How to Add Desktop Audio on Streamlabs Obs Mac

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Adding desktop audio to your streams on Streamlabs OBS Mac can greatly enhance the overall quality and viewer experience. By including the sound from your computer, viewers can hear the audio from your games, music, or any other applications you’re using. This creates a more immersive experience and allows you to showcase your content in the best possible way.

Streamlabs OBS Mac is a powerful streaming software that provides various customization options and features to make your streams unique. While the process of adding desktop audio may seem complex at first, it is actually quite straightforward with the right steps. In this blog post, we will explore several methods to help you add desktop audio on Streamlabs OBS Mac, along with their pros and cons.

Why You Need to Add Desktop Audio on Streamlabs OBS Mac

  • Enhanced viewer experience: By including desktop audio in your streams, you can provide a more immersive experience for your viewers.
  • Showcasing your content: Adding desktop audio allows you to share the sound of your games, music, or any other applications you’re using, giving your viewers a better idea of what you’re experiencing.
  • Creating a professional stream: With desktop audio, you can make your streams sound professional and polished, elevating the overall quality of your content.
  • Adding ambience or background music: Desktop audio can be useful for adding ambience or background music to your streams, enhancing the overall atmosphere and engagement.

Video Tutorial:

Part 1: Using Soundflower

Soundflower is a virtual audio device that allows you to route audio between different applications on your Mac. By utilizing Soundflower, you can easily capture desktop audio and add it to your Streamlabs OBS Mac streams. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Download and install Soundflower: To get started, you’ll need to download and install Soundflower on your Mac. Visit the official website of Soundflower and download the latest version compatible with your operating system. Once downloaded, follow the installation instructions to install Soundflower on your Mac.

2. Configure Soundflower as your audio output: After installing Soundflower, open your system’s Sound preferences by navigating to System Preferences > Sound. In the Output tab, select Soundflower (2ch) as your audio output device. This will route your system’s audio through Soundflower.

3. Configure Streamlabs OBS Mac settings: Open Streamlabs OBS Mac and navigate to the settings menu. Under the Audio tab, set the Desktop Audio Device to Soundflower (2ch).

Pros:

  1. Easy to configure and use.
  2. Provides reliable audio routing for desktop audio.
  3. Compatible with various applications and sources.

Cons:

  1. May require additional adjustments and configuration for optimal audio quality.
  2. May cause audio latency or synchronization issues in some cases.
  3. Requires installation of a separate application (Soundflower).

Part 2: Using Loopback

Loopback is a premium virtual audio routing software for Mac that allows you to create virtual audio devices and route audio between different applications. It offers advanced customization options and features for capturing and manipulating audio. Here’s how you can use Loopback to add desktop audio on Streamlabs OBS Mac:

1. Download and install Loopback: Start by downloading Loopback from the official website. Once downloaded, run the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to install Loopback on your Mac.

2. Create a virtual audio device in Loopback: Open Loopback and click on the "+" button in the bottom left corner to create a new virtual audio device. Give it a relevant name (e.g., "Desktop Audio") and adjust the settings as per your requirements.

3. Configure Streamlabs OBS Mac settings: Launch Streamlabs OBS Mac and go to the settings menu. Under the Audio tab, set the Desktop Audio Device to the virtual audio device you created in Loopback.

Pros:

  1. Provides advanced customization options and features.
  2. Allows for precise audio routing and manipulation.
  3. Offers reliable audio capture and integration with Streamlabs OBS Mac.

Cons:

  1. Premium software with a cost associated.
  2. Requires installation of a separate application (Loopback).
  3. May have a steeper learning curve compared to other methods.

Part 3: Using BlackHole

BlackHole is an open-source virtual audio driver that allows you to create virtual audio devices on your Mac. It enables you to route audio between various applications and is suitable for capturing desktop audio for your Streamlabs OBS Mac streams. Here’s how you can use BlackHole to add desktop audio:

1. Download and install BlackHole: Visit the official GitHub repository of BlackHole and download the latest release compatible with your Mac’s operating system. Once downloaded, run the installer package and follow the on-screen instructions to install BlackHole on your Mac.

2. Configure BlackHole as your audio output: Open your Mac’s system Sound preferences by navigating to System Preferences > Sound. In the Output tab, select BlackHole 16ch as your audio output device. This will route your system’s audio through BlackHole.

3. Configure Streamlabs OBS Mac settings: Launch Streamlabs OBS Mac and go to the settings menu. Under the Audio tab, set the Desktop Audio Device to BlackHole 16ch.

Pros:

  1. Open-source and free to use.
  2. Provides reliable audio routing for desktop audio.
  3. Compatible with various applications and sources.

Cons:

  1. May require additional adjustments and configuration for optimal audio quality.
  2. Requires installation of a separate application (BlackHole).
  3. May cause audio latency or synchronization issues in some cases.

Part 4: Using iShowU Audio Capture

iShowU Audio Capture is a free utility that allows you to capture and route audio between different applications on your Mac. It provides a simple and straightforward way to add desktop audio to your Streamlabs OBS Mac streams. Follow these steps to use iShowU Audio Capture:

1. Download and install iShowU Audio Capture: Visit the official website of iShowU Audio Capture and download the latest version compatible with your Mac’s operating system. Once downloaded, run the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to install iShowU Audio Capture on your Mac.

2. Configure iShowU Audio Capture as your audio output: Open your Mac’s system Sound preferences by navigating to System Preferences > Sound. In the Output tab, select iShowU Audio Capture as your audio output device. This will route your system’s audio through iShowU Audio Capture.

3. Configure Streamlabs OBS Mac settings: Launch Streamlabs OBS Mac and go to the settings menu. Under the Audio tab, set the Desktop Audio Device to iShowU Audio Capture.

Pros:

  1. Free utility with simple configuration.
  2. Allows for easy audio capture and integration with Streamlabs OBS Mac.
  3. Reliable audio routing for desktop audio.

Cons:

  1. May require additional adjustments and configuration for optimal audio quality.
  2. Requires installation of a separate application (iShowU Audio Capture).
  3. May cause audio latency or synchronization issues in some cases.

What to Do If You Can’t Add Desktop Audio

If you’re unable to add desktop audio using the methods mentioned above, here are three alternative solutions you can try:

1. Use a separate device for audio: Instead of capturing desktop audio directly from your Mac, consider using a separate device such as a dedicated microphone or audio interface to capture audio. This will ensure high-quality audio without relying on desktop audio capture.

2. Utilize virtual audio cable software: There are several virtual audio cable software options available that allow for audio routing between different applications. Explore options like Jack Audio, VB-Audio Virtual Cable, or Loopback to achieve desktop audio capture.

3. Use audio sources within Streamlabs OBS Mac: Streamlabs OBS Mac provides various audio sources that you can utilize within the software itself. Instead of capturing desktop audio, consider using the built-in audio sources provided by Streamlabs OBS Mac to add audio to your streams.

Bonus Tips

Here are three bonus tips to enhance your desktop audio setup on Streamlabs OBS Mac:

1. Adjust audio levels: Take the time to fine-tune your audio levels to ensure a balanced mix. Test your audio setup before going live and make adjustments as needed.

2. Utilize audio filters: Streamlabs OBS Mac offers built-in audio filters that can improve the quality of your desktop audio. Experiment with filters like noise suppression, compression, and equalization to enhance your audio.

3. Monitor audio in real-time: Use headphones or earphones to monitor your desktop audio in real-time while streaming. This will help you identify any issues or audio discrepancies that may arise during your streams.

The Bottom Line

Adding desktop audio to your Streamlabs OBS Mac streams can significantly enhance the overall quality and viewer experience. By following the methods mentioned in this blog post, you’ll be able to capture and integrate desktop audio seamlessly. Whether you choose Soundflower, Loopback, BlackHole, or iShowU Audio Capture, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Experiment with different solutions to find the one that best suits your needs.

5 FAQs about Adding Desktop Audio on Streamlabs OBS Mac

Q1: Can I add desktop audio without using any additional software?

A1: No, capturing and adding desktop audio on Streamlabs OBS Mac usually requires the use of additional software or virtual audio devices.

Q2: Which method is the best for adding desktop audio?

A2: The best method for adding desktop audio depends on your specific requirements and preferences. Consider factors such as ease of use, level of customization, and budget when choosing a method.

Q3: Will adding desktop audio affect the performance of my streams?

A3: Adding desktop audio may slightly impact the performance of your streams, especially if you’re using resource-intensive applications. It’s important to optimize your settings and monitor performance while streaming.

Q4: Can I use multiple methods simultaneously to capture desktop audio?

A4: While it’s technically possible to use multiple methods simultaneously, it’s generally not recommended as it can lead to complications and potential audio conflicts.

Q5: Can I add desktop audio from specific applications only?

A5: Yes, most virtual audio devices and routing software allow you to select specific applications or sources for capturing desktop audio. This gives you greater control over which audio sources are included in your streams.

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