The simplest way to add Google Meet audio to OBS

To add Google Meet audio to OBS Studio, you capture the Meet window as a source and then route its audio through OBS's mixer. The most straightforward method is to add Google Meet as a Window Capture source, which pulls both video and audio into OBS at once. From there, you control the audio level in OBS's Audio Mixer panel without touching Meet's own volume.

If you want only the audio without the video window visible, you can mute the video source and leave the audio track active, or use OBS's audio routing features to send the Meet audio to your stream while keeping the window hidden from viewers.

Key Takeaways

  • Window Capture in OBS pulls Google Meet's audio automatically when you capture the browser window, so you do not need a separate audio source.
  • The Audio Mixer panel in OBS lets you adjust Meet's volume independently from other sources before it reaches your stream.
  • If OBS does not detect Meet's audio, check that your browser's audio output is set to your default device and that OBS has permission to access audio.
  • Desktop Audio capture works as a fallback if Window Capture does not pick up the Meet audio, though it will also capture any other sound from your computer.

Setting up Window Capture for Google Meet

Open OBS Studio and create a new scene if you do not already have one. In the Sources panel at the bottom left, click the plus icon and select Window Capture. A dialog box will appear asking you to choose which window to capture.

From the Window dropdown, find and select your browser window that has Google Meet open. If you have multiple browser windows, the window name will usually show the Meet participant's name or "Google Meet" in the title. Once selected, click OK. OBS will now display the Meet window in your canvas, and the audio from Meet will flow into OBS's audio system automatically.

Check the Audio Mixer panel on the right side of OBS. You should see an audio meter next to your Window Capture source showing green bars when someone is speaking in the Meet. If you see no audio bars, move to the troubleshooting section below.

Adjusting audio levels in the mixer

The Audio Mixer shows all active audio sources in your scene. Find the fader (vertical slider) labeled with your Window Capture source name. Drag it left to lower the volume or right to raise it. The numbers below the fader show the current level in decibels.

For a typical stream, you want the audio to peak around -6 to -3 dB when someone is speaking loudly. If the audio is too quiet, raise the fader; if it clips (the meter goes into red), lower it. You can also right-click the fader to set a specific number if you want precise control.

The master fader on the far right controls the overall volume of everything going to your stream. Adjust the Window Capture fader first, then use the master fader only if you need to balance Meet audio against other sources like a microphone or music.

Hiding the Meet window while keeping the audio

If you want viewers to hear the Meet participants but not see the browser window, you have two options. The first is to mute the video: right-click the Window Capture source in the Sources panel and select Hide (or click the eye icon next to it). The audio will continue to flow to your stream, but the window will not appear on screen.

The second option is to use a different scene layout. Create a second scene with only your other sources (camera, screen share, graphics), and keep the Window Capture source in a separate scene used only for audio. Switch between scenes as needed during your stream. This gives you more control over when Meet audio is active.

What to do if OBS is not picking up Meet audio

If the Audio Mixer shows no bars when someone speaks in Meet, the problem is usually that OBS cannot access the browser's audio output. First, check that your browser is not muted. In Chrome or Edge, look for a speaker icon with a line through it in the tab itself; click it to unmute. In Firefox, right-click the tab and check that audio is not muted.

Next, verify that your system's default audio output device is set correctly. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select Open Volume Mixer. Make sure your browser is not set to a different audio device than OBS is listening to. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sound and check the Output tab.

If the browser is unmuted and the audio device is correct, try using Desktop Audio instead of Window Capture. In OBS, add a new Audio Input Capture source and select your system's default audio device. This will capture all sound from your computer, including Meet, but it will also pick up notifications, background music, or other sounds. Use this only as a temporary test to confirm audio is working.

Using Desktop Audio as a backup method

Desktop Audio Capture is OBS's way of recording everything your computer plays through its speakers. To add it, click the plus icon in the Sources panel, select Audio Input Capture, and choose your default audio device from the dropdown. OBS will immediately start showing audio levels in the mixer.

The downside is that Desktop Audio captures everything — if your phone buzzes with a notification, if Slack pings, or if you have Spotify playing in another tab, all of it goes into your stream. Use this method only if Window Capture is not working and you need audio in your stream right now. Once you fix the Window Capture issue, remove the Desktop Audio source.

Preventing echo and audio feedback

If you hear Meet participants' voices echoing back to them during the call, it means OBS is sending audio from the Meet window back into the Meet itself. This happens when you have both Window Capture audio and a microphone active, and your microphone is picking up the Meet audio from your speakers.

To prevent this, mute your microphone in OBS while you are streaming Meet. In the Audio Mixer, find your microphone source and click the microphone icon next to it to mute it. Alternatively, in Google Meet itself, click the microphone icon to turn off your mic before you start streaming. Meet participants will not hear you, but they will see you are muted, and the echo will stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stream Google Meet without showing the browser window?

Yes. Add Window Capture as your source, then right-click it and select Hide. The audio will continue to stream, but viewers will not see the Meet window. You can also use a separate scene with only your other sources active, keeping the Window Capture source muted on that scene.

Why is the Meet audio much quieter than my microphone?

The audio levels are set independently in the Audio Mixer. Find the Window Capture fader and drag it to the right to raise the Meet volume. If it is already at maximum and still too quiet, the issue may be that Meet participants are speaking softly or their microphones are set low on their end.

Do I need to do anything special in Google Meet to stream it?

No. Google Meet does not need any special settings. Just open the meeting in your browser, start OBS, add the browser window as a source, and stream. Meet will work normally for participants, and they will not know they are being streamed unless you tell them.

What if I want to stream Meet but also use my own microphone?

Add both Window Capture (for Meet audio) and Audio Input Capture (for your microphone) as sources in OBS. Adjust each fader in the Audio Mixer independently. Make sure your microphone is muted in Google Meet itself, or you will create an echo loop where Meet participants hear themselves.

Can I record the Meet audio separately from the video?

OBS can record audio and video together, but separating them requires using OBS's advanced audio tracks feature or recording to a format that supports multiple tracks. For most users, recording everything together in a single file is simpler. Check OBS's Settings > Output > Recording to see your format options.