How to Fix OBS Audio Issue When Recording Audio from An ASIO Driver (Ableton Live recording)
by Cyvillian 28th February 2021
This is a writeup to address the OBS screen recording issue when trying to record Ableton Live (or other DAWs) and the Audio Interface is not showing up in the OBS Source Options.
LATEST FIX JANUARY 2021 — Windows 10 PC 64 Bit, Version 3 of OBS-Audio Plugin
What you need: Audio Interface with a spare input, Audio Cable, a lot of patience.
What this fixes: I can record videos with playback audio from Ableton Live, I can record videos whilst improv live with a MIDI Synth Plugged in.
This write up is the latest up to date fix without using EOL/unsupported software. Everything is downloadable from reputable source code however we do still recommend that you scan your files with an Antivirus Software before installation.
Context: It’s 4AM in the morning and I’ve tried everything on Youtube tutorials. This solution was only released in 2020, courtesy of some open source developers. It’s not a difficult fix as it doesn’t require mapping Asio Output etc. Anyone with no technical background can do this. It’s just finicky, but it works and there is NO PAID SOFTWARE.
Things I’ve Tried and Failed:
Mapping with ASIO Link: Too hard basket. This solution is easier. No technical know how required. Also the software hasn’t been updated in ages.
BandiCam Pro: Someone suggested buying BandiCam Pro. I downloaded the free version, it didn’t work. In the end this fix is all Open Source and Free.
Captiva: Someone suggestioned this random tool on the internet, its not supported anymore.
Voiceeemeter Fix: This was all over the internet. This essentially took the ASIO out of the whole thing, which meant the latency / white noise and everything you don’t want was put back in.
ReaStream: This didn’t work for me, some reddit feedback was positive however a lot of frustration was detected.
Updating my ASIO Driver / Firmware: The last update was in 2016. I thought I had to throw out my audio interface but turns out its an issue with all Asio driver interfaces.
Let’s Begin!!!!!!
Summary: We install 2 things, Bassasio and then obs-asio on Github. Then there’s some ninja stuff at the end.
SECTION : INSTALLING BASSASIO. DLL TO OBS LIBRARY
- Make sure OBS is installed. Ableton Live is installed, The ASIO Driver is already working.
- Download Bassasio from https://www.un4seen.com/
Go to the Welcome Page>Latest News>Scroll down until you see the latest Release of Bassasio - For me, the latest release was this one. Also at the time of writing, I found this confusing as the download said 32 bit, but it worked so it must be compatible for both 32 and 64 bit (it just works).
4. Unzip the file>Open the Folder>x64 Folder (For 64 bit devices)>Copy the Bassasio.dll file.
5. Now we will paste this DLL into the OBS DLL library that belongs to the OBS Software. Copy this file path:
C:\Program Files\obs-studio\obs-plugins\64bit
6. Now paste the Bassasio.dll into that 64 bit folder. Restart OBS.
SECTION 2: INSTALLING THE OBS-ASIO PLUGIN from GITHUB
7. Go to this Github Source Code https://github.com/Andersama/obs-asio
8. Version 3 is the latest. At home page, check that this is the latest release. Click through that link.
9. Scroll down to Assets section and click on the obs-asio-installer_3.0.0.exe.
Click the exe file after downloading. Agree to the Terms and Conditions. Leave installation location to default of OBS path.
10. Now this is the really important part, As stated in the GitHub Notes, this is not a fix for recording Audio OUTPUT. It’s for INPUT. But WAIT. Don’t RageQuit here. This is the moment where it all comes together.
Now — This instruction didn’t work for me. My solution was even easier.
EASY SOLUTION:
11.a. Open OBS. Add a source, right click “add” or hit the plus sign. Choose Audio Input Capture. Right click on the new audio input source. Go to Properties.
Make sure your ASIO Audio Interface is there. If not then it’s not working
OFFICIAL GITHUB SOLUTION
(This didn’t work for me, the Asio Input would not let me choose my Audio Interface, I was not given the choice to pick it as an input)
11.b.Official WriteUp Instructions:
https://github.com/Andersama/obs-asio/wiki/1.-Installation-and-Usage-(version-3)
“Note: it is a common complaint that this plugin should capture asio device outputs. Since asio devices don’t copy over output buffers between applications what you’d expect to be the output channels are normally inaccessible to the asio api, with the rare exception of hardware implemented loopback channels. There are work arounds though if you absolutely need them, check the Wiki section for an example with reaper Capturing Mixes. The short version is you’ll likely need a virtual asio device, these software implemented devices will usually allow you to route your own audio as though it were an input channel, effectively making a mock loopback channel.”
SECTION 3: HOOKING THE OUTPUT TO THE WORKING INPUT
Note: You’ll need an audio cable to complete the last section.
11. Turn volume buttons down of input and output buttons down.
12. Plug the headphone output into the INPUT line in. Turn ON Phantom Power. Turn the volume up on the headphone output and then turn the volume up on the input line whilst slowly testing the noise levels.
13. VOILA. You should be able to see a signal in the INPUT of the OBS audio Sources.
14. You should be able to hit the record button and get a video file that HAS SOUND. Now if you’re still wondering if we can get the OUTPUT working. The cold hard truth hit me in the face at 7am from the developer’s notes
“It is a common misconception that this plugin should allow capture of an asio device outputs. It only allows capture of INPUTS which is as it should be. One can capture a mike, but not what goes to the speakers (the ‘What U Hear’ capture of SoundBlaster devices is NOT possible as a rule, though some asio devices may have that capability). The asio sdk does not allow it. So the mix prepared in a DAW will NOT be able to be captured by this plugin in general. There are workarounds though. Check the Wiki section Capturing Mixes”
Please reach out to me if you have any questions.
