Are you tired of dealing with the frustrating issue of Discord audio bleeding into your game audio recordings using ShadowPlay? You’re not alone! Many gamers and streamers face this problem, but the good news is that it’s solvable. In this article, we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide on how to split Discord audio from game audio using ShadowPlay, ensuring that your recordings are crisp, clear, and professional-sounding.
Understanding the Issue: Why Discord Audio Bleeds into Game Audio
Before we dive into the solution, it’s essential to understand why this problem occurs in the first place. When you’re gaming and using Discord simultaneously, both audio sources (game audio and Discord audio) are routed through the same default audio device, usually the motherboard’s onboard audio or a dedicated sound card. This setup can cause the Discord audio to bleed into the game audio, resulting in a mishmash of sounds that can be distracting and unprofessional.
The main culprits behind this audio bleed are:
- Windows’ audio routing settings, which prioritize the default audio device for both game and Discord audio.
- The lack of audio isolation between the two sources, allowing them to mix together.
Equipment and Software Required
To split Discord audio from game audio using ShadowPlay, you’ll need the following equipment and software:
- A NVIDIA GeForce graphics card ( ShadowPlay is exclusive to NVIDIA cards)
- A Windows 10 PC or laptop
- Discord app installed and configured
- Audio capture software (we’ll be using OBS Studio in this guide)
- A secondary audio device (e.g., a USB sound card, gaming headset, or a separate audio interface)
Step 1: Set up Your Secondary Audio Device
Connect your secondary audio device to your PC. This device will act as a separate audio channel for your Discord audio, allowing you to isolate it from the game audio. Make sure to install the necessary drivers for your device.
Configuring Your Secondary Audio Device in Windows
Open the Sound settings in Windows:
- Right-click on the speaker icon in the system tray.
- Select **Open Sound settings**.
In the Sound settings window, scroll down to the Other sound options section and click on App volume and device preferences. This will open the App volume and device preferences window.
Selecting the Secondary Audio Device as the Default Communication Device
In the App volume and device preferences window:
- Locate the **Discord** app and click on the **Device** dropdown menu.
- Select your secondary audio device as the default communication device for Discord.
This step ensures that Discord audio is routed through the secondary audio device, separating it from the game audio.
Step 2: Configure OBS Studio for Audio Capture
Open OBS Studio and create a new scene or open an existing one. We’ll use OBS to capture both the game audio and Discord audio separately.
Adding Audio Sources to OBS Studio
In OBS Studio:
- Click the **+** button in the **Sources** panel.
- Select **Audio Input Capture**.
- Name the source (e.g., “Game Audio”) and click **OK**.
Repeat the process to add another audio source for the Discord audio:
- Click the **+** button in the **Sources** panel.
- Select **Audio Input Capture**.
- Name the source (e.g., “Discord Audio”) and click **OK**.
Configuring the Audio Input Capture Settings
For the Game Audio source:
- Click on the **Settings** button (gear icon).
- In the **Properties** window, select the **Default Device** as the audio input device.
For the Discord Audio source:
- Click on the **Settings** button (gear icon).
- In the **Properties** window, select your secondary audio device as the audio input device.
Step 3: Set up ShadowPlay for Game Audio Capture
Enable ShadowPlay on your NVIDIA graphics card:
- Open the **NVIDIA GeForce Experience** app.
- Click on the **Gear** icon in the top-right corner.
- Toggle the **ShadowPlay** switch to **On**.
In the ShadowPlay settings:
- Set the **Quality** to your desired level.
- Choose the **Audio** option and set it to **Game audio only** or **All audio**, depending on your preference.
Step 4: Combine Audio Sources in OBS Studio
In OBS Studio:
- Click on the **+** button in the **Audio Mixer** panel.
- Select **New** and name the audio mix (e.g., “Combined Audio”).
Add the Game Audio and Discord Audio sources to the Combined Audio mix:
- Click on the **+** button in the **Audio Mixer** panel.
- Select **Add Input** and choose the **Game Audio** source.
- Repeat the process to add the **Discord Audio** source.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you’ve successfully split Discord audio from game audio using ShadowPlay. This setup allows you to capture crisp, clean audio for both your game audio and Discord audio, giving you more control over your audio output and improving the overall quality of your recordings. Remember to experiment with different audio settings and configurations to find the perfect balance for your streaming or recording needs. Happy gaming and streaming!
What is ShadowPlay and how does it help with splitting Discord audio from game audio?
ShadowPlay is a feature by NVIDIA that allows users to record their gameplay at the press of a button. It’s a convenient way to capture those unexpected gaming moments without having to manually start and stop a recording. In the context of splitting Discord audio from game audio, ShadowPlay helps by allowing users to record their game audio separately from their Discord audio.
By default, Discord audio is mixed with game audio, making it difficult to separate the two. ShadowPlay changes this by providing a separate audio track for the game audio, which can then be isolated and edited separately from the Discord audio. This is especially useful for content creators who want to add commentary or voicedovers to their gameplay recordings without having to re-record the entire thing.
Do I need an NVIDIA graphics card to use ShadowPlay?
Yes, you need an NVIDIA graphics card that supports ShadowPlay to use this feature. Not all NVIDIA graphics cards support ShadowPlay, so you’ll need to check your graphics card’s specifications to see if it’s compatible. Even if your graphics card does support ShadowPlay, it needs to be enabled in the NVIDIA GeForce Experience software.
If you don’t have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can consider using alternative screen recording software that allows you to separate audio tracks. However, these software may not be as convenient or efficient as ShadowPlay, which is specifically designed for gaming and provides high-quality recordings with minimal performance impact.
How do I enable ShadowPlay on my NVIDIA graphics card?
To enable ShadowPlay, you’ll need to download and install the NVIDIA GeForce Experience software. Once installed, launch the software and sign in with your NVIDIA account. Then, click on the “Gear” icon in the top-right corner and select “Settings.” From there, navigate to the “ShadowPlay” tab and toggle the switch to enable ShadowPlay.
Make sure to set the “Mode” to “Manual” and set the “Quality” to your preferred setting. You can also set the “Record When” option to “On” to enable ShadowPlay to automatically record your gameplay. Once you’ve enabled ShadowPlay, you can press the “Alt + F9” keys to start and stop recording.
How do I split the Discord audio from the game audio using ShadowPlay?
To split the Discord audio from the game audio using ShadowPlay, you’ll need to record your gameplay using ShadowPlay and then edit the recording in a video editing software. In the video editing software, you’ll need to separate the audio tracks and delete the game audio track. Then, you can add the Discord audio track to the video and adjust the volume levels as needed.
The exact steps may vary depending on the video editing software you’re using, but the general process is the same. You can also use audio editing software to further edit and enhance the Discord audio track before adding it to the video.
Can I use ShadowPlay to record Discord audio only?
No, ShadowPlay is designed to record gameplay, which includes game audio. However, you can use ShadowPlay to record Discord audio only by muting the game audio in your game settings. This will allow ShadowPlay to record only the Discord audio, which can then be edited and used separately.
Keep in mind that this method may not provide the best quality audio, and you may need to use additional audio editing software to enhance the audio. It’s also worth noting that ShadowPlay is intended for recording gameplay, so using it to record Discord audio only may not be the most efficient or practical solution.
Are there any alternative methods to split Discord audio from game audio?
Yes, there are alternative methods to split Discord audio from game audio that don’t require ShadowPlay or an NVIDIA graphics card. One popular method is to use software such as Audacity or OBS Studio to record the Discord audio separately from the game audio. This can be done by setting up a virtual audio device and routing the Discord audio to that device.
Another method is to use a physical audio mixer or a digital audio workstation to separate the audio tracks. These methods may require more setup and technical knowledge, but they can provide high-quality audio and more flexibility in terms of editing and post-processing.
Do I need to own the game to record gameplay using ShadowPlay?
Yes, you need to own the game or have a legitimate copy of the game to record gameplay using ShadowPlay. ShadowPlay is designed to work with games that you own or have purchased through legitimate channels. Recording gameplay without permission from the game developers or owners may violate copyright laws and is not recommended.
It’s also worth noting that some games may have restrictions on recording or streaming gameplay, so be sure to check the game’s terms of service and licenses before recording or sharing your gameplay.