How to Use an OBS Limiter for Loud Audio Peaks
A Limiter in OBS reduces an audio source when it tries to pass a chosen peak level. It can help control sudden loud moments, such as laughter, after you have set the microphone's normal input level correctly.
It cannot repair audio that already distorted before reaching the limiter.
Set the original level first
Check your microphone or interface gain while speaking at your loudest expected volume. If the input itself clips, lower that input level or adjust your distance before adding more processing.
Then balance the source in OBS. A limiter should catch occasional peaks, not constantly fight a microphone that is much too loud.
Add the limiter
- 1.Find the source in the Audio Mixer.
- 2.Open its menu and select Filters.
- 3.Click + → Limiter in the audio filters list.
- 4.Place it at the end of the intended filter chain.
- 5.Record a sample with both normal and loud speech.
Filters after the limiter can raise the level again, which is why its position matters.
Adjust the controls
Threshold sets the ceiling the limiter applies at its point in the signal chain. A lower threshold makes it reduce more peaks.
Release controls how quickly the gain reduction stops after the signal falls below that threshold. If the level seems to dip or recover unnaturally, listen while making small adjustments.
The published OBS default is not a personalized target for every microphone or final mix. Judge the result in a recording, including any compression or gain filters that come before it.
Check the full mix
A limiter on your microphone affects that source, not automatically every sound in OBS. Music, alerts, and other sources still contribute to the overall output.
Play the sounds together and listen for distortion or an overly forceful change in volume. Do not assume one limiter guarantees the entire mix can never overload.
If the sound still crackles
Compare the recording with the limiter disabled. If the distortion is already present, investigate the microphone input, interface, driver, or another part of the chain.
For large ongoing differences between quiet and loud speech, a carefully configured compressor may be more appropriate alongside a final limiter. Keep the solution focused on the actual sound rather than adding more filters by default.