First identify whether the sound is true clipping or a click at the loop point: clipping is distortion from the final audio level exceeding 0 dBFS, while a loop-edge click can come from a discontinuity in the media file even when the meters stay below that ceiling. For a single clip, enable Loop in an OBS Media Source; for a playlist, use Loop Playlist in a VLC Video source. Lower excessive levels and put OBS’s Limiter last in the relevant filter chain. If only the repeat boundary clicks, inspect and edit the source audio seam.
Set up the loop in OBS
For one video
- In OBS, add or select a Media Source in the Sources panel, then open its properties.
- Enable Loop and confirm the source. Media Source also offers Restart playback when source becomes active and Show nothing when playback ends; these affect playback behavior, not audio peak level.
OBS’s Media Source documentation describes the loop control but does not guarantee that every file or codec will make a seamless audio transition at the loop point. OBS Media Sources
For a playlist
- Install VLC, then add a VLC Video source and select the playlist in its properties.
- Enable Loop Playlist if the playlist should repeat. VLC Video also has shuffle and other playback options.
VLC Video depends on the VLC library being installed. The OBS guide notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. OBS VLC Video Source
Determine whether it is clipping or a loop-edge click
Play the loudest part of the video and watch the source meter and the final OBS output mix. OBS’s mixer guide explains that its input meter is after source filters but before the volume fader, so an individual source meter alone does not establish that the final mix is safe. The recorded or streamed audio needs to stay below 0 dBFS to avoid clipping. OBS Audio Mixer Technical Details
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- Likely level clipping: distortion occurs during loud passages or when several audio sources overlap, and the output mix reaches or exceeds 0 dBFS.
- Likely seam click: a short tick, pop, or abrupt change occurs at the same point on each repeat while the output remains below 0 dBFS.
Reduce peaks that exceed the safe ceiling
- Lower the loud source’s level first using its OBS volume control, then replay its loudest section while watching the final output meter.
- If you need a peak ceiling, open the source’s Filters, add Limiter, and place it last in that source’s filter chain. OBS says the Limiter prevents peaks above 0 dB that can cause clipping or distortion. Its documented defaults are a -6.00 dB threshold and 60 ms release; these are starting defaults, not universal targets. OBS Limiter Filter
- Check the output mix again, especially if other sources, music, or microphone audio play at the same time. A limiter on one source does not by itself establish that the final mix is below the ceiling.
OBS also documents Compressor and Gain filters. A Compressor can control levels above a threshold, while Gain boosts a quiet source; Gain is not a clipping fix when the source is already too loud. OBS Filters Guide
Fix a click that occurs only at the repeat point
If the meter stays below 0 dBFS and the artifact recurs exactly where the file restarts, focus on the media rather than adding more limiting. Inspect the beginning and ending audio waveforms in an audio or video editor, then adjust the source transition so it does not jump abruptly. The right edit depends on the file and the sound; OBS’s loop documentation does not specify a universal crossfade or seam-editing recipe.
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Make a short OBS recording and listen through at least one repeat using the intended output setup. This checks the actual transition and mix rather than relying only on the meters.
Troubleshoot recurring problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or do |
|---|---|---|
| Distortion during loud parts, not just at the loop point | The source or combined output is too high. | Lower the source level, inspect the final output meter, and use a Limiter last in the relevant filter chain if needed. |
| A click at the same instant on every repeat, with meters below 0 dBFS | A discontinuity at the file boundary. | Inspect and edit the source media’s beginning/end transition; a limiter does not repair a seam. |
| The playlist does not repeat | Looping is not enabled on the playlist source. | Confirm that the source is VLC Video and that Loop Playlist is selected. |
| VLC Video is unavailable or does not load as expected | VLC or a matching architecture may be missing. | Install VLC; for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC. |
An OBS issue report describes a specific problem involving rapidly toggling source visibility near playback completion and restart behavior. It is not evidence that ordinary looping generally fails, nor does it establish a universal workaround. OBS Studio issue tracker
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