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OBS-Studio: Enable CoreAudio AAC encoder (Windows)

Overview Reviews (15) Discussion
First of all, if you have iTunes or QuickTime installed, chances are you are already using the CoreAudio AAC encoder in OBS-Studio. But if you normally do not use or install any of those, there is another way to enable it.

All we need is the Apple Application Support, for 32 or 64bit depending on the OBS Studio version you use. Apple themselves explain how to get those:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6562#components
https://discussions.apple.com/message/25315107#25315107

But in short, with a software like 7-Zip you can open the iTunes or QuickTime installer and then extract the file AppleApplicationSupport.msi or AppleApplicationSupport64.msi (it should have both installers for 32 and 64 bit if you get the 64bit installer).
Close OBS and run both files, then restart OBS.

You can see that the encoder is used by checking the log file of OBS.
Search for a line that says: "[CoreAudio encoder]: Adding CoreAudio AAC encoder"

According to HydrogenAudio listening tests, the CoreAudio AAC encoder is the highest quality AAC encoder available, while still being quite performant.

Long version:
  • You go to apple.com/itunes and download itunes OR go to apple.com/quicktime and download quicktime for windows.
  • DO NOT RUN THE INSTALLER (unless you want to use them, if you run the installer and install the software you can skip the rest of the steps)
  • Download 7-Zip from 7-zip.org and install it, then open 7-Zip
  • In 7-Zip open the downloaded itunes or quicktime-installer.exe (might be named a bit differently).
  • It should show you a bunch of files, we are looking for:
    AppleApplicationSupport64.msi (for 64bit) AND
    AppleApplicationSupport.msi (for 32bit)
  • Extract them both and then run them both (make sure OBS is closed while you do this)[on a 32bit system you can only run the AppleApplicationSupport.msi]
  • After both are installed you can start OBS again
  • Click on Help (at the top) -> Log Files -> View current log
  • In the new window scroll through a bit or use the search function (it should open in Notepad by default) to find a line that says "[CoreAudio encoder]: Adding CoreAudio AAC encoder"
    This means the encoder was correctly installed and will be used by OBS.
  • Like
Reactions: sqpp, Boildown, DiceNslice8 and 2 others
Author
Jack0r
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T
QuickTime didn't have both installers, better download iTunes, which has both!
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cwiggins999
This soloved my problem with pops/clicks in audio when recording and streaming!
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rio197
Excellent guide, however the Apple Application Support is not separate anymore and you MUST install the full iTunes application by downloading from Apple (and NOT the one from Microsoft Store as I've also tested the latter).
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K
None of this has worked for me. When I go into 7-zip I open the iTunes file and it wants me to download it.
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L
The last iTunes version containing these files zipped is 12.10.8, from https://itunes-64-bits.en.uptodown.com/windows/download/2327328

Inform your favourite streamers today so their stream can sound better!
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PrinceVinc
Single most useful Guide on here! OBS should warn you if you don't use this encoder.
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pcislocked
Could you please update the info for the package thingies?
Appearently they are not separate packages anymore and you have to install iTunes entirely.
Upvote 1 Downvote
B
This resolves the awful, bassy sound that may be experienced with the default encoder. It drove me crazy for a couple of days. But there is no need to go wild with an EQ plugin, just install the Apple encoder. As well as being a way more balanced sound, you will hear far fewer compression artefacts due to its superior quality.

***********************************************************************
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OBS POSTS FOR BEGINNERS, IMO and deserves to be a sticky if it isn't already!
************************************************************************
Upvote 1 Downvote
LillieSatou
works great.

for those on Windows 10: Scroll DOWN on the iTunes download page for standalone Windows & Mac installers. There is NO NEED to use the Windows Store APP.
Upvote 0 Downvote
BobbySig
Links to current & past versions of the iTunes installer can be found here: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6562#versions

Since Apple moved to a Windows Store release it's harder to find the installer on its own, so I think it's appropriate to add that link to this guide since OBS people are recommending it in conversations with people, and this is better than people going to 3rd party sites to find it.
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