What Is OBS Studio And How Does It Work? Detailed Guide 2023

If you haven’t heard about the OBS Studio by now then it’s the right time to learn about what is OBS Studio and how does it work and join the trend before it gets too late!! So, what do you say? Shall we dive in?

OBS Studio is not as complex to understand as you all have imagined it! You just need the right guide to explain what is OBS Studio and how does it work and you will love this tool once you get the concept and ideology behind its development. OBS Studio is a must-have tool if you are into streaming and content creation, so if you are into any of this do not even think to skip this guide out!!

What is OBS Studio and how does it work: Open Broadcaster Software is a free and open source tool for live streaming and video recording offline. It is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux computers and has an open canvas concept which aids the tool to merge a number of audio and video sources to bring a single output for creative video.

This blog post includes information related to what is OBS Studio and how does it work. So if you are unaware of the same and are curious enough to explore more about OBS Studio then this is the best place you can ever be!! Without delaying a minute, start digging into the details right away!!

What Is OBS Studio And How Does It Work?

If you don’t know much about the OBS Studio then it will seem shockingly difficult at first to understand the mechanism of functioning, but as you will start getting the process, the software will appear much easier to use with time. OBS Studio is a must if you love creating professional live streams in literally no time.

Recording and streaming is just a matter of a few seconds with this versatile software as OBS Studio have the capacity to record directly into your hard drive with its record-only mode or in concomitance with a parallel live stream. Talking about live streaming, OBS allows live broadcasts on multiple different streaming services including Facebook Live, Twitter, Twitch, YouTube and Mixer with in-built features that let you stream to your own personalized RTMP servers.

Also Read: How To Stream To Discord With OBS Studio?

No doubt there are plenty of other tools available for the same purpose in the industry or the market at the present for from beginner to the pro level of video production or from basic to professional, but if you ask us to name that one tool which can beat the rest and manage to be at the top of all, then it’s definitely going to be the OBS Studio without a second thought!

It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner in this live streaming field or just have already done that, our detailed guide what is OBS Studio and how does it work will aid you to master the skill of accessing this one tool in just a couple of minutes. Here we go….

How To Use OBS Studio?

OBS Studio is unarguably the best live streaming software. It’s entirely free to use and has no hidden charges and is open-source. This app has a pack of useful features that may help you bring out professional live streams as an outcome. OBS Studio also lets its users record video, sync to any live streaming or video conferencing stage, and use any digital camera for live streaming.

If you are convinced to use the OBS Studio by now then follow the below given instructions on what is OBS Studio and how does it work carefully to bring the best out of OBS:

Step 1: Download And Install OBS Studio

If you haven’t installed the OBS Studio on your device by now then do it right away!! Just navigate through the OBS Studio’s official website and select your stage: Windows, MacOS, or Linux. Next, launch the downloaded file and start the installation process.

You will also get an option to include multiple different add-on plugins for OBS while setting it up! Usually, it is suggested to leave the fields empty. After getting the OBS Studio installed on your device, open the tool either directly from the installation tab or from the home screen of your desktop.

Step 2: Get Started With OBS Studio

After getting the tool installed on your device, let’s see what are the major things on which we have to focus to understand OBS. Don’t worry, OBS may seem pretty confusing at first but with time you will understand how simple and easy it is to access.

Also Read: How To Fix OBS Failed To Authenticate With Twitch?

Start by loading the OBS Studio, you will find the Auto-Configuration Wizard. This automated software will examine your system and will execute the most suitable settings as per your device. The Auto-Configuration Wizard is best to kick-start streaming ASAP. One can access this feature anytime under the Tools Menu section in the menu bar at the top. And if you don’t get satisfaction from the results then remember that you always have the option to modify things later on, on your own. Fine-tuning is what you need to modify the results according to your taste.

Step 3: Create The First Scene In OBS Studio

A scene is a combination of video and audio layers that you captured with OBS Studio. Each layer has its own particular input. For example: If you wish to create a live stream with a pre-recorded video from your webcam then you need an audio input and a video input which then will be combined together by the OBS Studio after being added together to the sources.

At first, you will find one blank scene in the Scenes box at the bottom left corner of the screen. You have the option to delete it, rename it, add more to it, etc. Just remember that only one selected scene will be streamed. So, you now have to switch the scenes during the stream to display different scenes or stream transitions.

Step 4: Bring Audio And Video Sources Into OBS Studio

By default, OBS Studio uses the standard input and output audio sources which can be checked and adjusted by you in the Audio Mixer section next to the Sources box and modify the audio levels if you want and see if the audios are active while you talk or run any audio on your device. You can also navigate through Settings and head to the Audio tab to choose your audio sources personally if you want. However, it will become entirely a different thing with the video sources.

If you pay attention, you will see that the video preview is black, which means OBS doesn’t have a linked video source at present. To alter that, you have to add one in the Sources field next to the Scenes. Just select the box and drag-drop a new video into the video source. Take an example from the following:

The Game Capture Feature: It allows users to capture the particular game that one is playing.
The Window Feature: Works for almost all of the non-game applications.
The Video Capture Device: It adds your capture card or webcam as a video source.
The Blackmagic Device Source: It allows you to access the Blackmagic Design capture cards making sure the best possible compatibility with OBS.
The Browser Source: It allows you to add your browser as a source and live stream anything from your browser directly through OBS.
The Display Capture: It helps by adding your screen as a source and captures your entire project screen.
The Image Source: It helps you add several image types to your scene.

Basically, every image format is supported so that’s completely not an issue. With the help of Media source, it’s possible to add every type of various media types directly to your stream. Below are the currently supported ones mentioned:

VIDEO: .mp4, .ts, .mov, .flv, .mkv, .avi, .gif, .webm

AUDIO: .mp3, .aac, .ogg, .wav

The Text Source: It allows users to add simple text to your stream format.

Step 5: Manage Layers In OBS Studio

The layers are a must take step in what is OBS Studio and how does it work and especially when you want OBS to record different video sources on your stream. Every added video source is on a different layer that allows you to create combinations of output pictures and adjust them the way you want. The highest video source on your Sources list will be shown at the top of the rest.

Step 6: Add Filters For Visual And Audio Effects

Once you are done adjusting your audio and video layers, go for adding filters and effects to the sources. Just select on the source and select Filters and for the audio sources, you can apply compression, increase or reduce gain, add a noise gate, suppression, your own VST plugins and many more!

Also Read: How To Use Hotkeys In OBS? A Complete Guide!

And for your video outputs, you can apply Chroma Key, adjust the Scaling/Aspect Ratio, alter the size of the picture with the Crop feature and others. There are a number of custom features that one can make use of in the OBS Studio which adds even more filter features for both audio and video.

For the edits in the size and position of your video source in the preview, you just need to tap on the source you want to adjust and drag any red shape to increase or decrease the size of the picture. For dragging you can use the Ctrl, Alt, Shift to scale or crop without disturbing the initial ratio.

Step 7: Use OBS’s Studio Mode

OBS Studio has an amazing feature called Studio mode which allows users to upgrade scenes and switch them on-the-go. To use OBS’s Studio mode you need to tap on the STudio mode button at the top of the Settings option. You will find the preview screen next which will now split into two!

The screen at your right is the actual Live view which will appear to your audience. The left one will be the one with your editing setup. On the left you can edit any part of your selected scene while live streaming, transition style and switching between your scenes at any time.

Step 8: Start Your Live Stream In OBS Studio

In OBS Studio, one can broadcast directly to a streaming platform. For example, if you wish to stream live to Twitch, just head to the Settings and tap on the Stream tab. Select Twitch as the platform from the Service drop-down list and paste your Stream Key. Execute the additions and tap on the OK button. And done!! All you have to do is to tap on the Start Streaming button at the bottom right corner of the screen.

Also Read: How To Use OBS Automatic Scene Switcher? Automate OBS!

Unluckily, OBS Studio does not allow its users to stream live to a number of services. Although, it can publish your content in order to Restream. And to do so, you have to head to the OBS Settings and select Restream in the Service list after which your broadcast will be directed to Restream from where it will be shared on a number of platforms simultaneously including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Linkedin, Trovo and many other.

And done!! Now you have completely learnt what is OBS Studio and how does it work!!

What Else You Can Do With OBS Studio?

OBS Studio doesn’t only favor streaming but also allows video recording and content creation. Just below the Start Streaming button, you will see the Start recording option. By tapping on it, OBS Studio will automatically start recording your video. You just need to click on the Stop Recording button. By default, OBS recordings are saved to the Video Folder in your main documents. Although, you can easily alter the way and modify the quality in the Output section in your OBS Settings.

Make sure you remember that you can record with the authentic stream quality or higher or lower by accessing the additional resources of your computer device. Recordings supports up to 6 audio tracks for further editings. The suggested recording format is MKV because it supports 6 audio tracks and will not crack if OBS crashes for any reason.

Also Read: How To Add A Countdown Timer In OBS? 5 Easy Steps!

This was all that this tutorial on what is OBS Studio and how does it work had for explaining you what is OBS Studio and how does it work!! Refer to the below linked articles if you wish to explore more about the OBS Studio!!

Our Other Guides On OBS Studio:

Wrapping Up

With OBS Studio one can live stream directly to one streaming platform or different others simultaneously with Restream. The software is entirely free to access which makes it a must have in your app gallery as a creator or a streamer. Learning what is OBS Studio and how does it work may sound very difficult at first but if you follow this step-wise guide, it will take only minutes to understand what is OBS Studio and how does it work.

OBS is very easy to install and access and it has an Auto-Configuration feature to help the users get started in just a couple of seconds. Moreover, the OBS Studio has a number of in-built tools to easily manage your audio and video sources to make your streaming experience even smooth and nice.

Let us know your suggestions, concerns, doubts, etc in the comment section if you have any!!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How Do You Use OBS Step By Step?

Just follow the below-given instructions:

Run Auto-Configuration Wizard.
Set-up Audio Devices
Add Video Sources
Test your stream and record settings.

Q. Does OBS Record Your Screen?

OBS Studio is free, and open-source for video recording and video streaming. This tool can be used to record screen and PowerPoint presentations and to record them as a video or stream it live to the audience.

Q. Why Do You Need OBS To Stream?

Launch Broadcaster Software which is a free program that helps you to connect and stream your content from your device to BandLab. One might need this program to prepare your content such as audio/video, to activate your camera to the microphone for live streaming.

Q. Can OBS Stream To YouTube?

OBS Studio also publishes your content in order to Restream. And to do so, you have to head to the OBS Settings and select Restream in the Service list after which your broadcast will be directed to Restream from where it will be shared on a number of platforms simultaneously including YouTube.

What Is OBS Studio And How Does It Work? A Detailed Guide 2023!