Share this article
Improve this guide
Best Noise Gate Settings for OBS - 12 Tips for Clear Audio
8 min. read
Published onAugust 14, 2024
published onAugust 14, 2024
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
These best Noise Gate settings for OBS will help you capture crisp and clear audio for all recordings.
OBS Studio has advanced software-based modifications for tweaking audio recording. For example, you don’t need to set up a music recording studio and buy astudio microphone. You can eliminate most background noise by configuring the Noise Gate filter.
I’ve tested different settings for various content types and have outlined my recommended modifications below. Try them out now!
What Is the Noise Gate Setting for OBS?
Noise Gate is anaudio filter for theAudio Input Capturesource in theOBS Studio app. Professional streamers and content creators use this setting toprevent background noise and static hum from entering the audio streamwhen not speaking to the microphone.
Once activated for an audio source, it lets you customize the following audio input parameters:
How To Set Up a Noise Gate Settings for OBS
For the uninitiated, here are the quick steps to activate it:
That’s it! You’re all set to reduce background noise in your audio streams.
12 Best Noise Gate Settings for OBS
Here are the most appropriate Noise Gate configurations you can use to record different genres:
General Recording (Default)
If you’re not looking to create any specialized recorded content you can use the default Noise Gate settings.
Firstly, when you install the app, it’ll show theAuto-Configuration Wizard. Here, you can choose the “Optimize just for recording. I will not be streaming” option.
If you missed the initial profile selection step, no worries. You can simply add the Noise Gate filter to your audio source and OBS will apply the default values as outlined below:
Podcast Interview
This configuration reduces unwanted noise so you cancapture clear conversations between two people.It also prevents abrupt cuts to allow for naturally flowing dialogue.
Podcast Group Discussion
It maintains continuous noise reduction byaccommodating multiple speakerswith a slightly lower open threshold.
Voiceover for Tutorials
If you’re recordinga training video or audio containing instructionswith different levels of pauses and speaking pace, try the following configuration:
Webinar
Webinars have the potential to become highly noisy. Hence, here you must use a much lowerClose ThresholdandAttack Time. On the other hand, theHoldandRelease Timeshould be set longer to accommodate different paces of transitions and pauses.
Informative YouTube Video
Informative video content with a single narrator mustfocus on clarity.So, theOpen Thresholdshould be low to capture softer speech. However, you should also use aggressive noise reduction for adequate pauses in script narration.
Live Streaming
Live gameplay or music streaming events may consist of additional noise sources. So, you should use the following configuration to block unwanted sound:
Gaming Commentary
This OBS Noise Gate setting allows for recording dynamic gameplay sounds and commentary. When you pause, the configuration activelyallows gameplay audio but prevents ambient noise.
ASMR Recording
For ASMR video or audio content production, you can use the following configuration:
Vocal Music Production
Here, the focus should be oncapturing nuances of vocal performanceby controlling background noise during pauses. So, faster attack and release times are set to allow for dynamic vocals recording.
Field Recording
You must be willing tocapture a wide range of sound levelsduring field recording with as much low background noise as possible. Also, to preserve natural ambient sound, you should allow for longer hold and release times.
AI-Powered Noise Reduction
You can also use third-party noise reduction software with an AI noise-blocking algorithm likeKrisp AI. It creates an advanced andautomated noise-canceling configurationfor the computer microphone. Then, you can import that virtual audio input hardware to OBS Studio.
So, youno longer need to manually set up a Noise Gate. The AI noise-blocking app will learn from your usage and adjust itself.
You can sign up and downloadKrisp AIfor free from its official website.
Once installed, you’ll see the following widget in the Windows System tray area:
You canchoose the appropriate microphone on your PCusing the Krisp microphone drop-down menu.
Now that you’ve selected the audio input device, Krisp will apply its proprietary AI background noise reduction processing at the system level.
You simply need to create a newAudio Input Capturesource in the OBS Studio app. When you see thePropertiesdialog, click theDefaultdrop-down menu and chooseKrisp Microphonefrom the list.
Krisp AI has been optimized heavily to integrate with OBS.
Expert Tips for the Best Noise Gate Settings for OBS
Overall, your ideal configuration will depend on the exact recording environment you’re currently in. The values I’ve mentioned above are forgeneral studio settingswith enough heavy curtains. I kept a ceiling fan running to create ambient noise.
If you’re in a crowded area or in a professional music studio, you’ll have to slightly adjust these numbers according to your scenario.
Follow these steps to experiment:
You also need to use theNoise Suppressionfilter for continuous noise cancellation. Click theMethod drop-down menuand select theRNNoiseoption.
Summary
So far, you’ve learned about the best Noise Gate settings for OBS for different audio recording purposes.
You can try these values to begin with and do your own fine-tuning for even better results.
We can also help you ifOBS isn’t capturing game audioor if it’sstuttering when recording.
More about the topics:Audio,obs,Obs studio,streaming
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Passionate about technology,Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.
