Want to Find Out What’s The Best Way Record with OBS?

As streamers, it’s often advantageous to share content on other platforms. Saving a recording allows you to reupload it to YouTube or edit it down to other social media sites — like Instagram or TikTok (which require a different resolution altogether). In fact, generating content for YouTube or even IRL situations (need to record a presentation for work?) is a common use case for OBS Studio.

Why Record with OBS?

As a content creator, sharing your videos on multiple platforms can significantly expand your reach and engage with a wider audience. OBS Studio allows you to save your recordings, giving you the opportunity to upload them to platforms like YouTube or edit them for social media sites such as Instagram or TikTok. This versatility makes OBS an invaluable tool for creating content not only for streaming but also for other purposes, such as recording presentations for work or capturing real-life events.

Recording Methods with OBS

Method 1: The Simple Start Recording

The easiest way to start recording with OBS is by using the “Start Recording” button. It may seem straightforward, but there are a few essential settings to consider before you hit that record button.

1. Selecting the Right Source: OBS allows you to choose specific sources to capture, such as your entire display, a particular window, or even a specific game. Ensure you select the appropriate source that matches your recording requirements.
2. Setting the Recording Path: By default, OBS saves your recordings to your local drive. However, you can customize the recording path to a different location if desired.
3. Adjusting the Output Settings: OBS provides various output settings, including video format, quality, and bitrate. These settings impact the final quality and file size of your recording. Experimenting with different options will help you find the balance between quality and file size that suits your needs.

Method 2: Advanced Recording Settings For more control over your recording process, OBS offers advanced settings that can significantly enhance the quality of your videos. Let’s explore a few key options:

A. Recording Format and Codec

Choosing the right recording format and codec plays a vital role in maintaining video quality while keeping file sizes manageable. OBS supports various formats such as MP4, FLV, and MKV, and codecs like H.264 and H.265. Consider the platform or software you’ll be using your recordings on and select the format and codec that are compatible and efficient.

B. Audio Settings

Good audio quality is just as important as video quality. OBS allows you to configure audio settings to ensure optimal recording results. You can adjust audio sources, sample rates, and bitrate to capture crystal-clear sound. Don’t forget to monitor audio levels during the recording process to avoid any unpleasant surprises later.

C. Hotkeys and Overlays

Efficiency and convenience are key when recording content. OBS lets you set up custom hotkeys for starting, pausing, and stopping recordings, making it easier to control the process without interrupting your flow. Additionally, you can add overlays such as a webcam feed, watermarks, or text to enhance the visual appeal of your videos.

Optimizing Hardware for Recording

Recording high-quality videos can be demanding on your hardware. To ensure smooth and seamless recordings with OBS, it’s essential to optimize your hardware settings. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your setup:

1. CPU Usage

OBS primarily relies on your CPU for encoding and processing video data. To reduce strain on your CPU and prevent dropped frames during recording, consider the following:

– Close any unnecessary background applications.
– Lower the settings of CPU-intensive programs running simultaneously with OBS.

Pro Tips for Optimal Streaming and Game Recording

Streaming and recording games require careful attention to detail and optimal settings to ensure the best possible experience for both you and your viewers. Here are some pro tips to help you achieve high-quality streams and recordings:

1. Internet Connection

A stable and fast internet connection is crucial for smooth streaming. Make sure you have a reliable broadband connection with sufficient upload speed to handle the data transfer required for streaming. Consider using a wired connection for maximum stability and performance.

2. Choose the Right Bitrate

Bitrate determines the quality of your stream or recording. It’s important to find the right balance between video quality and available bandwidth. Lower bitrates reduce the chance of buffering for viewers with slower internet connections, while higher bitrates provide better visual fidelity for viewers with fast connections. Experiment with different bitrates to find the sweet spot that works best for your audience and internet capabilities.

3. Resolution and Aspect Ratio

Selecting the appropriate resolution and aspect ratio for your streams and recordings is essential. Consider the capabilities of your hardware and the preferences of your audience. Common resolutions for streaming include 720p (1280×720) and 1080p (1920×1080), while aspect ratios of 16:9 are widely used. Ensure that your game, OBS settings, and the streaming platform are all configured to match your desired resolution and aspect ratio.

4. Video Encoding

Video encoding determines how your stream or recording is compressed and delivered to viewers. OBS offers several encoding options, such as x264 and NVENC (for NVIDIA GPUs). Each encoding option has its advantages and considerations. x264 is a software-based encoder that offers excellent quality but can be more demanding on your CPU. NVENC, on the other hand, offloads encoding to your GPU, resulting in lower CPU usage. Experiment with different encoding options to find the best balance between quality and performance for your setup.

5. Scene and Source Organization

Organizing your scenes and sources within OBS can greatly improve your streaming and recording workflow. Create different scenes for different games or content types to allow for seamless transitions during your stream. Utilize sources to include overlays, alerts, webcams, and other visual elements. Keep your sources tidy and well-organized to make adjustments and customization easier.

6. Audio Quality

Good audio quality is crucial for an engaging stream or recording. Pay attention to the following:

– Use a dedicated microphone for clearer and higher-quality audio.
– Position your microphone properly to reduce background noise and ensure optimal sound capture.
– Regularly monitor audio levels during your streams or recordings to avoid distortion or clipping.
– Consider using audio filters within OBS, such as noise suppression and compression, to further enhance audio quality.

7. Test and Optimize

Before going live, always perform thorough testing and optimization. Create test streams or recordings to check for any technical issues or audio-visual anomalies. Monitor your stream’s performance using OBS’s built-in statistics feature or external tools to ensure stable frame rates and smooth playback. Regularly update OBS to the latest version to take advantage of bug fixes and performance improvements.

By following these pro tips, you can elevate your streaming and game recording to the next level, providing your audience with a captivating experience and setting yourself apart as a top-tier content creator.

Remember, consistency, interaction with your viewers, and engaging content are equally important for building and retaining a loyal audience. Keep honing your skills, experimenting with different techniques, and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the streaming and gaming industry.

Now, armed with this knowledge, go ahead and create extraordinary streams and recordings that will leave a lasting impression on your viewers and elevate your streaming career to new heights!