How To Setup OBS With Ableton Live 10 (Easy Mac & PC Guides)

If you want to learn how to stream audio from Ableton Live 10 to OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) then you’re in the right place.

Whether you want to record videos for YouTube or stream your production sessions on twitch. OBS is by far the best application for the job.

I have put together two easy-to-follow guides for both MacOS and Windows 10.

How To Setup OBS With Ableton Live 10 – MacOS Guide

Before we get started, make sure you have OBS and Soundflower installed.

What is OBS?

Open Broadcaster Software, is an application which is used for cross-platform audio + video recording and streaming. It is completely free and open-source. OBS can capture your screen, video camera feed and audio at the same time and combine it into one cohesive and customizable layout. It comes in versions for Windows, MAC, and Ubuntu.

What is Soundflower?

Soundflower is an open-source kernel extension that creates a virtual audio input and output device on MacOS. It allows you to easily route audio between applications without having to use physical audio I/O hardware. This is perfect for things like  capturing audio for video recording and streaming.


Summary

To setup OBS with Ableton Live 10 on MAC follow these 8 simple steps (Full Guide Below):

  1. Install Soundflower.
  2. Open Audio MIDI Setup.
  3. Create Multi-Output Device.
  4. Set Outputs to Built In Output, Audio Interface, and Soundflower.
  5. Open Desktop Audio Properties in OBS.
  6. Set Device to Soundflower (2ch).
  7. Set Audio Output Device to Multi-Output Device in Ableton Live.
  8. Test Audio and Recording.

Step 1

Step 2
  • Hit cmd + spacebar to bring up your search bar. In the search bar type “Audio MIDI Setup” and hit enter.

Step 3
Multi output device OBS Ableton Soundflower
  • Hit the “+” sign at the bottom left of the window and click Create Multi Output Device”.

Step 4
Multi output device select outputs
  • Select the multi output device in the left panel and check the boxes next to the following items.
    • Soundflower (2ch)
    • Built-in Output
    • Your Audio Interface (Mine is Komplete Audio 6)
  • Set the master device to Soundflower (2ch).

Step 5
OBS Desktop Audio Properties
  • Open OBS and select Desktop Audio in the Mixer Panel.
  • Click the little gear icon and select properties.

Step 6
Select Device OBS Ableton Soundflower
  • Set the Device to Soundflower (2ch).

Step 7
Select Multi Output Device In Ableton
  • Open Ableton and hit “cmd + ,” to open Preferences.
  • Under Audio Output select “Multi Output Device”.

Step 8
Test Audio In Ableton OBS Soundflower
  • Test by clicking “Start Recording” in OBS, then play a some audio in Ableton.
  •  Take note that the audio is still coming out of your speakers/headphones, and the meter in OBS is reacting to Audio. 
  • Hit “Stop Recording” in OBS. Check the video file has audio.

How To Setup OBS With Ableton Live 10 – Windows 10 Guide

Before we get started, make sure you have OBS installed.


Summary

To setup OBS with Ableton Live on Windows 10 follow these 4 simple steps (Full Guide Below):

  1. Open Desktop Audio Properties in OBS.
  2. Choose your Main Output.
  3. In Ableton select your Main Output as Audio Device.
  4. Test Audio and Recording.

Step 1
step 1 obs ableton windows 10
  • Open OBS 
  • Click the Gear icon below Desktop Audio under the Mixer.
  • Select Properies.

Step 2
step 2 obs ableton windows 10
  • Select Main Output under Device.
  • Click OK.

Step 3
step 3 obs ableton windows 10
  • Open Ableton 
  • Hit ctrl + , to open Preferences.
  • Select your Main Output under Audio Output Device.
  • Click OK.

Step 4
step 4 obs ableton windows 10
  • Test by clicking “Start Recording” in OBS, then play a some audio in Ableton.
  •  Take note that the audio is still coming out of your speakers/headphones, and the meter in OBS is reacting to Audio. 
  • Hit “Stop Recording” in OBS. Check the video file has audio.

Common Issues

Problem: Audio is cracking and popping when I record in OBS.

Solution

Problem: I’m Running ASIO4ALL on Windows and OBS is not picking up my Audio.

Unfortunately, ASIO doesn’t allow you to route audio to OBS. You will need to switch to MME / DirectX drivers in Ableton. There are other solutions that will allow you to route audio using virtual cables for example but unfortunately from my experience they do not solve the latency issues that ASIO4ALL was made to solve so it is easier and just as effective to just use MME/DX drivers.

The only other solution I found was to use ASIO Link, but unfortunately the owner passed away and the licence auth servers went with him. If you can find a working version of ASIO Link out there then you can follow one of the guides on YouTube to set it up. 

If you have any other problems and/or solutions feel free to comment and we’ll be sure to add them to the post.

5 thoughts on “How To Setup OBS With Ableton Live 10 (Easy Mac & PC Guides)”

  1. Thank you for the guide, very specific! Unfortunately it doesnt work if you want to stream a live performance. I play a digital piano which I pass through Ableton 10 for FX and when I use the Multi output device the latency is so noticeable it doesnt really allow me to play the right way. Of course it gets better if the sample rate diminishes, but then you considerably loose audio quality. Its so weird something so simple is not possible in 2020.
    This is my scenario:
    Digital piano (2 outs) > MOTU mk3 > Mac book Pro 10.12.6 (via usb) > Ableton 10 > Motu / Multichannel Output device / Soundflower > OBS
    I need to hear the sound Im streaming because that sound is produced through Ableton, not only my piano…

    If you have any alternative recommendation I would be very grateful for it!

    • Unfortunately, latency is a big issue for some. I don’t play live so I’m not really bothered by it, and anything I record I can just shift back. Maybe someone else will comment with a solution 🙂

    • hi, I would suggest using an aggregate source in your mac, you can find it in MIDI and Sound configuration. basically you shuold be able to use your built-in output together with the MOTU, and in Ableton assign some monitor output to the built-in output. So, you will finally have the output duplicated: in built-in headphone output you can hear yourself in realtime passing through Ableton, and in OBS the sound will arrive through Soundflower.
      Good luck

  2. Is there any reason I can’t get third party drop plugins windows or drop down menu’s to show on my OBS recordings? Windows 10

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