In this guide
Good audio matters more than perfect picture quality
In IRL streaming, mobile microphones, alert sounds, TTS, Bluetooth output, and OBS all meet. Decide beforehand where a sound originates, who should hear it, and how it gets into the stream.
1. Planning the audio path
Before you touch any knobs, sort out three things. Where does the sound come from: microphone, alert, TTS, or music? Who should hear it: only you, only the viewers, or both? And by which path does it land in the stream? Once that is settled, you usually know which OBS source stays active and which one gets muted.
| Output | Streamer | Viewers | OBS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth speaker in the shot | directly | via stream microphone | alert source muted |
| Headphones | directly | via browser source | alert source active |
| OBS only | not on location | directly | source active |
The graphic above shows both paths side by side. Where TTS comes in is covered on the TTS in Your Live Stream page. You will find alerts and viewer sounds in the alerts overview.
2. Choosing and positioning a microphone
| Microphone | Strength | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Phone microphone | ready to go fast | picks up wind, surroundings, and the Bluetooth speaker very loudly |
| Wireless system | speech sounds clearer | check receiver, level, and battery before every stream |
| Lavalier mic | close to the voice | fabric must not rub, put a windscreen on |
| Stereo or camera mic | more atmosphere | speech and surroundings tend to blur together |
A windscreen, cable strain relief, and a test recording outdoors do more for you than any data sheet. The Microphones for IRL Streaming page compares which devices exist and what you can connect.
3. Bluetooth speaker or headphones?
A speaker lets your community and surroundings listen to alerts, but the microphone will almost always pick it up. Headphones avoid feedback and are more discreet; for viewers to hear TTS or alerts as well, the matching browser source in OBS has to stay active.
4. OBS audio and monitoring
- Give every source a clear name.
- Do not capture the same device both globally and as an extra scene source.
- Under Advanced Audio Properties, set whether a source is output only, monitor only, or both.
- Test alert, TTS, and music sources one at a time.
- Check a local recording with headphones.
The official OBS docs explain audio sources and the audio mixer. How to listen in on the sound in OBS is covered under Audio Monitor for OBS. General OBS info is on the OBS Studio page.
5. Volume and filters
Speech stays the most important signal. Alerts, music, and TTS should be understandable but not drown out your voice. Set the level at the microphone or receiver first, and only correct it in OBS afterward. A limiter protects against extreme peaks; use the compressor and noise suppression sparingly so outdoor noise does not pump unnaturally.
Remember: Get the source right first and only fine-tune in OBS. If you leave the level too low at the microphone and boost it in OBS, the noise gets louder too.
6. Echo, double output, and audio delay
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Alert twice | Speaker plus OBS output | Mute one of the two paths. |
| Echo | Device captured both globally and as a source | Remove the double capture. |
| Audio too late | Bluetooth, transport, or browser latency | Adjust the sync offset after a test recording. |
| Only audible on the left | Mono source on one channel | Check the downmix to mono. |
If something still sounds off, go through the chain step by step: from the source to the viewer. Change only one thing at a time. For problems across the whole stream, the troubleshooting guide helps.
7. Testing audio before the stream
- Record speech while walking, in wind, and in a loud environment.
- Trigger alert, TTS, and music one at a time.
- Check the speaker path and the headphone path separately.
- Listen to the live stream on a second device with headphones.
- Prepare an emergency mute in the Streamer.bot Deck or OBS.
Do the audio check before every start. The full list is in the IRL stream checklist.
8. FAQ on IRL audio
Bluetooth speaker or headphones: which is better for IRL?
It depends on what you want. With a speaker, your surroundings and your community can listen along, but the stream microphone picks it up too. Headphones are more discreet and do not feed back. Then the browser source in OBS has to stay active, or viewers hear nothing. Either way, you need to still be able to hear your surroundings and warning signals.
Why do viewers hear alerts or TTS twice?
Usually the sound plays twice: once through the speaker, which the microphone picks up, and once directly through the OBS source. Mute one of the two paths. If the speaker is in the picture, that is usually the OBS source. There is more on TTS sources under TTS in Your Live Stream.
Why is the audio in the stream slightly delayed?
Bluetooth, the path to the viewer, and browser sources each add their own delay. Set the sync offset in OBS only after a test recording. And check it again whenever you change something in the chain.
Is the phone microphone enough for an IRL stream?
Often, yes, to start. But it picks up wind, surroundings, and a Bluetooth speaker very loudly. With a wireless system or a lavalier mic, people usually understand you better. The Microphones for IRL Streaming page helps with choosing.
How do I check on location that the audio reaches viewers?
Best with a second device that plays your public stream, plus headphones. Expect some delay. And only listen when you are standing safely. You will find more checkpoints under Checking Your Stream on the Go.
Setup service & advice
If you would like support with setup or troubleshooting, you can reach out in the IRL4YOU Discord.