How to Change Headphone Input to Game Instead of OBS: A Comprehensive Guide

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Headphone input settings can significantly impact your audio experience, whether you’re gaming, streaming, or working. For gamers and streamers, particularly those using OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), it’s crucial to manage audio sources effectively to ensure the best possible experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through various methods to change your headphone input from OBS to game audio, providing tips, tricks, and solutions to enhance your setup.

1. Adjusting Audio Settings in Windows

If you’re using Windows, adjusting your audio settings can help you switch your headphone input to prioritize game audio over OBS. First, right-click the sound icon in the system tray and select “Open Sound settings.” Under “Advanced sound options,” click on “App volume and device preferences.” Here, you can assign different audio devices to various applications. To ensure game audio comes through your headphones, set your game to use the desired output device and make sure OBS is configured to use a different device or adjust its volume levels accordingly. This method helps you balance the audio from your game and other sources, like music or chat.

2. Using Audio Mixer in OBS

OBS offers an internal audio mixer that allows you to control different audio sources independently. To ensure your game audio is prioritized, open OBS and navigate to the “Mixer” section. Here, you’ll see all active audio sources, including your game audio and any other inputs like microphones or system sounds. Use the sliders to adjust the volume levels of each source, ensuring that game audio is more prominent. You can also click the gear icon next to each audio source for advanced settings, such as filters and audio monitoring, which can help you fine-tune your audio setup.

3. Configuring Audio Output Settings in Game

Many games offer in-game audio settings that allow you to adjust how audio is outputted. Access the audio settings menu in your game and look for options related to audio output devices. Select your headphones as the primary output device to ensure that game sounds are routed directly to your headphones. Additionally, check if the game has options for balancing or mixing audio between different sources. Adjusting these settings can help you prioritize game audio over other sounds, such as background music or voice chat, improving your overall gaming experience.

4. Using a Dedicated Audio Interface

For users seeking a more professional audio setup, a dedicated audio interface can provide advanced control over your headphone input. Audio interfaces allow you to route different audio sources to specific outputs, including your headphones. Connect your game console or PC to the audio interface and configure it to route game audio directly to your headphones. This setup ensures that your game audio is clear and separate from other audio sources, such as OBS or system sounds. Look for audio interfaces with software that lets you customize routing and mixing settings to match your needs.

5. Leveraging Virtual Audio Cables

Virtual audio cables are software solutions that allow you to create virtual audio devices and route audio between applications. By using virtual audio cables, you can create a setup where game audio is sent to one virtual cable and OBS audio is sent to another. Install a virtual audio cable program, such as VB-Audio Virtual Cable, and configure your game and OBS to use different virtual cables. This method enables precise control over how audio is routed and mixed, allowing you to prioritize game audio over other sources. Virtual audio cables are especially useful for streamers who need to manage multiple audio inputs and outputs.

6. Customizing Audio Settings on a Gaming Headset

Gaming headsets often come with their own software that allows you to customize audio settings. If you’re using a gaming headset with software, open the software application and look for settings related to audio input and output. Many gaming headset applications allow you to adjust the balance between game audio and other sounds, such as chat or music. Set your game audio to be prioritized in the headset’s settings to ensure it’s the primary audio source you hear. This approach can enhance your gaming experience by providing clear and immersive sound while minimizing distractions from other audio sources.

7. Adjusting Audio Input Source in OBS

If you need to manage how different audio sources are captured by OBS, adjusting the audio input settings within OBS can help. Open OBS and go to “Settings,” then navigate to the “Audio” tab. Here, you can select which audio devices are used for desktop audio and microphone input. To prioritize game audio, make sure the desktop audio device is set to the device where your game audio is routed. You can also use the “Advanced Audio Properties” to configure how different audio sources are monitored and captured, ensuring that game audio is prominently featured in your stream or recording.

8. Using Audio Mixer Software

Audio mixer software can offer additional control over your headphone input and audio sources. Programs like VoiceMeeter or Equalizer APO allow you to manage multiple audio sources and route them to different outputs. By using audio mixer software, you can create a virtual audio mixer that prioritizes game audio over other sources. Configure the software to route game audio directly to your headphones while managing other audio sources separately. This setup provides flexibility in balancing and controlling your audio experience, especially useful for complex streaming or recording setups.

9. Connecting Your Headphones Directly to the Game Console

For console gamers, connecting your headphones directly to the game console can ensure that you hear game audio without interference from other applications. Many modern game consoles have headphone jacks on their controllers or dedicated audio output ports. Plug your headphones into the console’s audio output and configure the console’s audio settings to route game sound directly to the headphones. This method bypasses the need to adjust audio settings in OBS or on your PC, providing a straightforward solution for enjoying game audio.

10. Utilizing Audio Routing Hardware

Audio routing hardware, such as audio splitters or mixers, can help manage how audio is distributed between different devices. For example, an audio mixer can allow you to connect multiple audio sources, including your game console, PC, and headphones, and route audio as needed. By using an audio mixer, you can prioritize game audio and adjust the levels for different sources, ensuring that you get the best possible listening experience. Look for mixers with multiple input channels and output options to create a custom audio setup that meets your needs.

Conclusion

Managing headphone input effectively is crucial for optimizing your audio experience, whether you’re gaming, streaming, or recording. By exploring various methods to prioritize game audio over OBS or other applications, you can ensure that you enjoy clear and immersive sound. From adjusting settings in Windows and OBS to using advanced hardware and software solutions, there are multiple ways to tailor your audio setup to suit your preferences. By implementing these strategies, you can achieve a balanced and enjoyable audio experience, enhancing both your gaming and streaming activities.