If you’re looking to take control of your audio setup like a pro in 2025, whether for streaming, podcasting, or everyday digital productivity, then Voicemeeter is an essential tool you need in your arsenal. This virtual audio mixer is the backbone of many high-quality audio setups, and knowing how to configure it properly can unlock a new level of flexibility and audio precision. In this updated guide, we’ll walk you through the best Voicemeeter setup for optimal performance and user experience.
What is Voicemeeter?
Voicemeeter is a virtual mixing console that allows you to manage and route multiple audio sources. Developed by VB-Audio, it comes in three main versions:
- Voicemeeter Standard – The basic version, suitable for most users.
- Voicemeeter Banana – Includes more advanced features like more hardware input options and customizable sound effects.
- Voicemeeter Potato – The most advanced version with even more inputs, outputs, and mixing capabilities. Ideal for professional users.
All versions are donationware, meaning you can try them for free and donate if you find them useful.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide for 2025
Here’s how to get the perfect Voicemeeter setup in 2025, using Voicemeeter Banana as our core setup (since it balances features and usability).
1. Install Voicemeeter Banana and Virtual Audio Cable
- Download Voicemeeter Banana from the official VB-Audio website.
- Also install VB-Cable, their virtual audio cable, which allows routing audio between applications.
After installation, restart your PC to ensure all drivers are recognized.
2. Configure Windows Sound Settings
Next, head to your Windows Sound Settings and set Voicemeeter Input as your default playback device.
Go to:
- Settings > System > Sound
- Set Voicemeeter Input (VB-Audio Voicemeeter VAIO) as the default output device
- Set your microphone’s hardware input as the default input device
3. Set Up Voicemeeter Inputs and Outputs
Open Voicemeeter Banana and configure as follows:
Hardware Inputs
- Hardware Input 1: Your microphone (e.g., USB or XLR mic via an audio interface)
- Hardware Input 2: Optional secondary input (e.g., instruments, second mic)
Virtual Inputs
- Voicemeeter VAIO: For system sounds and general desktop audio
- Voicemeeter AUX: For music players, Discord, or other app-specific sounds
Hardware Out (A1, A2, A3):
- A1: Your primary headphones or speakers
- A2: Optional output (e.g., monitor speakers)
- A3: Optional for additional monitoring
This allows you to route sound to where you want it, whether during a stream session or casual gaming.
4. Advanced Audio Routing with VB-Cable
VB-Cable lets you route audio from apps like Spotify, Zoom, or Discord into specific Voicemeeter input channels. To do this:
- Set the output device of the target app (e.g., Spotify) to “VB-Cable.”
- Set VB-Cable as Hardware Input 3 in Voicemeeter.
This creates an isolated music or communication channel you can control independently from other sounds.
5. Optimize Your Mic Sound
Voicemeeter Banana includes tools like:
- Gate – Removes unwanted background noise when you’re not speaking
- Compressor – Normalizes loud and soft speech dynamically
- EQ – Shape your microphone tone for crisp quality
Spend some time adjusting these settings to suit your voice and environment. A good starting point is to slightly boost high frequencies for clarity and apply moderate noise gating to eliminate keyboard sounds.
Benefits of a Good Voicemeeter Setup
A properly configured Voicemeeter setup gives you:
- Total audio control over what you hear and what your audience hears
- Cleaner audio with advanced effects and filtering
- Routing flexibility for multi-channel content creation
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a content creator, professional communicator, or just an audio enthusiast, mastering Voicemeeter Banana in 2025 can revolutionize your audio workflow. With just a small learning curve, you’ll enjoy a powerful and customizable audio control center right on your desktop.
Start simple, and build complexity as you grow comfortable. Once you “hear” the difference, you’ll never go back.