How to Stream Audio from a DAW into OBS using BlackHole

This guide on routing audio from a DAW to OBS using BlackHole is useful in a lot of real-world situations. Here are some examples:

• Streaming live music performances: Play instruments or sing through your DAW while using plugins like EQ, compression, reverb, or Auto-Tune, then stream the processed audio to OBS.
• DJ livestreams: Route audio from DJ software (such as Rekordbox, Serato, or Mixxx) through your DAW to add mastering effects, limiters, or audio processing before sending it to OBS.
• Podcasting: Use your DAW to improve microphone quality with noise reduction, compression, and EQ before broadcasting on YouTube, Twitch, TikTok Live, or Facebook Live.
• Online music lessons: Teach piano, guitar, production, or vocals while letting students hear both your microphone and your DAW audio with high-quality processing.
• Gaming with processed microphone audio: Improve your microphone sound using your DAW instead of relying on OBS filters, while also allowing you to trigger sound effects or music.
• Recording tutorials and screen captures: Create software tutorials where viewers hear your voice and the DAW's audio at the same time.
• and a lot more!

1. Multi-Output Device Configuration

1.1: Open Audio MIDI Setup

Press Command+ Space in your Mac to open Spotlight Search and look for Audio Midi Setup, then open it.

1.2: Create a Multi-Output Device

In the bottom-left corner of the Audio MIDI Setup window, click the “+” (Add) button , then select Create Multi-Output Device from the menu.

1.3: Configure the Multi-Output Device

In the list of audio devices, check the boxes for:

• Your preferred output device (e.g., headphones or speakers)
• BlackHole

Note, please enable Drift Correction for BlackHole to help keep audio playback synchronized across devices.

1.4: Set Multi-Output Device as System Output

• Open System Settings (or System Preferences, depending on your macOS version).
• Go to Sound.
• Under Output, select Multi-Output Device as your system audio output

2. DAW and OBS setup

2.1: Open Your DAW Settings

Launch your chosen DAW (e.g., Ableton Live), and open the Settings/ Preferences menu.

2.2: Select the Multi-Output Device

Locate the Audio Output Device setting, and set the output device to Multi-Output Device.

2.3: Test Audio Playback

Load an audio file or project in your DAW, then press play to confirm that audio is playing correctly. At this stage, you should still be able to hear audio through your selected speakers or headphones.

2.4: Add BlackHole in OBS

Open OBS Studio, and in the Sources panel, click the “+” (Add) button, then select “Audio Input Capture”.

2.5: Create a New Audio Input Source

Name your new Audio Input Device and click ‘OK’ to continue.

2.6: Select BlackHole as Input

In the device list, choose BlackHole 2ch as the audio input source, and click ‘OK’ to continue.

2.7: Confirm Audio is Reaching OBS

While the audio in your DAW is playing, you should see the audio meter moving for your newly added BlackHole input.

2.8: Add Your Microphone

In the Sources panel, click “+” (Add) again, select Audio Input Capture, and name the source accordingly (e.g., Microphone) then click OK. Select your preferred microphone device and confirm.

2.9: Verify Audio Setup

Keep playing audio from your DAW, and speak into your microphone at the same time. In the OBS Audio Mixer, you should see:

• Audio levels moving for your DAW (BlackHole)
• Audio levels moving for your microphone

This confirms that both your system audio and microphone are working correctly in OBS. Congratulations!