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How to Play Audio from OBS to Drip Stream + Manage Audio and Scene Transitions

Joseph Odera avatar
Written by Joseph Odera
Updated over a month ago

You can use a Virtual Audio Cable (VAC) to transmit your computer’s audio from OBS to Drip. This setup is perfect if you want your viewers to hear background music, in-game sounds, or any audio playing on your computer. Additionally, we'll show you how to adjust audio levels, mute sources, and create smooth scene transitions in OBS for a professional live stream.


What is a Virtual Audio Cable (VAC)?

A Virtual Audio Cable (VAC) acts as a "bridge" that transfers your computer's audio to OBS and then sends that same audio to Drip through your Virtual Camera. This allows your audience to hear:

  • Background music.

  • Game sounds.

  • Audio from a pre-recorded video.

  • Any audio output from your computer.

We’ll also explore how to control your audio levels and use transitions to switch between scenes seamlessly.


Step 1: Download and Install Virtual Audio Cable (VAC)

  1. Download Virtual Audio Cable (VAC) from the official site:

  2. Install the software.

  3. Once installed, it will appear as "CABLE Input" and "CABLE Output" in your audio settings.


Step 2: Configure Virtual Audio Cable in Windows Settings

Now that you have VAC installed, you need to configure your computer to send audio through the virtual cable.

1. Set Virtual Audio Cable as Default Output Device

  1. On your computer, go to Sound Settings.

  2. Under Output, change the default output device to:
    CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable).

  3. This means any audio playing on your computer (Spotify, YouTube, game sound, etc.) will now go through the Virtual Audio Cable.


Step 3: Set Up Audio in OBS

Next, we need to tell OBS to capture audio from the Virtual Audio Cable and output it to Drip.

  1. Open OBS Studio.

  2. Go to Sources > + (Add) and select Audio Output Capture.

  3. Name it "Computer Audio".

  4. Under the Device dropdown, select:
    CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable).

  5. Click OK.

Now, any sound playing on your computer will automatically route through OBS. This includes:

  • Music from YouTube, Spotify, or any media player.

  • Game sounds.

  • Audio from pre-recorded videos.


Step 4: Adjust Audio Levels in OBS

Once your audio is being captured, you'll see an audio bar labeled Computer Audio in the Audio Mixer section of OBS.

Adjusting Audio Volume

  • Drag the volume slider up or down to control how loud your audio is.

  • Ensure the audio doesn’t go into the red zone to avoid distortion.

Muting Audio

  • If you want to temporarily mute your computer audio, click the speaker icon next to Computer Audio.

  • Click it again to unmute.


Step 5: Connect OBS Audio to Drip

Now that your audio is in OBS, you need to make sure it reaches Drip.

1. Enable Virtual Camera in OBS

  1. In OBS Controls (bottom-right), click Start Virtual Camera.

  2. This will send your video (and now your audio) to Drip.

2. Select Virtual Camera in Drip

  1. On Drip, go to Start Stream.

  2. Under Camera, select:
    OBS Virtual Camera.

  3. Under Microphone, select:
    CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable).

Now, your audience on Drip will hear exactly what you hear on your computer!


Step 6: Managing Scene Transitions in OBS

Scene transitions make your stream look professional by smoothly switching from one scene to another.

1. Set Up Multiple Scenes

  • Scene 1: Your face cam + product table.

  • Scene 2: Your screen capture (for gameplay or media).

  • Scene 3: Break screen or pre-recorded video.

2. Add a Transition

  1. Go to the Scene Transitions panel (bottom right of OBS).

  2. Click the dropdown and choose a transition type (like Fade or Cut).

  3. Adjust the transition duration (e.g., 500ms or 1 second).

When you switch between scenes, it will transition smoothly rather than an abrupt cut.


Step 7: Add Hotkeys for Quick Control

Hotkeys allow you to quickly control your stream without manually adjusting everything.

1. Set Up Hotkeys

  1. In OBS, go to File > Settings > Hotkeys.

  2. You can set hotkeys for:

  • Start Virtual Camera: Assign a key like Ctrl + V.

  • Mute Audio: Assign a key like Ctrl + M.

  • Switch Scenes: Assign hotkeys for Scene 1, Scene 2, Scene 3.

This allows you to control your stream with a button press, making your stream seamless and professional.


Step 8: Test Your Setup Before Going Live

Before starting your Drip stream, always do a quick test:

  1. Play music or audio on your computer.

  2. Watch the audio bar in OBS to confirm it’s being captured.

  3. Start your Virtual Camera and join your stream on Drip.

  4. Check if the audio is audible and clear.


Pro Tip: Balancing Audio Levels

  • If your microphone audio is too loud, adjust the Audio Input Capture.

  • If your computer audio is too loud, adjust the Audio Output Capture.

  • Always avoid audio peaking (red zone) to ensure high-quality sound.


Troubleshooting Issues

1. Audio Not Coming Through on Drip

  • Ensure that you selected CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable) in Drip.

  • Check if OBS is capturing the audio under Audio Output Capture.

  • Restart OBS if necessary.


2. Audio Delay (Desync)

  • Go to Settings > Audio > Advanced Audio Properties in OBS.

  • Adjust the audio sync offset to reduce any delay.


3. Viewers Can’t Hear Music

  • Confirm your computer’s default output device is set to CABLE Input.

  • Verify OBS Virtual Camera is running.

  • Check your volume sliders in the Audio Mixer.


💯 Why Should You Use Virtual Audio Cable with OBS on Drip?

✅ Allows you to play music, game sound, or any audio to your stream.
✅ Provides high-quality, clear audio output.
✅ Gives you full control over your audio mix.
✅ Creates a professional live streaming experience on Drip.


Bonus: Scene Layout Examples

Here are a few recommended layouts:

Scene Name

Purpose

Recommended Source

Face Cam

Show your face + mic audio

Video Capture + Audio Input

Product Showcase

Show the product up-close

Window Capture + Mic Audio

Break Screen

When you take a break

Image + Background Music

Pre-recorded

Play pre-recorded video or content

Media Source

By using a combination of Virtual Audio Cable, multiple scenes, and smooth transitions, your Drip stream will look and sound professional every time.

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