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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →To record separate audio tracks in OBS Studio, assign each audio source to its own track in Advanced Audio Properties, then enable those tracks under Settings → Output. For a recording that is also easy to play back outside an editor, keep a complete mix on track 1 and route the isolated sources to additional tracks.
Choose a track layout before you record
OBS’s Multiple Audio Track Recording Guide (published July 14, 2023) describes using track 1 for a complete mix and tracks 2–6 for separated audio. Decide whether you need editable individual sources, a ready-to-play mix, or both:
| Layout | What it gives you | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| One mixed track | All selected audio together on one track. | Immediate playback or publishing without later audio editing. |
| Complete mix plus isolated tracks | A combined track 1, plus separate tracks for sources you want to adjust independently. | Editing later while retaining a convenient listening copy. |
| Isolated tracks only | Separate sources, with no complete mix unless you create one in post-production. | A workflow where you intend to build the final mix in an editor. |
Standard video players generally play back only one audio track at a time, as OBS’s guide warns. If you expect the file to be played directly rather than edited, route all required audio sources to track 1.
Route sources to separate tracks
- Open Advanced Audio Properties. In the Audio Mixer dock, click the gear icon and choose Advanced Audio Properties. OBS documents the same option in the Edit menu.
- Assign each source. In the track columns, check the boxes for the tracks that should receive each audio source. For isolated tracks, place each independently available source on its own track. If you also want a complete mix, check track 1 for every source that belongs in that mix, as well as the source’s isolated track.
- Enable the tracks for recording. Open Settings → Output and enable the recording tracks you assigned. OBS’s documented example uses track 1 for the mix and tracks 2–6 for separation.
- Record a short test. Open the file in the editor or player you intend to use. Confirm that the expected tracks are present and that track 1 contains the intended mix. Player behavior can differ: a standard player may let you select only one track at a time, while an editor is where you typically inspect and mix separate sources.
Make sure OBS has separate sources to route
Track checkboxes do not split a combined audio signal after the fact. They route sources OBS already exposes independently. If desktop sound and a microphone are combined into one source before OBS receives them, separate track assignments cannot recover the original individual signals.
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Capture application audio separately on supported Windows systems
OBS’s Application Audio Capture documentation describes this feature as beta for OBS Studio 28 and later on Windows 10 version 2004 or later, and Windows 11. It allows a selected application to be added as its own audio source; this documented support is not a guarantee that every application or configuration will work.
- In the Sources dock, click + and select Application Audio Capture.
- Name the source, select the target window, and choose a matching priority. OBS recommends matching by type for most applications.
- For applications whose window titles can change, such as Chrome or Spotify, matching by executable name can keep capture working when the title changes.
- If you use Application Audio Capture sources, disable global Desktop Audio in Settings → Audio to avoid capturing the same sound twice and creating echo.
Some applications may be incompatible with Application Audio Capture. OBS lists VB-Cable as a workaround: route the application’s output to the virtual cable, then add the cable’s output to OBS as an audio input source. This is an optional routing workaround, not a requirement for ordinary multitrack recording.
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Choose a recording format that fits the workflow
Track routing and file format are separate decisions. Your container affects how resilient the file is if recording stops unexpectedly, and whether your editor and player can open it with the audio codecs you chose.
| Format choice | Trade-off | Practical use |
|---|---|---|
| MKV | OBS recommends it because an ungraceful stop will not corrupt the entire recording. Some editing software may have weaker MKV support. | A straightforward choice when recording resilience matters; remux after recording if your editor needs another format. |
| MP4 or MOV | Generally supported by more editing software, but a direct recording may need finalization and can be unrecoverable if interrupted. | Use when you have checked the editor’s format and codec support and accept the interruption risk. |
| Fragmented MP4 or MOV | OBS’s formats guide describes these as combining fault resistance with broader compatibility; support still depends on the codec and editor combination. | Consider only after confirming the exact editor and codec workflow you plan to use. |
Remux an MKV recording when MP4 is needed
OBS’s Standard Recording Output Guide recommends MKV for resilience and documents its built-in remux workflow. After recording, use File → Remux Recordings to convert a completed file. OBS also documents automatic remuxing in Advanced settings. Remuxing changes the container; it is not the same as editing or mixing the audio tracks.
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Troubleshoot missing, duplicated, or hard-to-play audio
- A source is missing from the recording: Check that the source is assigned to a track in Advanced Audio Properties and that the same track is enabled under Settings → Output.
- The file has audio, but it is not separated: Check whether the sources were independently available in OBS before routing. A single combined source cannot be split into its original components by assigning it to multiple tracks.
- You hear echo or doubled application audio: If using Application Audio Capture, check that global Desktop Audio is disabled in Settings → Audio, as OBS advises.
- A normal player plays only one part of the audio: Standard video players typically play one audio track at a time. Use a mix on track 1 for straightforward playback, or open the separate tracks in an editor.
- An interrupted recording will not open cleanly: OBS recommends MKV to reduce the risk that an ungraceful stop corrupts the whole file. For a completed MKV that needs MP4, use File → Remux Recordings.
- The editor cannot open the file or its tracks: Check that the editor supports the container, audio codec, and multitrack layout. Support differs by software and codec combination; choose a format only after verifying the intended workflow.
- One application cannot be captured: Application Audio Capture may not support every application. OBS lists routing through VB-Cable as an optional workaround.
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