OBS microphone records in one ear: inspect the source before downmixing
Check the microphone meters and a saved recording, then downmix only if a single voice occupies one side of a stereo input.
Watch the microphone's meters while speaking. One meter for a mono source is normal and should play in both ears. Two meters with speech on only one side can indicate a single microphone arriving as stereo. If that input is meant to contain one centered voice, its mono/downmix option may be appropriate.
In this guide
OBS Studio microphone sources in a stereo recording. Intentional stereo microphones, separate speakers, and multichannel work may need to keep their channels separate.
Check whether the microphone is a one-sided stereo input
Do not downmix an input that intentionally contains two people or stereo sound without checking each channel. Combining them removes separation you may need for editing.
Rule out the headphones and playback path
Listen to a short saved recording outside OBS, then play a known-working stereo file on the same headphones. If both lose the same side, investigate playback before changing microphone routing.
If the saved voice is centered but monitoring is one-sided, the fault is in a different listening path. Judge the recording separately from what you hear live.
Read the individual source meters
The OBS mixer guide distinguishes a single mono meter from the two meters of a stereo source; the first stereo meter represents the left channel.
Watch only the affected microphone while speaking. Music and other active sources can obscure the problem in the overall mix.
Downmix the affected source
Open Edit > Advanced Audio Properties. For a single voice occupying one stereo side, enable that microphone's mono/downmix option. Leave stereo music and unrelated sources unchanged.
Record another short passage and listen to both ears. Check the level as well as the position. If combining the channels introduces another voice or unwanted room sound, restore the original setting and identify what each input contains.
| Result | Next check |
|---|---|
| The saved voice is centered | Listen to the full mix |
| Every source is one-sided | Output settings and playback device |
| Two separate voices have been combined | Restore their separation and check routing |
| The microphone is absent entirely | Capture and recording-track assignment |
For further help, use the OBS guide's support links. Describe the input device, meter behavior, and whether the problem occurs in monitoring, the saved file, or both.
Sources
Based on official documentation; not independently tested. Sources checked Sep 27, 2026. How we review guides
Something out of date? Let us know.
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