Audio Wave Visualizer for OBS Studio

What this plugin does

This plugin adds a new source type to OBS Studio: “Audio Wave (Simple)”. It listens to any audio source you choose (microphone, desktop audio, music player, etc.) and draws a clean, minimal wave or a set of bars that react to the sound.

It is designed for creators who want a simple audio visualizer without complicated setup, scripting, or external programs.

Quick Note! Add a touch of style to your profile frame by adding the wave visualizer on top and link it to your microphone or desktop audio source.

Audio Wave Visualizer example overlay reacting to sound — A minimal audio-reactive wave you can drop into any scene layout.

Quick start

1. Install the plugin

Copy the plugin files into the correct OBS Studio obs-plugins folder for your operating system, then restart OBS Studio.
- Windows:
  Place the plugin folder in:
  C:\Program Files\obs-studio\obs-plugins\64bit
  If you use the portable version, place it inside:
  obs-studio-portable\obs-plugins\64bit
- macOS:
  Right-click OBS.app → “Show Package Contents”, then copy the plugin into:
  OBS.app/Contents/PlugIns
- Linux:
  System-wide installation:
  /usr/lib/obs-plugins
  or on some distros:
  /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/obs-plugins
  
  Flatpak version (user install):
  ~/.var/app/com.obsproject.Studio/config/obs-studio/plugins/
2. Add the “Audio Wave (Simple)” source

In the Sources list of your scene, click the + button and choose Audio Wave (Simple) from the list.

Click the + under Sources and select Audio Wave (Simple). Arrows in the screenshot point to the right item in the list.
3. Pick the audio source you want to visualize

When the Properties window appears, use the Audio Source dropdown to choose which audio input you want the visualizer to react to. This can be your microphone, your game, your music, or any other active audio source in the scene.

Initial properties window with a blank setup. Just pick your preferred audio source.
4. Adjust the look to match your overlay

Use the options in the Properties window to change Display Mode (wave or bars), colors, size, and amplitude until it fits your overlay style.

Example setup with colors, amplitude, and mirroring adjusted for a more dynamic look.

Controls explained (in plain language)

Audio Source

This tells the plugin which sound to listen to. Choose any existing source in your scene that has audio (like your microphone or desktop audio). If nothing moves, double-check that:

The chosen source is not muted.
There is actual sound on that source.

Display Mode

Choose how the visual looks:

Wave - a smooth line that moves with the audio.
Bars - vertical sticks that grow and shrink with the sound.

Wave Color & Gradient

Wave Color is the main color used to draw the line or bars. If you enable Use Gradient, you can pick a second color (Wave Color 2) and the plugin will blend between the two across the width of the visual.

Width & Height

These define the resolution of the visualizer in pixels. You can still scale the source directly in the preview like any other source, but:

Use a wider value (e.g. 800-1200) for a long bar under your scene.
Use a smaller value (e.g. 300-500) if you only need a small accent.

Amplitude (%)

Think of this as the visual sensitivity. Higher values make the wave or bars move more for the same audio level.

100% - 1:1 movement.
200% - more reactive.
300-400% - very bouncy for quiet audio.

Mirror wave horizontally

When enabled, the plugin draws a second, mirrored copy of the wave or bars below the center line. This gives you a symmetrical, “audio tunnel” style visual.

Ideas & use cases

Subtle mic indicator - Place a thin wave under your webcam so viewers can see that your mic is active.
Music visual for “Just Chatting” - Put a small bar visual near your “Now Playing” text.
Scene transition accent - Add the wave to a stinger or transition scene as an audio-reactive line.
Podcast or interview layout - Show separate visuals for each guest microphone by adding multiple sources.

Troubleshooting

The wave is completely flat. Nothing moves.

Check that you picked the correct Audio Source in the properties.
Make sure that source is not muted in the OBS mixer.
Play some audio or speak into the mic and look for levels in the mixer.

The visual moves, but it is too small or too big.

Use the Amplitude (%) slider. Lower it if the visual is too wild, or increase it if it hardly moves.

The wave looks pixelated when I scale it.

Increase the Width and Height values in the properties. Then resize the source in the preview to fit your layout.