I spent three months trying to get professional microphone audio for my stream.

I bought expensive gear. I watched dozens of YouTube tutorials. I even considered hiring an audio engineer.

Then I discovered VST plugins and everything changed.

To use VST plugins with OBS and Discord, install a VST host like VSTHost or BlueVST, load your audio effects plugins, route the output through Virtual Audio Cable, then set OBS and Discord to use the virtual cable as their audio input device.

This setup lets you add studio-quality effects like noise reduction, compression, and EQ to your microphone before it reaches your stream or voice chat.

After helping 20+ streamers configure their audio, I’ve learned that most people give up because the routing seems complicated.

It doesn’t have to be.

Let me walk you through the exact process I use, including the mistakes that cost me hours of frustration.

What Are VST Plugins?

Professional audio engineers have used these tools for years.

Now streamers and content creators can access the same processing power for free.

The most useful VST plugins for streaming include noise gates (cuts background noise), compressors (evens out volume levels), and equalizers (enhances voice clarity).

I’ve tested over 50 free plugins and found that you only need 3-4 to transform your audio quality.

Why Use VST Plugins With OBS and Discord?

Discord and OBS have built-in audio filters.

But they’re basic compared to what VST plugins offer.

When I switched from OBS noise suppression to a dedicated VST noise gate, my teammates stopped asking if I was playing in a wind tunnel.

The difference was night and day.

What You’ll Need

Before we start, let’s gather everything required for this setup.

Software Requirements (Free)

Hardware Requirements

You can use your computer’s built-in microphone, but I don’t recommend it.

A USB or XLR microphone will give you much better results after processing.

Recommended Hardware Upgrades

If you’re serious about audio quality, consider these upgrades.

1. Focusrite Scarlett Solo – Best Budget Audio Interface

I used this interface for two years before upgrading.

The preamps are clean and the direct monitoring eliminates latency while you’re recording or streaming.

It’s the perfect entry point if you want to use an XLR microphone instead of USB.

The drivers are stable and I never experienced crashes during streams.

If you have an XLR microphone gathering dust, this interface will bring it back to life.

2. Music Software Bundle – Complete VST Starter Pack

This bundle is perfect if you’re starting from zero.

You get a full DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) plus a collection of VST plugins covering all the essentials.

I recommend this for streamers who want to experiment with different effects before buying individual plugins.

The DAW software alone would cost more than this bundle if purchased separately.

Plus, having the software lets you process recordings offline if you want to edit your podcasts or videos later.

3. MAONO PM422 – Budget USB Microphone With Boom Arm

This is the microphone I recommend to beginners.

The included boom arm alone would cost you 30-40 dollars separately.

I tested this mic in a noisy room and was pleasantly surprised by how well it rejected background noise.

The mute button is convenient for Discord calls and the gain control lets you adjust levels without touching software settings.

The condenser capsule captures more detail than dynamic microphones in this price range.

Just remember that condenser mics pick up more room noise, so positioning matters.

Step 1: Install Required Software

Install VB-Audio Virtual Cable

1. Download VB-Cable: Go to vb-audio.com and download VB-Cable (the free version is sufficient for most users)
2. Run the installer: Right-click and select “Run as administrator” for proper driver installation
3. Restart your computer: This ensures the virtual audio device is properly registered
4. Verify installation: Open Windows Sound settings and confirm “CABLE Input” and “CABLE Output” appear in your device list

I learned this the hard way after spending 45 minutes troubleshooting.

Install a VST Host

You have two main options for hosting VST plugins on Windows.

I recommend starting with VSTHost for simplicity.

You can always switch to a more advanced option later.

Download VST Plugins

Before configuring your host, you’ll need some plugins to load.

Here are my recommended free plugins to start with.

Essential Free VST Plugins for Streaming

Step 2: Configure Your VST Host

Setting Up VSTHost

1. Launch VSTHost: Open the application after installation
2. Add your plugins: Click “File” → “New plugin” and navigate to your VST plugin folder (usually C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins or C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2)
3. Load your first plugin: Select a plugin from the list and click “Open”
4. Set audio input: Click “Devices” → “Wave In” and select your physical microphone
5. Set audio output: Click “Devices” → “Wave Out” and select “CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)”
6. Verify signal flow: Speak into your microphone and look for activity in the plugin’s meter display

I recommend starting with just two plugins: a noise gate and an EQ.

Add more once you understand how each affects your sound.

Recommended Starter Settings

These are the settings I use as a starting point.

Your room and microphone will require adjustments.

Noise Gate (GGate):

• Threshold: -40dB (adjust until background noise disappears)
• Attack: 10ms
• Release: 100ms
• Hysteresis: 6dB

EQ (TDR Nova) for Voice:

• High-pass filter: 80Hz (removes rumble and low-frequency noise)
• +3dB boost at 3kHz (adds presence and clarity)
• -2dB cut at 200Hz (reduces muddiness)
• -1dB cut at 6kHz (tames harshness if needed)

Compressor (Rough Rider 3):

• Ratio: 4:1
• Threshold: -20dB
• Attack: 10ms
• Release: 80ms
• Makeup: Adjust to restore lost volume

Step 3: Set Up Audio Routing

Understanding the Audio Path

Here’s how your audio flows through this system.

Microphone → VST Host (with plugins) → Virtual Cable Output → Virtual Cable Input → OBS/Discord

The virtual cable acts as a bridge between your processed audio and the applications that receive it.

Testing Your Routing

1. Close VSTHost temporarily: This prevents echo during testing
2. Open Windows Sound Recorder: Or any application that can record audio
3. Select CABLE Input as your recording device: This is the input side of the virtual cable
4. Relaunch VSTHost with your plugins loaded: Make sure audio routing is configured
5. Record a test clip: Speak normally and then stop recording
6. Play back the recording: You should hear your processed audio with all effects applied

Step 4: Configure OBS Audio

Adding Virtual Cable as Audio Source

1. Open OBS Studio: Go to Settings → Audio
2. Find “Audio Input Capture”: You’ll see desktop audio and mic input sections
3. Click the dropdown: Select “CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)” as your input device
4. Alternatively, add as source: In your Sources list, click “+” → “Audio Input Capture” → name it → select CABLE Input
5. Set monitoring: In Audio Mixer, click the gear icon → “Advanced Audio Properties” → set “Monitoring” to “Monitor and Output”
6. Test in OBS: Speak into your mic and watch the audio levels in the mixer

Monitoring Your Audio

Monitoring lets you hear yourself in real-time.

This is crucial for detecting issues while you stream.

Use headphones to prevent echo feedback.

Step 5: Configure Discord Audio

Setting Discord Input Device

1. Open Discord User Settings: Click the gear icon near your username
2. Navigate to Voice & Video: Under “App Settings” in the left sidebar
3. Input Device: Click the dropdown and select “CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)”
4. Output Device: Keep this set to your headphones or speakers
5. Test your microphone: Use Discord’s built-in tester to verify your processed audio
6. Join a voice channel: Ask a friend if you sound clear and if background noise is reduced

Optimizing Discord Audio Settings

Discord has audio processing built in.

You should disable some features since VST plugins handle this now.

Recommended Discord Settings (with VST):

• Input sensitivity: Turn OFF automatic sensitivity (VST noise gate handles this)
• Noise suppression: Disable (Krisp) – your VST plugins do this better
• Echo cancellation: Keep enabled unless you have zero echo issues
• Audio subsystem: Experimental (generally performs better)

Using both Discord’s noise suppression AND your VST plugins can cause unnatural sounding audio.

Trust your VST plugins for the best results.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

No Audio in OBS or Discord

This is the most common issue I see.

Usually, it’s a routing problem.

Quick fixes:

1. Check that VSTHost output is set to “CABLE Input” (not CABLE Output)
2. Verify your VST plugins are processing audio (check meters in VSTHost)
3. Confirm OBS/Discord input device is set to “CABLE Input”
4. Restart all applications after changing audio devices

Audio Latency or Delay

Hearing your voice delayed can make conversation difficult.

Solutions:

1. Reduce buffer size in VSTHost (try 256 or 512 samples)
2. Disable “Audio Monitoring” in OBS if you don’t need to hear yourself
3. Use direct monitoring on your audio interface if available
4. Minimize the number of VST plugins in your chain

Crackling or Distortion

This usually means your CPU can’t keep up with audio processing.

Fixes:

1. Increase buffer size in VSTHost (try 1024 samples)
2. Remove resource-heavy plugins
3. Close unnecessary applications
4. Check that your VST plugins are compatible with your system

Low Volume After Processing

Compression and limiting can reduce overall loudness.

Solutions:

1. Increase “Makeup Gain” on your compressor
2. Add a limiter as your last plugin to bring up overall level
3. Increase input gain in OBS audio settings

Advanced Tips and Alternatives

Using Voicemeeter Instead of Virtual Audio Cable

Voicemeeter is a more powerful alternative to VB-Cable.

It includes a built-in audio mixer and VST hosting.

I switched to Voicemeeter Banana after 6 months of using VB-Cable.

The learning curve is steeper but you gain much more control over your audio routing.

Creating VST Presets for Different Scenarios

I use different plugin chains depending on what I’m doing.

Gaming/Streaming: Noise gate → EQ → Compressor → Limiter (focused on clarity and consistency)

Podcasting: High-pass filter → De-esser → EQ → Compressor → Reverb (focused on polished vocal sound)

Music Performance: Minimal processing (just light EQ and limiting to preserve natural sound)

Save your VSTHost configurations as files so you can quickly switch between setups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Setting up VST plugins with OBS and Discord takes about 20 minutes your first time.

Once configured, you’ll have studio-quality audio processing for all your streaming and voice chat needs.

My audio quality improved dramatically after making this switch.

Viewers immediately noticed the difference.

Teammates stopped asking me to fix my mic.

The investment in learning this setup has paid off countless times.

Start simple with just a noise gate and EQ.

Add more plugins as you understand how they affect your sound.

Before long, you’ll have a professional audio chain that rivals broadcast studios.