Streaming 101: The Virtual Interface

So, you want to mix your audio in a DAW (Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools, Etc) and stream, all from the same computer? You're going to need a virtual interface.

There is no hiding it... Using a 'virtual interface' is NOT easy... Luckily for you this post should be your one stop shop for learning how to get it set up and working!

Please note: this guide is for MacOS only... Windows users... I'm working on it!

LET'S DO THIS!

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There are lots of different options when choosing a virtual interface however, we

recommend ‘BlackHole' by Existential Audio.

1) First, let’s get the software installed:

Follow this link. You will need to put your name and email in. They will then send you a link to a page that looks like this:

Open the package and run the installer.

2) Hit command-spacebar on your keyboard to bring up ‘spotlight search’. Find Audio Midi Setup and open it up.

3) First you need to make an Aggregate Device:

It's important you make the below selections in the correct order. I recommend unchecking everything and then rechecking the required items as shown below:

4) Next you need to make a Multi-Output Device:

5) Now you will need to go into your DAW and configure your input and output devices. I'm using Logic but it's pretty much the same on all other DAWs:

Your Output Device needs to be the ‘Multi-Output Device’ you made in the previous step. Your ‘Input Device’ should be your interface:

6) You can now go into OBS and add an ‘Audio Input Capture’ source:

7) We now need to test what we have done.

1) Go into your DAW and set up a channel

2) Add an obvious effect (like a massive reverb) to your channel. This is important so we can check everything is coming through into OBS properly.

3) Make sure your channel is armed:

4) You can now go back to OBS, play something and see the audio level move up and down as you play:

To learn how to fully test your live stream, head over to 'Streaming 101: TESTING! - How can I test to make sure it's working?'

8) Once it is fully working there is one more step:

Go back into your Audio Midi Setup and uncheck your built in speakers from your 'Multi Output Device'.

This might seem strange... Why did we add it in just to go ahead and take it out? Well, I can't give you an answer that makes complete sense. All I know is that 50% of the time the routing only works if you add the speakers in and take them out after! Maybe one day I will figure out why!

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If you have tested using the methods described in 'Streaming 101: TESTING! - How can I test to make sure it's working?' but things still aren't working as you'd like, you should check the below:

I'm getting signal but none of the FX.

• Make sure your tracks are 'armed' and your DAW is actually adding the FX. Sometimes, if your DAW is set to 'low latency mode' it won't add FX in real time - only to pre recorded tracks during playback.

I'm getting sound but it's sounding strange and bitty!

• Make sure the sample rates are consistent across your DAW, OBS, and Audio Interface (physical, not virtual).

• Make sure 'Down Mixing' is unchecked on your audio source properties:

• Try closing and then re-opening both your DAW and OBS... Make sure to select the correct input and output devices in your DAW when it reopens.

It's all working but I'm getting latency.

• Try lowering the buffer size inside your DAW - A smaller buffer size reduces latency but increases CPU usage and so you might find this only fixes your latency issue for a few minutes.

• Most DAWs have a 'low latency mode'. Try it out but be aware that it sometimes stops FX coming through as it tries to save computer power.

• Are you being efficient with your FX? Have you got your reverb set up in a Bus or have you got a different reverb on every track? In short - try to optimise your mixing and make it as efficient as possible for your computer to process. Using less FX should improve performance and therefore reduce latency.

• Make sure you only have the apps you need open. Don't waste any of your computers power by keeping your browser, whatsapp and other apps open!