Of course I don’t use the word ‘podcast’ because its roots are associated with a large company that hasn’t done a lot of good for freedom in software (or hardware). So, you will read ‘audiocast’ and you’ll know what it means.
The purpose of this post is to give you an open source and audio-only setup for recording, while also giving you a platform that could expand to video later if you want.
The Software Stack
- We’ll use Open Broacaster Software (OBS) for recording your own audio.
- You can download OBS for your operating system, which I really hope is ubuntu for the sake of freedom and enjoyment
Updating the OBS Settings for Audio
Now that you’ve got OBS downloaded and installed, we’re going to set this up so that when you record you will get an audio format output instead of the default video file format. OBS is designed for full video-casting as well, which is why it defaults to video. If you want to go back to video, just note and reverse what you’re setting up here.
Let’s get started:
- Go to “Settings” | (bottom right button)
- Go to “Output” | (Upper left pane)
- Switch “Output Mode” to ‘Advanced’ | (Dropdown located top dead centre)
- Click the “Recording” tab
- Switch “Type” to “Custom Output (FFMpeg)” | (Dropdown located top dead centre of that tab)
- Switch “Container Format” option to your favourite audio format such as .ogg (mp3 is another popular one) | (located three options down from “Type” in that tab)
- Change “Video Encoder” option from “libtheror(Default Encoder)” to “Disable Encoder” | (located 9 options down from the top of that tab)
- Pay attention to the ‘File path or URL” option. This is where your audio file will save. Adjust it as necessary so you will remember it. I changed mine to ‘Music’ directory on ubuntu | (Located two options from top on same tab)
- Click ‘Apply’ button
- Click ‘Ok’ Button
That’s it. OBS is now set up to record audio to your favourite audio format.
Special thanks to this guy for the basic idea of what to do above.
Do a Test Recording
Now that your settings are set up, let’s make sure it’s working. Remember – as per hint above, your audio file will end up wherever you set the ‘File path or URL’ option to above. Go back and adjust if required.
- Hit “Start Recording” | (located bottom right corner of screen)
Note: It will give this warning:
“It looks like you haven’t added any video sources yet, so you will only be outputting a blank screen. Are you sure you want to do this?”
- Select ‘Yes’ – Recording will start
Note 1: The ‘Stop Recording’ button will conveniently change to a blue colour for easy recognition so you can stop recording when you are done.
Note 2: Assuming your microphone is being picked up by your operating system, you should see the ‘Mic/Aux’ meter moving in green and no more than that. Orange and red is your ‘danger zone’ and will risk sounding bad in your recording
Note 3: “Desktop Audio” meter should not be recording unless you are playing something like Youtube in your browser. If you want to capture that audio during a recording, good news. That works 🙂
- Once you’re done your test recording, click the (now) blue ‘Stop Recording’ button to end recording
- Search for your audio file, open it, and see the fruit of your labour.
May all your sounds be open and hope this helps
