Prove the failure in the finished output first.
Record three controlled segments: voice alone, program audio alone, then both together. Compare the same sentence on headphones and phone speakers.
What it may mean
The program source may be objectively louder during mixed moments, or voice dynamics may be too inconsistent for the current balance.
What it does not prove
Separate meters or a quiet menu do not prove the balance during the loudest representative scene.
Match the evidence before changing settings
The mixed balance—not the microphone hardware—is the first suspect.
NEXT TESTRepeat the same action while lowering only game audio by 3 dB.
Distance, technique or dynamics may be inconsistent.
NEXT TESTKeep microphone distance fixed and compare a second recording before adding processing.
The mix may rely on bass or stereo separation that does not survive small speakers.
NEXT TESTCheck a mono phone playback and make the smallest program-level change that restores intelligibility.
One conservative free test
Lower only the program source by a small documented amount, keep the microphone unchanged, and repeat the same mixed segment before adding compression or a limiter.
Use the free audio preflight →Preserve the rollback
Record the original program gain value. Restore it if intelligibility does not improve or the program becomes unacceptably quiet.
Technical reference: OBS Project: Multiple Audio Track Recording Guide ↗
Common questions
01What level should game audio be in OBS?+
There is no universal meter target. Use a representative mixed recording and prioritize intelligible speech on the devices your viewers actually use.
02Should I add a compressor first?+
Usually not. Establish a repeatable source balance first; otherwise processing can hide the cause and make rollback harder.
Did the relevant counters improve?
For dropped frames, encoding lag or rendering lag, compare a completed log from before and after your change. For audio and black-screen problems, inspect the recording itself; counters cannot establish picture or sound quality.
Compare logs free →