Troubleshooting
Fix mic feedback / echo loops
If your stream suddenly feeds back, whistles, or you hear yourself twice: that's almost always an audio routing loop between DJ software, system output, and microphone. This guide shows you how to find and fix it.
What's happening technically?
DGNCast Studio uses WASAPI loopback on Windows: it captures the system output (what your speakers would play) and encodes that to the stream. If your microphone is on and you're using speakers (not headphones), a loop forms:
- Mic picks up your voice
- Goes into VirtualDJ / Mixxx / Traktor
- Gets mixed into the master output
- Speakers play it back
- Mic picks it up again: feedback
With headphones this normally doesn't happen. With speakers and an open mic, it practically always does.
Solution 1: use headphones (easiest way)
If you host live with an open mic: plug in headphones and mute the system speakers. The acoustic feedback loop is then physically broken.
For 90% of home setups this is the best solution. Professional radio studios do the same.
Solution 2: route mic directly into the DJ software, not into the system
The problem gets worse when your mic runs as a system input (Windows Sound Mixer "Listen to this device") and is additionally active inside the DJ software. It then gets mixed twice.
VirtualDJ
- Config → Audio Setup: select mic input (e.g. your interface or USB headset)
- Windows Sound Settings → Input: disable "Listen to this device"
- VirtualDJ then routes the mic internally into the master out, Windows doesn't mix it in again
Mixxx
- Options → Preferences → Sound Hardware → Input: set Microphone 1 to your interface / USB headset
- Use the Talkover button in the Mixxx UI (ducks music when mic is active)
- Windows "Listen to this device" off
Traktor
- Configure mic input in Traktor's audio preferences
- Route the live input channel through the DJ software, not through the system mixer
Solution 3: pick the right source in the Studio
Important with DGNCast Studio:
- Pick your DJ software's master output as the source, not the mic itself. So in the source dropdown, select e.g. "Speakers (Focusrite)" or "VB-Audio Cable", not "Microphone"
- For loopback captures: the system output is used as the source. Your mic has to go through the DJ software or directly into the audio interface and come out at the master
- Don't: pick the mic directly in the Studio and simultaneously have the DJ software with its own mic routing active
Solution 4: virtual audio cable (clean pipeline)
For semi-professional setups: use a virtual audio cable as the routing hub.
Recommended tools: VoiceMeeter Banana (free), VB-Audio Cable (donationware), Virtual Audio Cable (paid).
Setup:
- DJ software sends master to
Virtual Cable A
- Mic goes directly into the audio interface, gets captured by DJ software and mixed with master, also ends up on
Virtual Cable A
- DGNCast Studio picks
Virtual Cable A as loopback source
- Speakers get their mix from a separate cable or directly from the interface, not from the virtual cable
Advantage: no double capture, no feedback loop, full control.
Solution 5: noise gate + low cut on the mic
Even without feedback, open mics often sound hollow and pumpy. Minimum setup:
- Noise gate: threshold approx. −45 dB, so the mic only captures when you speak
- Low cut: at 80 Hz, against footfall noise / wind noise
- De-esser: helpful for harsh S sounds
VirtualDJ, Mixxx, Traktor all have built-in mic FX. If you want more: load VST plugins in the DJ software, or directly in DGNCast Studio (Phase 6).
Feedback symptoms and what they mean
| Symptom |
Likely cause |
| High-pitched whistling | Classic acoustic feedback, mic picks up speakers |
| Doubled voice (you hear yourself twice) | Mic is being monitored by Windows mixer AND mixed in DJ software |
| Echo with short delay | Loopback capture picks up DJ software output that already contains the mic + system mic monitor |
| Pumping / noise during speech | DJ software's feedback suppression is working, level too high |
| Sudden volume drop | Hardware interface applying automatic gain reduction |
Quick check for going live
- Headphones on, speakers muted
- In Windows Sound Settings, disable all "Listen to this device" checkboxes
- Configure DJ software mic input once, don't mix it twice
- Pick master loopback as source in DGNCast Studio, not the mic directly
- Check levels in the Studio level meter: L and R should be balanced and not clipping
- Verify locally first (open listener URL in browser) before going live
Still doesn't help?
Reach out via the contact form. Please include:
- Which DJ software (and version)
- Your audio interface or headset
- Screenshot of the Windows sound settings (inputs + outputs)
- What you selected as source in DGNCast Studio
- ~10 seconds of audio recording of the problem
We'll help you with the configuration.