Ultra.
Streamlab Desktop’s new Application Audio Capture function allows you to split what your stream hears and what you hear. That’s right, no more worrying about how to keep your viewers from hearing your private Discord conversation. We’ll show you how to use this handy feature.
How to Use Application Audio Capture
First, you will need to disable your Desktop Audio, otherwise your stream will continue to hear every sound from your computer (and you’ll likely hear an annoying echo). Under the Mixer section, find your Desktop Audio and click the speaker icon to mute it. The icon should be crossed out.
Next, if you want to ensure that your chat still hears your alert notifications (follows, subs, donations, etc.) you’ll need to configure this in your settings. Click the gear icon in the Mixer section to open Advanced Audio Settings.
From there, click on Alertbox to open the dropdown menu. Be sure it is set to Monitor and Output, otherwise your stream won’t hear any alert sounds. If there are other sounds you want your stream to hear, you can also configure them in Advanced Audio Settings.
After that, double click on the Alertbox in your sources menu to bring up the Properties menu. Under Browser Settings, click the box for Control audio via Streamlabs Desktop. By default, your alerts go through your desktop audio, which is currently muted. Checking the box ensures that your viewers will hear your alert sounds.
Now you’re ready to add the Application Audio Capture source—this will be the main audio for your stream (in addition to your microphone). Click the plus icon next to Sources and select Application Audio Capture from the General Sources list.
It will prompt you to give it a name. Choose something that will be easy for you to find in your sources list, especially if you have a lot of sources to sort through. We gave it the default Application Audio Capture name for convenience.
Now you need to select which application you want to capture. For most streamers, it will be your game. From the Window dropdown, choose your game (or specific application you want to capture).
That’s it! If you have configured everything correctly, your viewers should be able to hear your game (or selected application), alerts, mic, etc. and not hear your Discord conversation. If you want to test if everything is working properly, try recording a few minutes of speaking, gameplay, and alert testing before going live.
If you need help or have questions about Streamlabs Desktop, the best way to receive a quick response is to contact support on our Discord server. If you are a member of Streamlabs Ultra, you will receive VIP support. Also, feel free to check out our other guides to learn all there is to know about Streamlabs Desktop.