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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To keep a sound—such as music—in your Twitch live mix but out of the VOD, connect your Twitch account in OBS, enable Twitch VOD Track under Settings → Output, then use Advanced Audio Properties to include that sound on track 1 (live) but not track 2 (VOD). For editable local recordings, configure recording tracks separately; Twitch VOD routing and local multi-track recording are related but different jobs.
Route different audio to the Twitch stream and VOD
OBS’s Twitch VOD Track feature sends a different audio feed to the live stream and its VOD. The OBS guide, dated July 14, 2023, describes track 1 as the live feed and track 2 as the VOD feed by default. This is useful when viewers should hear a source live, but it should not appear in the saved VOD.
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- Connect your Twitch account. In OBS, open Settings → Stream and select Connect Account.
- Enable VOD routing. Open Settings → Output, enable Enable Custom Encoder Settings, then enable the Twitch VOD Track option that appears.
- Open the source routing controls. In the Audio Mixer dock, select the gear icon and choose Advanced Audio Properties. You can also open it from the Edit menu.
- Assign each source. Use the track checkboxes for every audio source. Select track 1 for sounds that should reach the live stream. Select track 2 for sounds that should be included in the VOD. To keep music out of the VOD, for example, leave it checked on track 1 and unchecked on track 2.
- Check the result before relying on it. Confirm the intended sources are assigned to each track. OBS’s guide documents the routing controls, but source behavior can vary with the source and operating-system setup.
OBS documents this feature specifically as separate live and VOD feeds; it does not mean that every source is automatically excluded from the VOD. The source checkboxes determine what each feed contains.
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Record separate audio tracks for editing
If the goal is to adjust game audio, voice, music, or other sources independently in an editor, configure local recording tracks as well. OBS says tracks 3–6 remain available for audio separation in the Twitch VOD-track setup. Assign sources in Advanced Audio Properties, then choose which tracks the recording will capture under Settings → Output.
#1 Best Overall
- Pro performance with great pre-amps - Achieve a brighter recording thanks to the high performing mic pre-amps of the Scarlett 3rd Gen. A switchable Air mode will add extra clarity to your acoustic instruments when recording with your Solo 3rd Gen
- Get the perfect guitar and vocal take with - With two high-headroom instrument inputs to plug in your guitar or bass so that they shine through. Capture your voice and instruments without any unwanted clipping or distortion thanks to our Gain Halos
- Studio quality recording for your music & podcasts - Achieve pro sounding recordings with Scarlett 3rd Gen’s high-performance converters enabling you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Your recordings will retain all of their sonic qualities
- Low-noise for crystal clear listening - 2 low-noise balanced outputs provide clean audio playback with 3rd Gen. Hear all the nuances of your tracks or music from Spotify, Apple & Amazon Music. Plug-in headphones for private listening in high-fidelity
- Everything in the box: Includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, and Hitmaker Expansion: a suite of essential effects, powerful software instruments, and easy-to-use mastering tools
- In Advanced Audio Properties, check the track or tracks on which each source should be recorded.
- Open Settings → Output and enable the corresponding tracks in the recording settings.
- Make a short sample recording and open it in the editor you plan to use to confirm that the desired sources appear on separate tracks.
Track assignment and recording-track selection are both necessary: assigning a source to a track does not, by itself, enable that track for local recording. For the full recording-track setup, see the OBS Multiple Audio Track Recording Guide.
Choose the right setup for the finished video
| What you need | What to configure | Important consideration |
|---|---|---|
| A different mix for Twitch live viewers and the VOD | Tracks 1 and 2 with Twitch VOD Track enabled | Route each source according to whether it belongs in the live feed, VOD feed, or both. |
| Separate sources for post-production editing | Assign sources to recording tracks, then enable those tracks in Settings → Output | OBS identifies tracks 3–6 as available for local separation in this configuration. |
| A recording that should play with its full mix in an ordinary video player | Include all audio sources on track 1 | Standard video players play only one audio track at a time; a player may not mix separate tracks together. OBS recommends sending all sources to track 1 if you will publish without processing the recording in an editor. |
The OBS Multiple Audio Track Recording Guide, dated July 14, 2023, explains the single-track playback limitation. If you edit the recording first, separate tracks let the editor control sources independently; if you publish it directly, the track-1 mix is the safer choice for ordinary playback.
Rank #2
- The new generation of the songwriter's interface: Plug in your mic and guitar and let Scarlett Solo 4th Gen bring big studio sound to wherever you make music
- Studio-quality sound: With a huge 120dB dynamic range, the newest generation of Scarlett uses the same converters as Focusrite’s flagship interfaces, found in the world's biggest studios
- Find your signature sound: Scarlett 4th Gen's improved Air mode lifts vocals and guitars to the front of the mix, adding musical presence and rich harmonic drive to your recordings
- All you need to record, mix and master your music: Includes industry-leading recording software and a full collection of record-making plugins
- Everything in the box: Includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE, and Hitmaker Expansion: a suite of essential effects, powerful software instruments, and easy-to-use mastering tools
Capture audio from individual applications
Application-level capture can help when you need to separate the audio of a game or another program from the rest of the computer’s sound. OBS’s Application Audio Capture guide, dated July 12, 2023, says per-application audio sources are available in OBS Studio 28 on Windows 10 version 2004 or later and Windows 11. OBS Studio 30.1 added the option to include audio with Window Capture or Game Capture.
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- When using Application Audio Capture sources, OBS advises disabling global Desktop Audio in Settings → Audio to avoid capturing the same sound twice and creating echo.
- Some applications may not work with this capture source. OBS documents VB-Cable as a workaround; the appropriate routing depends on the application and setup.
- These version and operating-system details apply to the application-audio capture features described by OBS, not to the basic Twitch VOD Track routing steps.
See the OBS Application Audio Capture Guide for the documented compatibility details and routing guidance.
Rank #3
- PLUG IN AND HEAR SOUND IN SECONDS - USB Type-A connector with a 3.5mm stereo headphone output and a separate 3.5mm mono microphone input. No drivers, no software, no external power - the adapter is USB bus-powered and is recognized as a standard USB audio device.
- WORKS ON WINDOWS, MAC AND LINUX - Driverless on Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7/8, Linux and Mac OSX, and compliant with the USB Audio Device Class 1.0 specification, so any system that supports class-compliant USB audio will see it. Select it as the sound output and input device after plugging it in.
- TWO JACKS, TWO JOBS - The green jack is stereo OUT for headphones or powered speakers; the pink jack is mono microphone IN for a 3.5mm mic. It does NOT support 4-pole headsets on a single combo plug, it does NOT power passive speakers, and it does NOT add surround sound - it is a stereo 2-channel adapter.
- FOR LAPTOPS AND DESKTOPS THAT NEED AN AUDIO PORT BACK - Adds a headphone and mic port to a laptop, desktop, or mini PC whose onboard jack has failed or was never there. Managed and work-issued computers can block new USB audio devices by policy - check with your IT department before ordering for a company machine.
- SABRENT SUPPORT AND WARRANTY - What is in the box: one USB audio sound adapter. Backed by a 1-year limited warranty, extended to 2 years when you register within 90 days on the manufacturer's website.
Troubleshoot routing and playback problems
- A sound appears in the VOD even though you wanted it omitted: Open Advanced Audio Properties and check that the source is not selected for track 2. Keep it selected on track 1 if it should remain in the live mix.
- A source is missing from the live stream: Check that it is selected for track 1. Track 2 is the VOD feed by default; selecting a source only there does not put it in the live feed.
- A local recording is missing a source or separate track: Check both the source’s track assignments in Advanced Audio Properties and the enabled recording tracks in Settings → Output.
- The recording plays only some of its audio in a regular video player: The player may be playing only one track. Include the complete intended mix on track 1 if the file will be published without editing.
- Desktop or application audio echoes: If Application Audio Capture is in use, check whether global Desktop Audio is also capturing the same sound. OBS recommends disabling Desktop Audio in Settings → Audio for this setup.
- An application’s audio is not captured: Check the Windows and OBS version requirements for Application Audio Capture. OBS notes that some applications may be incompatible and documents VB-Cable as a workaround.
Or let it run in the cloud
For a separate use case—keeping a YouTube channel live 24/7 from uploaded videos—StreamNeo runs the loop in the cloud rather than on an OBS computer. It does not capture a live camera or stream to Twitch; it is a YouTube service for uploaded videos.
- Upload a recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key once.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the videos from the cloud.
Nothing has to stay on at home. Videos stream as uploaded at any quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot. StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. The monthly option is $9.99 per month.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The new generation of the artist's interface: Connect your mic to Scarlett's 4th Gen mic pres. Plug in your guitar. Fire up the included software. Start making your first big hit
- Studio-quality sound: With a huge 120dB dynamic range, the newest generation of Scarlett uses the same converters as Focusrite’s flagship interfaces, found in the world's biggest studios
- Never lose a great take: Scarlett 4th Gen's Auto Gain sets the perfect level for your mic or guitar, and Clip Safe prevents clipping, so you can focus on the music
- Find your signature sound: Air mode lifts vocals and guitars to the front of the mix, adding musical presence and rich harmonic drive to your recordings
- With Scarlett 4th Gen, you have all you need to record, mix and master your music: Includes industry-leading recording software and a full collection of record-making plugins
Rank #4
- Podcast, Record, Live Stream, This Portable Audio Interface Covers it All - USB sound card for Mac or PC delivers 48kHz audio resolution for pristine recording every time
- Be ready for anything with this versatile M-AUDIO interface - Record guitar, vocals or line input signals with two combo XLR / Line / Instrument Inputs with phantom power
- Everything you Demand from an Audio Interface for Fuss-Free Monitoring - 1/4" headphone output and stereo 1/4" outputs for total monitoring flexibility; USB/Direct switch for zero latency monitoring
- Get the best out of your Microphones - M-Track Duo’s transparent Crystal Preamps guarantee optimal sound from all your microphones including condenser mics
- The MPC Production Experience - Includes MPC Beats Software complete with the essential production tools from Akai Professional
Start your free StreamNeo day.
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