Audio filters in OBS are the seventh stop. The filter chain on your microphone source cleans up the raw audio signal so your voice sits cleanly above the noise floor. The two essential filters: Noise Gate and Compressor.

The Noise Gate cuts off any audio below a threshold, which prevents background sounds (keyboard typing, room noise, fan hum) from being broadcast when you are not speaking. Configure with an Open Threshold around -35 dB, a Close Threshold around -45 dB, and short attack and release times. The exact values may need adjustment based on your room.

The Compressor evens out the volume between your quietest and loudest moments. Configure with a Ratio of 4:1, a fast Attack (around 6 ms), a moderate Release (around 60 ms), and a Threshold that sits at the level your normal speaking voice peaks.

The configuration path: right-click your microphone source in OBS, select Filters, click the plus icon, add Noise Gate and Compressor in that order. Save. Test by recording 30 seconds of speech and reviewing.