How To Set Up Overlay Audio

Every Overlay Builder source can receive TTS and Media Library audio through SheevChat's global overlay-audio path. New layouts do not require a separate Audio Receiver widget.

Add the Overlay to Your Broadcast

  1. Open Settings → Sources → Overlay Builder.
  2. Create or select a saved overlay.
  3. Save the layout.
  4. Copy its Local or LAN URL.
  5. Add that URL as a Browser Source in OBS Studio or Streamlabs Desktop.
  6. Enable and monitor the Browser Source's audio in your broadcast software.

Use the LAN URL when SheevChat and the broadcast software run on different computers.

Test the Global Audio Path

Select the saved overlay in Overlay Builder and use:

  • Test Audio to confirm Media Library-style playback.
  • Test TTS to confirm speech playback.

The source must be open and active. Set the final broadcast level through the Browser Source or audio mixer.

Send TTS to the Overlay

In a Command, Automation, Timer, or SheevPad button:

  1. Add Send to Overlay → Send TTS/Text Payload.
  2. Enter the text or insert variables.
  3. Choose the global TTS voice or an available override.
  4. Save and test the parent item.

Example:

{user} says {message}

The global voice is configured under Settings → Audio. See How To Configure and Use Text-to-Speech for voice engines, limits, filters, and safety.

Play Media Library Audio

  1. Add Send to Overlay → Play Audio Payload.
  2. Choose an audio file from the Media Library.
  3. Set the action's playback volume.
  4. Save and test the action.

Volume now belongs to the Play Audio action, so each effect can use an appropriate level without receiver-specific configuration.

Legacy Audio Receiver Widgets

Existing Overlay Audio Receiver widgets remain compatible and should not cause duplicate playback alongside the global path.

Keep a legacy receiver when an older layout or imported workflow depends on its payload-channel targeting. For new overlays, use the global path unless you specifically need that compatibility behavior.

Queue Behavior

Overlay speech and audio are queued so normal items play sequentially instead of overlapping. A long TTS item can delay later audio.

Use reasonable TTS limits and Automation or Command cooldowns for viewer-triggered effects.

For a once-per-stream sound tied to one viewer's first chat, see How To Create Walk-On Sounds.

Common Problems

  • Test Audio and Test TTS are silent: Confirm the Browser Source is open, active, and allowed to output audio.
  • Audio plays in SheevChat instead: Choose a Send to Overlay action rather than desktop playback.
  • Wrong volume: Adjust the Play Audio action and the broadcast-software mixer.
  • Second-PC source is silent: Use the LAN URL, keep SheevChat running, and verify firewall access.
  • Legacy routing stopped: Keep the existing receiver widget and verify its saved payload channel.