Elgato captures audio, but the method depends on which product you own

Elgato makes several capture devices, and they handle audio differently. The Elgato HD60 S+ and HD60 X capture audio from your console or PC through HDMI, which includes any sound already embedded in the video signal. The Elgato Wave:3 and Wave:1 are USB microphones that record voice directly to your computer. The Stream Deck does not capture audio at all — it is a control pad. If you want to record both game audio and your own voice at the same time, you will need to combine devices or use software mixing.

The choice between these products depends on what you are already recording. If you have a console or PC feeding video into a capture card, that card will grab the audio too — but only the audio in the HDMI signal. If you want to add your own voice on top, you need a microphone and software to blend them together.

Key Takeaways

  • Elgato video capture cards (HD60 S+, HD60 X) record audio that comes through HDMI from your console or PC, but they do not record your microphone separately.
  • Elgato Wave microphones are USB mics that record only your voice, not game audio, unless you use software to mix the two sources together.
  • To record both game audio and your voice at the same time, you need either a capture card plus a separate microphone, or software that mixes multiple audio inputs.
  • Elgato's software (4K Capture Utility, Wave Link) lets you route audio from different sources and control what gets recorded, but you must set it up before you start streaming or recording.

What Elgato video capture cards record

The HD60 S+, HD60 X, and older HD60 S models capture video and audio together through an HDMI cable. Whatever audio is in the HDMI signal — game sound, console audio, PC audio — gets recorded. You connect the HDMI output from your PlayStation, Xbox, or PC to the capture card's input, and the audio travels along with the video.

These cards do not have a built-in microphone, so they cannot record your voice unless you add a separate microphone and mix the audio in software. The capture card itself only handles what comes through HDMI. If you are recording from a console, the console's audio output is already in the HDMI signal, so no extra step is needed there. With a PC, you need to make sure your PC is sending audio through HDMI to the capture card, which is not always the default.

What Elgato Wave microphones record

The Wave:3 and Wave:1 are USB microphones designed to record your voice. They plug directly into your computer and show up as an audio input device in Windows or macOS. They record only what the microphone picks up — your voice, room noise, keyboard clicks — not game audio or system sounds.

If you want to record both your voice and game audio, you need to use software to mix them. Elgato's Wave Link software (included with Wave:3, sold separately for Wave:1) lets you route game audio and microphone audio into a single recording, but you have to set it up in the software before you record. Without Wave Link or similar mixing software, your microphone and game audio will be on separate tracks or not recorded together at all.

How to record both game audio and your voice

The most common setup is a capture card plus a separate microphone. Connect your console or PC to the capture card via HDMI, and connect the microphone (Elgato Wave or any other USB mic) to your computer. Then use your recording software to capture both inputs at once.

In OBS Studio (free, open-source), you add two audio sources: one from the capture card and one from the microphone. In Elgato's own 4K Capture Utility, you can select which audio inputs to record. Both programs let you adjust the volume of each source independently, so you can make your voice louder or quieter than the game audio.

If you use Wave Link (Elgato's audio mixing software), you can route multiple audio sources — game audio from a capture card, voice from your microphone, music from Spotify — into a single "mix" that gets recorded or streamed. This gives you more control over levels and which sources go where, but it requires more setup before you start recording.

Elgato capture cards and console audio

Console audio (PlayStation, Xbox) comes through HDMI automatically when you connect the console to the capture card. You do not need to plug in a separate audio cable. The capture card pulls the sound from the HDMI signal and records it alongside the video.

Some older setups used separate audio cables, but modern Elgato cards handle audio over HDMI only. If your console is not producing sound through the capture card, check that HDMI audio is enabled in your console's settings and that the HDMI cable is fully seated. On PlayStation, this is usually under Settings > Sound and Screen > Audio Output. On Xbox, check Settings > General > Volume and audio output.

Elgato capture cards and PC audio

When you connect a PC to an Elgato capture card via HDMI, the card captures whatever audio is coming through that HDMI output. This includes game audio, browser audio, Discord, and any other sound your PC is playing. The capture card does not distinguish between them — it records everything in the HDMI signal.

If you want to record only game audio and not Discord or background music, you need to route your audio in software before it reaches the capture card. This is more complex than console recording and usually requires audio routing software or a virtual audio device. Many streamers use software like VB-Audio Virtual Cable to send only game audio to the capture card while keeping Discord and other sounds separate.

Elgato software for audio control

Elgato provides two main tools for managing audio: 4K Capture Utility (for video capture cards) and Wave Link (for microphone mixing). The 4K Capture Utility lets you select which audio input the capture card records from — useful if you have multiple audio sources connected. Wave Link lets you create custom mixes of different audio sources and send them to different destinations (recording, streaming, headphones).

Both programs require setup before you start recording. If you launch them for the first time while already streaming or recording, you may miss audio or have to restart. Read through the settings and test your audio levels before you go live. Wave Link is included free with the Wave:3 microphone but costs extra if you own a Wave:1 or want to use it with other microphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record my voice and game audio at the same time with just an Elgato capture card?

No. A capture card records only what comes through HDMI. To add your voice, you need a separate microphone connected to your computer, and you must use software (OBS, 4K Capture Utility, or Wave Link) to mix the two audio sources into one recording.

Does the Elgato Wave:3 record game audio?

No. The Wave:3 is a microphone that records only your voice. To record game audio, you need a capture card or to route your PC's audio output into the microphone input using software. Wave Link can help mix game audio and microphone audio, but the microphone itself does not capture game sound.

What if my Elgato capture card is not recording audio?

Check that HDMI audio is enabled on your console or PC, that the HDMI cable is fully connected, and that your recording software has the capture card selected as the audio input. In 4K Capture Utility, go to Audio settings and confirm the correct input device is chosen. If you are using OBS, add an Audio Input Capture source and select the capture card from the dropdown.

Can I use Elgato Wave Link with a capture card?

Yes. Wave Link can mix audio from a capture card, a microphone, and other sources into a single output. This requires setting up Wave Link before you record and selecting the capture card as one of your audio inputs in the software.

Do I need Elgato software to record audio with an Elgato capture card?

No. Any recording software that recognizes the capture card as an audio input will work — OBS Studio, Streamlabs, XSplit, or Windows' built-in recording tools. Elgato's software is optional and offers more control, but it is not required.