Getting OBS to work with Behringer X-Air Mixers

IMPORTANT NOTE: the smaller xAir mixers - the XR12 and XR 16 - do NOT connect to computers at all, and so will NOT work with OBS or any other computer program.
It is more complicated than it should be to get an X-series mixer to work with OBS. But here's a quick tutorial to do just that. Or, at least, a rundown of how I have gotten it to work with my setup.

[@cainfft008]

Random walk-in. Helping my buddy setup his end of days stream. Audio wasn't working in OBS, this fixed it. Thanks for the quick and actually useful tutorial. Very specific solution!

[@freeyoutube8298]

hi. need help here ^^. which type of x do you use? coz im using XR 18, but I don't see 'line' in the recording list. only seeing microphone.thx a tonne

[@prettygoodradio]

Okay, well this is a laff-riot! I came across your video today to help me set up my mixer. I had it figured out already, but then stopped streaming for a while. When I came back to it, I could not finger our how to get it working like I had it last time until I found your video. I was so pleased, I just had to leave a comment. That's when I saw my own comments from a year ago! [smacks forehead] Anyway, thanks again. I am hoping you have more videos about Voicemeeter and Jackrouter.

[@bomartin5204]

Thanks!! On my hackintosh I had to set the audio out to XR18, Set USB 1/2 out to post fader and set OBS settings-sound Mic/Aux audio to XR18. I also monitor from the XR18 headphone jack. Everything syncs up great! Your video showed me where to look!!!

[@Danuelpiles]

I am so glad I found this video. I had to reinstall my drivers like you suggested. Followed all your steps, and I am working. Thanks So Much

[@diegodesouzadias6062]

thanks man! i'm brazilian and nobody here posted anything about it, i'm a musician and wanted to make audio quality lives, i was having the same problem as you. now i have a light to guide me. thanks!

[@guitarstitch]

It's 2020 and this video is still paying off! I recently started streaming my band at our shows using OBS and XAir. I tried USB routing and gave up after multiple failed attempts, electing to using the Aux 6 buss to send analog to a USB converter. Now I now what I need to do to make this work!

[@crossdbridge]

helped me Wirecast thanks bro

[@williamsuggs2822]

Amazing you got anyone on the phone with Behringer period

[@Vealo]

Thank you so much! Was trying to get this for my church livestream forever

[@bizzlemedia]

Hey man, setting the outputs to post fader was a real break through, thank you very much for that hot tip! Save me a lot of time and heartache, great video :D

[@dannybtw]

Had to like this vid. I think you just saved me. Routing 1-2 to LR was something I didn't know how to do. Thank you!

[@JoeShelton]

Spencer... THANKS! Very good video Bro. I finally got it working. :)

[@brucedarr6614]

Thanks Spencer! Because of you we got it working.

[@gregmentley4696]

You are a God Send. I had this exact problem and your solution worked! Thank-you so much!

[@brucelafrance5577]

I had a lightbulb moment today. My band was streaming using an X18 for mixing and a UMC204 for an interface into OBS. First time it worked great, 2nd time had issues but mostly was OBS. Then I was thinking. I don't need the UMC box if I can get OBS to recognize the X18. Duh! Did a search and your video was the first to come up. Looks like you have it down. Thanks. Hopefully I can get it working.

[@EposVox]

Thanks

[@levitakiss]

Good looking out! I was unaware of the PFL settings too!

[@honeyoftheheart9209]

Thanks! you helped us with our first livestream to youtube using OBS and restream with our Xair18. cheers!

[@alfederouen3286]

Honey of the Heart how are you making the physical connection to laptop that is allowing you to both control X-Air edit and obs live stream at the same time?

[@Spartan-lb9gh]

You are a life saver my church has transferred to streaming because of the virus and I couldn’t get it to work

[@xNarwhalxUprisingx]

Perfect. Didnt even need to reinstall drivers. Thanks!

[@JonathasMigueldasilvaCampos]

Man, you just saved my life! Thank you so much!

[@elronthepaperguru7150]

For Information: smaller xAir Mixers can be connected via Ethernet Cable and then have to be digitally Routed to OBS or Streamlabs, software called ASIO can do it.

[@koersmichiel]

Thanks man! Worked great after using your tips.

[@MarvPerk3]

Spencer, great video, but I am still having problems. When looking at the sound setup in Windows, I see the X18 on the "recording devices", levels shows 2 channels only, and the device says "ready", but there is no sound registering on it from the X18. Your video shows the meters going with your X18 output, mine shows nothing. I did the routing, setup OBS with the X18 as mic/aux audio, but since windows doesn't see the sound, neither does OBS. Any ideas why the device shows in windows control panel just fine as a recording device, but is not showing any meter activity?

[@pjicefamily]

Saved me. Couldn't figure this out. So thankful!

[@dwexoticmaple]

so your using usb to connect and can you still use the mixer as normal ie plug full band in and run output to usb

[@ernestorivas5584]

Hey man thanks for the video, question. Can you share this scene?

[@TonyOMalleyTV]

Many thanks, Spencer... You saved me a lot of valuable time! x

[@williamsilverthorn9155]

We are new owners of an XR16 Berringer mixer and are havingvtrouble implementing with OBS. Yiu speak to XR18 in your video here, and we are getting the impression that the XR18 is the minimum mixer for OBS ... can you attest to that or hopefuloy directvus on how to get our XR 16 to work well with OBS.

[@jjbelgium]

Hello,this video is a great tip for me. Also, is someone experiencing audio delay while streaming? We tried to use it for church service but we had a lot a delay (video was faster than audio) and we didn't get it fixed. Any idea?

[@nossoduo4536]

Thank you Spencer. Very good. Help me so much.

[@phillipzx3754]

I'm using an X18 with OBS. My audio sources are: 8 channels from my computer. 3 channels from ham radio gear. 1 channel for an SM 58 (for the ham gear) 4 unassigned channels (plus the stereo channel 17/18) So I still have a bit of room left. All channels can be "seen" by OBS. As Spencer pointed out, the x12/16 models won't support multiple channels (maybe 2 but no more than that). If anyone needs help, I'm available too. I also use a program called "ASIO Link Pro" that lets me do some pretty wicked virtual patching.

[@3statesnetllc]

Thanks, I couldn’t get more then 2 channels into pc, now I know there’s a setting lol

[@wilfrietstevens6849]

I to am trying to connect my Behringer to OBS. I followed all the steps you took but i still don't get any signal in my pc.

[@olli_k]

Do you use your XR18 with any sort of device like a Stream Deck? I was told that the Companion app has the ability to work with the XR mixers.

[@jpriewer]

Spencer...Im trying to do the same thing with an X18...I am only getting output from channels 1&2...and I want all 18 channels to work on usb and live...we are trying to stream a live service...Can you assist?

[@grandmasteraudiovisuals6519]

Thanks a lot. But in my case, obs see my x18 mixer input in pairs.. 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and it stops at 8. Now I'm forced to choose a pair of input only

[@alananiyankunju2189]

About Xr 18 using as an studio interface

[@JacobViSTL]

OMG I so needed this to do this exact job!!!!

[@allenolatuja2003]

Thank you so much you had the same issue, reinstalled the driver and the routing...

[@freeyoutube8298]

hi. im using XR18. but theres no 'line' in the option. theres only microphone. why is that? im using usb port. should I be using 3,5mm instead? appreciate if you could help. thx

[@Katumba]

awesome thanks! been banging my head for a few hours!!

[@creativeroom365]

Good tutorial

[@markusneufeld]

Thanks a lot!!! This is exactly what I needed. Thank you very much!!!!!!

[@jackwatts7486]

Confirmed that windows is seeing two channels, mixer is in 2 channel mode, routing is correct, obs sees the audio device but there's no sound coming through obs. Tried reinstalling the mixer drivers and restarting. No luck. Any ideas?

[@andyhuang4946]

Sorry if I'm just missing this in the video, but how do I actually get the board connected/sending a signal to the PC? Is it just through the X-Air app?

[@faithdaennanavarro9016]

usb cable my friend.

[@ShawnHazel]

Can you use the 1/16 aux port?

[@mikemusser]

@@ShawnHazel You could but then you're taking the digital signal and turning it into an analog signal to be converted back to digital for the stream. USB connection keeps it all digital.

[@TheBassLizard]

map L/R to USB outputs 1/2. Post fade. Mine works great that way.

[@alfederouen3286]

How are you physically connecting xr18 to computer; that allows it to control xair edit while having OBS connected to internet?

[@redmonklive]

Connect the mixer and the computer to the router with ethernet cables. Then they will communicate and you'll still be the internet.

[@raytoll8395]

I am working with a small church to help with stream the service. I am trying to get the xR-18 to play to zoom video conferencing. Will this configuration work?

[@cb5110]

it the same for the x32, you need to make it in 2 channel, OBS , wirecast, Vmix and other only see two channels or left and right or stereo, but only 2. The reason OBS was not seen your audio when you set it 2 channel in the behringer, is because in the computer sounds control, under record, have to go to properties of the line behringer and set the sound quality to 48000, just as you have it set in the behringer setup, windows default is usually 44100, the mixer and windows have to match for audio to come thru.

[@jking7461]

Thanks Spencer! I use X-Air on an iPad to control our XR12 for my daughter's live gigs. My daughter is now doing Facebook live shows and we use OBS, and I wanted to use our XR to connect to the PC (it sounded like it would be simple) but I failed miserably. Hopefully, with your video I can get it set up. Do you know if it's possible to still use the X-Air on my iPad to connect the XR12, while it's connected to the PC? This would still allow me to control it remotely, while she's performing like I would do in a live show. Thanks again.

[@exequielgarcia5497]

Thanks! Gracias desde Argentina! It Works on my XR18

[@brandtclark-truthbasedhors9110]

Very Helpful

[@szimnave]

Thanks for your info..will this work with xr12 also?

[@holierthan]

Thanks a bunch!

[@adelinekong9696]

I can not check any my USB Interface. What can I do?

[@staav]

The blue dots dit the job!

[@Randoz001]

great video, thanks for sharing this

[@MomentsforEternity]

Nice, I had this same problem. Now, this will create another issue. I do podcasts in my studio and broadcast them on video... I won't be able to record individual channels then... This sucks... I will try the plug-in...

[@johnhamlin6728]

Thanks for posting this video. Many Thanks :)

[@thedoodler882]

with my zedi mixer I use ASIO with voicemeeter and then send vb audio to streamlabs. I'm sure you could do something similar with the x-air mixers and then you aren't relegating an awesome 18 channel multitrack mixer into a 2-in 2-out device :/ Altough I think vb can only see the first 8 channel ins I'd have to check the documentation again to be sure. Anyway, I wanted to know if this mixer was good for use with streaming and stereo gaming and you've answered that question for me so thank you for the vid mate!

[@auggment]

interesting stuff. We have an x32 and that is a similar issue. good stuff.

[@danielalexis9409]

@Auggie Mueller - I am having the same issue with my X32. The X-Air Mixer X-Edit a little different than my X32 X-Edit. Could you please explain how you were able to make it to work on your X32? I got to thank you to Spencer for positing this video. I've pulling my hair for about a month a now.

[@oyobass]

Thanks for this. Very helpful!

[@repanarusi]

Thank you so much, Spencer!

[@josuesm245]

Yeah men, good tutorial !

[@JMachadoDrum]

Thank you very much! So nice this tip ;) Thanks again!

[@avavii]

Great, thanks.

[@shawnlamere78]

How do you set this up with the usb routing in the latest X Air app?

[@danielalexis9409]

Hi Spencer, Thank you so very much for making this tutorial. it helps me out a lot but I am still having issues. I am using a X32 mixers. Looking at Sound in the Control Panel, at 1:53, I noticed that you're getting level signal as you' were speaking. So far, I am still not able to see that level signal into my computer. However, I do see signal coming into OBS, which I was not getting before, every time I tap the mic or speak to it. The funny is I am still getting signal into OBS even if I mute the mic. I am not sure when it's getting that signal level from. I would appreciate it if you could help me to figure out what's going on.

[@TheBassLizard]

Check to see if your web camera mic is mapped into OBS. It tried to trick me for a while too. I thought I was getting signal from the mixer but I was getting it from the webcam mic.

[@SportFlow]

Which micro-heaset are you using? thanks!

[@blayniac]

Thank you, sir. This worked.

[@calebdesjardins616]

So with x32 if I am using usb card out I can’t use it with obs? There’s no way for me to send it with two channels

[@VxJasonxV]

Have you found documentation for the USB Sends, Returns, etc. screens? Because it sure ain't in the XR/X18's documentation…

[@billr1879]

I am trying to send break music from my pc via wifi to the xr18. I've looked many times and can't find a tried and true way that actually works. I currently have ITunes with music, but no matter what I do I cannot figure how to send music this way and I've read that it can be done on the xr18. Essentially send music from pc to either the aux or a channel but over the wifi. Any suggestions or videos or websites or can you spell out the procedure? TiA

[@billparker4815]

There’s no audio transfer over WiFi with the xr18, the only audio transfer is via USB as far as I am aware.

[@bradenriebe5849]

This worked for me thank you

[@PLGarfield]

Do you know anything about using it with a looper? I've just got so confused

[@blake94allen]

I cant wait to integrate this XR12 with my streams but in the first step looking for usb interface both the 18/18 and 2/2 options are grayed out. Right now I have mine plugged into a goofle wifi node that is also the node thats plugged into my computer. Did I not notice a usb cable or port?

[@oyobass]

The USB on the XR12 and XR16 is for recording directly to a USB thumb drive. I doesn't work as a PC recording interface. I bought an XR12 and within a month bought the XR18 too, because the PC interface ability was so important to me.

[@TheHungarianHitman]

Thank you for this! Now if I could only get my Tascam US-1200 to do the same thing...

[@johnnyschannel1316]

Thanks so much for this video, very helpful and I think I'm just about there. I have 2 channel audio at OBS from my XR18, but I do have fair amount of background "white" noise. I assume I've got something somewhere I need to tweek. Any ideas?

[@thedoodler882]

self noise from the preamp possibly?

[@timhouse231]

Have you tried a Hum eliminator?... I had a very similar sounding problem... Nobody I played it for thought it was a grounding problem but I tried an ebtech hum eliminator and now it's clear

[@MrHeuvaladao]

Thanks, bro!

[@DK-ky5pr]

I want to send channels 3 and 4 to OBS...how do I send just those 2 channels, or can I somehow select the usb out 3/4 in windows settings

[@honeyoftheheart9209]

Use what he said and only change USB outs 3-4 to Mains. That should work.

[@KiR_3d]

Hello, Spencer! Is XR18 fine with few analog sources inserted in the inputs and mixed via USB to a DAW (or some other multichannel app.) to a PC? I was warned about pops and glitches but somebody did told that it happens if samplerates aren't the same (44.1 and 48kHz).

[@thedoodler882]

I wanted to know this also, my plan was to plug two separate pcs into one of these mixers for use on a third streaming pc. Routing stereo inputs to aux out pairs is working fine for you then?

[@KiR_3d]

@@thedoodler882 I don't know. One thing I'm sure about... Behringer digital mixers X/XR series has problems when working with X370 (AMD) chipset. I'm on Win7 and probably the same issue exists on Win10. When working through USB 2.0 you get audio drops (the worst case). Through 3.0 (or 3.1) it's better. Is unstable... The audio stream can "refuse" to go via XR18 but when you re-enable it (off-on) then it can be fixed. But it works before some moment... For example if you're switching between a DAW and a browser or an audio player. Something is bad with X370's chipest or(/and) Behringer's drivers. If you have some different chipset (Intel's for example) or using Mac then all will be fine probably.

[@alananiyankunju2189]

Please do more videos

[@jdrum3053]

helped me out a ton!

[@Musicconfigworld]

Good

[@pakitolara80]

Thank you so much!!!!!

[@BIGKittyHendo90]

Thank YOU!

[@TylerTripsTunes]

Only if X32 console was this easy thanks for the video?

[@TimaholicTV]

Thanks bro

[@timhouse231]

Anyone know how to solo a bus to headphones (so I can check live stream audio before sending out)

[@danplews]

Hi Tim. Plug some headphones into the headphone out socket to hear what's going through the "l-r" or "main out" bus. If that's not the bus you're after, go to the x-air page visible at 3:56 in the video. You see that 'Main L-R' is highlighted? Hit the bus you're using, then hit the solo button above the fader on the right.

[@jennyj9890]

This doesn’t work for X air 16 can’t get the drivers to work

[@KidMattersTV]

Thanks for sharing this video! I was looking to confirm OBS connection with Behringer X series (thinking about getting the XR18). At 1:36 you mentioned having the settings at 18 channels and OBS just wasn't seeing it, were the channels showing up in windows? The video "X AIR Digital Mixer Series Overview" kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6TGnGWYedl6mJI at the 50:50 mark shows option for doing either 2 channel or 18 channel for the XR18 as well and comments that the xr12 and xr16 only do 2 channels. I know EposVox showed in kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm0o2Ohlr2he9k that the Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK shows up in windows as paired lines (more than 2 channels) that can be then used in OBS, so that is option for folks. If I end up getting the XR18, I will try to remember to come back and let everyone know my experience. Mostly I am getting it to just hardware up multiple mics together with a modern mixer, so if it only works in obs as 2 channel...I am okay with that, though obviously 18 channels (or even pairs like the soundcraft 12MTK) give more OBS routing/source options. Also found a mention of making sure the USB drivers for windows are updated. "have you loaded the X18/XR18 USB Driver V2.23.0 (www.behringer.com/EN/Products/XR18.aspx in the downloads section)? It provides 18 bidirectional channels to/from the computer as an ASIO driver." community.musictribe.com/t5/Mixing/USB-control-and-windows-driver-options-on-XR18/td-p/231847

[@KidMattersTV]

I did pick up the XR18 and just got it working in OBS (just a basic one mic test for now)...using the OBS-ASIO plugin github.com/pkviet/obs-asio (go to releaseses tab). This puts and ASIO option at top of OBS just after the help Video on it here: ASIO Audio Directly in OBS kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip-tp4SXe7yGgZY&t Another option for folks is: VOICEMEETER BANANA | RECORD ASIO AUDIO INTO OBS STUDIO kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGetnnufrZV4ibM&t For my single mic test (after downloading and installing the Behringer drivers and updating the firmware), I plugged the mic into channel2 (since I am working off my computer#2, trying to keep numbers the same). I set the xr-18 to send the mic channel2 to bus1 (think transport bus, busing people) and then the USB sends to have bus1 going to usb2 as post fader like spencer recommended in this video. Long story short, xr18 as 18 channel shows up initially in windows as lines out/in 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. They didn't seem to be getting audio and of course there are all the mentions of the issues being related to it being ASIO audio. There was a reference to the program Audacity being able to do ASIO, so I did a quick record of the behringer line in 1-2 that was showing up in windows...and it recorded the audio, so was picking up the mic from the xr18. Connectivity to the PC proven. I then ran into the voicemeeter banana / asio and the obs-asio plugin references. Voicemeeter had a bad uninstall for me about a year ago, so it won't let me install again until it removes previous version, which it can't (even trying to rip it out of regedit). so I stopped going down that rabbit hole and did the obs-asio plugin after finding the video above. Clicked the Asio option in OBS and then active device picked X18 ASIO driver that was showing there. You can then add "ASIO input" source in OBS. You pick the device (in this case the X18 ASIO driver) and then there are two OBS channels 1 and 2 with dropdown to pick option of which channel you want. All 18 channels are there as "X18 ASIO Driver 0 In 1" through "X18 ASIO Driver 17 In 18". I picked the X18 asio driver 1 in 2 (for usb2) for the obs channel 1 and there was my mic showing levels in OBS, turned on the monitoring and heard it fine...in left channel only. Picked the x18 asio driver 1 in 2 again for the obs channel 2 to get it in both headphones (stereo). Unfortunately it will take a lot more work to test out the 4 mic setup that I want to do...with streaming music. Lots more to physically cable up and play with, but wanted to return the post that I did get it up and working with one mic and am seeing the 18 channels in obs, so it should be working fine from here. Hope that helps other folks.

[@tywatwood8939]

This is great thanks. I have this audio board in my church. If I change from 18 to 2 channels will it affect anything I'm doing with my house speakers? I simply am adding streaming via USB to PC. Also use Live Stream Studio instead of OBS. Hopefully it works. Thanks.

[@jkloftin5872]

The adjustment you mention only is feeding the USB output of the mixer to your Live Stream program, making it stereo instead of multitrack. It does not change the analog audio capabilities or sound that your mixer is sending to your speakers,

[@malmgodbless7]

I just found out that yesterday.. and I had considered myself a pro... Anyways.. there's a way to get all 18 channels into OBS via daw.. using Synchronous Audio router..

[@rosspeterson2658]

Not working for me sadly.

[@SassyPants34]

But you're running that audio via usb right? will it be possible to pull the audio over the network interface?

[@NotTooLoud]

The X-Air mixer doesn't send audio that way.

[@oldguyplaysvideogames3573]

Will this also send the Effects??

[@threadatlas]

yes

[@diegogrigoletto]

Thank you!

[@mariafernandacastrolobo4998]

THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@jesseprasadk]

Thank you!