How to Use OBS Studio: Step-by-Step Guide

OBS Studio is a free software that allows you to record and live stream. Through this, you can capture a specific app, your desktop, or gameplay while simultaneously mixing audio. This way, you can make tutorials, live stream a game as you play, or host a live session. On top of that, you can easily configure several scenes and alternate between sources.

For diversity, it works perfectly on Windows, Mac, and Linux. If you're wondering how to use OBS, this guide will walk you through the easy setup process — from installing OBS to recording and streaming.

Part 1: What is OBS Studio?

OBS Studio is an open-source software that is completely free, allowing you to record video or stream live in high definition. If you've ever wanted to capture your desktop, an individual application, or gameplay, and combine it with audio on the fly while you stream, then OBS Studio is what you have been looking for. Not only that, but one factor that makes OBS Studio stand out is that you can tweak and personalize everything in real-time to suit your needs. If you are a beginner, do not worry. It's easier than it sounds, really.

This flexibility makes OBS popular among content creators of all kinds. OBS Studio is versatile. Here's how:

• Screen recording – this works well with tutorials, presentations, or software demonstrations, because it does an excellent job in capturing every detail on your display. When you need to showcase how something works step by step, then this feature comes in handy.
• Live streaming – stream to platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook, where you can interact with your audience in real time. In simple terms, it has transformed the live stream into an entertaining experience, as your audience can comment and react as you are live-streaming.

• Game capture – allows you to record or stream your gameplay, and keeps performance smooth, so your videos are not interrupted, and you have a smooth video even during the most intense gaming sessions. With OBS Studio, one of the great things is that you get to be entirely present in the game without having to worry that your recording is going to slow down.
• Real-time audio and video mixing -it lets you manage multiple sources all at once, control the audio level, adjust scene transitions, and tweak other settings, helping you create polished and professional-quality content. I know it may sound a little complicated, but once you master it, you are good to go.

Part 2: How to set up OBS Studio

You will have to install and learn how to set up OBS properly before you can even record or stream. The following are the steps you can follow to do it.

Step 1: Download and Install OBS

First, go to the official OBS website at https://obsproject.com/download.

Then choose your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and download the installer.

To complete the installation. Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Step 2: Initial Setup

Once installed, open OBS Studio.

When you open OBS for the first time, the Auto-Configuration Wizard will guide you through the setup:

• To start, choose 'Optimize for Streaming' if you want to stream live events, or 'Optimize for Recording' if you only want to record videos.
• Next is to set your Base Resolution (usually your screen resolution) and FPS (frames per second, 30 or 60 depending on your needs).

Step 3: Add Video and Audio Sources

At the bottom of the OBS window, in the Sources box, click the + button to add your sources:

• Display Capture - captures everything on your screen.
• Window Capture - captures a specific application window.
• Video Capture Device - captures your webcam.
• Audio Input Capture - captures your microphone.
• Audio Output Capture - captures your system sounds.

To fit your desired scene layout, you can also drag and drop to reorder sources and resize them by dragging the corners.

Step 4: Set Up Audio Devices

• Go to the settings, then click audio in OBS.
• To capture your system sounds, set Desktop Audio.
• To capture your microphone audio, Set Mic/Auxiliary Audio.

For beginners, here's a tip: Use the Mixer panel in the main OBS window to check your audio levels. Keenly observe the levels and make adjustments as needed to ensure your microphone and desktop audio are balanced for your recordings or streams.

Part 3: How to Use OBS for Screen Recording

With OBS installed, now let's get familiar with how to use OBS for recording.

Step 1: Create a new Scene → click + in the Scenes box

In OBS, select the Scenes box and click the + button to create a new scene. You can name it something easy to remember or identify quickly, such as "Screen Recording." Pick a title that somehow identifies it easily, like "Screen Recording."

Step 2: Add a Display Capture or Window Capture source

In the Sources box, click the + button, and then select a source:

• Display Capture - if you want to record your entire screen.
• Window Capture - if you want to record just one application window, like a word processor.

Once you add the capture source, you are free to resize or reposition the capture area so that everything you want to demonstrate to your viewers fits into the capture frame.

Step 3: Adjust the resolution and positioning of the capture area

Next, you want to ensure that your capture area borders are correct and everything is aligned. Drag the edges or corners so that your viewers will see precisely what you want them to see.

It is important to have the capture area sized and positioned correctly.

Step 4: Check Audio Levels → ensure mic and desktop audio are working

Here, you want to take a look at the audio mixer in OBS and see how your Mic/Auxiliary Audio and Desktop Audio are picking up sound levels correctly. You can adjust your Mic/Aux level to avoid being too quiet or too loud.

Step 5: Go to Settings → Output → Recording

Here, you start defining what your screen recording with OBS will be like.
In the Settings menu → Output → Recording, you will set your preferred recording options:

• Select recording path (where you want your video to be saved).
• Select recording format (for example, MP4 or MKV).
• Select your recording quality (based on your needs and hardware capabilities).

Step 6: Start Recording

Once everything is set to go, click Start Recording in the main OBS window.

Step 7: Stop Recording when done

When you're finished, click Stop Recording. Your video will save to the location you set in the recording settings.

Part 4: How to Use OBS for Live Streaming

OBS makes it simple in case you want to go live on YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook. Here's how:

Step 1: Open Stream Settings

In the OBS interface, select Settings, then click Stream. This is where you will establish the connection between OBS and your preferred choice of streaming platform.

Step 2: Choose the streaming service

Select a streaming service from the list, such as Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live, or, if streaming to different platforms, you can pick a custom RTMP server.

Step 3: Enter your Stream Key

Log in to your streaming platform (YouTube Studio, Twitch Dashboard) and locate your Stream Key. Copy and paste it into the appropriate field in OBS.

This Stream Key links OBS straight to your channel, and that is simply how to stream with OBS directly to your preferred channel.

Step 4: Configure your Scenes and Sources

As with recording in OBS, you will need to set up your Scenes and Sources for your stream. For example, you may set up:

• Game Capture - For the gameplay.
• Display Capture - For your desktop.
• Video Capture Device - For your webcam.
• Audio Input/Output - For your microphone/audio from your desktop.

It can be arranged in any way that you want your stream to look and sound. Get them all in order so that your stream looks and sounds just as you want.

Step 5: Test audio and video levels

Use the Mixer panel to ensure that your microphone and system sounds are adjusted to the same level. You don't want your game volume to overshadow your voice, and you don't want the mic to be too loud or peak.

Step 6: lick Start Streaming

When it all looks fine, simply click Start Streaming. OBS will stream your live feed into the site you have chosen.

Step 7: Monitor your stream using platform analytics or OBS preview

To ensure that the video, audio, and connection quality are not being compromised, keep monitoring your stream using either analytics on your platform (such as YouTube Studio dashboard or Twitch stats) or the OBS preview window.

Part 5: How to Use OBS for Game Recording

Gamers usually prefer OBS due to its ability to record gameplay without reducing the speed of performance. Below are the easy steps you need to follow to record your gameplay.

Step 1: Create a new Scene

In the Scenes box, press the + button and create a new scene for your gameplay recording. Clicking the + button in the Scenes box, you create a new scene that is solely used to record your gameplay.

Step 2: Add Game Capture as a Source

Press the + in the Sources box and select Game Capture. It is the most effective method of recording gameplay without recording your entire desktop.

Step 3: Select Capture specific window or Capture any full-screen application

When you add a Game Capture, you will be presented with options:

• Capture a specific window - best if you wish to record a particular game or application.
• Capture any full-screen application - any games you open in full-screen mode will be automatically recorded.

Step 4: Add Audio Sources

Ensure that you are recording your audio as well as your footage:

• Audio Input Capture - For your microphone (commentary or voiceovers).
• Audio Output Capture - For your system or game sounds.

Step 5: Adjust resolution, FPS, and output quality in Settings → Output

Make the final adjustments by selecting Settings→ Output:

• Resolution (match your screen resolution or lower for better performance).
• FPS (60 or 30, depending on smoothness and system capabilities).
• Output Quality (select High, indistinguishable, or even custom bitrate to strike a balance between quality and file size).

Step 6: Click Start Recording

To start gameplay capture, click Start Recording on the OBS main window. To stream instead, simply click Start Streaming.

Step 7: Stop when finished

When complete, select Stop Recording. OBS will store the recording of your gameplay video in the folder that you have configured in your recording path.

Part 6: How to Set Up Audio Devices

Audio is as important as the video. Likewise, OBS allows you to control not only system sounds, but also your microphone. Here's how:

Step 1: Go to Settings → Audio

Here you can see all the input and output audio devices. You also have the option of controlling all your audio devices that are used for input and output.

Step 2: Set Desktop Audio

Select your favorite Desktop Audio device. This setting records your system sounds and sets your desktop audio, such as game sounds, music, or whatever sound your computer is making.

Step 3: Set Mic/Auxiliary Audio

Choose your microphone device for the Mic/Auxiliary Audio. This option comes in handy when doing commentary, voiceovers, speaking with your audience, etc

Step 4: Test audio levels in the Mixer on the main OBS window

Test your audio levels to see if your audio is getting picked up within the Mixer panel in the main OBS window. You can talk into the microphone and play system noises at the same time, and hear the sound system levels change in the mixer.

Step 5: Adjust audio volume per Scene if needed

If you have multiple Scenes, you can adjust and control the audio volume for each scene separately. This will come in handy when you require varying audio levels between what you are recording and broadcasting.

Part 7: FAQs About How to Use OBS

1. What is OBS, and how do you use it?

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free and open-source program that allows you to record your screen and live stream. All you have to do is set up Scenes and Sources for your video, configure your audio, and then record or stream to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook.

2. What are the disadvantages of OBS Studio?

One of the main disadvantages is the learning curve for using the program. First-time users might feel overwhelmed or confused by the setup. Additionally, running OBS on old or low-spec computers can also be tough on the system.

3. Is OBS good for beginners?

Yes. It takes a little time to get used to, but with practice, beginners can soon master the basics of recording, streaming, and handling audio.

4. Is Streamlabs better than OBS?

Streamlabs has a more convenient, user-friendly interface and some additional built-in features. However, it consumes more system resources. On the other hand, OBS Studio is more lightweight and highly customizable, making it a better choice for users who want performance and flexibility.

5. Is OBS Studio free?

Yes, OBS Studio is completely free and open-source. Here, you don't have to worry about any premium versions or hidden costs.

6. Is OBS for PC only?

Not really. OBS Studio works exceptionally well with Windows, macOS, and Linux, so it can be used across different operating systems.

Conclusion

Learning how to use OBS does not necessarily have to be hard. OBS Studio gives you full control to set up scenes, sources, record gameplay, and stream live on YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook. At first, it may seem complex, but with practice, it becomes easy, and your go-to software whenever you are recording and streaming.

The best part is that it's not only free but also versatile and powerful. Whether you are new to content creation or a seasoned streamer, OBS Studio will give you the perfect combination of flexibility, performance, and learning how to use OBS effectively.