How to Change NVIDIA Audio in ShadowPlay: A Comprehensive Guide

NVIDIA ShadowPlay is a powerful tool for gamers who want to record their gameplay and share it with the world. But what if you want to change the audio settings for your ShadowPlay recordings? You might want to adjust the volume of your microphone, remove background noise, or even add a custom audio track.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the steps you need to take to change NVIDIA audio in ShadowPlay, ensuring that your recordings sound exactly how you want them to.

Table of Contents

Understanding NVIDIA Audio Settings

Before we dive into the specifics of changing your NVIDIA audio settings, let’s understand the different components involved.

NVIDIA ShadowPlay utilizes your computer’s audio system, which usually includes several audio devices:

Microphone: This is the device you use to capture your voice.
Speakers: These are the devices you use to hear the audio from your games and applications.
System Audio: This encompasses all other audio sources, including game sound, music, and notifications.

ShadowPlay allows you to control the audio input and output for your recordings, so you can fine-tune the sound quality and tailor it to your preferences.

Adjusting Your Microphone Settings

Your microphone plays a crucial role in capturing your voice during your recordings. If you’re unhappy with the volume, clarity, or overall quality of your microphone audio, you can adjust it through NVIDIA’s audio settings.

Step 1: Accessing NVIDIA Audio Settings

Open the NVIDIA GeForce Experience application.
Click on the Settings icon (gear icon) in the top right corner.
Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
Navigate to the Share tab.
Locate the Audio section.

Step 2: Configuring Microphone Settings

Microphone Input: Select your preferred microphone from the dropdown menu. If you have multiple microphones connected, ensure you choose the correct one.
Microphone Volume: Use the slider to adjust the input volume level of your microphone.
Microphone Boost: This option amplifies the microphone’s input signal. Use it with caution as excessive boosting can introduce noise.
Microphone Noise Reduction: Enabling this feature can reduce background noise and improve the clarity of your voice.

Tips:

Experiment with the microphone settings to find the optimal balance between volume and noise reduction.
Consider using a dedicated microphone for recording high-quality audio.
If you experience persistent background noise, try recording in a quieter environment.

Removing Unwanted System Audio

If your recordings are cluttered with background sounds like music, notifications, or other system noises, you can selectively remove them from your recordings.

Step 1: Accessing the System Audio Settings

Follow steps 1-5 from the previous section to access the NVIDIA Audio settings.

Step 2: Configuring System Audio Settings

System Audio Input: This option determines the audio sources that will be recorded. By default, it’s usually set to “All”. You can choose to record specific applications or programs by selecting them from the dropdown list.
System Audio Volume: Adjust the volume of your system audio for the recording.
System Audio Noise Reduction: This feature helps reduce background noise from your system audio.

Tips:

If you’re using a specific game client, selecting it as the system audio source will only record the audio from that application.
Consider using headphones or noise-canceling earbuds to minimize background noise.

Adding a Custom Audio Track

Sometimes you might want to add a custom audio track to your ShadowPlay recording, such as background music or commentary. NVIDIA ShadowPlay doesn’t directly support adding custom tracks during recording, but there are workarounds:

Using an External Audio Mixer:

Use an external audio mixer like OBS Studio or Audacity to combine the game audio with your custom audio track.
Set up your microphone and game audio as separate inputs in the mixer.
Add your custom audio track as a third input.
Mix the volume levels of the three inputs to achieve the desired balance.
Configure NVIDIA ShadowPlay to record the audio output from the mixer.

Adding Custom Tracks in Post-Production:

Record your gameplay using NVIDIA ShadowPlay.
Use a video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve to import your recording and your custom audio track.
Combine the two audio tracks in the editing software.
Adjust the volume and timing of the audio tracks as needed.
Export the edited video with the combined audio track.

Troubleshooting Common Audio Issues

Despite the ease of use offered by NVIDIA’s audio settings, you might encounter certain problems while changing audio in ShadowPlay. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

Microphone Not Detected:

Check Connections: Ensure your microphone is properly connected to your computer and that the cable is secure.
Enable Microphone in System Settings: Go to your computer’s sound settings and make sure your microphone is enabled and set as the default input device.
Test Microphone: Use the microphone test feature in your operating system’s sound settings to confirm that the microphone is functioning properly.

No Sound in Recordings:

Check Microphone Input: In NVIDIA audio settings, ensure your microphone is selected as the input source.
Check System Audio Input: Make sure the correct application or audio source is selected in the System Audio Input settings.
Adjust Volume Levels: Ensure the microphone and system audio volume levels are not set too low.
Restart ShadowPlay: Sometimes, restarting ShadowPlay can fix audio issues.

Excessive Background Noise:

Change Recording Environment: Try recording in a quieter environment to minimize background noise.
Use Noise Reduction Features: Enable the microphone and system audio noise reduction features in NVIDIA settings.
Use a Noise-Canceling Microphone: Consider investing in a noise-canceling microphone to reduce background noise.

Conclusion

Changing audio in NVIDIA ShadowPlay is a simple process that allows you to customize the sound of your recordings. By adjusting your microphone settings, system audio input, and adding custom tracks, you can create high-quality gameplay videos with the perfect audio balance. Remember to troubleshoot any audio issues you encounter by checking your connections, adjusting volume levels, and considering using noise reduction features. With the right settings and a little experimentation, you can capture your gaming adventures with crystal-clear audio that will impress your viewers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NVIDIA ShadowPlay and why would I want to change the audio?

NVIDIA ShadowPlay is a feature built into GeForce Experience that allows you to record gameplay footage and take screenshots. You can adjust the audio settings for your recordings, including choosing which audio sources you want to include. This is useful if you want to focus on your gameplay audio, or if you want to exclude background noise from your recordings.

How do I access the NVIDIA ShadowPlay audio settings?

To change the audio settings for your ShadowPlay recordings, you need to open GeForce Experience and go to the “Share” tab. You’ll then find the “Audio” settings in the bottom right corner.

What are the different audio options available in NVIDIA ShadowPlay?

The audio settings in ShadowPlay allow you to select whether to record microphone, game, or both. You can also choose to adjust the volume of each source. Additionally, you can select “Auto” for microphone, which will automatically detect your microphone and adjust the volume levels.

Can I use different audio devices for recording?

Yes, you can choose different audio devices for your ShadowPlay recordings. This is particularly helpful if you use a headset with a separate microphone. You can select the appropriate microphone for your recording by going to the “Audio” settings in GeForce Experience.

How do I change the volume of the recorded audio?

The ShadowPlay audio settings allow you to adjust the volume levels of your microphone and game audio independently. You can use the slider controls to fine-tune the volume to your liking.

What is the difference between “Microphone” and “Auto” in the audio settings?

Choosing “Microphone” will record the audio from your designated microphone, while “Auto” will automatically detect your microphone and adjust the volume levels accordingly. “Auto” is a convenient option, but if you prefer to manually adjust the volume or use a specific microphone, you should select “Microphone.”

Can I record system sounds in ShadowPlay?

While ShadowPlay allows you to record microphone and game audio, it doesn’t include an option to record system sounds. This means that you won’t be able to capture sounds from notifications, system alerts, or other system-related audio.