Video · Software guide
vMix 29: audio buses, outputs and a remote guest return
The audience, guest and operator may need different pictures and mixes. Before adding sources, prepare a destination table defining what each should see and hear. This guide uses vMix 29 documentation for Windows; record the workstation edition and build before rehearsal.
Write down what each person or system receives
Create a row for audience, guest, operator and requested recording. Record picture, audio, source input and assigned output. Calling a feed clean does not define exclusions: agree on titles, overlays and content allowed to appear.
Example workflow: a talk combines a host, slides with audio and a remote guest. The audience receives program; the guest needs to see the slides and hear the host and media; the operator needs control references. Treat recording as another destination, with the mix agreed for that file.
| Destination | Proposed picture | Audio to check |
|---|---|---|
| Audience / stream | Approved program | Host, guest and planned media. |
| Guest | Selected return | Host and media; check every possible self-voice path. |
| Operator | MultiView or references | Defined monitoring mix. |
| Recording | Program or agreed output | Mix and channels requested for editing. |
Prepare buses around listening requirements
The vMix 29 mixer provides Master and buses A–G. Assigning a bus differs from choosing a device and channels in Audio Outputs. Record both and check each destination’s sound source.
Solo monitors through Headphones without changing Master. If Headphones is the Call return, the guest can hear the operator’s selection. Choose a stable guest return deliberately and rehearse private communication before the event.
The manual states that Call Master/Headphones returns exclude buses sent to Master using a bus M button. If a voice or video is missing only from the return, check whether it arrives through that aggregate path. Do not add another path without checking for doubled program audio.
Audio sources → Master / selected buses → program, room, recording and Call return
Why can echo remain with Call Auto Mix Minus?
In vMix Call, Master, Headphones and buses selected as the return include Auto Mix Minus to remove the guest microphone from its return. A separate bus is not required merely to reproduce that software function.
If the guest’s voice returns inside a mix received on another input, or an open microphone picks up the speakers, identify that additional path. Use headphones for the guest during rehearsal and alternate speaking turns. Check the return across the whole setup, including any other device offering a function called mix-minus.
- Guest hears repeated self-voice? Compare direct input, returning mixes and acoustic pickup, one path at a time.
- Guest cannot hear the video? Check return bus, media assignment and its path into Master.
- Guest hears operator conversations? Check a Headphones return and changes caused by Solo or talkback.
Separate program, clean feed and room output by edition
Output 1 is the primary Program output and the default source for streaming and recording. vMix 4K and higher provide Outputs 2–4, shared with External 2–4. When planning destinations, account for these as shared outputs even when they are assigned different uses.
For an output with Source set to Output, overlay controls select which overlays appear. This can prepare a feed without those overlays; it does not remove graphics already embedded in a source. Check the actual destination picture.
Fullscreen uses GPU display outputs. It can show Output, Preview, MultiView or another supported selection; it is not an audio device or an SDI output. Define picture and audio separately and check the actual room display during rehearsal.
Choose edition and return before preparing the guest
The version 29 manual identifies Call limits of one guest in HD, four in 4K and eight in Pro. Check workstation and connection capacity as well as those edition limits. For this one-guest example, verify the existing license before planning additional participants.
Video Call preparation selects return video and audio. Outputs 2–4 as video returns require the appropriate edition; the manual also offers None, which sends neither audio nor video to the guest. Do not choose it when interaction is needed.
Identify the planned browser, camera, microphone and headphones and agree on an authorized rehearsal. Keep access links and passwords out of public documents and screenshots. Use that agreed rehearsal environment to check the return with the guest.
Rehearsal: speaking turns, media and return to program
If the selected return does not meet the project needs, review another bus or an available dedicated output. A different meeting application needs its own mix-minus and permissions review; it does not inherit vMix Call behavior.
- Use a copied preset and document edition, build, sources, outputs and buses before the agreed rehearsal.
- Check host and guest speech in both directions; alternate turns and listen for duplicate return.
- Play authorized media and check picture and sound for both audience and guest.
- Switch between slides, guest and break; check planned overlays and the return at each destination.
- Define which picture and audio remain if the guest disconnects, who gives the cue and how the guest rejoins. If you plan to use another application as an alternative, rehearse how to continue from it before relying on that fallback.
- Record authorized samples, destination results and pending items. Review any deliverable files separately.