Filter Hotkeys for OBS

OBS Studio comes standard with filters. You can add filters to any source, scene, or audio source. However, there was no way to quickly and easily turn these filters on and off. Filter Hotkeys adds the ability to turn filters on and off using assignable hotkeys or even a Stream Deck or Touch Portal controller. Filter Hotkeys make it easier to control your favorite filters. 

Installing Filter Hotkeys

The required files are available from the OBS website at https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/obs-filter-hotkeys.1125/. Filter Hotkeys is actually a script rather than a plug-in, so the installation process is a little different. 

1. Click download, and it will send you to the GitHub page. 
2. Scroll down to assets and download the zip file.
3. Extract and copy the .lua files to the directory where your OBS scripts live.
4. In OBS, go to Tools, Scripts.
5. Press +. It will automatically open to the correct folder where you pasted the scripts. Select both script files and click to open
6. Before you close this dialogue window take note of the note in the description where it reads, “Note: 0 – means disable filter, 2- enable, 2 – toggle, 3 – hold.” You will need to know these later when setting up your hotkeys.

Using Filter Hotkeys

1. Create a source or choose an existing source, right-click on it and select Filters.
2. Use the + at the bottom of Audio/Video Filters or Effect Filters and add one or more filters. Take note of the names you give the filters. You will need those later.
3. Go to Settings, Hotkeys.
4. Find your filter by scrolling or by searching for it in the search box at the top. 

When you find it, you will see that there are four fields where you can set hotkeys. They are labeled 0, 1, 2, and 3 and correspond to the note you saw in the script dialog box. The hotkey you set for 0 will disable the filter. The hotkey for 1 will enable it, 2 will toggle it on and off, and 3 will hold the filter on as long as you hold it, at which point it will turn off.

How Filter Hotkeys is Being Used

OBS users have discovered some creative uses for Filter Hotkeys. Here are some examples. A streamer wanted to be able to add EQ and Reverb to his microphone to deliver a spooky evil laugh. With Filter Hotkeys, he can toggle it on and off with one keystroke. A gaming streamer needed the ability to toggle the Chroma Key to alternate from her green screen to a replacement background. She was able to set up the filter and activate it with a hotkey

Another streamer uses Filter Hotkeys to enable a Scroll filter. A text source list of his supporters and other credits is set up, and when ready, the host can hit one key to start the scroll and another to end it.

Producers with multiple hosts and guests use Filter Hotkey to turn audio filters on and off. Without it, it can be difficult to make audio adjustments on the fly. However, with Filter Hotkeys, one keystroke can turn on gain adjustment, a noise gate, noise suppression, or compression. This can at least temporarily fix audio issues at least until further adjustments can be made.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Free. Easy to use once set up.

Cons: With no auto-installer package, setup and configuration can be difficult.

Alternatives to Filter Hotkeys

Filter Hotkeys appears to be the only plug-in currently available for toggling filters with hotkeys in OBS.

Key Takeaways

1. Not everyone needs the power to toggle filters with Hotkeys. However, if you do, Filter Hotkeys is the only option for OBS. 
2. Fortunately, it is extremely easy to set up and use.

Additional chapters from the OBS Superuser Guidebook

• Chapter 1 - An Update on the Updates here
• Chapter 2 - How to Customize OBS here
• Chapter 3 - How to Optimize OBS here
• Chapter 4 - How to use the core features of OBS here
• Chapter 5 - How to use video filters in OBS here
• Chapter 6 - How to use audio filters in OBS here
• Chapter 7 - The Top 10 OBS Plugins here
• Chapter 8 - The Multiple RTMP Streaming Plugin here
• Chapter 9 - The Automatic Scene Switching Plugin here
• Chapter 10 - How to record multiple sources in OBS here
• Chapter 11 - How to dock sources with live video in OBS here
• Chapter 13 - How to use NDI in OBS here
• Chapter 14 - How to route Audio in and out of OBS here
• Chapter 15 - How to use Virtual Audio cables with OBS here
• Chapter 16 - How to use VST Audio Plugins for OBS here
• Bonus Chapter - How to fix audio sync issues in OBS here
• Chapter 16 - How to use use hotkeys with filters here

Check out our other articles about Open Broadcaster Software below:

• Updated - How to connect OBS and Zoom with VoiceMeeter and Headphone Monitoring - here.
• How to connect OBS with Zoom, here.
• What's new with OBS 26, here.
• OBS vs vMix a complete review here.
• How to use Zoom for Church Meetings and Worship here.
• Here are the top 10 OBS features you need to know about
• Getting dropped frames in OBS. Here are some new feature to help with that. 
• Take a look at OBS 24 and all the new feature here. 
• Increase your productivity with OBS and learn how to use hotkeys here
• Learn how to setup animated stinger transitions in OBS here
• Learn how to install the NDI plugin for OBS (and why you should) here
• Learn more about the latest OBS user interface (UPDATED for 2019) here
• Make your audio in OBS sound great with these VST 2 plugins here
• Learn how to fix the most common OBS issues! Audio and Video Sync! here
• Learn how to use OBS 20+ here
• Learn how to use NDI Cameras with OBS here
• Learn how to use the OBS Multiview here
• Learn OBS quickly with our ZERO to SIXTY tutorial video here
• Learn more about OBS settings and optimizing your settings for live streaming here 
• Learn how to record videos using OBS here
• New OBS 24 feature allows broadcasters the ability to pause and restart video recordings. Learn more here.
• Learn how to add live annotations over your OBS productions here
• Learn how to add a webcam and set up a picture in picture scene inside OBS here
• Learn how to crop and rotate inputs inside OBS here
• Learn how to use color correction tools and LUTs here
• Learn the best way to connect OBS and Zoom here
• Learn how to connect OBS and Teams here
• Learn how to use countdown timers in Teams here
• Learn where OBS recordings are saved here
• Learn how to live stream to YouTube and Facebook with OBS for free here
• Learn about OBS 27's new features here