Compression and Sidechaining (ducking) in OBS

Audio Theory for Streamers

Compression and Sidechaining (ducking) is an automation used to LOWER an audio source in relation to other one.-
example, turn down the music or game audio when the microphone volume goes over a threashold.-

 - How to in OBS (assuming you have 2 audio channel "desktop" "mic")

 

 click on cog at "desktop" , select "filters" , on the pop up window hit the " + " at the bottom and choose "COMPRESSOR"
 

Compressor has several settings (and this built in OBS is quite simple compared to VST or phisical one for music production) in simple therms:
RATIO : "how much the volume will be reduced once hit the threshold"
THRESHOLD : "where the magic happens"
ATTACK : "how fast it will begin to work"
RELEASE : "after goes back under threshold, how long it still works"
OUTPUT GAIN : "how the compressor will pick up or put down the overall volume"
SIDECHAIN : "the audio source from where the compressor takes the Threshold"

the settings can be something like:
RATIO 5:1 threshold -46 (ref.to our first image - you've to check where the black bouncin line is!)
ATTACK 2 to 5 ms (we want it lower the music/audio as fast as possible)
RELEASE 500ms (maybe more) when we stop talking this time is like a "fade in" for the volume
OUTPUT GAIN 0 (we don't want compressor will make some strange magic on the volume)
SIDECHAIN here goes your main Microphone audio line of OBS

PLEASE NOTE
The settings may vary on your specific hardware setup, average audio levels, specific needs, personal taste!!!

Here is a small stupid Video of myself after successfully applied an tested Ducking!


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