How to Record with OBS: A Step-by-Step Guide

OBS Studio is a powerful free tool for screen recording and live streaming. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to set up OBS and start recording high-quality videos on your computer.

The Ultimate Guide to Recording with OBS for Creators, Businesses, and Marketers

Whether you're a content creator building your YouTube channel, a business recording webinars or product demos, or a marketer crafting engaging social content, OBS Studio is one of the most powerful (and free!) tools available. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to start recording with OBS, with practical tips and examples tailored to your needs—whether you're a solo YouTuber, startup founder, or seasoned marketing pro.

What is OBS Studio?

OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free, open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and has become the go-to solution for a wide range of users including gamers, podcasters, educators, and businesses.

Originally created for gamers looking to livestream their sessions, OBS has since evolved into a feature-rich recording suite embraced by professionals in all fields—from Twitch streamers to Fortune 500 trainers.

Why Should You Use OBS Studio?

Completely Free: No watermarks, no time limits, no hidden fees.
Professional Features: Capture multiple video/audio sources, use transitions, filters, and scene layouts.
Cross-Platform: Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Highly Customizable: Build unique, branded setups for every type of recording or stream.
Plugin Support: Extend functionality with overlays, analytics, chat integration, and more.

Step-by-Step: How to Record with OBS Studio

Before diving into the steps, here’s what you’ll walk away with: a fully configured OBS setup that can record presentations, tutorials, webinars, or product showcases in crystal-clear quality.

1. Install OBS Studio

Visit obsproject.com and download the installer for your OS.
Follow the prompts to complete installation and launch the app.

2. Set Up Your Scene

Scenes are like layouts—each one determines what’s visible in your final video.

Click the + under the Scenes panel to create a new scene.
Name it clearly based on your purpose, e.g., "Webinar Layout" or "Tutorial + Webcam".

3. Add Sources

Sources are the content layers within your scene. Here are popular examples:

Display Capture: Share your entire screen (great for walkthroughs).
Window Capture: Focus on a single app (ideal for software tutorials).
Video Capture Device: Add your webcam (perfect for talking heads).
Image/Media Source: Insert overlays, logos, videos, or animations.
Text (GDI+): Adds titles or captions.

Click the + under Sources to add and arrange these visually on the canvas—drag and resize as needed.

4. Configure Audio

Navigate to Settings > Audio to select your mic and speaker sources.
Add multiple audio inputs (e.g., USB mic + system audio).
Use the Audio Mixer to balance levels and add filters like noise suppression.

5. Choose Recording Settings

In Settings > Output:

Set the Recording Path to choose where OBS saves files.
Pick MP4 or MKV as your recording format. (MKV is safer; can be remuxed to MP4 later).
Adjust bitrate depending on your hardware and required video quality (e.g., 10,000–20,000 Kbps for 1080p/60fps).

Then in Settings > Video:

Base Resolution: Usually your display's resolution.
Output Resolution: Can be scaled for better performance or upload times.
FPS: Choose 30 FPS for general content, 60 FPS for fast motion.

6. Start Recording

Hit "Start Recording" in the lower right.
Click "Stop Recording" when finished.
Your file will be saved to your designated folder.

Pro Tips for Better OBS Recordings

🔧 Use Hotkeys

Customize hotkeys for recording, muting, or switching scenes to save time and stay smooth on camera.

🎨 Add Branding

Add logos, watermarks, title cards, and branded overlays to maintain visual consistency.

🎤 Improve Audio Quality

Use built-in filters like noise gate, compressor, and EQ to boost your microphone audio.

📐 Use Layout Presets

Create scene presets for different content types—"Zoom Recording," "Live Tutorial," or "Sales Pitch"—so you can switch instantly.

💾 Record in Segments

Instead of long takes, break content into smaller segments to simplify editing and increase viewer retention.

Who Should Use OBS?

Content Creators: YouTubers, podcasters, and streamers can use OBS to record and package content with multiple scenes and sources.
Businesses: Use OBS for internal training, customer support videos, product walkthroughs, or investor demos.
Marketers: Craft branded video campaigns, testimonials, and explainers with dynamic layouts and overlays.

Whether you're building an audience, launching a product, or explaining a concept, OBS empowers you to create high-impact content that connects.

Video Tutorials

Need More Than Recording?

OBS isn’t just for recording—you can go live on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. It also supports:

Custom Transitions
Virtual Camera for use in Zoom or Teams
Plugin Support for advanced needs like instant replay, chat overlays, and analytics

Once you're confident with recording, explore these powerful next steps to level up your production.

Notable Plugins to Enhance Functionality

StreamFX: Adds advanced visual effects, including 3D transformations, dynamic masks, and blur filters, allowing for more creative scene compositions.
Advanced Scene Switcher: Automates scene transitions based on triggers like window focus, idle time, or custom schedules, streamlining live production workflows.
OWN3D Pro Plugin: Provides access to a vast library of overlays, alerts, and stream labels, facilitating quick customization and branding of your streams.
DroidCam Virtual Output: Enables the use of your smartphone as a webcam source within OBS, offering flexibility in camera setups.
atkAudio Plugin: Introduces VST3 plugin hosting and advanced audio device I/O, enhancing audio processing capabilities within OBS.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using the wrong frame rate or resolution for your content.
Not separating audio sources for easier editing.
Overloading a single scene instead of using multiple, organized scenes.
Forgetting to use mic filters for better audio quality.
Not syncing audio and video in advanced audio properties.

Final Thoughts

Mastering OBS Studio can transform your content game. Whether you’re recording a podcast, demoing your product, or teaching online, the flexibility and power of OBS let you control every element.

To recap:

OBS is free, flexible, and full-featured
It works for creators, businesses, and marketers alike
With some setup, you can create polished, professional videos without spending a dime

🚀 Take the leap: Download OBS Studio and start creating your next masterpiece today!

Souvic Chakraborty, Ph.D.

With a background in AI and a passion for clear technical communication, I enjoy breaking down complex tools and processes. Exploring new software and sharing insights is a key focus.