OBS Studio is a free, high-performance screen recording and streaming software used for game streaming, live broadcasting, and video content creation in various scenarios.

This article will explain clearly for beginners how to use OBS Studio from the basics, techniques for making recordings more convenient, and troubleshooting.

OBS Studio Allows Free Screen Recording

OBS Studio is open-source software available for free. It offers not only streaming but also high-performance screen recording features.

Commonly, free screen recording software has limitations on recording time and quality, but OBS Studio does not have such restrictions. Its appeal lies in its rich set of features necessary for video creation, despite being free.

Features	OBS Studio
Recording Time	Unlimited
Quality	Supports High Quality
Recording File Formats	Supports Various Formats
Supported OS	Windows, Mac, Linux
Audio Recording	Flexible settings such as microphone and PC audio
Other Features	Advanced features like scene switching and hotkey settings

Furthermore, OBS Studio is not just limited to screen recording. It offers extensive audio settings to record microphone and PC audio separately or mix multiple audio sources. It also boasts advanced features such as scene switching and hotkey settings, providing multifunctionality that defies its free status.

In addition, output settings can be finely adjusted, allowing customization of save formats and bit rates. It is available for use not only on Windows but also on Mac and Linux, making it accessible for a wide range of users.

OBS Studio is a highly recommended tool for all users, from beginners who want to start video production to advanced users who want serious streaming and recording.

Guide to Setting Up for Screen Recording with OBS Studio!

Procedure 1: Add Scenes and Sources: Choose What You Want to Record

To record the screen with OBS Studio, it’s important to understand “Scenes” and “Sources.”
A Scene combines multiple sources. For example, if you want to record both the game screen and the webcam video simultaneously, you can combine them into one scene.
A Source refers to the actual target you want to record. You can select various sources like the game screen, webcam video, and desktop screen.

To start screen recording in OBS Studio, first create a “Scene.” Click the “+” button and give it an easy-to-understand name. It’s recommended to name it according to its use, such as “Game Streaming” or “Chatting Broadcast.”

Next, add “Sources” to the created scene. There are various types of sources, but here we’ll introduce four typical ones.

• Window Capture
• Screen Capture
• Game Capture
• Video Capture Device

Window Capture

You can specify a particular application window to record. This is ideal if you want to narrow down the range to record certain things like browsers, apps, or software. Use this if you want to avoid showing unnecessary information.

Screen Capture

This records the entire desktop screen. It’s convenient when you want to record the entire screen, such as when displaying multiple application windows simultaneously.

Game Capture

This source is specialized for recording PC game screens. It allows settings for high-quality and high-frame-rate recordings, making it ideal for creating game commentary videos.

Video Capture Device

You can import video from external devices such as capture boards connected to the PC. This is used when you want to record video from devices other than the PC, such as game consoles or cameras.

In OBS Studio, you can combine these sources for various recording settings. For example, if you want to record the game screen and webcam video simultaneously, add both game capture and video capture device to the same scene. Additionally, if you wish to add your commentary to the game screen, you can also include microphone audio.

After adding sources, adjust the recording area and volume. With screen capture or game capture, you can adjust the recording area. You can also adjust the volume balance of each source.

Procedure 2: Set Up Audio! How to Record Microphone and PC Audio

It is crucial to record the audio when recording with OBS Studio. This section explains how to record either microphone audio or PC audio, or how to select and record only specific audio.

How to Record Desktop Audio (PC Audio)

To record audio output from the PC, follow these steps:

1. Select “File” > “Settings” > “Audio” from the OBS Studio menu bar.
2. In the “Desktop Audio” section, select the audio output device to use. Generally, “Default” should work fine, but if you’re using a specific audio interface, choose the appropriate device.
3. Click “OK” to save your settings.

After setting, play music on the PC and check that the audio level in the OBS Studio audio mixer fluctuates. If it fluctuates, desktop audio is being input correctly.

How to Record Microphone Audio

To record audio from the microphone, follow these steps:

1. Select “File” > “Settings” > “Audio” from the OBS Studio menu bar.
2. In the “Mic Audio” section, select the microphone you want to use.
3. Click “OK” to save your settings.

After setting, speak into the microphone and ensure that the audio level in the OBS Studio audio mixer fluctuates. If it fluctuates, the microphone audio is being input correctly.

How to Record Audio from Specific Applications (OBS Studio Version 28.0 or Later)

In OBS Studio version 28.0 or later, you can choose to record only the audio of specific applications. This allows settings such as recording only the game audio while excluding Discord voice chat.

The setup process is as follows:

1. Select “File” > “Settings” > “Audio” in the OBS Studio menu bar and set “Desktop Audio” to “Disabled”.
2. In the OBS Studio Sources dock, click the “+” button and select “Application Audio Capture”.
3. In the settings screen, select the application from which you want to capture audio.
4. Click “OK” to save your settings.

After setting, output audio in the selected application and confirm that the audio level fluctuates in the OBS Studio audio mixer. Simultaneously, confirm that audio from applications you don’t want to record does not cause a reaction in the mixer. With this, the settings to record only audio from specific applications are complete.

Adjusting Audio Balance

After the above settings, perform a test recording and adjust the audio balance between desktop and microphone audio. You can adjust the audio balance by operating the audio sliders for each source in the OBS Studio audio mixer.

Procedure 3: Set Output Settings Such as Save Location, File Format, and Quality

When recording with OBS Studio, it’s crucial to appropriately configure output settings like the save location, file format, and quality to suit post-editing and video usage.

First, click the “Settings” button in the lower-right corner of the main OBS Studio screen and open the “Output” tab. Various output settings can be configured within this tab.

Setting the Save Location

You can set the save location in the “Recording Path.” By default, it is set to “C:\Users\(PC Username)\Videos,” but you can change it to any folder. If saving large video files, you might specify an external HDD.

Setting the Recording Format

Next is setting the recording format, where you choose the file format for the video. It is recommended to select the widely used MP4 format. MP4 is highly compatible with many devices and video editing software, making it easy to handle.

The initial setting is “mkv,” so you need to change it to save in widely used mp4 format. Choose your desired file format under the “Recording Format” in the “Recording” section within the “Output” tab on the settings screen.

Other formats like flv, mkv, mov, ts, etc., can be selected, but if focusing on compatibility, mp4 is the best choice.

Setting the Quality

Quality settings are handled in the Encoder settings. After setting the output mode to “Advanced,” select the “Recording” tab and choose from the “Encoder.” For software encoders aimed at x86/x64, x264 is recommended. Choosing hardware encoders like NVENC or Quick Sync Video can reduce the load on the CPU.

Encoder	Description	Load	Quality
x264	Software encoder using CPU	High	High
NVENC	Hardware encoder using NVIDIA GPU	Low	Medium
Quick Sync Video	Hardware encoder using Intel GPU	Low	Medium

For rate control, you can choose from CBR, VBR, or CQP. CBR is encoding at a constant bitrate, offering stable quality. VBR varies bitrate based on scenes, keeping file size small. CQP keeps constant quality and is suitable when focusing on quality.

Rate Control	Description	File Size	Quality
CBR	Constant bitrate	Large	Stable
VBR	Variable bitrate	Small	Variable
CQP	Constant quality	Medium	Stable

AAC is the recommended audio encoder. AAC pairs well with mp4 format and balances well between sound quality and file size.

Choosing the best settings tailored to the video’s purpose and your PC’s specs is crucial. For example, if aiming for high-quality recording, select x264 for the encoder and CQP for rate control. Conversely, if file size is a concern, choose NVENC or Quick Sync Video for the encoder and VBR for rate control.

Let’s Try Screen Recording with OBS Studio!

Once you complete the recording settings in OBS Studio, it’s time to start recording. Try recording with the settings you’ve configured to ensure the screen and audio are captured correctly.

To start recording, click the “Start Recording” button at the lower-right corner of the OBS Studio screen. Recording will commence immediately upon clicking this button.

Item	Description
Start Recording	Click the button at the lower-right of the OBS Studio screen
Stop Recording	Similarly, click the “Stop Recording” button
Verify Recording	Open the save folder from “Show Recordings”

To stop recording, click the “Stop Recording” button displayed in the same location. Although recording time is unlimited, ensure to stop the recording as needed.

Also, verify where the recorded file is saved. To check, select “File” from the OBS Studio menu bar and click “Show Recordings.” This will automatically open the folder where the recorded files are saved.

When recording for the first time, pay special attention to the following points during the test recording.

• Audio: Ensure the microphone and PC audio are recorded correctly
• Screen: Check if the recording area is appropriate without any unnecessary items included
• Quality: Verify the recording quality matches the settings

If there are no issues during the test recording, proceed to full-scale recording. If there are problems, review the settings and conduct another test recording.

Also, ensure that the recorded file is saved correctly in mp4 format. If you want to save in a different format, you can change it in the output settings.

OBS Studio allows you to pause and resume recordings. If you need to pause during recording, click the “Pause Recording” button. To resume, click the same button again.

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Tips to Enhance Screen Recording Efficiency with OBS Studio

When conducting screen recordings with OBS Studio, utilizing certain features can make operations more efficient. Here, we’ll discuss hotkey settings for simplifying recording operations, utilizing the pause and resume feature for recordings, and smoothly switching using multiple scenes.

Use Hotkey Settings to Simplify Recording Operations

In OBS Studio, setting hotkeys lets you execute operations like starting and stopping recording simply by pressing designated keys on your keyboard. This eliminates the need to use the mouse, allowing you to operate smoothly without missing the timing of recording start.

To set up, open the “Hotkeys” tab in the settings screen and assign arbitrary keys. For instance, you can assign “Ctrl + Shift + R” to “Start/Stop Recording,” enabling the start and stop of recording at the press of a button.

Operation	Hotkey Example
Start/Stop Recording	Ctrl + Shift + R
Pause/Resume Recording	Ctrl + Shift + P
Scene Switch	Ctrl + Number Key

Utilize the Pause and Resume Feature for Recordings

OBS Studio comes equipped with a pause and resume recording feature. By using this, you can cut unnecessary parts during recording or pause and resume recording later. This reduces the effort needed for video editing, making recording proceed efficiently.

Just like with starting and stopping, you can set hotkeys for pause and resume. For instance, by setting “Ctrl + Shift + P” for “Pause/Resume Recording,” it becomes operable with a single touch.

Use Scenes To Seamlessly Switch Recordings

By utilizing the scene function in OBS Studio, you can pre-set multiple screen configurations and switch smoothly during recording. For example, if you set game screens and webcam videos as separate scenes, you can switch between them with a single button.

You can also set hotkeys for scene switching. For instance, if you set “Scene 1” to “Ctrl + 1” and “Scene 2” to “Ctrl + 2,” you can seamlessly switch them instantly.

By leveraging these functions, you can conduct screen recording with OBS Studio more efficiently. Use these functions appropriately according to the situation to build a comfortable recording environment.

Common Issues and Solutions with Screen Recording in OBS Studio

While OBS Studio is a convenient screen recording software, some issues may arise during use. Here, we explain common issues and their respective solutions.

Solutions If Audio Isn’t Recorded

If the audio isn’t recorded, check the following items:

Checkpoints	Details
Mute Confirmation	Check if OBS Studio, the OS, the microphone, speakers, etc., are muted.
Device Selection	Ensure the correct audio input and output devices are selected. In OBS Studio’s settings, verify in the “Audio” section that the microphone and speakers are recognized correctly and the appropriate device is selected.
Volume Level Check	Confirm that both OBS Studio and the OS volume mixer levels are appropriately set.
Driver Updates	Ensure audio drivers are up to date. Using outdated drivers may result in improper audio recording.
Application Audio	If specific application audio isn’t recorded, ensure the OBS Studio version is 28.0 or later and confirm that application audio capture is correctly set.

Solutions If Recording Is Choppy

If recording feels choppy or frames are dropping, confirm and adjust the following items:

Adjustment Checklist	Details
Review Encoder Settings	If using x264 encoder, change the preset to a faster setting. Trying “veryfast” or “ultrafast” settings can reduce CPU load. If NVIDIA NVENC or AMD AMF hardware encoder is available, using those can also be effective.
Resolution and Frame Rate Adjustment	Lowering the output resolution and frame rate can reduce the load on the PC. If recording full HD (1920×1080) at 60fps, you might change to 720p (1280×720) at 30fps, adjusting as needed.
Reducing PC Load	Closing other applications during recording and stopping unnecessary background processes could reduce PC load, resulting in smoother recording.

Solutions If the Screen Goes Black

If the screen goes black, check the following items:

Verification Items	Details
Source Verification	Ensure that sources like screen capture and window capture are correctly set.
Game Capture Settings	If using game capture, confirm the game is being correctly recognized and the appropriate capture mode is selected.
Administrator Privileges	Running OBS Studio with administrator privileges can sometimes allow capturing certain games or applications.
Graphics Settings	The graphics settings of games or applications might conflict with OBS Studio. Consider changing the game’s graphics settings or adjusting the compatibility settings of OBS Studio.

Conclusion

This guide has explained how to use OBS Studio for screen recording. OBS Studio is high-performance software, yet you can easily record by simply mastering basic operations. Edit and share recorded videos for various applications.

By editing and sharing videos created with OBS Studio, you can use them in presentations, tutorial videos, game commentary videos, and various other purposes.

The basic steps for recording settings in OBS Studio are as follows:

Procedure	Settings	Description
Procedure 1: Add Scenes and Sources	Select what you want to record	Choose from window capture, screen capture, game capture, video capture devices, etc.
Procedure 2: Audio Settings	Record Microphone and PC Audio	Select and adjust desktop audio, microphone audio, specific application audio, etc.
Procedure 3: Output Settings	Set Save Location, File Format, and Quality	Configure save location, recording format, and quality.

Launch OBS Studio and follow the steps above to perform the settings. Clicking the “Start Recording” button allows you to begin screen recording easily. Utilize OBS Studio to broaden the possibilities of video creation.

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