How Does OBS Record Audio Only & No.1 Alternative to Record Audio Easily

Many OBS users find this software very powerful in recording videos for screens and webcams. However, people have difficulty using OBS to capture audio just for voice acting or other audio recording purposes. And they, like you, are wondering, "Can OBS record audio only?"

This article is about to help you solve this problem. Please keep reading for detailed information and tutorials.

Can OBS Record Audio Only?

Shortly, Yes. You are able to record audio using OBS, but with settings set correctly.

OBS (Opening Broadcasting Software) is a free and open-source app specialized for video recording and live streaming. So it is not defaultly set to record audio for you. Generally, without any modification or customization, OBS only records and outputs video formats, e.g., FLV and MP4. The audio track will be covered in the recorded video. And this indicates that OBS might not be the best choice to record audio only. 

But if you feel anxious about the challenge you meet, calm down, you may either change the default recording settings or use an audio recorder instead. If you want to make it easier, use an easy OBS alternative like iTop Screen Recorder. 

This free audio recorder allows users to record only audio in just 1 click and output audio files in AAC/MP3. 

Now, please move on to learn how to record audio only on OBS.

How to Record Audio Only on OBS?

Since OBS provides in-depth and thoughtful settings for users, you can customize your recordings based on your own needs. To record audio only in OBS, you may follow the below tutorial; and then you can make it, e.g., record game chat only.

Phase 1. Change the Default Settings

Step 1. Run OBS > click File on the upper-left corner > Settings > Output > choose Advanced from the Output Mode.

Step 2. Navigate to Recording > choose Custom Output(FFmpeg) from Type.

Step 3. Choose mp3 from the Container Format > then select Disable Encoder from Audio Encoder Settings(if any).

Then, you can make OBS record audio only. All recorded content will be output in mp3. And you can move on and learn how to record audio using OBS.

Phase 2. Record Audio in OBS

Step 1. Start OBS >  under Sources, click the + button > choose Audio Input Capture from the drop-down list > choose devices for the audio input or set it as Default.

Step 2. Or, if you are to add multiple audio input sources, you can go to Settings under Controls > Audio > adjust each device or disable them. Thus you can also separately record desktop/microphone/game audio, and make OBS record only game audio if you like. Also, it is a good option if you want to know how to clip on PC to record gameplay.

Step 3. OBS also allows you to flexibly tune each audio input source. For example, mute mic/desktop/other audio, you can record audio in Firefox from speaker/microphone only. With everything set okay, click Start Recording to get what you want.

Through this process, you can solve your problem about “how to record audio only on OBS”. However, is it the best and easiest way?

The Best Alternative for OBS Record Audio Only

Apparently, OBS is not the best option when you want to record audio only in an easier way. Luckily, you could turn to a professional audio/screen recorder for Windows as it offers special care and advanced settings to help you only record audio.

iTop Screen Recorder - Record Audio Without Background Noise

• Record system audio or external microphone flawlessly
• Record streaming audio without quality loss
• Remove background noise of audio recording
• Save audio recordings as MP3, AAC, FLAC and WMA

Free Download Buy Now

Though this app is an advanced and efficient screen recorder, it never lets you down in audio recording. 

♦ Record Audio & Video in 1 Click Free 

With the help of its simple and easy user interface, all users including green hands can easily operate it without any challenges; moreover, almost all features are free to use, if you require a professional and advanced app, you could also upgrade it to pro to enjoy Schedule Recording, customized watermark, etc.

♦ Record Mic/Desktop/Speaker Audio Both & Separately

This software to screen record protected videos/audio/games allows you to record speaker sound from your PC, also, you can record your voice as well from the microphone; what’s more, this voice changer recorder provides 10+ funny voice effects: Minions, Robot, Toys, etc.

♦ Ensure High-Quality Audio Recording

As the best voice recorder for Windows, it provides a Noise Reduction feature to help reduce the background noise or echo from your audio; Besides, it also brings you 1080p HD quality in Webcam/Screen/Game recording.

♦ Not Only Audio But Also Screen, Webcam & Game

Apart from efficient audio recording, it also supports you to record a part of your screen/webcam/game windows, covering all your needs for video recording.

♦ One-Stop Advanced Video & Audio Editor

After recording, you can use the easy audio/video editor to trim/cut/decorate your audio and video to get a better result.

In a nutshell, iTop Screen Recorder will be your first and last choice to record audio only. Now move on to the easy process of using this screen recorder for Windows 10/11/8/7 to record audio only.

How to Record Audio Only Using iTop Screen Recorder?

Follow the easy steps to record audio instead of making OBS record audio only.

Step 1. Download iTop Screen Recorder on your devices.

Step 2. Start the app > navigate to Only Audio panel > enable Speaker/Mic according to your needs. You could also enable Voice Changer to change your voice.

Step 3. Choose the device to record your sound or voice; the Noise Reduction is activated by default > click REC to start recording.

With this HD screen recorder, you don’t need to worry about the video and audio quality and won’t be bothered by struggling with how to only record audio OBS.

The Bottom Line

This post elaborates on the process of making OBS record audio only; with the OBS inbuilt settings and a file converter, you can achieve this goal. 

However, since OBS is more powerful in other fields than recording audio only, it would be better to turn to a professional and easier tool like iTop Screen Recorder. Thus, you don’t need to worry about in OBS how to record game audio only.

What’s more, it helps record audio for you to enjoy or collect offline; e.g., you can use it to record and listen to SoundCloud offline. Don’t hesitate to download iTop Screen Recorder to capture your audio easily!

iTop Screen Recorder - Record Audio Without Background Noise

• Record system audio or external microphone flawlessly
• Record streaming audio without quality loss
• Remove background noise of audio recording
• Save audio recordings as MP3, AAC, FLAC and WMA

Free Download Buy Now