If you watch streamers on Twitch, you may have heard someone mention a program called OBS, or Open Broadcaster Software. This free and open source program is the preferred choice for streaming content online. It brings all the parts of your stream together so you can control your microphone, camera, playback content, graphic effects and settings from one place.
While programs like Twitch Studio simplify streaming online, many streamers praise the amount of control they get from OBS and urge newbies to learn the program. It may seem complicated at first, but OBS is an intuitive program overall. It’s also free and supported by a motivated community, so why not take the time to learn?
How to set up OBS
First, you’ll need to download OBS. The program is available for Windows, macOS and Linux. Once installed, the OBS Auto Setup Wizard will open and help you customize the program to your needs. It scans your PC and makes the necessary settings adjustments, although you can change all these settings after the fact if you don’t like the way they’re set up.
If you’re using OBS to stream via a live streaming service like Twitch, you’ll also need to link your stream key. Each Twitch streamer has an individual stream key that authorizes OBS to stream through your account. To find your stream key, log into your Twitch account and go to Account Settings > Channel & Videos > Broadcast.
Your key will be at the top of this screen. Copy your code and return to OBS. Open File > Settings and click the Flow tab. Select your streaming service from the drop-down menu (we’re using Twitch here), click Use Stream Key, and paste the code you copied.
Click Connect Account, sign in to your account and authorize access. OBS should now be set up to stream to your Twitch account.
Customize the flow
Now that your account is linked to OBS, you can start streaming. However, you should take a moment to familiarize yourself with the interface and controls. Along the bottom row, you’ll find several boxes that serve different purposes.
The Scenes box will allow you to quickly switch between your source video and anything you want to show your audience (for example, an AFK screen or a countdown timer until playback starts). The Source section is where you can add various content sources, such as your game or face camera. These sources are tied to whatever scene you’re currently in, so they won’t affect anything else.
Your audio mixer segment is where you can manage your audio for these various sources and whatever microphones you’re using. The Scene Transition section is where you can add an effect when you transition between scenes. Controls is where you can start playback, record video, access settings, and more.
Open the Docks menu to add more sections to the OBS screen or delete the ones you don’t need. Some of the elements you’ll want to add include a live chat box to review messages from your audience, and a feed info box where you can add a title, bio, category, and any tags that can make your flow is easier to find.
Click the Settings button in the lower right corner of the OBS window to access additional options so you can start using the program like a pro. For example, you can click the Hotkeys tab to assign tasks to different keys on your keyboard. Things like stopping and starting playback, your webcam, and transitions can all be configured by clicking the corresponding black bar and pressing the key you want to use.
There are countless things you can do in OBS to set yourself apart from other streamers with proprietary software. Fortunately, the OBS team has a resource forum where you can ask questions, support other streams, or even communicate with the OBS team if you have new feature requests.
Start your flow
When you’re ready to start streaming, open the PC game you want to stream. You want to make sure you’re playing the correct program, so hit the plus (+) icon in the Sources section and select Game Capture.
Open the source you just added and use the drop-down menu to select Capture specific window, then choose your game from the list of open programs. Press OK and the preview window in the center of the screen should display the game. You can then resize the game window.
Using a similar process, you can also add a webcam (video capture device) and a microphone (audio input device). Just select the right device to use and OBS will set it up. You can then adjust your video to fit your screen.
When you’re ready to go live, press the Start Streaming button in the lower right corner of the show. You will then start streaming directly to your Twitch stream.