording to MKV to reduce the risk that an ungraceful stop corrupts the entire file. Remux a completed MKV if your editor requires MP4.
- The editor cannot read the recording or its tracks: Check the editor’s support for the container and audio codecs you recorded. Remuxing can change the container, but it does not guarantee compatibility with every editor or codec combination.
Or let it run in the cloud
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