How to Use OBS Audio Filters for Better Microphone Sound

Learn how to use OBS audio filters for your microphone, including gain, compression, noise suppression and noise gates for clearer, controlled sound.

OBS audio filters give you much more control over your microphone. You can adjust volume, reduce unwanted noise and keep your sound more consistent.

If you've followed this OBS series from the beginning, your microphone should already be running through OBS.

We set that up in How to Connect OBS Audio to Zoom With a Virtual Cable.

That setup wasn't just about getting sound from A to B.

This is why we did it.

Once your microphone enters OBS before it reaches Zoom, a recording or another destination, you can work on that sound first.

And that can make a big difference.

Quick answer: How to Use OBS Audio Filters for Better Microphone Sound explains how to use OBS audio filters for your microphone, including gain, compression, noise suppression and noise gates for clearer, controlled sound.

Why Put Your Microphone Through OBS?

Think about the route we've created:

Microphone → OBS → Virtual Cable → Zoom

Instead of your microphone going directly into Zoom, OBS sits in the middle.

That means you can process your microphone inside OBS.

You can adjust its level.

You can reduce unwanted noise.

You can compress large changes in volume.

You can also balance your voice against videos and other media playing inside OBS.

Your audio starts behaving much more like the video side of your production — something you can actually control.

That's the advantage.

What Are OBS Audio Filters?

OBS audio filters are effects you can apply to an audio source such as your microphone.

Select the microphone in OBS, open Filters, and you can add different types of audio processing.

In the workshop, we focus on some of the filters that are particularly useful for a creator setup:

• Compressor
• Noise Gate
• Noise Suppression
• Gain

OBS also includes an equaliser option, but I'm not trying to turn this into an audio engineering course.

The aim here is simpler.

Get your microphone sounding clear and at a sensible level.

Then leave it alone and get on with teaching.

Where Do You Find Microphone Filters in OBS?

Go to your OBS Audio Mixer.

Find the microphone you've already set up.

In my workshop setup, I've named the microphone clearly rather than leaving it with a generic source name.

Open the options for that microphone and choose:

Filters

You'll see an area where you can add Audio/Video Filters.

Click the + button.

That's where you'll find the available audio filters.

One useful habit here is the same one we've used throughout the workshop:

Make one change.

Test it.

Then decide whether it helped.

Don't add everything at once.

Start With a Compressor

The first filter I add in the workshop is a Compressor.

A compressor helps manage changes between quieter and louder parts of your voice.

You may be talking normally and then suddenly speak much louder.

Without any control, those peaks can jump out.

Compression helps even things out.

You'll see settings such as:

Ratio

Threshold

Attack

Release

There are more detailed ways of fine-tuning a compressor, of course.

But for this workshop, I'm not asking you to disappear into every technical setting.

Start simple.

Add it.

Listen.

Adjust later if you genuinely need to.

What Does an OBS Compressor Do?

In plain English, a compressor reduces the difference between louder and quieter parts of your audio.

That can make spoken audio feel more controlled.

Imagine you're teaching something calmly.

Then you get excited about a point and suddenly your voice gets much louder.

A compressor can help stop that louder part jumping so aggressively.

That doesn't mean you should squash your voice until every word sounds identical.

You still want natural speech.

The goal is control, not flattening your personality.

What Does the OBS Noise Gate Do?

The next option covered in the workshop is the Noise Gate.

Think of it as a gate that opens and closes according to the audio level.

When the sound is loud enough, the gate lets it through.

When the sound falls below the level you've set, the gate closes.

This can be useful for background noise.

Maybe there's a low-level computer fan.

Maybe your room has a quiet hum.

Maybe another small sound is present whenever you're not speaking.

A noise gate can help stop some of that quieter sound coming through during the gaps.

Be Careful With a Noise Gate

A noise gate can also become annoying if it's set badly.

If the threshold is too aggressive, it can start cutting off quieter parts of your speech.

The beginning of a word disappears.

Or your voice sounds like it's constantly switching on and off.

That's not better.

So don't chase complete silence.

Listen to yourself talking normally.

Talk quietly as well as loudly.

Make sure your words are still coming through naturally.

OBS Noise Gate vs Noise Suppression

A noise gate and noise suppression aren't doing exactly the same job.

The noise gate controls whether sound passes based on its level.

Noise suppression tries to reduce unwanted background noise while you're speaking.

For many beginner setups, noise suppression may be the easier place to start if the main problem is a steady background sound.

The workshop shows both because you've got options.

You don't necessarily need both.

This is where listening matters more than ticking boxes.

If the noise suppression solves your problem nicely, you may not need an aggressive gate as well.

How to Add Noise Suppression in OBS

Open your microphone Filters.

Click the + button.

Choose:

Noise Suppression

OBS gives you options for the suppression method.

The workshop points out that different processing methods can use different amounts of computer processing power.

That's worth remembering.

Audio processing isn't free.

Your computer is already potentially handling:

• your camera
• media
• OBS scenes
• screen sharing
• recording
• streaming

Don't add heavier processing simply because it exists.

Use what your system can handle reliably.

Don't Process the Same Noise Twice Without a Reason

If OBS is already handling your microphone processing, be careful about layering unnecessary processing elsewhere.

In the workshop, I talk about turning off unnecessary Zoom audio processing when OBS is already doing the job.

Why?

Because piling one noise-reduction system on top of another can sometimes make your sound worse rather than better.

You can end up with over-processed speech.

Parts of words get damaged.

The voice starts sounding unnatural.

The principle is simple:

Decide where you're going to control the microphone.

For this setup, we're deliberately doing that in OBS.

What Does the OBS Gain Filter Do?

Gain controls the level of the microphone signal.

This is particularly useful if your microphone is simply too quiet.

Perhaps you've been in Zoom sessions where somebody sounds like they're sitting at the other end of the room.

Everyone starts saying:

"Can you turn your microphone up?"

If your microphone is being handled inside OBS, you can set the level there.

Once.

Test it.

Get it where you want it.

Then every time you use that same OBS setup, you're starting from the microphone level you've already configured.

That's much better than repeatedly adjusting it during live sessions.

How Much Gain Should You Add in OBS?

There isn't one number I can give you that will be correct for every microphone.

The workshop deliberately demonstrates a very large gain increase so you can hear and see the difference.

At one point, I push the gain to around 25 dB as an example.

That's huge.

And you can see the microphone level pushing into the red.

The point isn't that you should use 25 dB.

Quite the opposite.

It's showing you what gain actually does.

Your job is to use enough gain to get a useful microphone level without pushing the audio into distortion or constant clipping.

Watch the OBS Audio Meter

The Audio Mixer is useful here.

As you speak, watch the microphone meter.

If you're constantly smashing into the red, you've probably pushed things too far.

You want a healthy signal.

Not a permanently overloaded one.

Speak the way you'll actually speak during your session.

Don't whisper into the microphone while setting it up and then shout during the real workshop.

Test normal speech.

Test a louder sentence.

Make sure you've got some room.

What Does “Going Into the Red” Mean?

When the audio meter is pushing hard into the red, your signal is very high.

The workshop demonstrates this when the gain is turned up dramatically.

That's your warning.

More volume doesn't automatically mean better sound.

People need to hear you clearly.

They don't need you attacking their headphones.

If you're pushing into the red constantly, reduce the gain or level and test again.

Gain and Compression Work Together

If you're increasing the microphone level, compression becomes more useful.

Why?

Because raising the overall level can also make the louder peaks more noticeable.

The workshop specifically warns that if you're cranking up the microphone, you need to think about controlling it rather than simply making everything louder.

This is where the compressor can help.

Again, you don't need to understand a recording studio's worth of settings.

You need a voice that sounds consistent and comfortable to listen to.

Noise Suppression Can Become More Important as Gain Increases

There's another side effect of adding gain.

You're not only turning up your voice.

You may also make background noise more noticeable.

Your room.

Your computer.

Air conditioning.

Anything else the microphone is picking up.

So if you're increasing gain substantially, listen to what happens in the silent gaps too.

You may need noise suppression.

Or you may need to solve the physical problem.

Perhaps the microphone is too far away from your mouth.

Maybe the fan is sitting directly beside it.

Don't automatically reach for another filter.

Sometimes moving the microphone closer gives you a stronger voice without needing to add a huge amount of electronic gain.

Test Your OBS Microphone With a Recording

This is one of the simplest ways to make a sensible decision.

Record yourself.

We covered the recording workflow in How to Record Video in OBS Studio.

Use it.

Record a short sample with your filters on.

Talk normally.

Then listen back.

Don't judge your microphone entirely from what you hear while you're speaking.

The recording tells you what the finished output actually sounds like.

Turn Filters On and Off to Compare Them

OBS gives you a visibility control beside your filters.

Use it.

Turn a filter off.

Listen.

Turn it back on.

Listen again.

Does the compressor actually help?

Is the suppression improving the background noise?

Has the gain made things clearer or just louder?

This kind of A/B comparison is much more useful than adding a filter and immediately deciding that it must be better because it's there.

A Simple OBS Microphone Filter Setup

For the workshop, the practical combination being demonstrated is built around:

Compressor

Noise Suppression

Gain

with the Noise Gate available when needed.

That doesn't mean every microphone needs exactly the same stack.

Your room is different.

Your microphone is different.

Your voice is different.

Your computer may also handle processing differently.

Use this as a starting framework rather than a magic preset.

Don't Look for a “Perfect OBS Microphone Setting”

This is one of those searches where people often want somebody to give them four numbers.

Set ratio to this.

Set threshold to that.

Put gain here.

Done.

The problem is your microphone isn't necessarily the microphone they're using.

Your mouth isn't the same distance from it.

Your room isn't the same.

Your background noise isn't the same.

Think again.

A perfect setting copied from somebody else's computer may be worse than the simple default setting you already had.

Use your ears.

Your Microphone Position Still Matters

OBS can help.

It can't change physics.

If the microphone is across the room, you may have to increase the level substantially.

That also makes the room more noticeable.

If the microphone is positioned sensibly, you usually have a stronger source signal to work with.

So before processing your audio heavily, look at the setup.

Can you get closer to the microphone?

Is it pointing where it should?

Is something noisy sitting beside it?

Fix the easy things first.

Then use OBS to polish the result.

OBS Audio Filters vs Zoom Audio Processing

For the workflow we're building, OBS is where we're deliberately taking control.

Your microphone enters OBS.

OBS processes it.

Then the virtual cable sends it onwards.

That gives you one place where you can set the microphone level and filters.

The workshop's point is that once you've got a sound you like, you can leave that OBS setup in place.

The next time you run the microphone through OBS, those settings are already there.

That's useful consistency.

Why Consistent Microphone Sound Matters for Course Creators

Imagine recording a course over several days.

Lesson one is quiet.

Lesson two is much louder.

Lesson three has obvious fan noise.

Lesson four is quieter again.

Your students notice.

They may not know what compressor settings are.

They don't care.

They just know they keep changing the volume.

A repeatable OBS microphone setup can reduce that problem.

Once you've found a sensible level and processing combination, you've got a starting point for every new recording.

That makes the overall course easier to listen to.

OBS Audio Control Matters for Live Workshops Too

The same principle applies live.

You've got enough to think about during a workshop.

You don't want to keep opening Zoom settings because people say you're too quiet.

If your microphone has already been configured in OBS and you've tested it, you can start the session with much more confidence.

Remember the routing:

Microphone → OBS → Virtual Cable → Zoom

When you open Zoom using this system, you're selecting the virtual cable rather than going back to the physical microphone.

OBS is handling the sound.

Don't Forget the Virtual Cable

This catches people.

They've done all the clever OBS audio processing.

Then they open Zoom and select their physical microphone.

Now Zoom is hearing the microphone directly.

The OBS filters aren't in that route.

For the workshop workflow, Zoom needs to receive the cable that OBS is sending its monitored sound into.

If you need to revisit the setup, go back to How to Connect OBS Audio to Zoom With a Virtual Cable.

That's the foundation for everything we're doing here.

Media Audio Can Be Controlled Too

Your microphone isn't the only thing in the OBS Audio Mixer.

If you've followed How to Add Video to OBS, you'll already know that media can have its own audio.

You can control those levels too.

So you might have:

Microphone: clear and prominent

Background music: much quieter

Video clip: loud enough to understand but not blasting the audience

You're effectively mixing the presentation.

You don't have to use the same level for everything.

Background Music Should Stay in the Background

The clue is in the name.

If you've got background music playing while you talk, it shouldn't be competing with your voice.

Bring the level down.

Test it.

Listen to a recording.

If you're struggling to understand yourself because the music is too loud, the audience will struggle too.

You can always increase it later.

Starting quieter is usually easier than trying to rescue speech buried under music.

Common OBS Audio Filter Problems

My microphone is still too quiet

Check the physical microphone level and position first. Then use the OBS Gain filter carefully to raise the signal.

My microphone is constantly hitting the red

You've probably got too much level somewhere in the chain. Reduce the gain or microphone level and make another test recording.

Noise suppression makes my voice sound strange

You may be processing the signal too aggressively or combining multiple noise-reduction systems. Turn filters off one at a time and compare the result.

The noise gate cuts off my words

The gate may be closing too aggressively. Adjust it so quieter parts of your normal speech still pass through.

Increasing gain makes the background noise louder

That's expected because gain increases the signal you're receiving. Improve microphone position or the room noise where possible, then use suppression if needed.

My OBS filters work in recordings but not in Zoom

Check that Zoom is listening to the virtual cable rather than directly to your physical microphone.

My video is louder than my microphone

Reduce the media source level in the OBS Audio Mixer and make another test recording.

I added every filter and the sound got worse

Turn them off.

Seriously.

Start again with the problem you're actually trying to solve.

A filter should have a job.

OBS Audio Filter Checklist

Before using the microphone in an important recording or live session:

• Confirm your microphone is routed through OBS
• Open the microphone Filters panel
• Add a compressor if it improves consistency
• Decide whether you actually need a noise gate
• Test noise suppression against your room noise
• Use gain only when the microphone level needs it
• Watch the Audio Mixer while speaking
• Avoid constantly pushing the microphone into the red
• Test normal and louder speech
• Record a short sample
• Listen to the sample rather than judging by meters alone
• Turn filters on and off to compare the result
• Check your media levels against your voice
• Make sure Zoom is using the virtual cable
• Save a setup that sounds good and stop fiddling with it

That last one matters.

Once it sounds good, use it.

You don't need to redesign your microphone every Tuesday.

Learn OBS With Me in the Free Workshop

Audio is much easier to understand when you can watch the microphone meter respond while filters are being switched on and off.

That's exactly what we do inside the free Learn OBS Workshop.

We build the whole system so the camera, microphone, videos, screen sharing, recording and streaming work together rather than treating audio as a completely separate subject.

Learn OBS Workshop | Present, Stream & Record Better

You can also return to the complete Learn OBS beginner's guide whenever you want to see the full tutorial cluster.

FAQ About OBS Audio Filters

What are the best OBS audio filters for a microphone?

The workshop focuses on compressor, noise suppression, gain and, where needed, a noise gate. The best combination depends on your microphone, voice, room and the problem you're trying to solve.

What does the compressor filter do in OBS?

A compressor helps control the difference between louder and quieter parts of your microphone signal. It can make spoken audio feel more consistent without requiring you to manually adjust the level constantly.

What does noise suppression do in OBS?

Noise suppression is designed to reduce unwanted background noise picked up by your microphone. Use it carefully because aggressive processing can also affect the natural quality of your voice.

What does a noise gate do in OBS?

A noise gate allows sound through when it reaches a chosen level and closes when the sound falls below another level. It can help reduce low-level background noise during pauses, but poor settings may cut off quiet speech.

How do I make my OBS microphone louder?

You can use a Gain filter to increase the microphone level. Increase it carefully while watching the Audio Mixer and listening to test recordings so you don't push the signal too high.

Why is my OBS microphone going into the red?

Your microphone level or gain is too high for the signal you're producing. Reduce the level and test again rather than assuming louder is better.

Should I use OBS noise suppression and Zoom noise suppression together?

The workshop recommends handling the audio processing through OBS for this workflow and avoiding unnecessary additional processing in Zoom. Stacking too much reduction can make speech sound worse.

Can OBS audio filters work in Zoom?

Yes, when your microphone is routed into OBS and OBS sends that processed audio through the virtual cable to Zoom. If Zoom listens directly to the physical microphone, it bypasses the OBS processing route.

Do OBS filters affect recorded audio?

If your microphone is part of the OBS recording setup with those filters active, the processed microphone sound is used in the OBS output.

Should I copy someone else's OBS microphone settings?

Use them as a rough reference at most. Different microphones, rooms, voices and distances produce different results. Make a recording and tune your setup by listening to your own output.

What To Do Next

Your camera looks good.

Your microphone is controlled.

Your scenes are prepared.

You can play video, screen share and record.

Now it's time to take that whole setup and send it live.

Continue with How to Stream With OBS to YouTube and Social Platforms.

We'll look at the workflow used in the workshop for testing a stream privately, connecting OBS to Facebook with streaming details, connecting a YouTube account, managing broadcasts and checking that your camera, microphone and media actually reached the live platform before you trust it with a real audience.

And yes, the rule will come up again.

Test, test, test.

Join the free Learn OBS Workshop and build the complete system with me.

FAQ

Who is How to Use OBS Audio Filters for Better Microphone Sound for?

How to Use OBS Audio Filters for Better Microphone Sound is for course creators, coaches and educators who want a clearer OBS setup for recording lessons, streaming sessions or creating better video content for their online business.

How does this OBS workflow connect with New Zenler?

Creators can use OBS to improve video and live-session production, then use New Zenler to host courses, deliver memberships, run live sessions, build funnels and manage learners in one platform.

What should creators check before recording or streaming with OBS?

Check the scene layout, microphone input, audio filters, camera framing, recording settings, internet connection and where the finished lesson or live replay will be delivered in New Zenler.

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