If you have ever streamed anything on an internet platform such as Twitch or YouTube, you probably know OBS, or Open Broadcaster Software. And you may have come across this problem… OBS mic too loud.

We’ve decided to tackle this problem, because having a mic which is too loud can cause audio distortion. The result? Not good: Poor-quality sound, muffled voices, or even clipping. This = a bad video!

So here’s what you should do….

Skip to:

• Why is my OBS mic too loud?
• Check your microphone gain 
• Add audio filters
• Adjust your microphone’s Windows settings
• Use a pop up filter or windscreen
• Update audio drivers
• Test your audio
• Consider a different microphone

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Why is my OBS mic too loud?

Before diving into the fixes, it’s important to understand why your microphone might be too loud in OBS in the first place. The problem could stem from one of several causes, including:

🎤 Microphone input gain

The gain setting on your microphone or within OBS could be too high.

🎤 Incorrect audio filters

Certain filters might be improperly configured, making your mic sound louder than intended.

🎤 Clipping

If the audio signal is too strong, it can result in clipping, where the sound distorts, becoming harsh and unpleasant.

🎤 Audio driver issues

Outdated or faulty drivers can sometimes cause audio levels to behave unpredictably.

🎤 Windows sound settings

Your system-level audio settings might be affecting the input levels, amplifying the mic signal unnecessarily.

Now that we know the potential causes, let’s go through the steps to fix your microphone volume in OBS.

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Check your microphone gain in OBS

The first thing to check when your microphone is too loud is the gain setting in OBS. Gain controls the volume of the microphone signal that OBS processes. If the gain is too high, it can lead to distortion and clipping.

How to adjust the gain:

1. Open OBS and ensure your microphone is added as an audio input source.

2. In the Sources section, right-click on your microphone and select Properties.

3. Look for the Audio Mixer window. This shows the levels of your microphone and other audio sources.

4. If the microphone level is too high (typically shown by a red bar or a clipping signal), you can reduce it by adjusting the Mic Gain slider.

5. Start lowering the gain until the sound doesn’t distort anymore. Aim for a level where the audio peaks just below the red zone.
   

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Add audio filters

In OBS, you can add filters to your microphone input to improve its sound quality. Some common audio filters can help control volume and prevent clipping.

Recommended filters:

🎚️Gain

You can use the Gain filter to adjust the microphone input directly in OBS. This filter allows you to increase or decrease the audio level of your microphone without affecting other settings.

🎚️Compressor

A compressor can help balance out the volume of your mic. It will automatically lower the volume when it gets too loud and raise the volume when it gets too quiet. This ensures your voice remains consistent without sudden volume spikes.

🎚️Noise Gate

A noise gate can cut out background noise and unwanted hum. It’s particularly useful for controlling low sounds like keyboard clicks or breathing that might cause your mic to seem too loud even when you’re not speaking.

🎚️Limiter

A limiter is another way to prevent clipping. It automatically reduces the audio level if it exceeds a certain threshold.

How to add a filter:

1. Right-click on your microphone in the Sources list

2. Select Filters

3. Click the + button and choose the filter you want to add (e.g., Compressor, Gain, Noise Gate, or Limiter).

4. Click the + button and choose the filter you want to add (e.g., Compressor, Gain, Noise Gate, or Limiter).

5. Adjust the settings for each filter according to your preference. For instance, in the Compressor filter, lower the threshold and ratio to prevent loud peaks.

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Adjust your microphone’s Windows settings

Sometimes, the issue with your mic’s volume is related to the system-level audio settings in Windows. If the microphone input volume is too high in Windows, it will affect the sound quality in OBS.

How to adjust microphone levels in windows:

1. Right-click on the Speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sounds.

2. In the Sound window, go to the Recording tab.

3. Find your microphone in the list and select it. Then click Properties.

4. In the Microphone Properties window, go to the Levels tab.

5. Adjust the Microphone slider to a lower setting. A common starting point is around 80-85%.

6. Click Apply to save the changes.

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Use a pop filter or windscreen

In some cases, even with the gain levels set correctly, the sound can still be too loud due to plosives (those harsh “P” and “B” sounds) or breath noises. These can cause loud spikes in your microphone’s audio.

Why you should use a pop filter or windscreen:

👉 A Pop Filter is a mesh screen placed in front of your microphone to reduce plosives. It prevents sudden bursts of air from hitting the mic, which would otherwise create loud, distorted sounds.

👉 A Windscreen works similarly, but it’s typically a foam cover that fits over the microphone, blocking wind and breath sounds from causing distortion.

Pop filters and windscreens are affordable, easy to use, and can significantly improve your sound quality.

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Update audio drivers

Outdated or corrupt audio drivers can sometimes cause erratic behavior with your microphone levels. Updating your audio drivers can ensure that your mic performs optimally with OBS.

How to update audio drivers:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

2. Expand the Audio Inputs and Outputs section.

3. Right-click on your microphone device and select Update Driver.

4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows search for updates.

5. If an update is available, install it and restart your PC.

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Test your audio

After making the right adjustments to your microphone’s gain, filters, and system settings, you have to test your audio to make sure it’s at the desired level:

🎞️Record a test clip

Open OBS and start recording a short test video or audio clip. Make sure to speak at different volumes to see how your mic responds to both loud and quiet sounds.

🎞️ Check the audio mixer

While recording, watch the audio levels in the Audio Mixer window. Make sure the mic’s levels stay out of the red zone and that the sound is clear and balanced.

🎞️ Playback the recording

Listen to the playback of your test clip. Ensure that there are no distortions or muffled sounds.

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Consider using a different microphone

If you’ve followed all of the above steps and your microphone is still too loud or the audio quality isn’t satisfactory, it might be time to consider upgrading to a better microphone. 

USB microphones like the Audio-Technica AT2020 offer great sound quality and are widely used by streamers and podcasters:

There’s also XLR microphones, which require an audio interface but may provide even more sound quality and control over your audio in some cases.