Following the last Open Mic back in October '21, there was some discussion about being able to use your Digital Audio Workstation or DAW to provide input into Zoom and therefore be able to "mix" your performance and stream that live into the Open Mic Zoom "meeting" or just to record your own video. Well it is possible, using OBS (Open Broadcast Software) as an interface between the DAW and Zoom but also means that you can stream your OBS video feed into Zoom and so opening up a world of both audio and video enhancements.
The following guide is a simple step by step explanation of how to set the connections up and any additional software or drivers that are needed (all free). I have also recorded a video, which turned into a "how to" instead of just a visual reference as planned. I have used Reaper as the DAW of choice but the instructions apply to any DAW as the "software" is cross application.
But at a high level the chain is :
mic/gtr --> DAW --> master track --> OBS --> OBS Video --> Zoom
--> DAW Audio -->
and of course you could add pre recorded backing in the DAW for that "band" experience.
Beware long semi technical post and 30 minute videoConnecting Reaper/DAW to OBS to Zoom using Windows 10 (but should apply to all OS). This is not at tutorial on the above applications and assumes you are familiar with all 3 and the standard operational controls and settings when used in standalone mode. This is just a step by step guide, to what needs to be downloaded and what needs to be done on each application.
1. Downloads – choose the right version for your operating system. ReaPlugs VST from the Reaper creators Cuckos
https://www.reaper.fm/reaplugs/ This will include the plug-in
Reastream , which will allow Reaper and OBS to communicate.
These plug-ins are standalone and can be used on any DAW, so if you are not using Reaper, you can still use
Reastream-standalone to connect your DAW to OBS.
VB Audio Virtual Cable plugin from
https://vb-audio.com/Cable/ to allow OBS audio to be sent to Zoom.
Care when the driver is installed “
Cable Input (VB Audio Virtual Cable) ” will be set as you
default device for playback and recording. Open the Sounds/Manager Audio Device menu in Windows Settings and ensure
Cable Input is in a
Ready state but
not the default device.
For
Recording select your
Audio Interface and for
Playback select your
system speakers/headphones .
After installing the VB Audio Virtual Cable driver, you may need
to reboot your system. So, reboot it anyway.
OBS Virtual Camera plug-in, which will send the OBS video capture to Zoom.
https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/obs-virtualcam.949/ 2. Reaper/DAW In
Reaper or your DAW load an existing project or start a new one with a track(s) to monitor your audio input as you would do normally. Make sure a track is added and armed (ready for recording) for your mic input or for each instrument you are playing live.
On your
Master Track (Reaper) or final output channel on other DAWs add the
Reastream vst plug-in from the FX menu/window.
In the dialogue box, the identifier will be named “default” and must be set to
enabled .
You could change the name from default but the matching plugin in OBS
MUST have the same name.
Select
Send Audio Midi IP and from the dropdown box select
*local broadcast .
Double check your Reaper/DAW Audio Device Setting in Preferences and ensure your AI is declared for both input and output. This assumes you are declaring your AI as an ASIO device for minimal latency.
3. OBS - Audio Input from Reaper/DAW. To an existing scene (the one you will use to be seen in Zoom, like your main webcam scene) add a new
Audio Input Capture device (AIC) in Sources to receive audio from Reaper/DAW and name it appropriately. e.g. you could call it
DAW or
Reaper .
Double click or right click and select Properties and
select your webcam mic as the device or any Audio Input device mic that you are not using in this Scene or "project".
Next right click on the new AIC
select Filters .
Use the + (plus) button and
select VST 2.x Plug-in and from the dropdown menu select
Reastream-standalone . OBS will see all the plug-ins in your VST folder, so if you have a lot like me Reastream-standalone will be down the bottom.
Then in the box below s
elect Open Plug-in Interface .
This will show a box the same as in Reaper/DAW.
Make sure the
identifier name matches the name in
Reaper/DAW - if you left it as Default, it will be ok.
In OBS this should be set to
Receive Audio/Midi .
Note : If you plan to send multiple OBS scenes to Zoom, each one most have the Reaper/DAW AIC source added. In the OBS Audio Mixer
select any of the settings cogs , then select
Advanced Audio Properties .
Audio Monitoring should set to
Monitor off for all devices except your Reaper/DAW audio input which should be set to
Monitor and Output .
4. OBS Audio and Video Output To Zoom Open settings in OBS and
select Audio .
Go to
Advanced and in the
Monitoring Device dropdown select
Cable Input (VB Audio Virtual Cable) .
Exit settings.
On the OBS control panel select
Start Virtual Camera .
5. Zoom – Audio and Video Input from OBS/Reaper In Zoom open settings.
In Video for Camera
select OBS Virtual Camera In Audio
set Speakers to your Audio Interface In Audio for Microphone
set to CABLE Output (VB Audio Virtual Cable) And that is it
but some things to be aware of.
• If Zoom is just showing the OBS logo and not your video feed, start OBS virtual camera.
• If you lose Reaper/DAW sound, especially your AI input.
Check the Reaper/DAW Audio settings and make sure the AI is still visible for Input and Output.
If not shutdown OBS and Zoom and then refresh Reaper/DAW audio preferences.
You may need to toggle between Audio Systems before ASIO picks up the AI for Input and Output.
Once reconnected test your audio in Reaper.
Then fire up OBS. You should not need to change anything but select the Audio Input Device you set up for Reaper bring up the filter and open the plug-in interface to verify
Reastream-standalone in OBS is receiving sound by playing the project or input via guitar/mic. Although you should also see this via the
OBS Audio Mixer for the same
AIC . If all is good, refire Zoom and enter meeting. Don’t forget to start OBS virtual camera.
• If audio interference occurs (echos, feedback etc) it is most likely due to another mic being open on the system. Check Windows Sound Device Manager
For Playback all devices should be disabled apart from :
Speakers (set as default), Your Audio Interface (status Ready) Cable Input (status Ready)
For Recording all devices should be disabled apart from :
Your AI (set as default), Cable Output (status Ready), Webcam Microphone (Status Ready)
VIDEO I am no expert and have discovered this by trial and error and there are other ways to hook these three applications together. I also know we have subject matter expert on the forum (Majik) who may identify some weaknesses in this method. And that’s is great. If it can be simplified or improved, I am more than happy to tweak my set up to make it more streamlined or resilient. But I hope it works for you as it does for me.
Big thank you to David Preece for acting as my guinea pig and confirming the the guide actually worked and for the suggestions for streamlining the process and for vetting the video, to ensure it all made sense. (I was up to take 14 and getting weary !!)
Best of luck if you plan to use this method in the future. The instructions should work but be mindful of the potential pit falls I have highlighted. As I said in the video, I will try to answer any questions to the best of my knowledge and ability but as I have said, I am no expert.
Enjoy
Cheers
Toby