Streaming Guide: How to Fix Sound Quality Issues When Streaming/Recording with OBS or XSplit

Streaming is all about providing high-quality content for your audience, and sound is a critical part of the experience. However, one common issue many streamers face is poor sound quality that feels oddly hollow or suppressed. If you’re struggling with this problem, here’s a guide to help you fix it.

1. Check Your Headphone Surround Sound Settings

One of the most common causes of hollow or distorted sound is having your headphone surround sound feature enabled in its software. Modern games already support advanced surround sound formats like DTS and Dolby, making this feature redundant and even problematic.

Steps to Disable Surround Sound in Headphone Software

1. Open your headphone’s configuration software (e.g., Logitech G Hub, Razer Synapse, SteelSeries GG, etc.).
2. Navigate to the audio or surround sound settings.
3. Locate the surround sound toggle or feature (it might be labeled 7.1 Surround, DTS, or Spatial Audio).
4. Turn off the surround sound option.
5. Save your settings and restart your streaming software.

Why? Enabling surround sound twice—once in your headphones and once in the game or streaming software—can result in overlapping effects, causing audio distortion or hollow-sounding audio.

2. The Myth of YouTube 7.1 Surround Tests

YouTube videos claiming to support 7.1 surround sound are misleading. Here’s why:

• YouTube only supports up to 5.1 surround sound. Anything above that is downscaled, leading to inaccurate audio representation.
• If you’re using these videos to test your headphones or adjust your sound settings, you might encounter odd low-pitched sounds or audio artifacts.

Recommendation: Stick to Stereo or 5.1 Surround

• Use trusted sound testing tools or content from reliable sources instead of YouTube.
• Disable headphone surround sound when consuming content on YouTube to avoid misinterpreting the audio quality. ( Don’t worry, your music would even be much better if you listen on YouTube quite a lot. )

3. Set the Right Audio Channels in OBS or XSplit

Your streaming software might also contribute to sound quality issues if the audio channels aren’t configured correctly.

Steps to Configure Audio Channels in OBS:

1. Open OBS and go to Settings > Audio.
2. Under “Channels,” select Stereo or 5.1 Surround (avoid 7.1 unless you’re certain your hardware supports it properly).
3. Save your settings.

Steps to Configure Audio Channels in XSplit:

1. Open XSplit Broadcaster and go to Tools > Settings > Audio.
2. Choose Stereo or 5.1 Surround under “Audio Settings.”
3. Apply the changes.

4. Additional Tips for Better Sound Quality

• Use High-Quality Audio Equipment: Invest in a good microphone and audio interface for clear voice capture.
• Check Audio Bitrate Settings: Set your streaming audio bitrate to at least 128 kbps (192 kbps or higher is recommended for optimal sound).
• Test Your Sound Before Streaming: Always test your sound setup before going live to catch any issues early.
• Eliminate Background Noise: Use noise suppression filters available in OBS or XSplit to remove unwanted noise.

Final Thoughts

Achieving great sound quality in your streams isn’t rocket science, but it does require a bit of fine-tuning. Disabling redundant surround sound features, avoiding unreliable testing methods like YouTube 7.1 videos, and configuring your streaming software correctly will go a long way in improving your audio.

Remember, simplicity is key when it comes to sound settings. Turn off unnecessary features and let your streaming software and games do the heavy lifting. Your audience will thank you for the crystal-clear sound!