Muting audio sources in OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) can be done quickly using the Audio Mixer panel or more permanently/conditionally by applying an audio filter.
Here are the primary methods for muting sources in OBS:
Quick Muting in the Audio Mixer
This is the fastest way to temporarily mute or unmute an audio source during a live stream or recording.
- Locate Your Source: Find the audio source you want to mute in the Audio Mixer panel, usually located in the bottom-middle section of the OBS interface.
- Click the Speaker Icon: Each audio source has a speaker icon next to its volume slider. Click this icon.
- The icon will turn red, indicating the source is now muted. Clicking it again will unmute it.
This method is ideal for situations where you need to quickly cut audio from a microphone, desktop sound, or other source on the fly.
Muting with the "Mute Audio" Filter
For a more permanent mute or if you intend to manage muting through filter visibility or hotkeys associated with filters (though filter conditions are not covered in the provided reference), you can use the "Mute Audio" filter.
This method involves adding a specific filter to the audio source that effectively silences its output within OBS. Based on the provided information, the steps are:
- Right-click your audio source name within the "Audio Mixer" panel.
- Select "Filters" from the context menu that appears.
- In the Audio Filters window, locate and click the "+" button in the bottom-left corner to add a new filter.
- From the list of available audio filters, choose "Mute Audio".
- (Optional) You can name the filter if you wish. Click "Close" to apply the filter.
Applying the "Mute Audio" filter will mute the source. You can enable or disable this filter from the Filters window without removing it entirely, offering flexibility if you need to toggle the mute state less frequently than with the mixer icon.
Using either the quick mute icon in the Audio Mixer or adding the "Mute Audio" filter allows you to control which audio sources are heard in your stream or recording output.
