I recently learned about “Twitch”, a popular streaming platform, and I decided to try it out to stream some of my Fortnite gameplay.
After doing some research, I discovered that OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is one of the easiest and most reliable programs to use while streaming off a Mac.
However, after downloading the Software and attempting to stream, I realized that although I could stream the audio from my mic, the desktop audio was not working.
I spent an eternity trying to solve this problem, and there was nothing about my situation on the web. Finally, after long hours of experimenting with the settings, figured out how to.
So, to put others out of their misery, I decided to compile a five step process WITH PICTURES to help you understand how to stream desktop audio on a Mac using OBS.
If you would like to see the video version of this step-by-step process, you can watch it below.
1. Download “iShowU Audio Capture”
Click here to download audio capture software, and complete all necessary steps to install.
2. Do a Search for “audio MIDI Setup”
Click on the small search icon in the top right of your screen (or select “cmd” and space) as demonstrated in the picture. When search bar shows up, search for “audio MIDI Setup”.
3. Create “Multi-Output Device” and Select “iShowU Audio Capture” as Master Device
Once this page shows up, click on the plus sign in the bottom left. When the drop-down menu opens up, select “Create Multi-Output Device”. Once you’ve done this, make sure that “iShowU Audio Capture” is the master device, and that its little box below is also selected.
4. Make Sure “Multi-Output Device” is Selected
Click the Apple logo at the top left of your screen and select “System Preferences”. Next, select “Sound”. Once this next screen shows up, make sure that “Multi-Output Device” is selected.
5. Open OBS Settings and Set Audio to “iShowU Audio Capture”
For the final step, launch OBS. If you don’t already have OBS downloaded, check out how to do it in this tutorial. Next, click on the “Settings” button on bottom right, as performed in picture. After the settings screen opens, click on “Audio”, and then open the drop down menu for “Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device 2”, then select “iShowU Audio Capture”. After you’ve completed all of these steps, click “OK” at bottom right.
I hope that this article was exactly what you were looking for. If it was not or you have further questions and feedback, feel free to leave a comment, or if you would like to see the video version of this step-by-step process, click here.
My Gaming Setup:
If you are thinking of becoming a streamer or just want to get into gaming, here are some personal recommendations for gaming accessories.
1. Sades A70 Headset
My favorite headset is the Blue Sades A70, because though they are not wireless the sound quality is outstanding and these are also extremely comfortable and satisfying to wear.
2. Logitech G300S Mouse
This is my favorite gaming mouse not only because of the awesome rainbow lights that it displays, but also because of the amazing fit in your hand. To top that off, it also has 9 programable buttons, which are way more than the average gaming mouse.
3. MacBook (With NVIDIA GeForce Now)
You’re probably wondering how a MacBook could possibly run any high def games. I use “NVIDIA GeForce Now” to run my games extremely smoothly. It works amazingly, and I can run at high FPS with max resolution settings.
Grant Reviews: The Kids' Perspective 
you got it. thanks.
Thank you so much for this. Have been looking for a cheap solution to this for ages. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Glad this helps!
Thank you for the steps. Your steps solved my issues. Every other solution was either outdated or steps for a Windows based OP. I had working everything woking one point but somehow it stopped. From that point on, I could only get OBS to record the sound but with no way for me to monitor it because the sound was muted for me. The other solution was for me to have internal speakers working, but the video would record with no sound from the app.
Thanks for the solution. I’m going to bookmark this just in case.
Thanks!
Thanks! save the day
I have done everything in this tutorial but OBS still does not pick up my desktop sound. I am at a complete loss. Do you have any ideas?
I am not sure which problem you are having, however an alternate solution that I have heard of is Soundflower. You might have already tried it, it is similar to iShowU.
perfect guide to solve my problem, many thanks, please keep going this way.
Thank you!
Totally perfect!! Thanks a lot!!
Hi!
This has been super helpful-thank you! I wanted to use OBS to record zoom webinars for my medical lectures- I was just wondering, once I have switched the audio output and it’s recording fine on OBS, I am having issues turning the sound down on my laptop (function becomes disabled), I want to be able to record the live lectures but do other things on my laptop without having to listen to it. Any ideas?
I was running into this issue as well, I would attempt to turn the volume down and I was unable too. That is one of the downsides; a way around this is by going to system preferences, and under the Audio tab you will be able to use your mouse to drag the audio mixer to change the volume. This is just a workaround, as of now I am unsure of how to fix this problem. Thanks for your feedback!
I’m on Mojave and this setup keeps crashing my Mac and not allowing for video playback. Soundflower did the same thing. Any other ideas to hold me over until I can build a PC?
Have you tried updating your Mac? If neither of these solutions is working, I would just google other possibilities, but these are the only ones I know of.
Thanks for such a perfect explanation. I have looked around for a while too and at last I found this.
I works fine now. But for on e thing only.
When I record a filmfragment from a Keynote slide (played in a window) the sound is 3 seconds ahead of the man who speaks the words. Son there is a delay in the video. Has it to do with sound of something else. I cannot find what.
If you have some time left?….
Thanks Willem Versteeg from Belgium.
Hi there! I can capture my desktop audio, but only when the sound is coming out of my macbook speakers. Is there a way to route the sound so its coming through my earphones, and then that sound thats coming into my ears from my computer is being captured into OBS? Thank you!