Hi everyone,

I'm running into a strange issue with audio routing in vMix and could really use your help.

SETUP:

Camera Input: I'm using "NVIDIA Broadcast" as my video input.

Microphone: XLR mic connected to a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen.

Audio Source in vMix: I've linked the camera input (NVIDIA Broadcast) to receive the mic audio.

Audio Routing in vMix: Inside the Audio Mixer, I can see the levels moving in the “Camera (NVIDIA)” input, but the sound does not go to Master unless I enable the speaker icon (which feeds back the sound through my monitor speakers).

PROBLEM:
If I mute the headphone icon (so I don’t hear myself), then the audio completely disappears from the Master.
But if I leave the headphone icon active, then I get feedback (since it plays on speakers).
It's like vMix is only sending the audio to Master when the headphone monitor is enabled.

WORKAROUND:
I found a workaround by routing the monitor output of the Focusrite to one of the Line Out ports and setting that as the Windows default output — so I can monitor the whole mix externally and just mute that camera input in the headphones.
But honestly, this feels like a patch, not a proper solution.

WHAT I’VE TRIED:

Checked the Audio Matrix in vMix (channel 1+2 active).

Confirmed that the input is marked as "Visible in mix".

Changed presets and routing in Focusrite Control.

Tried sending audio through a separate Audio Input (not linked to camera).

QUESTION:
Is there any known issue with Focusrite interfaces (or ASIO/WDM routing) that causes this?
Or is there a hidden setting in vMix to allow an input to go to the Master without being monitored?

Thanks in advance — and if needed, I can provide screenshots or a screen recording.

– Manel / Mamomo

Thanks for jumping in!

Here’s my setup:

🎧 Headphones / Speakers connection:
I'm using a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd gen) as my main audio interface.

The headphones are connected to the headphone out on the Focusrite.

The speakers are connected to Line Output 1-2, which I’ve also routed as my Windows default playback device (as a workaround).

🔈 vMix Audio Output settings:

Master Output is set to Focusrite USB ASIO (1+2)

Headphones are also set to Focusrite USB ASIO (1+2) (tried switching this off too, same result)

A, B, C Buses are disabled (not in use at the moment).

🧪 What I’ve noticed:
If the camera input (with embedded audio) is routed only to Master, I hear nothing in the external speakers (even though it’s visible and meters are moving).
BUT if I activate the Headphones button on that input in vMix, suddenly the audio reaches the Line Out (default playback), as if vMix was only pushing it out when monitoring is enabled.

Let me know if you'd like me to post screenshots of the vMix output config or Focusrite Control panel.

Thanks again!

Thanks again for your reply!

I’ve realized the core issue is actually related to how vMix handles monitoring vs master output:

🔇 When I disable the speaker icon on my mic input (to avoid audio feedback through the speakers), vMix also removes that input from the Master bus, even though the M (Master) button remains enabled.
So the audio no longer reaches the recording or stream, unless I leave monitoring on — which creates unwanted echo or loop risk.

🎧 As a workaround, I’m currently using the Headphones output option in vMix as my main output to the speakers.
This lets me monitor everything except my own mic (which I’ve muted locally), and still send my voice to Master for the recording.

Let me know if this behavior is expected or if there’s a cleaner way to route it!

The disabled speaker icon means, you muted the input, just like on a real audio mixer. The ‚M‘ (and ‚A‘, ‚B‘ and so on if enabled) means you are sending the input to the master bus (or Bus A, B and so on).



I’m not sure I understand what you mean by workaround, as you haven‘t explained what you are trying to accomplish with the two different outputs to your Focusrite device. But I think, you have it right. Again, if you just want to monitor the Master output of vMix, minus your Microphone, it is correct to use the Focusrite as the Headphones device in vMix. Set the Master output in vMix to Enabled, to send it to Stream and Recording.

Although it is a bit old, this video explains audio outputs and monitoring in vMix: