OBS Studio Help Guide 2019-02-21 PDF

Open Broadcaster Software Studio
(Multiplatform)
Help Guide
(app. ver. 23.0.0)
21 Feb 2019
OBS Studio Help Guide Contents
Contents | Index ◀ 2 ▶
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................5
Welcome...............................................................................5
Installing OBS Studio.............................................................5
Let's start!.............................................................................6
Using online Forum...............................................................7
An Overview of Open Broadcaster Software Studio....................8
Work more efficiently............................................................8
Enjoy unlimited creative options...........................................8
Relax while your PC is working hard.....................................9
What's New in OBS Studio...........................................................10
Stay free.............................................................................10
Stay competitive.................................................................10
Work fast and accurate.......................................................11
CHANGES since v22.0.0 of the application..........................11
Looking at the Work Area.............................................................14
Getting familiar with the work area.....................................14
About the work area...........................................................14
Using menu bar..................................................................14
Using canvas preview area..................................................26
Using Stats window.............................................................29
Other controls.....................................................................30
Creating Scenes in OBS Studio....................................................32
About scenes and layers (OBS Studio).................................32
Getting started....................................................................32
Full screen preview (scene).................................................36
Multi-view of scenes...........................................................37
Scene transitioning.............................................................40
Getting Sources into OBS Studio.................................................48
About video and audio sources...........................................48
About video resolution and audio sample rate....................48

Add new audio/video source to OBS Studio scene...............50
Source management...........................................................52
Group Sources....................................................................55
Set Color (or mark source with a custom color)...................57
Full screen preview (source)................................................59
Sources types & properties.................................................60
Using Layers...................................................................................86
About layers (OBS Studio)....................................................86
Understanding Layers.........................................................86
Manage Layers....................................................................87
Filters for Special Effects..............................................................89
About plugin filters.............................................................89
Using filters........................................................................89
General Filters: Transform, Deintarlacing, Cropping............90
Visual Effect Filters...........................................................100
Sound Effect Filters (Audio/Video).....................................112
Additional Tools...........................................................................120
About additional tools......................................................120
Tools................................................................................120
Recording and Streaming...........................................................133
About recording and streaming........................................133
Recording.........................................................................133
Replay Buffer....................................................................134
Streaming.........................................................................136
Studio Mode......................................................................137
Themes..........................................................................................142
About themes...................................................................142
Manage Profiles...........................................................................144
About profiles in OBS Studio.............................................144
Application Settings.....................................................................145
About settings..................................................................145
General.............................................................................145
Stream..............................................................................149
Output..............................................................................151
Audio................................................................................167
Video................................................................................170
Hotkeys............................................................................173
Advanced Settings............................................................175
Advanced Audio Properties...............................................179
Level meter description.....................................................183
Command Line Options..............................................................185
About Command Line Options..........................................185
Command Line Keys.........................................................185
Shortcuts Linux............................................................................189
Shortcuts Mac..............................................................................191
Shortcuts Windows......................................................................193
Legal Notices................................................................................195
Copyright..........................................................................195
Index..............................................................................................206
OBS MP Help Guide Introduction
Introduction
Welcome
Welcome to Open Broadcaster Software Studio MultiPlatform
(OBS Studio), the most relevant streaming and recording tool for
all platforms. With its integrated Canvas Preview, Source Plugins
and Filters, OBS Studio delivers a comprehensive environment
for professional streamers and involved people to create
sophisticated video broadcasting and recordings for Web
services.
Installing OBS Studio

You can install OBS Studio onto your hard drive or run it from a
removable media. By default, non-portable version of the
program store profile-based files and application settings in:
%appdata%\obs-studio FOR Windows
~/.config/obs-studio FOR Linux
~/.obs-studio FOR Linux + XDG
~/Library/Application Support/obs-studio FOR OS X
Run installer and follow the on-screen installation instructions.

The installer program automatically detects your system type
and installs x86 and x64 binaries.
System requirements
High end PC recommended. Capturing, recording and
broadcasting is resource demanding task.
OBS Studio uses hardware acceleration of Direct3D (from v10.1)
or OpenGL (from v3.2). Without hardware acceleration it refuses
to start. OBS Studio uses hardware acceleration and shaders

computing of the installed video card* to transform and
combine sources, to render and filter output.
Earlier builds of the OBS Studio were tested on i7-4770K CPU +

GTX980 GPU system. This, or same PC configuration, suitable
for HD recordings.
Minimum OS requirements to be able to run the application

itself, by platforms:
Win Windows 7 or later
Mac OS X 10.10 or later
Linux <distributions of 2014> or later**
* Some video cards has build-in hardware encoders. OBS can use Intel's Quick Sync,
AMD's VCE, NVIDIA's NVENC.
** Kernel specific not mentioned but OpenGL v3.2, FFmpeg and Qt is required.
Let's start!
Variety of options available for you to learn OBS Studio
including Help guide and online Portal. Getting up to speed
depends on your experience with previous versions of OBS.
If you are new to OBS Studio:

See An Overview of Open Broadcaster Software Studio on page 8
If you want to create your first scene right now!:

See Getting started on page 32
If you are an experienced OBS user:

See What's New in OBS Studio on page 10
See CHANGES since v22.0.0 of the application on page 11
If you want to focus on Web Streaming features:

See Streaming on page 136
See Output on page 151
See Streaming tab on page 155
If you want to focus on Recording features:

See Recording on page 133
See Output on page 151
See Recording tab on page 159
Using online Forum

Online forum provides community-based support with built-in
bug report system.
(See Post OBS Studio log-file on page 15)
All users must accept Forum online agreement before asking

questions online.
OBS Studio Help Guide An Overview
An Overview of Open
Broadcaster Software Studio
With OBS Studio you can create high quality video streams for
different web services. With this novelty software you can start
simple broadcast, make replays and do standalone recordings.
Work more efficiently

Workspace controls and quick scene management - OBS Studio
gives you the tools you need to keep the work on track and
efficient.
Canvas Preview Real-time canvas preview gives you ability to

view all changes you made to sources appearance and scene
composition.
Studio Mode Allow to preview all changes made to the scene

before it would become on-air.
Layers With layers, you can work on one element without

changing others. To rearrange elements, simply shift the layer
order in the Sources list.
Enjoy unlimited creative options

Filters Each source can change its appearance via Filters.
Crop, Transform, Chroma Key and many other visual effects
OBS Studio Help Guide An Overview
available by default.
Plugin Sources Choose the best plugins from the online

community or even write your own. Open source code gives you
a choice to modify and create your own future.
Transitions Transitions between scenes makes your shows more

attractive.
Relax while your PC is working hard.

Hardware acceleration All tasks that require intensive
calculation, like transformations, filtering and scene composing
completed by Direct3D and OpenGL acceleration.
Encoding acceleration NVENC, VCE, Quick Sync can be used for

encoding as well as other hardware based encoders via the
plugins.
OBS Studio Help Guide What's New in OBS Studio
What's New in OBS Studio

Stay free
Now your imagination is unlimited by innovation technologies
developed for the application.
Studio Mode Control visually all changes completed to scenes

without changing an output. Your spectators always see what
you want to show to them, not how you do it.
Multi-Track Allows to you to save audio sources in different

tracks during recording. Up to 6 tracks supported. You can
filter, add effects and adjust level of your microphone later,
without affecting your game's sound, while all sounds stay in
sync.
Multi-Output Now you can stream at one quality and make

recordings in other simultaneously. Good option to stream in
prime-time with overheated bandwidth - stream at medium and
save it at full quality to upload your high resolution videos later.
Stay competitive
OBS Studio delivers enhanced tools to help you achieve your
creative best.
New render engine To create professional OpenGL and Direct3D

video recordings.
New audio grabbing engine Low latency, low memory

consumption, multi-track support - all in one built-in solution.
Work fast and accurate

OBS Studio provides new controls over positioning and aligning
sources.
Snap to borders Fast and accurate positioning of the sources

with single mouse move.
Transform Customize output view for better appearance with

easy mouse moves. No need to look for matched sources and
adjust each manually. Also, all positions, size, cropping and
aspect ratios can be adjusted pixel by pixel.
CHANGES since v22.0.0 of the application

New features, key points.
✔ Mac now uses Backspace and Return keys to remove and

rename sources.
See Shortcuts Mac on page 191
✔ PSD and other formats can be imported as image source.
See Image on page 68
✔ Now Stats has dockable pane too.
See View menu on page 20
✔ Blackmagic Design capture devices now can be deactivated
when not on display.
See Blackmagic Device on page 61

✔ Added Expander audio filter.
See Expander on page 113
✔ Added Invert Polarity audio filter.
See Invert Polarity on page 115
✔ Added Limiter audio filter.
See Limiter on page 115
✔ Interval to restart hook for newly created process can be
adjusted now.
See Game Capture on page 64
✔ Now it is easier to set output size to specific source size.
See Resize output (source size) on page 170
✔ Easier to find required source in the hotkeys list of the
application's settings.
See Filter on page 175
✔ New About window.
See Help menu on page 14
✔ Stereo Balance added.
See Advanced Audio Properties on page 179
✔ You always dream of auto-remux to mp4 of your mkv
files? Now this feature is yours.
See Advanced Settings on page 175
✔ Multi-track audio for Custom Output (FFmpeg) added. No
much info about it. It just works.
See Custom Output (FFmpeg) on page 163
✔ New tool for Blackmagic Disign video capture devices
added.
See Decklink Output on page 125
✔ Now you can easily find the sources that may lie outside
the canvas.
See Show overflow on page 147

✔ Browser source is now shipped with OBS Studio by default.
See Browser on page 62
✔ Web online services is deeply integrated into OBS Studio
now.
See Stream settings on page 149
As always, number of known issues were fixed and added few

new ^_^
OBS Studio Help Guide Looking at the Work Area
Looking at the Work Area

Getting familiar with the work area
The OBS Studio work area is arranged to help you focus on
creating and editing high quality streams and recordings.
About the work area

The work area consists of the following components:
Menu bar The menu bar contains menus for performing tasks.
The menus are organized by topic. For example, the Scene
Collection contains commands for working with scene
collections.
Canvas preview area The canvas preview area provides real-time

preview of the output/edit. Output easily adjustable:
See Working with sources (positioning) on page 34
See Video on page 170
Scene management and Control options Main screen control

options hold tools to create and edit output:
See Creating Scenes in OBS Studio on page 32
See Output section on page 151
Using menu bar

Help menu
In the Help menu you can go to the online help portal, check for
program's update, view current log and post log-file online.
To Post OBS Studio log-file online (current session):

1) go to the Help menu;
2) choose Log Files sub-menu;
3) click Upload Current Log File, application uploads log-file
automatically;
4) copy the generated link (URL) and follow OBS Studio's
Forum online instructions.
Help Portal
opens in the browser official web-page of the OBS Studio,
there you can find some additional info about the
application and it usage.
Join Discord Server

opens browser to invite you into OBS Community on
Discord. There you can get brief help info on your problem,
if any.
Crash Reports
section allows to view and upload last possible crash-log, if
any.
Check for updates

starts online check for the most latest OBS Studio available.
If any will be found the application will prompt to update to
the most recent one.
About
opens brief info window about authors, version and license.
Tools menu
Tools menu has fast access to the external plugins and its
settings. There you can find additional overlay helpers, scene
switchers and other program tools installed in OBS Studio.
Auto-Configuration Wizard
tool to automatically optimize application settings.
(See Auto-Configuration Wizard on page 120)
Decklink Output
tool to control Blacknagic Design video capture devices.
(See Decklink Output on page 125)
Captions (Experimental)
tool to add closed captions to the stream using speech
recognition.
(See Captions (Experimental) on page 124)
Automatic Scene Switcher

tool to switch scenes in special order.
(See Automatic Scene Switcher on page 121)
Output Timer
tool to stop streaming/recording after fixed time interval.
(See Output Timer on page 127)
Scripts
tool to manage custom written automation scripts.
(See Scripts on page 128)
Scene Collections menu

Scene Collections menu specifies sets of the scenes you work
with. Current set (collection) is marked by icon.
You can specify new scene collection by selecting sub-menu

option New.
Duplicate
sub-menu option makes a copy of the current scene
collection.
Rename
sub-menu option allows to specify new name of the current
scene collection.
Remove
sub-menu option deletes current scene collection.
Removed scene collections cannot be recovered.
Import
sub-menu option allows to load scene collection from the
external folder/device.
Export
sub-menu option allows to save current scene collection to
the external folder/device.
Profile menu
Profile menu specifies sets of the application settings (profile)
you work with. Current profile is marked by icon.
You can specify new profile by selecting sub-menu option New.
Duplicate
sub-menu option makes a copy of the current profile.
Rename
sub-menu option allows to specify new name of the current
profile.
Remove
sub-menu option deletes current profile.
Removed profiles cannot be recovered.
Import
sub-menu option allows to load profile from the external

folder/device.
Export
sub-menu option allows to save current profile to the
external folder/device.
View menu
View menu specifies visibility of the user interface (UI) elements.
Fullscreen Interface
sub-menu option allows to switch to borderless fullscreen
UI of the program. Press F11 hotkey to switch between
normal/borderless-fullscreen view.
Docks
sub-menu option enables next UI elements:

• Scenes :
if checked, shows Scenes pane.
• Sources :
if checked, shows Sources pane.
• Mixer :
if checked, shows Mixer pane.
• Scene Transitions :
if checked, shows Scene Transitions pane.
• Controls :
if checked, shows pane of control buttons.
• Stats :
if checked, shows Stats as additional docking-pane.
• OTHER_DOCKING_PANE :
if checked, shows docking pane of the enabled service,
if any.
(See Stream settings on page 149)
To restore default layout: choose sub-menu option Reset UI.
To keep docked layout static: leave Lock UI sub-menu option

checked by icon.
To make any docking-pane float: perform drag-and-drop move

over the docking item.
(See Floating docking-panes on page 30)
Toolbars
sub-menu option enables next UI elements:
• Listboxes :
if checked, tool-bars at the Scenes and Sources lists

panes are visible (enabled).
Status Bar
sub-menu option shows Status Bar in main window.
Multiview (Fullscreen)
sub-menu option allows to choose display device to show
full screen up to 8 combined scenes previews.
(See Multi-view of scenes on page 37)
Multiview (Windowed)
sub-menu option shows window of up to 8 combined
scenes previews.
Stats
sub-menu option shows current output status and
resources usage statistic window.
(See Stats on page 29)
UI elements marked by icon are visible (checked).

If UI not visible – its functions not disabled. Many options still available through right-
click menus or Hotkeys.
Edit menu
Edit menu has fast navigation links to most used properties of
the sources and scenes.
Copy
sub-menu option copies selected source to clipboard.
Paste (Reference)
use it to paste source from clipboard inserting it into the
scene as add existing.
Paste (Duplicate)
use it to paste source from clipboard inserting it into the
scene as full copy.
Copy/Paste sources between Scene Collections not possible yet.
(See Scene Collections menu on page 17)
Copy Filters
sub-menu option copies filters of the selected source to
clipboard.
Paste Filters
use it to paste filters from clipboard to the selected source.
Copy/Paste of the filters between Scene Collections not possible.
Transform
sub-menu option applies transform to the sources.
(See Transform on page 90)
Order
sub-menu option allows to rearrange the layers.
(See Layer shift (order) on page 88)
Preview Scaling
sub-menu option allows to change viewing size of the
preview window.
(See Preview Scaling on page 27)
Lock Preview
sub-menu option, if marked by icon then editing of the
source position and size in the preview window via manual
transform inaccessible. This setting prevents editing of the
scene by accident.
(See Working with sources (positioning) on page 34)
Uncheck Lock Preview option to enable edit in the preview window.
Advanced Audio Properties

sub-menu option opens audio mixer dialog window.
(See Mixer on page 179)
File menu
File menu has general program settings and options.
Show Recordings
sub-menu option opens in default file manager a directory
specified for the recordings.
Remux Recordings
sub-menu runs small build-in application for quick remux
video files to different container without re-encoding. For
example, FLV to MP4.
Settings
sub-menu opens application Settings window.
(See Application Settings on page 145)
Show Settings Folder

sub-menu opens in default file manager of the system the
directory where application stores its settings.
Show Profile Folder

sub-menu opens in default file manager of the system the
directory where application stores its profiles.
Always On Top
sub-menu option, if marked by icon then application
always visible over other windows.
Exit
sub-menu closes OBS Studio application.
Using canvas preview area

By mouse right-click over preview area you can access to the
menu of the source preferences and change scene appearance.
Enable Preview
If Enable Preview option is marked by icon then current
output rendered to the preview area. Canvas size of the preview
area depends on Application Settings.
(See Video on page 170)
Uncheck Enable Preview option to disable preview.
Lock Preview
If Lock Preview option is marked by icon then editing of the
source position and size in preview window via manual transform
inaccessible. This setting prevents editing of the whole scene

collection by accident.
(See, also Working with sources (positioning) on page 34)
Uncheck Lock Preview option via right-click menu or by View menu

to enable edit in preview window.
You can lock/unlock sources individually via sources lock icon.
(See Lock source at page 53)
(See Unlock source at page 53)
Preview Scaling
To scale preview window to fixed size of output (1:1 scale):
1) right-click on the preview area;
2) choose from sub-menu Output (1024x768) option, where
1024x768 is your current output resolution defined via
field Output (Scaled) Resolution, page 170.
Current scale of the preview window marked by icon.
Hold Spacebar key to drag and navigate the preview window by

mouse when visible area is smaller than current preview window
size (Preview Scaling is set to Canvas or Output ).
Hold Spacebar key to zoom the preview window by mouse

wheel when visible area is smaller than current preview window
size (Preview Scaling is set to Canvas or Output ).
To restore default zoom level - set any Preview Scaling mode

again.
Full screen preview (canvas)

To preview canvas in full screen:
2) choose sub-menu Fullscreen Projector (Preview);
3) select output device.
To exit full screen preview mode: press Esc button.
Windowed Projector (canvas)

To preview canvas in standalone resizable window:
2) choose sub-menu Windowed Projector (Preview).
Using Stats window

Stats window shows output status of the OBS Studio, recent
statistic on PC resources usage and encoding performance.
Parameters at warning level has yellow-orange color.

Parameters at error level has red color.
You can renew current statistic by pressing Reset button.
To open current Stats window, click corresponding View menu

option (Stats window has own docking-pane too).
(See View menu on page 20)
To open Stats window automatically, check the Open stats dialog

on startup option or use it as docking-pane.
(See General settings on page 145)

Other controls
You can use advanced features of the OBS Studio user interface
(UI) to get additional control over the working area and source
appearance.
Interactive windows
Some sources may require user input (logging on the external
website, accept confirmations etc.)
To interact with this kind of Sources, right-click over the source
and choose the option Interact. The source content will open in
a new window - there you can make your interactive changes.
Floating docking-panes
To make UI of the OBS Studio more handy you can place and/or
combine into tabs any available docking-pane (Sources list pane,
Scenes list pane, Mixer pane etc).
To make docking-pane float or combine it into tabs:

1) make unchecked the Lock UI option;
(See Lock UI on page 21)
2) grab by mouse the header of the docking-pane;
3) place pane to the new free area of the screen;
4) release the mouse button. Now the docking-pane is
floating window.
(See Illustration 1. Make pane float on page 31)
Illustration 1. Make pane float
By placing floating docking-pane over the OBS Studio main UI

sides you can make it docked again.
By placing floating docking-pane over the other dock pane from

the main UI - the docking-pane will be combined into tabs.
To revert all changes and return to default layout use the View
menu Reset UI option.
(See Reset UI on page 21)
Manipulation with sources/layers at preview area explained in:

Getting started on page 32;
Using Layers on page 86;
Working with sources (positioning) on page 34;
manual transform on page 93;
easy cropping on page 94; of the guide.
OBS Studio Help Guide Creating Scenes in OBS Studio
Creating Scenes in OBS Studio

About scenes and layers (OBS Studio)
OBS Studio uses scenes to combine output stream. Scene is
combination of the video layers. Each layer has one input
source. Different sets of layers joined into one scene. Only
current scene (i.e. selected scene) goes to the output stream.
So, you can prepare number of scenes and switch between them
on the fly (this action named Transition) to change your output
stream appearance.
Getting started
The first time you start the application, the blank scene named
Scene appeared under the Scenes list pane. Its content is visible
as empty list of the Sources.
Visibility of the each list/pane and toolbar is switchable.

(See View menu at page 20)
Create a new scene

You can create a new scene in the Scenes list by clicking
icon on the toolbar of the Scenes list. Or by right-clicking at the
empty space of the Scenes list and choosing action Add.
When you create a new scene, dialog will appear where you can
specify the name of the new scene.
Give to the scenes informative names like "Intro", "Pause" and so on.
Broadcasting of the empty scene is not the best option - just

add a source of your future video to the scene! The source can
be your camera, gameplay, PC display, any compatible
audio/video device or media file (other stream).
Add source to scene

To add source to scene use Getting Sources into OBS Studio method.
(See Getting Sources into OBS Studio on page 48)
Ready to start?
If you ready to start your first recording/streaming use main
interface control buttons to run the task.
(See Recording and Streaming on page 133)
Adjust Output
All video sources in scenes can be adjusted to match your
output. As well as output can be adjusted to your requirements.
(See Output on page 151)
Working with sources (positioning)

Source inside one scene can be moved to a different position by
mouse drag-and-drop.
To perform source move:
1) click and hold left mouse button at the center of the red
rectangle (bounding box) of the chosen source and drag it
to the new position;
2) release the mouse button.
Illustration 2. Source move

(See Illustration 2. Source move on page 35)
You can temporary disable snapping by holding down the Ctrl key while dragging sources.
Make sure that Lock Preview option unchecked.

(See Lock Preview on page 26)
Make sure that source not locked.

Source transform
Each source can be adjusted via its layer's Transform.
(See Using Layers on page 86)
Rename scene (source)

To rename scene or source:
1) right-click on the selected scene (source) in the Scenes list
pane (Sources list pane);
2) choose Rename option. Blinking cursor will appear near

the name of the scene (source);
3) specify a new name and press Enter.
Remove scene
To completely remove scene from a Scenes list: hit icon on
the toolbar of the Scenes list and agree to the confirmation
dialog.
Removed scenes cannot be recovered.
Full screen preview (scene)

To preview current scene in full screen:
1) right-click on the selected scene in Scenes list pane;
2) choose sub-menu Fullscreen Projector (Scene);
You can preview whole video output via right-clicking at preview window and choosing
sub-menu Fullscreen Projector (Preview)
(See Full screen preview (canvas) on page 28).
Windowed Projector (scene)

To preview current scene in standalone resizable window:
1) right-click on the selected scene in Scenes list pane;
2) choose sub-menu Windowed Projector (Scene).
Multi-view of scenes
Multi-view allows to preview number of scenes in one window.
To open new multi-view window see View menu options:

Multiview (Windowed) on page 22
Multiview (Fullscreen) on page 22
See possible layout of the Multiview (Fullscreen) at Illustration 3.

Multiview (Fullscreen) example on page 39
In multi-previews current preview (edit) scene marked by green

outline.
In multi-previews program (live) scene marked by red outline.
Click once on one of the multi-previews to switch current

preview (edit) to the desirable scene (perform Scene transitioning).
In Studio Mode you can click twice (depending on General settings

of the application) on one of the multi-previews to switch
program (live) to the desirable scene.
Illustration 3. Multiview (Fullscreen) example

To exit Multiview (Fullscreen) mode: press Esc button.
To include scene to the multi-view window make checked the

scene option Show in Multiview :
1) right-click over the selected scene in Scenes pane;
2) click on Show in Multiview option to make it checked by
icon;
3) the scene becomes available in both Multiview (Fullscreen)
and Multiview (Windowed) multi-views at last free position
(push back).
To exclude scene from multi-view make Show in Multiview

unchecked.
To change layout of the multi-view previews see General

settings on page 145.
Scene transitioning
You can setup transitions when switching between scenes.
Transition type (effect) is specified by Scene Transitions drop

down list (main window Scene Transitions pane). All effects
performed by GPU.
You can add new 'configurable' transition by clicking icon
under the Scene Transitions drop down list.
Dialog window should appear where you can specify a new

name for the configurable transition. Then you can configure
some options of the transition itself.
To remove selected configurable transition: click icon

under the Scene Transitions drop down list and agree to the
confirmation dialog.
To re-configure selected transition: click icon under the

Scene Transitions drop down list. Options dialog will appear,
complete changes and close dialog window by clicking OK
button.
Some transitions effects non-configurable.
Transition's time is defined by Duration parameter, in

milliseconds.
To perform transition from scene to scene, simply select new

scene in Scenes list pane, the transition effect will be applied
automatically.
You can specify Hotkeys to switch to each scene or you can use
Multi-view of scenes window to switch by the live previews of the

scenes.
(See Hotkeys on page 173)
Transition Override (per scene transitions)

To apply transition effect from the Scene Transitions drop down
list individually to the scene:
1) right-click on the selected scene in Scenes list;
2) select Transition Override sub-menu;
3) choose desirable transition effect. Chosen effect marked
by icon.
4) If needed, override transition duration too by setting new
duration value in milliseconds at the bottom field of the
same sub-menu.
To use global transition setup for the scene, apply transition

override None.
Transitions types
By default, next transitions types available:
Cut [non-configurable]
switches from one scene to another immediately, the
simplest type, low resources cost.
Fade [non-configurable]
switches from one scene to another in dissolve way,
moderate resources cost.

Options
• Duration :
defines duration of the complete scene change, in
milliseconds.
Fade to Color [configurable]

switches from one scene to another by fade into
intermediate color, moderate resources cost.
Options
• Duration :
milliseconds.
• Color :
defines intermediate color of the frame during
transition. Shows color in the hexadecimal format -
#AARRGGBB.
• Peak Color Point (percentage) :
defines rise and fall speeds of the color maximum
(lower values means faster rise).
Luma Swipe [configurable]

switches from one scene to another by fading into luma
level of the control image, high resources cost.
Options
• Duration :
milliseconds.
• Image :
specifies type of the transition effect (type of the control
image).
• Softness :
defines softness of the transition.
• Invert :
if checked, inverts direction of the transition.
Slide [configurable] :
switches from one scene to another by horizontal or
vertical frame replacement, moderate resources cost.
Options
• Duration :
milliseconds.
• Direction :
specifies direction of the frame movement (Left, Right,
Up, Down).
Stinger [configurable] :
switches from scene “A” to scene “B” using custom
intermediate video file as overlay (alpha channel supported),
high resources cost.
Options
• Video File :
specifies video file which will be used as intermediate
video overlay during transition. Transition ends when
playback of the video file ends.
Supported media types: mp4, ts, mov, flv, mkv, avi, gif, webm).
Files in .mov container with qtrle encoder was tested for intermediate videos
with 8-bit alpha support.
• Transition Point Type :
specifies type of the start point measurement for the

scene change. Next options available:
◦ Transition Point (frame) :
defines frame at which picture from scene “A”
replaced with picture from scene “B”. Frame number
measured from the start of the intermediate file.
◦ Transition Point (milliseconds) :
defines time at which picture from scene “A” replaced
with picture from scene “B”. Time measured from the
start of the intermediate file, in milliseconds.
• Audio Fade Style :
specifies type of the audio transition between scenes.
Next options available:
◦ Fade out to transition point then fade in :
audio from scene “A” fades out to Transition Point
(frame) and then audio from scene “B” fades in.
◦ Crossfade :
audio from scene “A” fades out to transition's end;
audio from scene “B” fades in from the start of the
transition.
• Audio Monitoring :
specifies control for intermediate file's audio output.
◦ Monitor Off :
intermediate file that in use shall route its audio
stream through the mixing options specified by
Tracks settings.
(See Advanced Audio Properties on page 179).
◦ Monitor Only (mute output) :
stream only through the output device specified by

Audio Monitoring Device.
(See Audio Monitoring Device on page 176)
Routing media's source audio stream with Monitor Only (mute output)
allow to user to hear the sound through the output device specified by Audio
Monitoring Device and adjust volume of the media source by ear.
◦ Monitor and Output :

stream through the output device specified by Audio
Monitoring Device and through the mixing options
specified by Tracks settings.
(See Advanced Audio Properties on page 179)
Swipe [configurable]
switches from one scene to another by horizontal or
vertical frame movement, moderate resources cost.
Options
• Duration :
milliseconds.
• Direction :
specifies direction of the frame movement (Left,
Right, Up, Down).
• Swipe In :
if checked, new scene will appear as side layer
(instead of top/bottom one).
OBS Studio Help Guide Getting Sources into OBS Studio
Getting Sources into

OBS Studio
About video and audio sources
Internet streams can combine different sets of video and audio
sources. You can work with both type of sources in OBS Studio.
OBS Studio can hold up to 6 audio tracks and 1 video in the
same output stream (recording video), while number of inputs
unlimited. Recording and streaming can be run independently
and may stop at any time.
Video sources Video sources - digital video content provided by

applications (usually game or camera).
Audio sources Audio sources - digital audio content provided

by applications (usually game sound or mic).
About video resolution and audio sample rate

In order to produce high-quality streams, it is important to
understand how video resolution matches to canvas aspect
ratio, and how to avoid of re-sampling audio tracks.
Video resolution and aspect ratio

Video resolution is an image size visible to viewer. It's width and
height in pixels named 'Video Resolution'.
Usually, video plays at full resolution on the screen. Due to a
different screen sizes and resolutions available on market, it is
wise to make streams compatible with common displays. Also,
sources can use different resolution inputs (each can be

adjusted by OBS Studio).
Maintain aspect ratio of the video

To maintain aspect ratio (width_in_pixels / height_in_pixels) of
the input video, when it displayed, use combination of cropping
and Transform.
(See Filters for Special Effects on page 89)
To make sure that the output video has the same aspect ratio
with the preview window - always set preview's canvas size
(resolution) with the same aspect ratio as output video.
Audio sample rate

Digital copy of sound uses quantization algorithm for numeric
representation. Thus, each sound stream consist of number of
digit sets (samples) flow. That number must exceed, at least
twice, the highest frequency of the sound stream. Human's ear
can recognize frequencies up to 20000 Hz Thus, most common
audio sample rates are 44100 Hz and 48000 Hz.
If your main audio input has 44100 Hz sample rate, then use in
OBS Studio: 44,1 kHz setting. To reduce quantization noises –
avoid sample rate conversions.
(See Audio on page 167).
For Windows platform you can compare and change your sampling settings at:
• in Windows, system's sampling settings located in
Recording (or Playback) devices>Properties>Advanced>Default Format
when device running in shared mode;
• in OBS Studio, application's sampling settings located in
Settings>Audio>Sample Rate.
Add new audio/video source to OBS Studio scene

To add new video/audio source to the current scene: click
icon on the toolbar of the Sources list pane. Or right-click at the
empty space of the Sources list pane and choose action Add.
The pop-up list of the supported sources types should appear.

Choose desirable one, for example: 'Game Capture'.
For camera input try first
Video Capture Device source.
In the next dialog you can specify the name of the new source
or add existing one (in other words - make a clone, paste as
reference).
Cloned sources has

independent
transform
properties, but
other settings are
linked. Use Add
Existing option, if
you want to add the
same source
through the scenes.
Make source visible

check-box determines - will be this source enabled for
output rendering or not. You can change this setting later.
(See Temporary disable source on page 53)
Enter new name and click OK button. OBS Studio will add source
to the canvas preview and opens properties dialog for the newly
created source input.
If required, adjust the properties and close dialog window by

clicking OK button.
Source management
Sources has simple controls through application's user
interface. You can disable, lock, group, remove, copy,
transform, add filters and reconfigure your sources.
Temporary disable source

To temporary disable existing source or make it invisible:
click icon in the Sources list, right to the source you wish
to disable.
The icon changes to , source excluded from the rendered
output (if source has audio it will be excluded from the mixer
processing too).
Temporary enable source

To temporary enable existing source or make it visible:
to enable.
The icon changes to , source included in the rendering
output (if source has audio it will be included to the mixer
processing too).
Lock source from preview edit

To lock the source from accidental editing in preview:
to exclude from the edit.
The icon changes to , source excluded from accidental edit
in the preview.
Unlock source to preview edit

To unlock the source, to be able to edit it in preview:
to enable for edit.
The icon changes to , source editable in preview window.
To lock/unlock whole preview window from accidental edit use Lock Preview by context
menu or main menu Lock Preview option.
Disable audio source

To disable audio source or mute it:
click icon in the Mixer pane, right to the source you wish
to disable.
The icon changes to , source disabled (muted).
Enable audio source

To enable audio source:
click icon in the Mixer pane, right to the source you wish
to enable.
The icon changes to , source enabled.
Configure source
To re-configure selected source:
click icon on toolbar under the Sources list pane (or right
under the source - in case of the audio from the Mixer pane).
Dialog window of available options will appear. Choose
needed, complete changes and close all opened dialog
windows by clicking OK button.
Rename source
To rename source:
1) right-click on the selected source (layer) in the Sources list;
2) choose Rename option. Blinking cursor will appear near
the name of the source;
3) specify a new name and press Enter.
(See Rename scene (source) on page 35)
Sources names supports rich text, a subset of HTML 4 markup, for example:
<b>Front</b> camera Front camera

<font color=#005f5f>Side</font> camera Side camera
Remove source
To completely remove selected source from the current scene
click icon on the toolbar of the Sources list pane. And agree
to the confirmation dialog.
Group Sources
Sources can be grouped into single item (technically, new
source) that has its own properties. Grouping of the sources
simplifies scene management. You can apply Transform, add
filter, Temporary disable source and Lock source of this grouped
sources at once, while sources inside the group will remain
untouched.
(See Illustration 4. Ungrouped (1) vs Grouped (2) sources in the
Sources list on page 56)
Group of the sources very similar to special Scene source.
Illustration 4. Ungrouped (1) vs Grouped (2) sources in the Sources list
Each new group has name and may contain other Sources.
To add new empty group right-click over the empty space in

the Sources list pane, choose context menu option Add and click
option Group. New group will be created and prompt to rename
the group will be shown, press the Enter key to confirm the new
group's name.
To add existing sources into the group select the sources and
drag-n-drop them via mouse move into the existing group.
To gather several sources under the new group right-click over

the selected sources and click sub-menu option Group Selected
Items. New group will be created and prompt to rename the
group will be shown, press the Enter key to confirm the new
group's name.
To break apart whole group of sources right-click over the

selected group's name and click option Ungroup.
To remove selected Group and all of its contents click icon

on the toolbar of the Sources list pane. And agree to the
confirmation dialog.
The Group of sources can be collapsed (the contents of the

group becomes hidden from the sources list) or can be
expanded (the hidden contents of the group becomes visible in
the sources list).
To collapse/expand the group click on the group's icon (left to

the group's name) in the Sources list pane or double-click over
the desirable group's name.
Set Color (or mark source with a custom color)

It is possible to mark any source in the Sources list pane by the
color. Selected color will be shown as background for source's
name in the sources list only.
To mark any source with the color in the sources list right-click
over the selected source and choose sub-menu option Set
Color. Then click on the desirable color rectangle from the sub-
menu to set the predefined color, or set custom color via
Custom Color option.
To remove any color marking from the source right-click over

the selected source, choose sub-menu option Set Color and
make option Clear checked with the icon.
Full screen preview (source)

To preview source in full screen:
1) right-click on the selected source (layer) in Sources list
pane;
2) choose sub-menu Fullscreen Projector (Source);
Windowed Projector (source)

To preview source in standalone resizable window:
1) right-click on the selected source (layer) in Sources list
pane;
2) choose sub-menu Windowed Projector (Source).
Sources types & properties

By default, next sources types available in OBS Studio:
Audio Capture Device (ALSA)

(source available for Linux PC)
Properties
Device :
specifies additional audio input device for capture.
Rate :
defines audio sample rate for the device.
Audio Input Capture

Properties
Device :
specifies additional audio input device for capture.
Use Device Timestamps :
if checked, OBS Studio will use time-stamps from the
specified device. [Unchecked by default]
Audio Output Capture

Properties
Device :
specifies additional audio device to capture output.
Use Device Timestamps :
if checked, OBS Studio will use time-stamps from the
specified device. [Checked by default]
Blackmagic Device
(video input devices from Blackmagic Design)
Properties
Device :
specifies video device installed in the system.
Supported devices: availability of the Blackmagic Design devices
depends on OS installation and hardware. Blackmagic Design
devices from “UltraStudio”, “DeckLink” and “Intensity” lines
should work well.
Mode :
specifies video mode of the device digital output
(NTSC, PAL, 1080p23.98, 1080i50 etc).
Pixel Format :
specifies format of the video received from the device
(8-bit YUV, YUV 4:2:0 etc).
Channel :
specifies audio input configuration, number of
channels (2ch, 5.1ch, 7.1ch etc).
Use Buffering :
if checked, device buffering enabled.
Deactivate when not showing :
if checked, device will be turned off when not
displaying. This also disables sound from the device.
Browser
Properties
Local file {check-box} :
defines either web page will be downloaded from the
internet or use local copy instead (if you have any).
• Local file :
path to the local resource.
URL :
specifies internet address of the desirable web-page,
like “https://obsproject.com/browser-source” or any
else. Option available only if Local file is checked.
Width :
defines width of the source in pixels.
Height :
defines height of the source in pixels.
Use custom frame rate :
defines either use own rendering frame rate for the
web page or use global setting defined at Application
Settings, Video section. Next options available:
• FPS :
defines frame rate of the webpage rendering, in
frames per second.
Custom CSS :
specifies additional Custom Style Sheets to be used
together with the loaded internet page.
Default global style overriding is set as:
body { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); margin: 0px auto; overflow:
hidden; }
Shutdown source when not visible :

if checked, source rendering will stop. If web-page has
any sound in it it will be muted too.
Refresh browser when scene becomes active :
if checked, browser will refresh the page as soon as
source becomes visible.
Refresh cache of current page {button} :
when clicked, the cache of the current opened web
page will be flushed.
Browser's cache is stored at plugin_config\obs-browser\Cache folder of the
user's folder where application stores its profile-based files and settings. Use
File menu to access this folder.
(See Show Settings Folder on page 25)
To click anything on the web page opened via the Browser source use right-click menu
option interact.
(See Interactive windows on page 30)
To enable hardware acceleration of the plugin's internal drawing make checked Enable
Browser Source Hardware Acceleration option.
(See Advanced Settings on page 175)
Color Source
Properties
Color :
defines color of the rectangle. Shows color of the
background in the hexadecimal format – #AARRGGBB.
Width :
defines width of the rectangle filled with the solid
color, in pixels.
Height :
defines height of the rectangle filled with the solid
color, in pixels.
Display Capture
Properties
Display :
specifies display that will be captured.
SLI/Crossfire Capture Mode (Slow) :
if checked, program will use compatibility mode for
systems with two or more video cards installed.
Enabling SLI/Crossfire Capture Mode (Slow) option can slightly decrease
capture performance due to additional VRAM to RAM downloading and
uploading job. Use it with SLI and CrossFire, if capture task cannot be
completed in usual way.
Capture Cursor :
if checked, system cursor will be captured to the
video.
Game Capture
Properties
Mode :
specifies capture source (window) selection method.
• Capture any fullscreen application :
if selected, OBS Studio will try to hook (capture) to
any full screen application.
If you got hook errors in log – temporary disable your security software.
To capture UWP (Metro/Store) applications make sure that OBS Studio
folder has access rights of user group ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES
with permissions to Read & execute|List folder contents|Read.
• Capture specific window :

if selected, you can specify the window that will be
captured.
Use Capture specific window option with executable name specified (see
below), if you switching screens (alt-tabbing) too often.
• Capture foreground window with hotkey :

if selected, you can specify any foreground window
that will be captured by 'Capture foreground
window' hotkey. Window remembered until
'Deactivate capture' hotkey is pressed.
Use Capture foreground window with hotkey option, if you switching
screens (alt-tabbing) too often and want to capture only specific window
for a some time.
Window :
specifies capture window or application's name.
Option available only if Mode: Capture specific window is
selected.
Window Match Priority:
specifies priority for window type recognition. Option
available only if Mode: Capture specific window is selected.

Force Scaling :
if checked, video will be scaled before went to render.
This scaling performed by GPU.
Scale resolution :
specifies new resolution of the input before it went to
render. This resolution appears as initial value of the

'Size' parameter for further transformations.
(See Transform dialog window on page 92)
Allow transparency :
if checked, alpha channel can be applied.
Limit capture framerate :
if checked, capture processing will be completed in
fixed intervals, regardless the input can provide higher
fps values.
Enable Limit capture framerate if you experience CPU overload with very
high fps video rendering (for example, game source itself isn't locked at 30fps
or rendered without vertical sync, and thus, can run at 300fps instead – that
overloads CPU).
Capture Cursor :
video.
Use anti-cheat compatibility hook :
if checked, OBS Studio will try to hook the application
to capture it in an unusual way. [Checked by default]
Try to enable Use anti-cheat compatibility hook if you experienced hook
errors with certain games.
Capture third-party overlays (such as steam) :

if checked, additional overlays (Steam like) will be
captured to the video output.
Hook Rate :
specifies how fast attempting to hook the process
when trying to capture newly created window (if old
one not valid anymore). In other words, how fast
recently started game will appear in OBS Studio. Next
options available:
• Slow :
sets interval up to 4 sec.
• Normal (recommended) :
• Fast :
• Fastest :
sets interval up to 0.2 sec.
Do not set it for too fast. Make sure that all other applications
successfully loaded its own hooks, modules and graphics libraries (for
example, Steam overlay uses same hook technology), otherwise result
may become unpredictable.
Syphon Client
(source available for Mac PC)
Properties
Source :
specifies source of Syphon frame sharing service.
Allow Transparency :
if checked, alpha channel can be applied.
Launch SyphonInject :
when clicked – Syphon capture started. Next options
available:
• Inject :
if checked, inject allowed.
• Application :
specifies application to capture.
Crop :
if checked, cropping to capture applied.
• Crop left :
defines amount of pixels cropped at left of the
capture.
• Crop top :
defines amount of pixels cropped at top of the
capture.
• Crop right :
defines amount of pixels cropped at right of the
capture.
• Crop bottom :
defines amount of pixels cropped at bottom of the
capture.
Syphon License :
when clicked – displays Syphon's license.
Image
Properties
Image file :
path to the local image.
Supported image types: bmp, tga, png, jpeg, jpg, gif, psd.
For animated GIF use Media Source input.
Unload image when not showing :

if checked, free memory, when image not in use.
Image Slide Show

Properties
Visibility behavior :
specifies playback control for all pictures (slides) of
the Image files list. Next options available:
• Stop when not visible, restart when visible :
stops playback of the slides in Image files list when
source invisible and restart playback from the top of

the Image files list if source became visible.
• Pause when not visible, unpause when visible :
pause playback of the slides in Image files list when
source invisible and resume playback from the
current point in Image files list if source became
visible.
• Always play even when not visible :
continuously playback slides in Image files list,
regardless of the source visibility.
Slide Mode :
specifies control over the slides playback order, i.e.
manual (via Hotkeys) or automatic.
Transition :
specifies transition effect from image to image.
Time Between Slides (milliseconds) :
defines duration of the one frame (image) in
slideshow, in milliseconds.
Transition Speed (milliseconds) :
defines duration of the complete change between
frames (images), in milliseconds.
Loop :
if checked, slideshow will play infinity times.
Hide when slideshow is done :
if checked, makes the source transparent as soon as
playback ends.
Randomize Playback :
if checked, ignores images order and output shuffle
list.
Bounding Size/Aspect Ratio :
defines aspect ratio or size of the shown images. May
be used as internal restriction to any Transform
settings.
Image files :
list of the images/directories included in the
slideshow. Top file is a first on playback. Source will
only load 5 images at a time to reduce memory usage.
Images are loaded and deleted from RAM when
necessary. Each image has a 2 image buffer.
: click icon to add new images to the Image files list.

• Add Files :
opens dialog to add multiply files;
• Add Directory :
opens dialog to add folder;
: click icon to remove selected images/directories from

the Image files list.
: click icon to change (replace) selected image in the

Image files list.
: click icon to shift selected images/directories one level

up in the Image files list.
: click icon to shift selected images/directories one level

down in the Image files list.
Intel(R) RealSense(TM) 3D Camera GreenScreen

(video input devices/cameras from Intel)
Properties
Device :
specifies video device/camera installed in the system.
Supported devices: availability of the Intel's camera devices
depends on OS installation and hardware.
JACK Input Client

Properties
Start JACK Server :
if checked, starts jack server.
Number of Channels :
defines number of audio channels available for input.
Media Source
Properties
Local File {check-box} :
if checked, enables local path browse.
• Local File :
path to the local resource.
Supported media types: mp4, ts, mov, flv, mkv, avi, mp3, ogg,
aac, wav, gif, webm).
• Loop :
if checked, source will play infinity times.
To create playlist (here it means concatenation of files with same codecs),
make txt file:
ffconcat version 1.0
file my_file01.flv
duration 1
file myfile-02.flv
duration 1
file myfile.flv
duration 1
and place it in the same folder as your my_file01.flv, myfile-02.flv, myfile.flv

(media's filename does not contain a protocol specification and is relative and
all components only contain characters from the portable character set
{letters, digits, period, underscore and hyphen} and have no period at the
beginning of a component); “duration 1” is optional parameter, the list is read
at once, so if reading one of the files fails – whole list wouldn't playback.
Choose that txt file as Local File to play files sequentially.
For more info see Demuxers (Concat) on developer's internet page.
Input :
specifies "file" to be parsed by FFmpeg demuxer
(general input string for libavformat library). Option
available only if Local File is unchecked.
"File" in meaning of the FFmpeg can be regular file, pipe, network stream,
grabbing device, etc.
Local relative/absolute path to the file also acceptable:

.\..\..\Temp\file.png (this is example of the Windows relative path
from the application's .exe to the destination file).
Input Format :
specifies type of the ffmpeg demuxer for input.
Enabled demuxers depends on build. Option available
only if Local File is unchecked.
Recently available input formats are – aa, applehttp, apng, asf, concat, flv
(use it in case of RTMP input), gif (animated), image2 (sequences), mov mp4
3gp QuickTime, mpegts, mpjpeg. For auto-selection leave Input Format field
empty.
Restart playback when source becomes active :

if checked, source will start its playback from the start,
each time you make it active (enabled/visible).
For each source you can specify Restart Media hotkey via Hotkeys. When
pressed, it will playback media from the start.
Use hardware decoding when available :

if checked, OBS Studio will try to use hardware
acceleration to playback the source.
Hide source when playback ends :
if checked, makes the source transparent as soon as
playback ends.
Close file when inactive :
if checked, frees file from usage when source not
active (not playbacks, not visible). Thus file in use can
be updated (overwritten).
Speed (percent) :
specifies the playback speed of the media source, in
percentage.
YUV Color Range :

specifies type of the input video color range (Auto,
Partial, Full).
Overbright clipping and darkness in shadows of the imported video may take
place when wrong color range specified. Set YUV Color Range: Auto – to let
the decoder detect input color range automatically.
Seekable :
if checked, performs HTTP source as seekable. Forces
time range header reading. [Unchecked by default]
Not all HTTP sources allow time range header reading.
Scene
(dummy source for scene cloning)
Properties
No properties available.
Source can be adjusted via changes completed to the “parent” of the cloned scene.
Screen Capture (XSHM)

Properties
Screen :
specifies screen that will be captured.
Capture Cursor :
video.
Advanced Settings :
if checked, next options became available.
• X Server :
specifies X Server (configuration).
Text (Free Type 2)

(Deprecated)
Properties
Select font :
opens standard font select window (system installed
fonts available only).
Text :
write there your text, which should be displayed as
text source.
Read from file :

if checked, OBS Studio will use content from the text
file instead of Text field.
Chat log mode :
if checked, last N number of lines of the input file will
be used as text source. N determined via:
• Chat log lines :
number of the lines shown in the Chat log mode.
Option available only if Chat log mode is checked.
Text File (UTF-8 or UTF-16) :
path to the text file.
Supported code pages: UTF-8, UTF-16.
Color 1 :
defines top color of the gradient fill. Shows color of
the font body in the hexadecimal format -
#AARRGGBB.
Color 2 :
defines bottom color of the gradient fill. Shows color
of the font body in the hexadecimal format -
#AARRGGBB.
Outline :
if checked, text becomes outlined.
Drop Shadow :
if checked, text will cast shadow.
Custom text width :
defines custom text width in pixels. Zero value means
no restrictions.
Word Wrap :
if checked, words will be wrapped to maintain width
defined by Custom text width.
Text (GDI+)
Properties
Select font :
opens standard font select window (system installed
fonts available only).
Text :
write there your text, which should be displayed as
text source.
Read from file :
if checked, OBS Studio will use content from the text
file instead of Text field (new dialog window will
appear to select the text file itself).
Text File (UTF-8) :
path to the text file.
Supported code pages: UTF-8.
Vertical :
if checked, uses vertical text left-to-right writing
method of displaying for the text block.
Do not use Vertical option with Latin letters – it may become rotated 90
degree clockwise instead of vertical effect. Try Chinese, Japanese etc.
characters set that supports vertical scripting.
Color :
defines color of the font. Shows color of the font body
in the hexadecimal format - #AARRGGBB.
Opacity :
defines opacity of the font.
Gradient :
in checked, enables gradient fill over the text body.
• Gradient Color :
defines color of the gradient fill. Shows color of the
gradient fill over the font body in the hexadecimal
format - #AARRGGBB.
• Gradient Opacity :
defines opacity of the gradient fill.
• Gradient Direction :
defines the angle for the direction of the linear
gradient fill. In degrees.
Background Color :
defines color of the font background. Shows color of
the font background in the hexadecimal format -
#AARRGGBB.
Background Opacity :
defines opacity of the background.
Alignment :
specifies horizontal alignment of the text inside text
block [Left], [Center], [Right].
Vertical Alignment :
specifies vertical alignment of the text inside text
block [Top], [Center], [Bottom].
Outline :
if checked, text becomes outlined. Next options
available:
• Outline Size :
specifies, size of the text outline.
• Outline Color :
specifies, color of the text outline.

• Outline Opacity :
specifies, opacity of the text outline.
Chatlog Mode :
if checked, last N number of lines of the input file will
be used as text source. N determined via:
• Chatlog Line Limit :
number of the lines shown in the Chatlog Mode.
Option available only if Chatlog Mode is checked.
Use Custom Text Extents :

if checked, enables additional control over text
properties. Next options available:
• Width :
defines custom text width in pixels. Truncates width
of the text string if it larger than specified value.
• Height :
defines custom text height in pixels. Truncates
height of the text string if it larger than specified
value.
• Wrap :
if checked, words will be wrapped to maintain width
defined by Width.
Video Capture Device

Properties
Device :
Supported devices: DirectShow input enabled device for
Windows; kernel enabled for Linux; AV Foundation enabled for

Mac.
For IP cameras use Media Source or VLC Video Source.
Deactivate :
deactivates selected device.
Configure Video :
configure device options if any available.
Configure Crossbar :
configure device options if any available.
Deactivate when not showing :
if checked, device will be turned off when not
displaying. This also disables sound from the device.
Resolution/FPS Type :
specifies to use device default resolution or set
custom.
• Resolution :
defines the value of the resolution for the device.
Option available only if Resolution/FPS Type parameter
is set to custom.
• FPS :
defines the value of the fps for the device. Option
available only if Resolution/FPS Type parameter is set
to custom.
• Video Format :
specifies type of video format for the device. Option
available only if Resolution/FPS Type parameter is set
to custom.
In some rare cases, camera input may display in purple color, like PAL
signal on NTSC screen. If that happen, specify Video Format manually.
YUV Color Space :

specifies color space of the input video.
YUV Color Range :
specifies type of the input video color range (how to
decode it).
Buffering :
specifies buffer type for the input device.
[Auto-detect] - sets buffer enabled for devices that has internal delay;
[Enabled] - forces buffer ON for most accurate playback (but latency may
increase);
[Disabled] - forces buffer OFF (good for facecam and low latency preview, in
cost of accuracy of the playback).
Flip vertically :
if checked, flips video input top down.
Audio Output Mode :
specifies to capture only or make sound heard from
other devices (like desktop speakers).
If Audio Output Mode set other than 'Capture audio only', then audio may be
captured from the general desktop device.
(See Audio on page 167)
Use custom audio device :

if checked, you can specify other audio device for
input capture.
• Audio Device :
specifies other audio capture device. Option
available only if Use custom audio device is checked.
Input :
specifies hardware input (option available for Linux
PC).
Video Standard :
specifies video standard of the input (option available
for Linux PC).

DVTiming :
specifies DV timing (option available for Linux PC).
Use buffering :
if checked, device buffering enabled (option available
for Linux PC).
VLC Video Source

Require VLC Player installed (at least, “libvlc”, “libvlccore” libraries and “plugins” folder
– last tested v3.0.6); 64bit player for obs64 and 32bit player for obs32. By default, the
libraries [libvlc.5.dylib | libvlc.dll | libvlc.so.5] search locations:
Mac
/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/lib/
/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/
Win
by registry path and key
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VideoLAN\VLC]
“InstallDir”
Win x64 and VLC x86 installed (special case, to use it in obs32)
by registry path and key
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\VideoLAN\VLC]
“InstallDir”
Linux
default libs location
Properties
Playlist :
list of the movies/directories included in the video
playlist. Top file is a first on playback.
Supported media types: mp4, ts, mov, flv, mkv, avi, mp3, ogg,
aac, wav, webm).
Loop Playlist :
if checked, playlist will play infinity times.
Shuffle Playlist :
if checked, randomizes the playback order when
multiply media added. If playlist alternates - new order
applies.
Visibility behavior :
specifies playback control for all movies in Playlist. Next
options available :
• Stop when not visible, restart when visible :
stops playback of the movies in Playlist when source
invisible and restart playback from the top of the
Playlist if source became visible.
• Pause when not visible, unpause when visible :
pause playback of the movies in Playlist when source
invisible and resume playback from the current
point in Playlist if source became visible.
• Always play even when not visible :
continuously playback movies in Playlist, regardless
of the source visibility.
Network Caching (ms) :
specifies duration of the caching for network-based
media files.
: click icon to add new movies to the Playlist.

• Add Files :
opens dialog to add multiply files;
• Add Directory :
opens dialog to add folder;
• Add Path/URL :
opens dialog to add any path or URL to the file
(network hosted files);
: click icon to remove selected movies/directories from

the Playlist.
: click icon to change (replace) selected movie in the

Playlist.
: click icon to shift selected movies/directories one level

up in the Playlist.
: click icon to shift selected movies/directories one level

down in the Playlist.
You can override playback order (Next | Previous) and duration (Play/Pause | Restart
| Stop) at any time via Hotkeys.
Window Capture
Properties
Window :
specifies window that will be captured.
Window Match Priority :
specifies priority for window type recognition.
Capture Cursor :
video.
Show Windows with empty names :

if checked, could show unlisted application's windows
to capture (option available for Mac PC).
Show Window shadow :

if checked, window shadow captured (option available
for Mac PC).
Window Capture (Xcomposite)

Properties
Window :
specifies window that will be captured.
Crop Top (pixels) :
defines amount of pixels cropped at top of the
window.
Crop Left (pixels) :
defines amount of pixels cropped at left of the
window.
Crop Right (pixels) :
defines amount of pixels cropped at right of the
window.
Crop Bottom (pixels) :
defines amount of pixels cropped at bottom of the
window.
Swap red and blue :
if checked, swaps Red and Blue channel colors in
captured window.
Lock X server when capturing :
if checked, X server locked while capturing.
Include X border :
if checked, X border included in video.
Use alpha-less texture format (Mesa work around) :
if checked, special texture format is used to help
capture certain windows with Mesa drivers.
OBS Studio Help Guide Using Layers
Using Layers
About layers (OBS Studio)
OBS Studio uses layers mechanism to render output stream.
Understanding Layers
Each source added to OBS Studio lies on a different layer.
OBS Studio uses layers combination to render output picture
that will be streamed or recorded.
Layers can has different properties: size, transparency, color

overlay etc. Top layer is the highest in the Sources list pane. All
layers in the list can be shifted by mouse drag-and-drop.
The top layer can cover content of the bottom one - arrange the
layers with caution and check it appearance in the Preview.
Manage Layers
Add new layer
New layer can be added to OBS Studio scene via add new source
option.
(See Add new audio/video source to OBS Studio scene on
page 50)
Rename layer
To rename layer use Rename source option.
(See Rename source on page 54)
Remove layer
Existing layer can be deleted via remove existing source option.
(See Remove source on page 55)
Temporary disable layer

Layer can be disabled via temporary disable source option.
(See Temporary disable source on page 53)
Temporary enable layer

Layer can be enabled via temporary enable source option.
(See Temporary enable source on page 53)
Transform layer
Layer can be changed via Filters.
Preview layer Fullscreen

To preview layer in full screen mode, use Fullscreen Projector
option.
(See Full screen preview (source) on page 59)
Layer shift (order)

To rearrange layers, perform mouse drag-and-drop move over
the layer in the Sources list pane:
1) select the layer you want to shift;
2) click and hold mouse button;
3) move selection to the new order;
4) release mouse button.
Or: select a layer from the Sources list, click icon on the
toolbar of the Sources list to shift the layer one level up; click
icon to shift selected layer one level down.
Also, you can right-click over the source, select Order sub-
menu and go to the arrange options.
OBS Studio Help Guide Filters for Special Effects
Filters for Special Effects

About plugin filters
You can install plugin filters developed by online community.
Once installed, the plugin filters appear at the Filters list and
work in the same way as built-in filters.
Using filters
To apply a filter, right-click on source (scene) and choose the
appropriate option from the pop-up menu. Some filters
available only for video sources, some – only for audio.
To access filters on audio source, click icon in Mixer pane.
Also accessible
via simple
right-click
menu over the
source in
Mixer pane.
General Filters: Transform, Deintarlacing, Cropping.

Transform
Transform filter changes appearance of the video source:
size, mirroring, rotation and cropping.
To make source (layer) transform:

1) right-click on the source in the Sources list pane;
2) choose Transform sub-menu;
3) click on Edit Transform...
4) Transform settings dialog will appear. Make changes to

the desirable fields and click close window button to
complete changes.
Illustration 5. Transform dialog window
To get best result from transform filter use Transform options (dependencies) table on
page 92.
All coordinates measured in pixels and starts at the top left

corner of the screen. The highest value is bottom right corner.
Table 1.Transform options (dependencies)
Bounding Size Bounding Box Aspect ratio Alignment

Box Type parameter Size (defined by) in Bounding
Box
No bounds Scale image - Fixed -
(original input)
Stretch to Doesn't affect Scale image Variable Doesn't affect

bounds (Bounding Box
Size)
Scale to inner Scale image Scale image Fixed adjustable

bounds (Size parameter)
Scale to outer Scale image Scale image Fixed adjustable

bounds (image exceed (Size parameter)
bounds on
Bounding Size Bounding Box Aspect ratio Alignment

Box Type parameter Size (defined by) in Bounding
Box
height or width)
Scale to width Scale image Scale image Fixed adjustable

of bounds (width always in (Size parameter)
bounds)
Scale to height Scale image Scale image Fixed adjustable

of bounds (height always (Size parameter)
in bounds)
Maximum size Scale image Scale image Fixed adjustable

only (but max size of (Size parameter)
the image is
fixed by Size
parameter)
Fast transform Fit to screen (Ctrl+F) option sets Bounding Box Size to 'Scale to inner
bounds', resets Size parameter to original input, and sets Bounding Box Size to canvas size.
Stretch to screen (Ctrl+S) option sets Bounding Box Size to 'Stretch to bounds', resets Size
parameter to original input, and sets Bounding Box Size to canvas size.
Center to screen (Ctrl+D) option sets Position parameters to center in accordance with
Position Alignment.
Reset transform (Ctrl + R) option sets Position to (0; 0), Rotation to 0, Size to source's
input size, Positional Alignment to 'Top Left', Bounding Box Type to 'No bounds', Crop to
(0; 0; 0; 0).
You can Copy Transform values (all-in-one) to clipboard and Paste Transform values from
clipboard over any selected scene item, including items from different scene collections.
To perform manual transform of any source in the preview

window:
1) click and hold mouse button over any small red square of
the source bounding box, in canvas preview window;

You can choose any available source, and drag its any bounding box circle in any
direction.
2) move mouse to a new position to achieve desirable scale
of the source (layer);
3) release mouse button.
(See Illustration 6. Transform with mouse move on
page 94)
Illustration 6. Transform with mouse move
You can temporary disable snapping by holding down the Ctrl key while re-sizing.
You can stretch the source to any new size by holding down Shift key while re-sizing. This
sets Size parameter of the source to the new custom value.
(See Table 1.Transform options (dependencies) on page 92)


To perform easy cropping (alt-cropping) move, over any source

in the preview window:
1) set Bounding Box Type of the source to 'No bounds';
Since v22.0.0 of the application you may ignore this step and leave Bounding Box
Type of the source unchanged.
2) press and hold Alt key;

3) click and hold mouse button over any small red square of
the source bounding box, in canvas preview window;
4) move mouse to new position to achieve desirable cropping
of the source (the cropped side of bounding box turns
green color);
5) release mouse button;
6) release Alt key.
(See Illustration 7. Easy cropping with mouse move on
page 96)
Cropping values stored in relative coordinates under the Crop section of the Scene
Item Transform window.
(See Illustration 5. Transform dialog window on page 92)


On Linux you may find out that Alt + Mouse reserved for other actions (like
window dragging). In this case look for the solutions online, also try
Super + Alt + Mouse combination instead.
On Mac use Option + Mouse key combination.
Illustration 7. Easy cropping with mouse move

Deinterlacing
Deinterlacing filter converts interlaced source into
progressive video.
Deinterlacing filter available only for supported types of the input sources. If your input
has visible horizontal stripes on fast moving objects, probably you have interlaced source –
apply deinterlacing filter.
To apply deinterlacing filter (remove interlacing of the video):

1) right-click on the interlaced source in Sources list;
2) select Deinterlacing sub-menu;
3) choose desirable deinterlacing filter and specify first
field (Top or Bottom). Chosen filter marked by icon.
To remove deinterlacing filter, apply deinterlacing filter Disable.
Deinterlacing filters (from simplest to complex):

• Discard :
only display one of the half-pictures (displaying each
line twice), discard the other.
• Retro (Bob or Discard 2x) :
display each half-picture like a full picture, by simply
displaying each line twice. Double framerate.
• Blend :
averages both half-pictures into single frame.
• Blend 2x :
averages half-pictures into frames (if needed previous
used). Double framerate.
• Linear :
interpolates lines of one half-picture, discard the other.
• Linear 2x :
interpolates lines of each half-picture. Double
framerate.
• Yadif :
interpolates lines of one half-picture using info from
both fields.
• Yadif 2x :
interpolates lines of each half-pictures using info from
both fields. Double framerate.
Scale Filtering
Scale Filtering determines mathematics algorithm used for
interpolation when image scaled up or down.
To apply scale filtering or simply force to use one of the scale

algorithms for any selected item:
1) right-click on the source in Sources list pane;
2) select Scale Filtering sub-menu;
3) choose desirable scale filter from the list. Chosen filter
marked by icon.
For Bicubic and Lanczos algorithms, if the item's scale is under half of the source's
original size, then application uses the Bilinear Low Resolution Downscale
algorithm.
To remove scale filter, apply scale filter Disable.
Scale filters (from simplest to complex):

• Point (or Nearest-neighbour) :
uses 1 pixel sample.
• Bilinear :
uses 4 pixels sample.
• Bicubic :
• Lanczos :
Visual Effect Filters

The top filter in the list applies first in the filters queue, the
bottom - applies last from all filters.
Let's apply, for example, the Crop/Pad filter.

To apply Crop/Pad filter under the Filters dialog: click icon on
the toolbar of the Effects Filters list. Or right-click at the empty
space of the Effects Filters list and choose action Add.
(See Illustration 8. Filters dialog window on page 101)

Illustration 8. Filters dialog window

New dialog will appear where you can specify the name of the
new filter.
Crop/Pad filter properties accessible right to the Effects Filters

list.
Make changes to filter's properties and close dialog window.
Apply LUT
Apply LUT filter do color styling of the video. The filter
similar to color profiling and color grading, it applies color
Look-Up Table (LUT) to produce visual effect.
Properties
Path :
specifies path to the profiling color table (*.PNG files).
Amount :
defines level of the effect. Lower values – less changes
completed to the original image.
To make new OBS Studio compatible custom LUT in PNG format – just apply same color
adjustments to the file “original.png” (neutral LUT table) as you did it for the sample
image that is adjusted using any editor program. Save changes and use this recently
changed LUT file in OBS Studio. Always keep copy of the neutral LUT file to be able to
make new LUTs from the scratch.
Chroma Key
Chroma Key filter cuts video's background using
information based on a specified color ('green screen').
Use well lightened solid color backgrounds to achieve best results with Chroma Key

filter.
Properties
Key Color Type :
specifies key color of the background that will be
extracted.
Key Color :
defines color of the background. Shows color of the
Similarity (1-1000) :
defines color similarity.
Smoothness (1-1000) :
defines color smoothness of the extraction.
Key Color Spill Reduction (1-1000) :
defines color spill reduction.
Opacity :
defines image opacity in %.
Contrast :
defines image contrast.
Brightness :
defines image brightness.
Gamma :

defines image gamma.
Color Correction
Color Correction filter makes some adjustments to image
color and appearance.
Use Color Correction to achieve specials effects.
Properties
Contrast :
Brightness :
Gamma :
Saturation :
defines image saturation.
Hue Shift :
defines image hue, in degrees.
Opacity :
Color :
defines color tint of the image. Shows color of the

Color Key
Color Key filter removes video's background. Same as
Chroma Key filter.
If Color Key produce robust result, then try to use Chroma Key filter.
Properties
Key Color Type :
specifies key color of the background that will be
extracted.
Key Color :
defines color of the background. Shows color of the
Similarity (1-1000) :
defines color similarity.
Smoothness (1-1000) :
defines color smoothness of the extraction.
Opacity :
Contrast :

Brightness :
Gamma :
Crop/Pad
Crop/Pad filter cuts the unneeded parts of the video source
from top, bottom, left, right sides. Or adds transparency
areas to top, bottom, left, right side of the video.
Use Crop/Pad filter if you have letter-boxed source or you want to make a letter-
boxed source.
Always apply Crop/Pad filter first (move it at the top of the list) – that leaves to
render less data, thus you can free some CPU/GPU power.
This filter acts independently of any cropping performed via 'easy cropping' function.
(See easy cropping on page 94)
Properties
Relative :
if checked, all coordinates of the image calculated as
relative. Next options become available:
• Left :
defines crop/pad value from the left side of the

source's image.
• Top :
defines crop/pad value from the top side of the
source's image.
• Right :
defines crop/pad value from the right side of the
source's image.
• Bottom :
defines crop/pad value from the bottom side of the
source's image.
Positive values – do cropping, negative values – do padding.
X:
defines new image size in pixels starting from top left
corner by X coordinate (horizontal axis).
Y:
defines new image size in pixels starting from top left
corner by Y coordinate (vertical axis).
Width :
defines new image width in pixels.
Height :
defines new image height in pixels.
Image Mask/Blend
Image Mask/Blend filter sets opacity or blends the source to
the specified image.
Image Mask/Blend useful to produce round-looking camera's inputs.

Properties
Type :
defines type of mask and blend.
If alpha mask is present in the image file itself, then choose type Alpha Mask
(Alpha Channel) to use it.
Path :
specifies path to local image file.
Supported image types: bmp, tga, png, jpeg, jpg, gif.
Color :
defines color tint of the image. Shows color of the
Opacity :
Stretch Image (discard image aspect ratio) :
if checked, mask will be stretched to match source's
size.
Render Delay
Render Delay filter can hold video for small amount of time
(showing nothing) and only then render it.

Properties
Delay (milliseconds) :
defines video delay of the source, in milliseconds.
Render Delay – data stored in Video RAM almost uncompressed, so 1 second
of 1920x1080@30fps can cost about 94..187MB of video memory.
Scaling/Aspect Ratio
Scaling/Aspect Ratio filter overrides default scaling filter of
the source/scene.
Properties
Scale Filtering :
specifies mathematics algorithm of the scaling
(interpolation algorithm).
For Bicubic and Lanczos algorithms if the item's scale is under half of the
source's original size, application uses the Bilinear Low Resolution
Downscale shader instead.
Point scaling allow old-looking style for retro art.

If your source (camera) produces stretched image by default, and you want to
correct this, then apply filter Scaling/Aspect Ratio and set desirable aspect
ratio of the image to the field Resolution (type it manually in
WidthScale : HeightScale format, or just exact size Width x Height format).
Resolution :
specifies resolution or aspect ratio of the scaled
image. This field must be set to other than None to
apply filtering specified by Scale Filtering field.
Undistort center of image when scaling from ultrawide :
if checked, makes center of the image uniform scaled
while left and right sides has distorted look.
Scroll
Scroll filter enables source self move along the bounding
box.
Use Scroll filter together with the text source to make scrolling string.
Properties
Horizontal Speed :
defines speed of the horizontal movement of the
source inside the bounding box.

Vertical Speed :
defines speed of the vertical movement of the source
inside the bounding box.
Limit Width :
if checked, limits scrolling width of the source.
• Width :
defines max width of the scroll (where image
repeats itself), in pixels.
Limit Height :
if checked, limits scrolling height of the source.
• Height :
defines max height of the scroll (where image
repeats itself), in pixels.
Sharpen
Sharpen filter slightly sharpens video.
Properties
Sharpness :
defines strength of sharpness enhancement.

Sound Effect Filters (Audio/Video)
Compressor
Compressor filter lowers dynamic range of the audio. Also,
can be used as simple limiter.
Properties
Ratio (X:1) :
defines compression ratio of the input signal.
Threshold (dB) :
defines the level from which all sounds will affect
filtering by this filter, in decibels.
Attack (ms) :
defines front length of the sound signal, in
milliseconds (how fast filter reacts on signal level
change).
Release (ms) :
defines back length of the sound signal, in
milliseconds (how fast filter fades from its changes).
Output Gain (dB) :
defines gain of the output after filtering, in decibels.
Sidechain/Ducking Source :
specifies different audio source (if any) which will be
used as side-chain audio track (helper track, smother
track) to adjust current audio.

Compression value applied to the current audio source, but values to trigger
this compression are taken from side-chain audio source (helper track, mute
track, smother track). So, if side-chain track audio fits threshold gate then the
main track is compressed (applies Ratio ... Output Gain). Kind of "audio
ducking" feature when filter used as simple audio limiter.
Some systems has global build-in ducking feature, see Windows audio
ducking on page 176
Expander
Expander filter uppers dynamic range of the audio. Can be
used as smooth noise floor filter.
Properties
Presets :
specifies used preset. Next options available:
• Expander :
sets filter's values for common use.
• Gate :
sets filter's values for aggressive processing below
specified threshold.
Ratio (X:1) :
defines expansion ratio of the input signal.
Threshold (dB) :
defines minimum level below which all sounds will
affect filtering by this filter, in decibels.
Attack (ms) :

milliseconds (how fast filter reacts on signal level

change).
Release (ms) :
Output Gain (dB) :
defines gain of the output after filtering, in decibels.
Detection :
specifies detector of the signal change. Next options
available:
• RMS :
uses Root-Mean-Square for calculation
(10 milliseconds window).
• Peak :
uses signal spikes detector (2.5 microseconds
window).
• None :
uses instantaneous values of the signal.
Gain
Gain filter makes audio source louder.
Properties
Gain (dB) :
defines gain of the audio, in decibels.

Invert Polarity
Invert Polarity filter inverts amplitude of each audio signal,
making each source's channel complementary to the
original.
Properties
No configurable properties available.
Limiter
Limiter filter sets hard limits on sound amplitude. Can lower
possible distortion effects for very loud sounds.
Properties
Threshold (dB) :
defines the max level at which all sounds will be hard
limited, in decibels.
Release (ms) :

The attack of the filter is hard-coded to 1 microsecond.
Noise Gate
Noise Gate filter cutoff all sounds lower than defined
volume level in audio input. Filters sound signal pikes on
start.
Properties
Close Threshold (dB) :
defines close threshold, in decibels, i.e. volume level
to mute sound signal.
Open Threshold (dB) :
defines open threshold , in decibels, i.e. volume level
to unmute sound signal.
To get best of the Noise Gate filter, set Close Threshold to minimum and set
Open Threshold to maximum, then adjust Open Threshold until level meter in
Mixer pane begins to react (to environmental noise, if you adjusting mic), and
then make adjustments to the Close Threshold again (about 8dB lower). For
example, Close Threshold = -96 bB Open Threshold = 0 dB, you'll find out
that at Open Threshold = -30 dB level meter begins to react, then set Close
Threshold = -38 dB. Threshold values are negative, thus -38 dB lower than
-30 dB. Close Threshold level value should be lower than Open Threshold.
For mic – make all adjustments in silent.
Attack Time (milliseconds) :

milliseconds (duration of the fade-in).
Hold Time (milliseconds) :

defines hold time of the sound signal, in milliseconds

(duration of the pause before 'close' should trigger,
when Close Threshold level already reached, i.e. time
hysteresis for 'close').
Release Time (milliseconds) :
milliseconds (duration of the fade-out).
Noise Suppression
Noise Suppression filter lowers noise level of the audio
source.
Properties
Suppression Level (dB) :
defines noise reduction level of the audio, in decibels.
Higher value – more noise hiss removed.
Video Delay (Async)

Video Delay (Async) filter delays video of the source, while
audio capturing of the source ignores this filter. Makes
video and audio asynchronous. Applies only to sources that
contains both tracks (video+audio). Common usage is
Video Capture Device source, which usually imports both
tracks into OBS Studio and sometimes can link to alternate
audio source or has buffered/filtered audio import that can

cause additional undesirable delay.
Properties
Delay (milliseconds) :
defines video delay of the source, in milliseconds.
VST 2.x Plug-in

VST 2.x Plug-in filter can use any external VST plugin v2
installed in the system. Thus, almost any real-time audio
effect is available for OBS Studio via this entry.
Properties
VST 2.x Plug-in :
external plugin selection. Availability of plugins
depends on system.
Open interface when active :
if checked, each time when plugin selected its
interface window opens automatically.
To open settings window of the external plugin click

Open Plug-in Interface button (button's name changes to
Close Plug-in Interface).
By default, the VST 2.x Plug-in searches for libraries [*.vst | *.dll | *.so | *.o] in:

Mac
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/
~/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST/
Win
C:/Program Files/Steinberg/VstPlugins/
C:/Program Files/Common Files/Steinberg/Shared Components/
C:/Program Files/Common Files/VST2
C:/Program Files/Common Files/VSTPlugins/
C:/Program Files/VSTPlugins/
Win x64, special case only: VST is 32-bit, and obs32.exe in use
C:/Program Files (x86)/Steinberg/VstPlugins/
C:/Program Files (x86)/Common Files/Steinberg/Shared Components/
C:/Program Files (x86)/Common Files/VST2
C:/Program Files (x86)/Common Files/VSTPlugins/
C:/Program Files (x86)/VSTPlugins/
Linux
by VST_PATH environmental variable or:
/usr/lib/vst/
/usr/lib/lxvst/
/usr/lib/linux_vst/
/usr/lib64/vst/
/usr/lib64/lxvst/
/usr/lib64/linux_vst/
/usr/local/lib/vst/
/usr/local/lib/lxvst/
/usr/local/lib/linux_vst/
/usr/local/lib64/vst/
/usr/local/lib64/lxvst/
/usr/local/lib64/linux_vst/
~/.vst/
~/.lxvst/

OBS Studio Help Guide Additional Tools
Additional Tools
About additional tools
OBS Studio supports external plugins. All external plugins and
its settings available under the main menu Tools , if other not
mentioned by plugin's creator.
(See Tools menu on page 16)
Tools
All program tools are optional if other not mentioned.
See Auto-Configuration Wizard on page 120

See Automatic Scene Switcher on page 121
See Captions (Experimental) on page 124
See Decklink Output on page 125
See Output Timer on page 127
See Scripts on page 128
Auto-Configuration Wizard
Auto-Configuration Wizard tool designated to automatically
optimize application's main settings for streaming and
recording.

Wizard will run few performance tests of the PC and suggest to

apply new optimized settings at the end.
Only single audio track setups supported by this wizard.

(See Output Mode: Simple on page 152)
Automatic Scene Switcher

Automatic Scene Switcher tool designed to help switch
OBS Studio scenes in accordance to the current active
window.

You can setup batch of the scene switching and use it when you
alt-tabbing between program windows. The current output
scene should change by follow your tabbing. By default, global
transition's filter is used.
(See Scene transitioning on page 40)
Properties
At the top of the properties window there is:
• drop down list of the available program windows (left);
• drop down list of the available OBS Studio scenes.
You can type regular expression (mask) in the field of the
drop down list of the available program windows.
From the list of metacharacters {}[]()^$.|*+?\ for regular expression, most popular
are:
. – point, matches any single character;

[ ] – matches a single character that is contained within the brackets. You can
specify massive of the characters inside the brackets, but only one used for compare;
[^ ] – matches a single character that is not contained within the brackets. You can
specify massive of the characters inside the brackets, all excluded from the compare;

* – matches the preceding element zero or more times. If preceding element is "."
then matches any character set (word);
{m} – matches the preceding element at least m times;
\ – with following character, a backslash causes the metacharacter to be treated as a
literal character. Thus you can use "\[" as meaning of "[" character.
Example
Window 1 header: OBS 0.16.0 (64bit, windows) - Profile: test01 - Scenes: test01
Window 4 header: OBS 0.16.0 (windows) - Profile: test22 - Scenes: test_1
Window 5 header: OBS 0.16.1 (windows) - Profile: t22222 - Scenes: test_2
Window 6 header: OBS 0.16.2 (windows) - Profile: t22233 - Scenes: test_3
.* – matches 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6;
.*64bit.* – matches 1, 2, 3;
.*test_. – matches 4, 5, 6;
.*test_1 – matches 4;
.*test0[13].* – matches 1, 2, 3; there "1" and "3" within the brackets are literal
characters, not a number;
.*2{3}.* – matches 5, 6;
.*$.......$.* – matches 4, 5, 6;
OBS 0\.16\.2.* – matches 3, 6.
List of the scenes and matching windows :

specifies the list of the assignments (i.e. Scene -
program Window).
:
click icon to add new assignment (link/rule) to the List
of the scenes and matching windows. New assignment
(link/rule) based on the current selection of the
'program Window – Scene' pair from the two drop
down lists at the top of the properties window (right
above the List of the scenes and matching windows).
:
click icon to remove selected assignment (link/rule)
from the List of the scenes and matching windows.

When no window matches :

specifies action on window change when current
window not on the List of the scenes and matching
windows. Next options available:
• Don't switch :
if selected, do nothing.
• Switch to :
if selected, sets current scene to the scene selected
from the drop down list right to the parameter.
Check active window title every :
defines refresh rate of the tool's window check trigger,
in milliseconds.
Lower value – faster response on program window change.
Scene Switcher is :
info string, showing current state of the tool (Active,
Inactive etc.).
Tool activates (deactivates) by clicking Start (Stop) button.
Captions (Experimental)
Captions (Experimental) tool designed to automatically add
closed captions to the stream.

The Captions (Experimental) tool uses system's speech

recognition engine (speech-to-text) to make closed captions.
The web service and user's player must support closed captions
decoding to able to see the subtitles on their screen.
Properties
Enable :
if checked, enables closed captions in the stream.
Audio source :
specifies the source of the audio for speech
recognition.
Language :
specifies the language of the closed captions and
language for speech recognition.
Provider :
specifies external module for speech recognition that
is used right now.
Availability and quality of the speech recognition depends on system.
Decklink Output
Decklink Output tool designed to control Blackmagic Design

video capture devices directly from OBS Studio.
Properties
Device :
Supported devices: availability of the Blackmagic Design devices
depends on OS installation and hardware. Blackmagic Design
devices from “UltraStudio”, “DeckLink” and “Intensity” lines
should work well.
Mode :
specifies video mode of the device digital output
(NTSC, PAL, 1080p23.98, 1080i50 etc).
Autostart on launch :
if checked device's output will be started with the
launch of OBS Studio.
Keyer :
if checked, enables special use of the output that uses
alpha channel information to acts like a “keyer” over all
footage. This option needs RGB color format to be set
in OBS Studio for output.
(See Advanced Settings on page 175)

To start selected capture device for output - click Start button.
To stop selected capture device from output – click Stop button.
Output Timer
Output Timer tool designed to automatically stop streaming
or recording event after fixed amount of time elapsed.
Properties
Stop streaming after :
defines time interval to stop streaming event (hour,
minutes, seconds).
Enable streaming timer every time :
If checked, the timer should start countdown
automatically when you begin streaming via Start
Streaming button.
Streaming stopping in :
shows remaining time of the streaming event.
Stop recording after :
defines time interval to stop recording event (hour,
minutes, seconds).

Enable recording timer every time :

If checked, the timer should start countdown
automatically when you begin recording via Start
Recording button.
Recording stopping in :
shows remaining time of the recording event.
Tool activates (deactivates) by clicking Start (Stop) button in

accordance to the event.
You can terminate streaming/recording event before timer

ends from OBS Studio main interface as usual.
(See Recording on page 133)
(See Streaming on page 136)
Also, you can start Output Timer while streaming/recording

already active.
Scripts
Scripts tool designed to automate different tasks and
extend application capabilities by using custom written
scripts.

Programming languages supported by Scripts tool:

• LuaJIT v2 (which is close to Lua 5.1);
• Python v3.
Both LuaJIT (.lua) and Python (.py) written scripts can use third party external libraries –
this potentially weakens the security of the system.
Improperly written scripts can result in bad capture performance and application crash.
Properties
Scripts tab - list of the loaded scripts, its controls and
options. Next controls available on this tab:
Loaded Scripts :
list of the loaded scripts.
:
click icon to add new script to the list of the
loaded scripts.
:

click icon to remove selected script from the list

of the loaded scripts.
:
click icon to reload selected script. The script will
restart.
Script Log :
opens new window with script's own logging info
(if any).
Description :
short info on the selected script itself.
Below the Description there is user adjustable script's

properties (optional).
Python Settings tab - controls to customize the path to the

Python main executable (installation folder).
On Windows, you must install Python v3.6 64bit for OBS Studio 64bit (default), or
Python v3.6 32bit if using OBS Studio 32bit to be able to use .py scripts files.
Scripts shipped with the application:

• clock-source.lua :
places new source named Lua Clock to the Add list of
new sources. Lua Clock source renders simple analog
clocks of the current system time zone.
• countdown.lua :
replaces Text field of the specified text source with the
simple countdown timer 00:00:00.
• instant-replay.lua :
plays back the last Replay Buffer file in the specified media
source.
• url-text.py :

replaces Text field of the specified text source with the

text from the URL.
Working example of the Lua script - "countdown.lua" you can

find in:
application's_folder\data\obs-plugins\frontend-tools\scripts
That script replaces Text field of the specified text source with
the simple countdown - 00:00:00.
To enable the "countdown.lua" script:

1) add Text (GDI+) or Text (Free Type 2) source to the Scene;
(See Getting Sources into OBS Studio on page 48)
2) open Scripts tool;
(See Tools menu on page 16)
3) add script by clicking button and navigating the
"countdown.lua" file;
4) click reload script button ( ) to get list of recent added
text sources and choose desirable one at Text Source drop
down list of the script's properties.
The example script ("countdown.lua") start to work immediately.
The script will run until the end of the countdown, then message
defined by the field Final Text of the script properties will be
shown instead of the 00:00:00.
To reset the countdown timer of the "countdown.lua" script:

• press Reset Timer button of the script properties;
• or disable/enable text source;

(See Temporary enable source on page 53)

• or switch to scene that has source affected by this script.
(See Scene transitioning on page 40)
To change the countdown duration - just type new value in

Duration (minutes) field of the script properties. Changes applies
immediately.
The example script "countdown.lua" doesn't work if Duplicate Sources is checked while
you are working in Studio Mode.
For more info on scripts writing check the developer's internet page [obsproject.com].

OBS Studio Help Guide Recording and Streaming
Recording and Streaming

About recording and streaming
Two types of output takes place in OBS Studio:
Local recording - when capturing material are stored on
local PC;
Network streaming - when capturing material streamed
over the Web.
Both types of output in OBS Studio can be running
simultaneously and independently.
Recording
User may start and stop record at any time. Click the button
Start Recording to begin recording current scene.
The button's name changes to Stop Recording.

Click the button Stop Recording to stop recording current

scene.
When stop recording triggered, button's name changes to 'Stopping Recording...'
For fast access to your recordings, use File menu Show Recordings.
(See Show Recordings on page 25)
To change default path where recordings stored in Output Mode:

Simple, see Recording path on page 153.
To change default path where recordings stored in Output Mode:

Advanced, see Recording path on page 160.
You may define hotkeys (shortcuts) to start and stop recording.

For fine tuning Recording in Output Mode: Simple, see Recording on

page 153.
For fine tuning Recording in Output Mode: Advanced, see Recording

tab on page 159.
Replay Buffer
User may start and stop Replay Buffer feature at any time. Click
the Start Replay Buffer button to begin recording current scene
to the PC memory (RAM) using circular buffer technology. This
allows to save short fragment of the real-time footage (for the
past few seconds) to playback it again later or repeat it
immediately (i.e. make replay).

To enable Replay Buffer button, check the option Enable Replay

Buffer.
(See Output Mode: Simple on page 152)
(See Output Mode: Advanced on page 155)
If enabled, new button Start Replay Buffer added to the Controls

pane.
To save last fragment of the recorded video from the RAM to

the disk - use hotkey Save Replay.
When Replay Buffer started, the button's name changes to Stop

Replay Buffer.
Click the button Stop Replay Buffer to stop recording current scene
using circular buffer technology.
When stop replay buffer triggered, button's name changes to 'Stopping Replay Buffer...'
For fine tuning Replay Buffer:

See Enable Replay Buffer on page 154 {Output Mode: Simple}

See Enable Replay Buffer on page 166 {Output Mode: Advanced}
Streaming
User may start and stop stream at any time. Click the button
Start Streaming to begin streaming current scene.
The button's name changes to Stop Streaming.

Click the button Stop Streaming to stop streaming current
scene.
If you enable Stream Delay (buffer), then you'll have two possible options to stop the
stream: by click Stop Streaming and choose 'Stop Streaming' – application transmit data
until empty buffer; or by click Stop Streaming and choose 'Stop Streaming (discard delay)'
– application immediately stops data transmit.
(see Advanced Settings on page 175)
When stop streaming triggered, button's name changes to 'Stopping Stream...'
To change the streaming URL and web server settings see Stream
settings on page 149.

You may define hotkeys (shortcuts) to start and stop streaming.

For fine tuning Streaming in Output Mode: Simple, see Streaming on

page 152.
For fine tuning Streaming in Output Mode: Advanced, see Streaming
tab on page 155.
Studio Mode
While streaming or recording you can edit scenes without
affecting an output.
To enter the Studio Mode: click the Studio Mode button (main
window).
The button's color changes to 'selected' state (blue).

The preview canvas splits into two screens:

The left one – scene to edit (or “Preview”).
The right one – actual output (or “Program”), not editable.
(See Illustration 9. Studio Mode view on page 139)
For vertical layout (portrait mode of the display:

The top one – scene to edit (or “Preview”).
The bottom one – actual output (or “Program”), not editable.
(See Enable portrait/vertical layout for Studio Mode on
page 148)
To make any changes to scenes in Studio Mode: select scene

from the Scenes list pane and edit it in the left screen.
To adjust Studio Mode interface see General settings on

page 145.
To adjust Studio Mode options click icon at the center of

the main window. Next options available:
Duplicate Scene :
if checked, Scene virtually doubled, thus you can edit
current output scene, while keeping the 'old scene version'
at the output. Only transform, position and visibility of the
layers are editable.
Always keep Duplicate Scene checked if you planning to edit all scenes 'live',
including current scene.
Duplicate Sources :
if checked, sources inside scene virtually doubled, thus you
can edit also Sources types & properties. Option accessible only

if Duplicate Scene is checked.

Not all sources able to copy themselves virtually – changes completed to such
sources properties would be shown immediately. First, try to edit not current scene:
select current scene (it goes to output), enter Studio Mode, select desirable scene,
complete changes, and then make transition (or exit Studio Mode and switch to
already changed scene later).
Swap Preview/Output Scenes After Transitioning :

if checked, after transition completed in Studio Mode,
OBS Studio will select scene that was on output before that
transition.
Check Swap Preview/Output Scenes After Transitioning if you planning to change
and switch between two editable scenes too often. It is rare setting, you may leave it
unchecked.
Illustration 9. Studio Mode view

The changes made to the scene become visible (goes to the

output) when you:
• click on Transition button (at the center of the main
window - between left and right previews);
• double-click Scene in Scenes list pane (depending on
application's General settings);
• double-click previews in Multi-view of scenes window.
• click Quick Transitions buttons (at the center of the main
window - between left and right previews).
New transition type in Studio Mode can be added via Quick

Transitions button: click icon at the center of the main
window and choose new transition type.
Each Quick Transitions is adjustable via its own drop-down menu.
This Quick Transitions accessible via application's Hotkeys too.
Quick Transitions ignores Transition Override (per scene transitions)

scene setting.
Full screen preview (program)

To preview program (live) output in full screen:
1) enter Studio Mode;
2) right-click in the right view ("Program") of the Studio Mode;
3) choose sub-menu Fullscreen Projector (Program);

Windowed Projector (program)

To preview program (live) output in standalone resizable
window:
1) enter Studio Mode;
2) right-click in the right view ("Program") of the Studio Mode;
3) choose sub-menu Windowed Projector (Program).
Program (live) preview as well as editable window preview also

available at multi-view window.
To exit Studio Mode click the button Studio Mode again.

Exit from Studio Mode doesn't change an output. OBS Studio will display current output
scene (that was on right half of the screen or “Program”) at preview window.

OBS Studio Help Guide Themes
Themes
About themes
OBS Studio can use different program themes (skins).
The 'Dark' theme suitable for evening time streaming, while
'Default' theme is versatile.
Changing current theme

To change current theme click Settings button. Navigate to
General options in Settings window, choose a new theme from
the drop-down list and click OK button to save changes.

OBS Studio Help Guide Themes
Custom themes
OBS Studio Studio uses .qss file format to store application
themes (skins). To use any custom theme - place the folder
named “themes” (with *.qss files in it) to the user's folder where
application stores its profile-based files and settings. Use File
menu to access this folder.
Make sure that theme name is unique. Otherwise application

will use default theme. New theme become available under the
same list with the pre-installed ones.
Qt Style Sheet terminology and syntactic rules are almost

identical to those of HTML Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) but
adapted to the world of widgets.
If you novice to CSS and Qt programming but still want to start
your own theme, it is wise to begin from the default themes
pre-installed with the application.

OBS Studio Help Guide Manage Profiles
Manage Profiles
About profiles in OBS Studio
All program preferences stored as profiles. You can use
different settings for frequently used tasks by simply changing
profiles.
To change, make new, rename, duplicate, remove, import or

export profile use main menu Profile.
(See Profile menu on page 19)
More likely path for output and encoder settings will be stored in the profile.
Any information related to Sources stored in Scene Collections.

Hotkeys, Push-to-talk keys etc. stored in Scene Collections, so it is good practice to change
Profile and Scene Collections simultaneously.

OBS Studio Help Guide Application Settings
Application Settings
About settings
By default, application is ready to record and to stream out-of-
the-box. But for a fine tune and for individual requirements you
can adjust every option on your wish. All the settings available
through the Settings button, main window, or same File menu
option.
General
There is options to specify default interface language, theme,
confirmations and snapping options.
General settings
Defines common settings of the application user interface.
General
Language :
specifies interface language.
Theme :
specifies appearance of the program (skin).
(See Themes on page 142)
Automatically check for updates on startup :
if checked, the program shall check update server for new
versions of the software each time it starts.
Open stats dialog on startup :
if checked, the Stats window will open automatically each
time you run the application.

Output
Show confirmation dialog when starting streams :
if checked, confirmation dialog will appear before stream
begins.
Show confirmation dialog when stopping streams :
if checked, confirmation dialog will appear before stream
ends.
Check Show confirmation dialog when stopping streams and Show confirmation
dialog when starting streams to avoid stop/run a stream by accident.
Automatically record when streaming :

if checked, both streaming and recording started after Start
Streaming button pressed.
• Keep recording when stream stops :
if checked, recording stops only by user action on Stop
Recording button. Option available only if Automatically
record when streaming is checked.
Automatically start replay buffer when streaming :
if checked, both streaming and replay buffer started after
Start Streaming button pressed. Option available only if Enable
Replay Buffer is checked.
(See Replay Buffer on page 134)
• Keep replay buffer active when stream stops :
if checked, replay buffer stops only by user action on
Stop Replay Buffer button. Option available only if
Automatically start replay buffer when streaming is checked.
Source Alignment Snapping

• Enable :
if checked, source's bounding box will 'magnetize' to
selected elements of the preview window. Next options

adjustable when Source Alignment Snapping: Enable

checked:
◦ Snap Sensitivity :
defines strength (width) of the snapping zone, in
pixels.
◦ Snap Sources to edge of the screen :
if checked, all sources can snap to edges of the
preview window.
◦ Snap Sources to other sources :
if checked, source can snap to bounding box of
another source.
◦ Snap Sources to horizontal and vertical center :
if checked, source can snap to center of the preview
window.
Preview
Hide overflow :
if checked, drawing of the bounding box area of the source
outside the canvas will be disabled.
Overflow always visible :
if checked, for all sources but hidden will be drawn its
bounding box areas that lies outside the canvas (no matter
if these sources selected or not).
Show overflow even when source is invisible :
if checked, the drawing of the bounding box area of the
source that lies outside the canvas will be enabled for
hidden sources too.
Projectors
Hide cursor over projectors :

if checked, cursor shouldn't appear over projector's screen

until right-click action not performed by user.
(See Full screen preview (canvas) on page 28)
Make projectors always on top :
if checked, other windows shouldn't appear over
projector's screen.
Save projectors on exit :
if checked, projector's screen position (Display)
remembered on exit and restored upon application startup.
System Tray
Enable : if checked, application's icon added to the system tray.
You can hide/show application window via tray icon menu.
• Minimize to system tray when started :
if checked, application starts minimized. You can show
application from the tray icon menu. Option available
only if Enable to the system tray is checked.
• Always minimize to system tray instead of task bar :
if checked, when user presses 'minimize window' button
- application hides to system tray. Option available only
if Enable to the system tray is checked.
Studio Mode
Transition to scene when double-clicked :
if checked, enables transition to scene by double-click over
any scene in Scenes list pane when in Studio Mode.
Enable portrait/vertical layout for Studio Mode :
if checked, enables vertical layout of Preview/Program
windows (Preview above Program window) when in Studio
Mode.

Multiview
Click to switch between scenes :
if checked, allows mouse clicks over the Multi-view of scenes
previews to switch between Scenes.
Show scene names :
if checked, shows in previews the labels of the scene
names.
Draw safe areas (EBU R 95) :
if checked, shows camera safe areas over Preview window
according to EBU R 95 recommendations.
Multiview Layout :
specifies Multi-view of scenes previews placement.
Stream
There is options to specify streaming Web service, streaming
server, individual stream key or link your account from the web
service to the current OBS Studio setup.
Stream settings
You can use automatically updated list of supported web
services or customize your own server
Service :
• specifies a Web service you want to stream to by selecting
it from the list of available services.
Some services can add its own docking panes to the user interface of OBS Studio
for convenience.

• Select Show All... from the list to show full list of available
services.
• Select Custom... from the list to configure your own target
server.
Connect Account (optional) {button} :

when clicked opens build-in browser login window to log in
to the selected Service.
Use Stream Key {button} :
when clicked next options becomes available:
• Server :
specifies the server from the list of the available servers
for the selected Service.
• Stream Key (Link*) :
specifies individual user's stream key. By security
reasons key shown wildcards.
Usually, stream key (“stream name” for some services) provided by Web
service, in way defined by Web service itself.
* Link – shown to the right to the option's name (if any) when clicked opens
in default browser web page of the Service, where you can get your
individual Stream Key.
◦ Show {button} :
when clicked, Stream Key showed normally (no
wildcards).
Service: Custom...
When selected, next options becomes available:
Server :
specifies URL to streaming server.

Stream Key :
specifies individual user's stream key to the selected
server. By security reasons key shown wildcards.
• Show {button} :
when clicked, Stream Key showed normally (no
wildcards).
Use authentication :
if checked, next options available:
• Username :
specifies login on server, if required.
• Password :
specifies password to login on server, if required.
◦ Show {button} :
when pressed, Password showed normally (no
wildcards).
Output
There is options to define encoder settings, bitrate, output path
and number of audio tracks available in output video.
Output Mode
Under the Output Mode: Simple only one audio track (#1) is forced
to output stream/record.
Set Output Mode to Advanced to get advantage of the multi-track
feature.

To set Output Mode to Advanced , navigate to Output options in

Settings window, choose Output Mode: Advanced from the drop-
down list and click Apply button to save changes.
Output Mode: Simple

Streaming
• Video Bitrate :
defines encoding bitrate for the output video. Value in
kbps.
• Encoder :
encoder type. Default value depends on hardware
configuration, versatile one is 'Software (x264)'.
Availability of encoders depends on PC configuration.
• Audio Bitrate :
defines encoding bitrate for the output sound. Value in
kbps.
• Enable Advanced Encoder Settings :
when checked, new options for Encoder available:
◦ Enforce streaming service bitrate limits :
if checked, default maximum bitrate for selected
streaming service should be applied instead of value
specified on this tab.
◦ Encoder Presets :
presets that increases scanning deep of the encoder
algorithm for motion detection. Highest value is
ultrafast (no scan) for x264 encoder. Lowest value is
slower (deep scan) for x264 encoder.
Set Encoder Presets to veryfast or superfast – most modern CPUs unable to
encode high resolution video in real-time with x264 encoder under lower
presets without frames drop. Lower presets generates video with higher
quality at the same bitrate.

◦ Custom Encoder Settings :

defines custom encoder settings that overrides any
preset settings, parameters separated with space. For
example, qp=24 bframes=0 colormatrix=bt470bg
List of the parameters depends on the encoder. Default encoder is x264.
Look for parameters list on the developer's internet page [obsproject.com].
Make sure that keys separated with space (no invisible special symbols).
Recording
• Recording path :
defines directory (folder) where new recordings will be
stored.
• Generate File Name without Space :
if checked, a new file name for recording will not
contain space symbols.
• Recording Quality :
preset that defines does the recording would be saved
under the same as stream encoding settings or not.
Recording under the settings other than Same as Stream uses more resources in
case both recording and streaming running simultaneously.
Up to Lossless quality is possible here. To true lossless quality you need to

specify non-subsampled color format at Advanced Settings of the OBS Studio
as well as Full color range.
• Recording Format :
defines container format for recordings.
Use mp4 container if you plan to edit your recordings later. Use Custom Muxer
Settings to write a fragmented mp4/mov file (to be able to recover aborted
recordings).
• Encoder :
encoder type. Default value is 'Software (x264)'.

• Custom Muxer Settings :

defines custom muxer settings, that overrides any
preset settings; parameters separated with space. For
example, movflags=frag_keyframe
min_frag_duration=4000000
Look for full parameters list of the ffmpeg muxer on the developer's internet
page [obsproject.com]. Make sure that keys separated with space (no invisible
special symbols).
• Enable Replay Buffer :

if checked, enables special output mode with circular
buffer recording. This allows to save short fragment of
the real-time footage for the past few seconds to
playback it again later (make replay). If enabled, next
options becomes available:
◦ Maximum Replay Time (Seconds) :
defines max length of the Replay Buffer fragment
stored in the memory, in seconds (i.e. length of the
fragment you able to save to the disk as “replay”).
◦ Maximum Memory (Megabytes) :
defines max size of RAM memory used for the Replay
Buffer feature, in Megabytes. Used as additional
restriction when estimation based on Maximum Replay
Time (Seconds) unavailable.
Enable Replay Buffer uses much more of the PC memory when Recording Quality
is set to other than Same as stream, thus the length of the video fragment available
for saving may vary.
To change replay file naming see Replay Buffer Filename on page 177.

Output Mode: Advanced

Streaming tab Recording tab Audio tab Replay Buffer tab
155 159 165 166
Streaming tab
Streaming tab available only in Output Mode: Advanced
(See Output Mode on page 151)
On the streaming tab you can select # of track which will be
streamed (now only one track in a stream is supported by Web
hosts).
• Audio Track :
# of the audio track that will be streamed.
Only one track is selectable for streaming. Multi-track is available in recordings.

(See Recording tab on page 159)
Check what sources goes to this selected track in Advanced Audio Properties on
page 179.
• Encoder :
encoder type. Default value depends on hardware
configuration, versatile one is 'x264'.
Next options descriptions is for x264 encoder selected.

• Enforce streaming service encoder settings :

when checked, default streaming service encoder
settings should be applied instead of values specified
on this tab.
• Rescale Output :
when checked, video will be scaled and encoded with
different resolution (don't forget to specify new image
size). This scaling performed by CPU. Rescale uses
fast_bilinear scaling from FFmpeg.
Use Rescale Output on Streaming tab to stream at low resolution while
recording still running at full, otherwise leave it unchecked.
• Rate Control :
specifies encoding bitrate control for the output video.
Rate Control values are CBR – constant bitrate; ABR – average bitrate; VBR –
variable bitrate; CRF – constant rate factor.
Use CBR for compatibility purposes, streaming.
Use CRF for high-quality local recording.
Use VBR to enable CRF-like encoding with upper limit of Bitrate (bitrate =
maxrate).
Use ABR to enable CBR-like encoding but without bitrate pudding. Video
bitrate can fluctuate with this setting.
• Bitrate :
defines encoding bitrate for the output video in kbps.
Option available only if Rate Control is set to CBR, ABR or
VBR.
• Use Custom Buffer Size :
when checked, enables custom buffer size settings.
Option available only if Rate Control is set to CBR, ABR or
VBR.

◦ Buffer Size :
defines buffer size in kb.
If Buffer Size = 0 then Bitrate limit ignored.
• CRF :
defines Constant Rate Factor value of the encoder.
Integer values [0..51] (i.e. [good...bad] quality). Option
available only if Rate Control is set to VBR or CRF.
Setting CRF = 0 forces the high444 lossless profile.
• Keyframe Interval (seconds, 0 = auto) :

force keyframes insertion into video by fixed time
intervals, in seconds. If set to 0, then time intervals
calculated automatically.
Set Keyframe Interval (seconds, 0 = auto) manually if you experience long
'trails' and mpeg 'ghost' appearance. Lower values can raise bitrate of the
encoding video.
• CPU usage Preset (higher = less CPU) :

presets that increases scanning deep of the encoder
algorithm for motion detection. Highest value is
ultrafast (no scan). Lowest value is placebo (deep scan).
Set CPU usage Preset (higher = less CPU) to veryfast or superfast – most
modern CPUs unable to encode high resolution video in real-time under lower
presets without frames drop. Lower presets generates video with higher quality
at the same bitrate.

• Profile :
defines compatibility with hardware players, sets some
restrictions to maximum output bitrate.
Use the Table 2.H264 profiles and levels provided on page 158 and
recommendations from your streaming Web service.
• Tune :
encoder's presets for not typical encoding tasks.
• x264 Options (separated by space) :
defines custom encoder settings, that overrides any
example, qp=24 bframes=0 colormatrix=bt470bg
Look for parameters list of the x264 encoder on the developer's internet page
[obsproject.com]. Make sure that keys separated with space (no invisible
special symbols).
Table 2.H264 profiles and levels

level Base & Main High Max Resolution@Frequency
max kbps max kbps (reference frames)
3 10000 12500 [email protected] (12)

[email protected] (10)
3.1 14000 17500 [email protected] (13)

3.2 20000 25000 [email protected] (5)

4 20000 25000 [email protected] (9)

4.1 50000 62500 [email protected] (9)

4.2 62500 62500 [email protected] (9)

level Base & Main High Max Resolution@Frequency

max kbps max kbps (reference frames)
5 135,000 168,750 [email protected] (13)

5.1 240,000 300,000 [email protected] (16)

5.2 240,000 300,000 [email protected] (16)

155 159 165 166
Recording tab
Recording tab available only in Output Mode: Advanced.
On the recording tab you can choose recording Type: Standard or

Custom Output (FFmpeg).
Under recording Type: Standard available encoder – x264 (and hardware based relaxes),

containers – flv, mp4, mov, mkv, ts, m3u8.
Under recording Type: Custom Output (FFmpeg) many other containers and encoders
available.
To set recording Type to Custom Output (FFmpeg) – navigate to Output options in the
Settings window, click Recording tab, choose under the Type option the Custom Output
(FFmpeg) from the drop-down list and hit Apply button to save changes.
• Type :
sets the output to Standard (x264/NVENC/Quick
Sync/AMD AMF encoder and flv, mp4 containers) or to
Custom Output (FFmpeg) with different container/encoder
set.
Recording Type: Standard

• Recording path :
specifies directory (folder) where new recordings will be
stored.
• Generate File Name without Space :
if checked, a new file name for the recording will not
contain spaces.
• Recording format :
defines container format for recordings.
Use mp4 container if you plan to edit your recordings later. Use Custom Muxer
Settings to write a fragmented mp4/mov file (to be able to recover aborted
recordings).
• Audio Track :
# of the track and quantity of the audio tracks that will
be encoded during recording. Maximum 6 audio tracks
available for encode.

Certain formats (like FLV) do not support multiply tracks per recording.
Use a modern player with ability to playback more than one audio track in the
movie (when more then one audio track is selected).
Check what sources goes to the selected tracks in Advanced Audio Properties
on page 179.
• Encoder :
switches between available encoders. Next options
available:
◦ Use stream encoder :
when selected, reuses streaming encoder settings
defined on Streaming tab.
(See Streaming tab on page 155)
When Encoder: Use stream encoder is selected, the recorded video will be
the same quality as during streaming (no additional processing applied).
◦ x264 :
when selected, enables sets of options for the
independent tuning of the recording with x264
encoder:
Use Encoder : x264 preset when you want to override encoder settings for

recording. Useful for low bandwidth streaming and high-quality recording.
▪ Rescale Output :
same as for Streaming tab on page 155.
▪ Rate Control :
▪ Bitrate :
▪ Use Custom Buffer Size :
• Buffer Size :
▪ CRF :
▪ Keyframe Interval (seconds, 0 = auto) :
▪ CPU usage Preset (higher = less CPU) :
▪ Profile :
▪ Tune :
▪ x264 Options (separated by space) :
◦ OTHER_ENCODER_NAME :
when selected, enables sets of options for the
independent tuning of the hardware based encoder
(depends on system).
Runtimes to operate hardware encoders in OBS Studio usually shipped with
the graphic's driver. For example, Quick Sync uses Intel's graphics driver,
NVENC uses NVIDIA video driver, AMD VCE uses AMD video driver.
If you have problems with the hardware encoder - check the video driver

first, keep it up to date or make clean reinstall.
• Custom Muxer Settings :

defines custom muxer settings, that overrides any
example, movflags=frag_keyframe
min_frag_duration=4000000
Look for full parameters list of the ffmpeg muxer on the developer's internet
page [obsproject.com]. Make sure that keys separated with space (no invisible
special symbols).
Recording Type: Custom Output (FFmpeg)

• FFmpeg Output Type :
specifies the FFmpeg's output destination. Next options
available:
◦ Output to File :
if selected, enables special configuration of the
FFmpeg to save the output to the disk.
▪ Generate File Name without Space :
if checked, a new file name for recording will not
contain space symbols.
◦ Output to URL :
if selected, enables special configuration of the
FFmpeg to transmit the output over network.
• File Path or URL :
specifies the path or URL for FFmpeg output.
• Container Format :
specifies media container to multiplexing output
Audio/Video data.
• Container Format Description :
short info on selected container (if any).
• Muxer Settings (if any) :

specifies custom muxer settings string for FFmpeg

output.
• Video Bitrate :
defines bitrate of the video for the output (in kbit/s).
• Keyframe interval (frames) :
defines GOP period (size).
• Rescale Output :
when checked, video will be scaled and encoded with
different resolution (don't forget to specify new image
size). This scaling performed by CPU. Rescale uses
fast_bilinear scaling from FFmpeg.
• Show all codecs (even if potentially incompatible) :
if checked, shows full list of available encoders for both
video and audio. Some media containers has restrictions
on encoder use.
• Video Encoder :
specifies video encoder for selected container.
• Video Encoder Settings (if any) :
specifies custom video encoder settings string for
FFmpeg output.
General format is parameter=value, parameters separated with space.
For example, libx264 codec requires additional parameter x264-params to

override the preset settings, thus use it like this (2 parameters overriden for the
preset fast):
preset=fast crf=18 x264-params=fast_pskip=0:bframes=0
• Audio Bitrate :
defines bitrate of the audio for output (in kbit/s).
• Audio Track :
# of the track and quantity of the audio tracks that will
be encoded during recording. Maximum 6 audio tracks

available for encode.

• Audio Encoder :
specifies audio encoder for selected container.
• Audio Encoder Settings (if any) :
specifies custom audio encoder settings string for
FFmpeg output.

155 159 165 166
Audio tab
Audio tab available only in Output Mode: Advanced.
Encoding settings available only per track. To adjust mixing

options for both recording and streaming, see Advanced Audio
Properties on page 179.
Six audio tracks is available for configuration:

• Track 1
Audio Bitrate :
defines bitrate for encoding audio track #1 in kbps.
Name :
defines a name for the audio track #1.
…
• Track 6
Audio Bitrate :

defines bitrate for encoding audio track #6 in kbps.

Name :
defines a name for the audio track #6.

155 159 165 166
Replay Buffer tab

Replay Buffer tab available in Output Mode: Advanced.
Encoding settings controlled by Recording tab.
• Enable Replay Buffer :

if checked, enables special output mode with circular
buffer recording. This allows to save short fragment of
the real-time footage for the past few seconds to
playback it again later (make replay). Option available
only for recording Type: Standard [page 160]. If enabled,
next options becomes available:
◦ Maximum Replay Time (Seconds) :
defines max length of the Replay Buffer fragment
stored in the memory, in seconds (i.e. length of the
fragment you able to save to the disk as “replay”).
◦ Maximum Memory (Megabytes) :
defines max size of RAM memory used for the Replay
Buffer feature, in Megabytes. Used as additional
restriction when estimation based on Maximum Replay
Time (Seconds) unavailable.
Enable Replay Buffer uses much more of the PC memory when Recording

Quality is set to other than Use stream encoder at Recording tab, thus the
length of the video fragment available for saving may vary.
To change replay file naming see Replay Buffer Filename on page 177.
Audio
Under Audio section of the settings you can adjust audio output
sample rate, number of audio channels (Mono, Stereo etc.),
default audio input devices and audio sources, volume meter
type, push-to-mute/push-to-talk delays.
Sample Rate :
defines outputs sample rate (44100, 48000 Hz)
Channels :
defines output channels settings (Stereo, Mono etc.)
Surround sound like 5.1, require much higher bitrates for audio encoding at the same
quality as Stereo sound (2.0).
Not all online services supports surround audio ingests, and sometimes services can
re-encode audio back to Stereo.
Make sure that all your sources, Microphone for example, able to output surround
5.1 exactly at right position (CENTER channel) to mix it by OBS Studio in
Advanced Audio Properties without placing averaged signal to all 5+1 channels of
one track. Look for external plugins that can change channel position/mix if your mic
outputs to LEFT and RIGHT channels only.
Desktop Audio Device :

specifies device available as default for audio source named
'Desktop Audio Device' that will be placed in all scenes.
Desktop Audio Device 2 :


'Desktop Audio Device 2' that will be placed in all scenes.
Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device :

'Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device' that will be placed in all scenes.
Set Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device to your microphone's default input device. If you
want to mute it per scene individually – use per scene Audio Input Capture source
instead and set this to Disable.
Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device 2...4 :

'Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device 2' (and up to 'Mic/Auxiliary
Audio Device 4') that will be placed in all scenes.
Use Desktop Audio Device 2, Mic/Auxiliary Audio Device 2...4 in special cases only, other
way set it to Disable.
Audio Meter Decay Rate :

specifies falloff speed for volume meters of the Mixer pane.
• Fast :
falloff speed is 40 dB/1.7 seconds.
• Medium (Type I PPM) :
• Slow (Type II PPM) :
Peak Meter Type :

specifies meter type to show the audio levels for volume
meters of the Mixer pane. Next options available:
• Sample Peak :
standard meter, -3 dB accepted tolerance.
• True Peak (Higher CPU usage) :

complex meter, lower than -0.5 dB accepted tolerance.

Uses slightly more CPU power.
Here the “True Peak” in meaning of ITU-R BS.1770, Annex 2.
Mic/Aux {it's just a name of your Audio Input Capture source}

• Enable Push-to-mute :
if checked, push-to-mute and delay is enabled for
Mic/Aux device. For hotkey set, see Hotkeys on
page 173.
◦ Push-to-mute :
defines push-to-mute delay length in milliseconds
for Mic/Aux device.
• Enable Push-to-talk :
if checked, push-to-talk and delay is enabled for
Mic/Aux device. For hotkey set, see Hotkeys on
page 173.
◦ Push-to-talk :
defines push-to-talk delay length in milliseconds for
Mic/Aux device.
Desktop Audio {it's just a name of your Audio Output Capture source}
• Enable Push-to-mute :
if checked, push-to-mute and delay is enabled for
Desktop Audio device.
◦ Push-to-mute :
defines push-to-mute delay length in milliseconds
for Desktop Audio device.
• Enable Push-to-talk :
if checked, push-to-talk and delay is enabled for

◦ Push-to-talk :
defines push-to-talk delay length in milliseconds for
Video
Video options adjusts the size of the canvas and output,
specifies filter for scaling, defines frame rate of the output.
Output options can override settings defined here, keep that in

mind when selecting aspect ratio for the main output. There are
two possible situations shown in the pictures:
Illustration 10. Output at the same size on page 172
Illustration 11. Output at different sizes on page 173
that can take place in OBS Studio.
Base (Canvas) Resolution :

defines the canvas preview aspect ratio and base rendering
resolution (canvas size). Custom resolution supported. Type
new resolution in Width x Height format.
Output (Scaled) Resolution :

defines main output resolution. Settings at Output (Scaled)
Resolution will be used as input for Rescale Output operations.
Custom resolution supported. Type new resolution in
Width x Height format.
If you not sure, set Base (Canvas) Resolution = main input resolution (game resolution) =
Output (Scaled) Resolution.
This can be done in one click via context menu option Resize output (source size) over the
desirable source. Resize output (source size) option not available if source has 0 size.

OBS Studio requires that the Output (Scaled) Resolution width is a multiple of 4 and
Output (Scaled) Resolution height is a multiple of 2 in order to correctly process video data
using hardware optimizations. Special encoding functions of FFmpeg that is used in
OBS Studio, sometimes require width multiply of 32 to correctly process the videos.
Downscale Filter :
specifies, filter used in scale operations between Base
(Canvas) Resolution and Output (Scaled) Resolution setups.
If you setup Base (Canvas) Resolution = Output (Scaled) Resolution, then set
Downscale Filter to Bilinear filter. This downscale operations performed by GPU.
Bilinear, Bicubic and Lanczos filters acts same as for Scale Filtering.
Common FPS Values, [Integer FPS Value], [Fractional FPS Value] :

specifies sets of frame rates (fps) at which OBS Studio will
render its output. [defines frame rate at which OBS Studio
will render its output – integer or fractional values
accepted].
Make attention, that for NTSC standard common value is 29.97 fps (numerator
30000 / denominator 1001) ; for PAL – 25 fps. OBS Studio produce progressive
frames.
Disable Aero :
if checked, OBS Studio will try to disable Windows Aero.
Some transparent windows cannot be captured if Aero disabled.

Illustration 10. Output at the same size
If you use Rescale Output option, then aspect ratio of the output can differ from the aspect
ratio of the preview canvas size.
(See Output settings on page 151)

Illustration 11. Output at different sizes
If two resize tasks performed in output with different sizes via Rescale Output, then it can
eat more CPU power. Use original size for the local recordings (together with fast profile),
and scale down stream by Rescale Output.
(See Output settings on page 151)
If encoder don't uses FFmpeg (for example, native NVENC SDK implementation) then
Rescale Output option may be unavailable.
Hotkeys
Hotkeys section of the settings allow to you to assign custom

keys for common actions, like: controls, sources management

and scene transitions.
Navigate to Hotkeys option in Settings window, choose a new

action, click on empty edit string field and hit desirable key
shortcut.
(See Define hotkeys (shortcuts) picture on page 174)
Illustration 12. Define hotkeys (shortcuts)
Each layer in scenes has independent control by hotkeys.

By default, Start Streaming, Stop Streaming, Start Recording,
Stop Recording, Start Replay Buffer, Stop Replay Buffer and
Save Replay hotkeys not defined – set up this keys manually.
Save Replay hotkey only enabled when Enable Replay Buffer is checked.
OBS Studio (try to run it as administrator) should run with the same privileges as target
application (to make hotkeys work when main window of the OBS Studio not in focus).

You can add another one shortcut to the same action by clicking
button.
To remove additional shortcut: click button.
You can remove shortcut linking by clicking button.
Click OK button to save changes and exit.
To filter out by source name the hotkeys list use Filter field.
Advanced Settings
Advanced Settings allows to you to change the base
configuration settings.
Make changes to this tab with caution. Many options require program restart. Incorrect
settings may result in low capture & streaming performance.
General
• Process Priority :
specifies priority of the application among other tasks.
Video
• Renderer :
specifies renderer that will be used by OBS Studio to
render an output. Depend on system and configuration.
(See Command Line Options on page 185)
AdapterIdx parameter under [Video] section of global.ini allows setting a
specific graphics adapter index to use it for Direct3D 11 renderer (default is
AdapterIdx=0, the place where all stuff rendered and captured from).

• Color Format :
specifies color format for encoder's output (common
value is NV12).
• YUV Color Space :
specifies color space for encoder's output (common
value is 601).
Specify YUV Color Space: 709 for modern hardware, for HD setups (i.e. 720p
and larger outputs). Leave this setting unchanged for SD videos that aims at old
hardware targets or for all videos that aims at old target servers.
To select right setting – use color test charts and view result on target device.
• YUV Color Range :

specifies color range for encoder's output, i.e. how to
encode video (common value is Partial).
To select right setting – use color test charts and view result on target device.
• Disable OSX V-Sync :

if checked, OS X V-Sync will be disabled for OBS Studio
(option available for Mac PC).
• Reset OSX V-Sync on Exit :
if checked, OS X V-Sync resets it state after OBS Studio
close (option available for Mac PC).
Audio
• Audio Monitoring Device :
specifies output device to be used with Audio Monitoring.
• Disable Windows audio ducking :
if checked, disables automatic Windows audio volume
reducing for Audio Monitoring when communication
devices (like mic) is use.

Recording
• Filename formatting :
specifies filename mask to generate new filename for
the recordings.
Default mask format %CCYY-%MM-%DD %hh-%mm-%ss, for example,
means file name 2016-04-19 23-40-58 for recording started 19 April 2016 at
23:40:58 o'clock. Full list of mask variables – is at hint message over the edit
field Filename formatting of the application.
To specify directory creation – use symbol “ / ” (slash). For example, mask

myrec%DD/%hh-%mm-%ss, will create directory myrec19 first, then file with
name 23-40-58 will be placed in it, for recording started 19 April 2016 at
23:40:58 o'clock.
• Overwrite if file exist :

if checked, files with same names will be overwritten.
• Automatically remux to mp4 (record as mkv) :
if checked, automatically starts remuxing process to
convert file to mp4, as soon as the recording complete.
Overrides output format to MKV if MP4 was set at
Output.
You can bring up same remuxing dialog manually, see Remux Recordings on
page 25.
Take a look at self-contained fragmented .mp4 format writing if you wish to

recover your aborted .mp4/.mov recordings. It is possible to write such file
through the Custom Muxer Settings
• Replay Buffer Filename

◦ Prefix :
the string that will be added before the filename to
mark Replay recordings.
◦ Suffix :
the string that will be added at the end of the
filename to mark Replay recordings.

Stream Delay
• Enable :
when checked, enables stream delay (“buffer”) feature.
With a setting Stream Delay: Enable checked, Stream output appears on-air
later, but connection issues has lower impact on the stream smooth play.
◦ Duration (seconds) :
defines duration of the stream delay in seconds.
◦ Preserve cutoff point (increase delay) when
reconnecting :
if checked, delay will grow after reconnecting,
streaming data preserved.
Web server can flush its own buffer if connection lost.
Automatically Reconnect
• Enable :
when checked, enables reconnect automatically feature.
Next option available:
◦ Retry Delay (seconds) :
delay between connection attempts.
◦ Maximum Retries :
number of attempts to establish connection to the
streaming server.
Network
• Bind to IP :
specifies network adapter to use for streaming.
• Enable new networking code :
if checked, other method of handling network packets
shall be used.
◦ Low latency mode :

if checked, the application will try to maintain

network buffer as fast as possible, keeping its
fullness as low as possible. Causes less impact on
other networking programs which running
simultaneously by the same PC. Option available only
if Enable new networking code is checked.
Browser
• Enable Browser Source Hardware Acceleration :
if checked, will try to use hardware acceleration for the
Browser source drawing. When unchecked, sends
additional command line keys to the plugin to disable
acceleration.
(See Command Line Options on page 185)
Hotkeys
• Disable hotkeys when main window is in focus :
if checked, all specified Hotkeys will be ignored when
main program window is in focus.
Advanced Audio Properties

At Advanced Audio Properties you can define special mixing
parameters, like channel balance, volume, track's # in media
file, source output monitoring and synchronization offset.
(See Illustration 13. Advanced Audio Properties on page 180)
This advanced audio settings (or “Mixer”) accessible through:

• application's Edit menu, sub-menu Advanced Audio Properties;
• by right-click over the Mixer pane and choose Advanced Audio

Properties option;
• by click icon at Mixer pane (main window) right to any
available audio source and select appropriate option.
Illustration 13. Advanced Audio Properties
Name :
shows name of the input.
Volume :
defines volume of the input in %.
Downmix to Mono :
if checked, mixes sound track to planar audio before
encoding. For example, if one of the two input channels of
the Stereo track is muted, with this setting enabled
application will fill both channels with average sound data
(makes planar stereo).
Balance :
defines channel balance, volume level between Right (R) and
Left (L) channels. Available only for Stereo outputs.

Sync Offset (ms) :

defines synchronization offset of the audio source when
mixing it into Tracks, in milliseconds (negative values are
accepted). It is like offset applied to the source's track (right
before it mixed to other tracks), thus it not available in
filters (always 0 ms for any source).
Set Sync Offset (ms) to negative value, if your microphone's sound appears too late.
Set Sync Offset (ms) to positive value, if sound appear ahead of the video. The
acceptable negative value is fully depends on internal buffer of the device itself
(usually less than 950 ms).
All offsets applied on encoding, thus Audio Monitoring not affected by offsets –
always check the output file or stream.
Audio Monitoring :
specifies control for media source output. Next options
available:
• Monitor Off :
the media source shall route its audio stream through
the mixing options specified by Tracks settings (see
below).
• Monitor Only (mute output) :
the media source shall route its audio stream only
through the output device specified by Audio Monitoring
Device.
(See Audio Monitoring Device on page 176)
Routing media's source audio stream with Monitor Only (mute output) allow to
user to hear the sound through the output device specified by Audio Monitoring
Device and adjust volume of the media source by ear.
• Monitor and Output :

the media source shall route its audio stream through
the output device specified by Audio Monitoring Device and
through the mixing options specified by Tracks settings

(see below).
Tracks :
specifies track's number where input will be mixed (to
Track #1, to Track #2, … ) and encoded.
Set the Track #1 checked for all inputs you want to hear in the stream. And specify
this inputs as separate tracks for Track #2, 3, 4..., for recording job, which is running
simultaneously.
For example, for settings shown on the picture Illustration 13. Advanced Audio
Properties on page 180, application mixes Desktop Audio and Mic/Aux devices to
Track #1, mixes Desktop Audio device only to Track #2, mixes Mic/Aux device
only to Track #3.
Thus, you should specify:

1) on Streaming tab Audio Track #1;
2) on Recording tab Audio Track #1, #2, #3 (or only #2, #3 if you planning to mix
your audio recordings manually later).
Make sure, that audio source not muted at Mixer pane (list):
See Enable audio source on page 54.

Level meter description

Level meter of the source temporary turns red when signal
clipping occur. Black marks on meter shows average loudness
of the source. Color dots at the beginning of the meter shows
audio levels before the fader (volume slider) and before mute
control. Color marks on the meter shows peak of the signal, the
max value holds for a few seconds. The scale is in dB (decibels).
If Mixer pane list is empty - either you scene lack any audio
sources (See Add new audio/video source to OBS Studio scene
on page 50) or some sources were hidden from the list:
to show all previously hidden audio sources from the Mixer pane:
right-click over the Mixer pane and select Unhide All option. Now
all audio sources shown;
to hide any audio source in the Mixer pane :

• right-click over the source in Mixer pane and select Hide in
Mixer option. The source becomes hidden (but not
excluded from the tracks “Mixer” processing);
• or you can right-click over the source in Sources pane and
click the Hide in Mixer option;
if source's Hide in Mixer option marked by icon (right-click

menu over the source in Sources pane) then its audio
representation is hidden from the Mixer pane , not from the
tracks “Mixer” processing [page 179];
to show in Mixer pane the single audio source that was previously
hidden: right-click over the source in the Sources pane and make

unchecked the Hide in Mixer option.
If Vertical Layout option of the right-click menu over the Mixer

pane is marked by icon, then mixer's level meters will be
drawn vertically.
Basic level meter settings available at the Settings->Audio

section of the application. (See Audio on page 167)

OBS Studio Help Guide Command Line Options
Command Line Options

About Command Line Options
OBS Studio supports additional command line keys to run
specific tasks and troubleshoot setups.
Command Line Keys

You can specify two and more keys simultaneously. Each key
separated with space and begins with double minus if other not
mentioned.
For full list of supported commands see Table 3. Command Line

Keys on page 185. Some external plugins can add to the
application its own key options not listed here.
Table 3. Command Line Keys
Command line key Description Example (Windows)

--allow-opengl
Enables Open GL Renderer for selection obs32.exe --allow-opengl
obs64.exe --allow-opengl
in Advanced Settings. Windows only.
--always-on-top
Start application with Always On Top obs32.exe --always-on-top
obs64.exe --always-on-top
checked.
--collection [scene_collection_name]
Scene Collection with name obs32.exe --collection MyNewScenes1
scene_collection_name will be loaded
instead of last used.


--help
-h
Prints list of available command line obs32.exe --help
obs64.exe -h
keys to standard output (terminal).
--minimize-to-tray
Application starts minimized to tray obs32.exe --minimize-to-tray
obs64.exe --minimize-to-tray
icon (starts hidden to tray). The setting
Enable should be enabled in
application's settings before use this
key.
--multi
-m
Skips multi-instance warning when obs32.exe --multi
obs64.exe --multi
more than one application started from
obs32.exe -m
home or from any portable folder.
--portable
-p
Runs OBS Studio in portable mode obs32.exe --portable
obs64.exe --portable
(profiles stored in application's home
obs32.exe -p
folder).
--profile [profile_name]
Profile with name profile_name will be obs32.exe --profile MyProfileForRec1
loaded instead of last used.
--scene [scene_name]
Scene with name scene_name will be obs32.exe --scene MyBlankScene1
specified as current instead of last used
“obs64.exe --startrecording --profile
in current Scene Collection. Rec1 --collection SkypeCall1 --scene
SkypeFullscreen1”


--startrecording
OBS Studio starts Recording obs32.exe --startrecording
obs64.exe --portable --startrecording
immediately.
--startreplaybuffer
OBS Studio starts Replay Buffer obs32.exe --startreplaybuffer
obs64.exe -p --startreplaybuffer
immediately.
--startstreaming
OBS Studio starts Streaming obs32.exe --startstreaming
obs64.exe --portable --startstreaming
immediately
--studio-mode
OBS Studio starts Studio Mode obs32.exe --studio-mode
obs64.exe --portable --studio-mode
immediately
--unfiltered_log
Repeated log file lines doesn't obs32.exe --unfiltered_log
shortened to the first line.
--verbose
Messages and LOG_INFO will be added obs32.exe --verbose
to the log file.
--version
-V {this is capital letter}
Prints current version to standard obs64.exe --version
output (terminal)
If name of the scene contains space symbols, place full name in double quote like in this
example,
obs64.exe --startrecording --collection SkypeCall1 --scene “Skype Fullscreen 1”
Instead of using --portable command line key, you can place any file named
“portable_mode” or “portable_mode.txt” in OBS Studio home folder:

/bin
/bin /config {creates automatically}
/data /data
/obs-plugins /obs-plugins
portable_mode.txt
Full list of the command line keys available for the Browser
source is huge and depends on third-party software used in the
plugin. Please, look for the List of Chromium Command Line
Switches online.
Depending on available configuration (Enable Browser Source

Hardware Acceleration setting) OBS Studio overrides next
Chromium keys of the Browser plugin:
--disable-gpu
–-disable-gpu-compositing
By default, next additional keys applied for the Browser source:

--enable-system-flash
--autoplay-policy=no-user-gesture-required

OBS Studio Help Guide Shortcuts Linux
Shortcuts Linux
Positioning sources
Result Action
Center to canvas Ctrl + D
Transform sources
Result Action
Open Transform Ctrl + E
dialog window
Fit to canvas (screen) Ctrl + F
Stretch to canvas Ctrl + S
(screen)
Reset Transform Ctrl + R
Copying sources
Result Action
Copy source to Ctrl + C
clipboard
Paste source as ref. Ctrl + V
from clipboard
Layers shift
Result Action
Move one level Up Ctrl + Up
Move one level Down Ctrl + Down

OBS Studio Help Guide Shortcuts Linux
Raise to Top Ctrl + Home

Lower to Bottom Ctrl + End
Navigate Preview*
Result Action
Drag Preview window Spacebar + Mouse
Zoom Preview Spacebar +
window Mouse Wheel
* See Preview Scaling on page 27
User interface
Result Action
Switch windowed / F11
borderless-fullscreen
Use Delete key to completely remove, F2 key to rename scene

or source.
Default actions not global. Works only when OBS Studio main
window in focus (active).

OBS Studio Help Guide Shortcuts Mac
Shortcuts Mac
Positioning sources
Result Action
Transform sources
Result Action
dialog window
(screen)
Copying sources
Result Action
clipboard
from clipboard
Layers shift
Result Action

OBS Studio Help Guide Shortcuts Mac

Navigate Preview*
Result Action
window Mouse Wheel
User interface
Result Action
Use Backspace key to completely remove, Return key to rename

scene or source.

OBS Studio Help Guide Shortcuts Windows
Shortcuts Windows
Positioning sources
Result Action
Transform sources
Result Action
dialog window
(screen)
Copying sources
Result Action
clipboard
from clipboard
Layers shift
Result Action

OBS Studio Help Guide Shortcuts Windows

Navigate Preview*
Result Action
window Mouse Wheel
User interface
Result Action
Use Delete key to completely remove, F2 key to rename scene

or source.

OBS Studio Help Guide Legal Notices
Legal Notices
Copyright
Current version of the Open Broadcaster Software MultiPlatform
Help Guide distributed under the
GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2, June 1991
Copyright (C) 1989, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc., 51

Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of
this license document, but changing it is not allowed.
Preamble
The licenses for most software are designed to take away your
freedom to share and change it. By contrast, the GNU General
Public License is intended to guarantee your freedom to share
and change free software--to make sure the software is free for
all its users. This General Public License applies to most of the
Free Software Foundation's software and to any other program
whose authors commit to using it. (Some other Free Software
Foundation software is covered by the GNU Lesser General
Public License instead.) You can apply it to your programs, too.
When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom,

not price. Our General Public Licenses are designed to make
sure that you have the freedom to distribute copies of free
software (and charge for this service if you wish), that you

receive source code or can get it if you want it, that you can
change the software or use pieces of it in new free programs;
and that you know you can do these things.
To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid

anyone to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender the
rights. These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for
you if you distribute copies of the software, or if you modify it.
For example, if you distribute copies of such a program,

whether gratis or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the
rights that you have. You must make sure that they, too, receive
or can get the source code. And you must show them these
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We protect your rights with two steps: (1) copyright the

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permission to copy, distribute and/or modify the software.
Also, for each author's protection and ours, we want to make

certain that everyone understands that there is no warranty for
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and passed on, we want its recipients to know that what they
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Finally, any free program is threatened constantly by software

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it clear that any patent must be licensed for everyone's free use
or not licensed at all.
The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and

modification follow.
GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
0. This License applies to any program or other work which

contains a notice placed by the copyright holder saying it may
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The "Program", below, refers to any such program or work, and
a "work based on the Program" means either the Program or any
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(Hereinafter, translation is included without limitation in the
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Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are

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the Program is covered only if its contents constitute a work
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License may add an explicit geographical distribution limitation
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you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software
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NO WARRANTY
11. BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE,

THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE PROGRAM, TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE
STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER
PARTIES PROVIDE THE PROGRAM "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY
OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF
THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE
DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY
SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION.
12. IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR

AGREED TO IN WRITING WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY

OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND/OR REDISTRIBUTE THE
PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR
DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR
INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR
LOSSES SUSTAINED BY YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF
THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER PROGRAMS),
EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
as part of the OBS Studio software.

OBS Studio Help Guide Index

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Index
ABR
ABR 156
add existing 50
Add new audio/video source to OBS Studio scene 50
Additional Tools 120
Advanced Audio Properties 179
Advanced {Output Mode} 155
Advanced Settings 175
An Overview 8
Application Settings 145
Apply LUT 102
Audio 167
Sound Effect Filters (Audio/Video) 112
Compressor 112
Gain 114
Noise Gate 116
Noise Suppression 117
Video Delay (Async) 117
VST 2.x Plug-in 118
Audio Capture Device (ALSA) 60
audio ducking 113
Audio Input Capture 60
Audio Meter Decay Rate 168
Audio Monitoring 181
Audio Monitoring Device 176
Audio Output Capture 61
Audio sources 48
Audio tab 165


Automatic Scene Switcher 121

Disable audio source 54
Enable audio source 54
Windows audio ducking 176
Base
Base (Canvas) Resolution 170
Blackmagic Device 61
Browser 62
Captions
Captions (Experimental) 124
CBR 156
Chroma Key 102
Color Correction 104
Color Key 105
Color Source 63
Command Line Options 185
Command Line Keys 185
Compressor 112
Configure source 54
Copy 23
Copy Filters 23
Copy Transform 93
Creating Scenes in OBS Studio 32
CRF 156
Crop/Pad 106
Custom Muxer Settings 163
Custom Output (FFmpeg) 163
Cut 43
SLI/Crossfire Capture Mode (Slow) 65


Deinterlacing
Deinterlacing 96
Disable audio source 54
Display Capture 64
Docks 20
docking-pane 21
Downscale Filter 171
Paste (Duplicate) 23
Edit
Edit menu 22
Enable audio source 54
Enable Browser Source Hardware Acceleration 179
Enable Preview 26
Enable Replay Buffer 154
Enable 148
easy cropping 94
exit Studio Mode 141
external plugins 120
Expander 113
Visual Effect Filters 100
Apply LUT 102
Chroma Key 102
Color Correction 104
Color Key 105
Crop/Pad 106
Image Mask/Blend 107
Render Delay 108
Scaling/Aspect Ratio 109
Scroll 110
Sharpen 111
Fade


Fade 43
Fade to Color 44
File menu 24
filter 89
Sound Effect Filters (Audio/Video) 112
Visual Effect Filters 100
Filters for Special Effects 89
Filter {Hotkeys} 175
Floating docking-panes 30
Full screen preview (canvas) 28
Full screen preview (program) 140
Full screen preview (scene) 36
Full screen preview (source) 59
Scale Filtering 98
Gain
Gain 114
Game Capture 64
Syphon Client 67
General settings 145
Getting Sources into OBS Studio 48
Getting started 32
green screen 102
Group Sources 55
Help
Help menu 14
Hide in Mixer 183
Hotkeys 173
Image
Image 68
Image Mask/Blend 107


Image Slide Show 68

interact 30
Interactive windows 30
Introduction 5
JACK
JACK Input Client 71
K
Layer
Apply LUT 102
Layer shift (order) 88
Legal Notices 195
Level meter 183
Limiter 115
Local recording 133
Lock Preview 26
Lock source 53
Lock UI 21
Looking at the Work Area 14
Lossless 153
Lua Clock 130
Luma Swipe 44
LUT 102
Shortcuts Linux 189
Mac
Shortcuts Mac 191
Manage Profiles 144
Maximum Replay Time (Seconds) 154
Media Source 71
Mixer 179


Mixer pane 182

Monitor Only (mute output) 181
Multi-view of scenes 37
Multiview (Fullscreen) 22
Multiview (Windowed) 22
Network
Network 178
Network streaming 133
Noise Gate 116
Noise Suppression 117
Open
Open GL 185
Other controls 30
Output 151
Output Mode 151
Advanced 155
Simple 152
Output (Scaled) Resolution 170
Output Timer 127
Show overflow 147
Sync Offset (ms) 181
Paste
Enable portrait/vertical layout for Studio Mode 148
Paste (Duplicate) 23
Paste (Reference) 23
Paste Filters 24
Paste Transform 93
Peak Meter Type 168
portable mode 186


Post OBS Studio log-file 15

Preview Scaling 27
Profile menu 19
Push-to-talk 169
Q
Quick Transitions 140
Rate
Paste (Reference) 23
Rate Control 156
ABR 156
CBR 156
CRF 156
VBR 156
Recording 133
Recording and Streaming 133
Recording tab 159
Remove source 55
Remux Recordings 25
Rename scene (source) 35
Rename source 54
Render Delay 108
Replay Buffer 134
Replay Buffer tab 166
Rescale Output 156
Reset UI 21
Resize output (source size) 170
Restart Media 73
Sample
Application Settings 145
sample rate 49


Save Replay 135

Scale Filtering 98
Scaling/Aspect Ratio 109
Scene 32
Scenes 32
Scene Collections menu 17
Scene transitioning {switch to scene} 40
Screen Capture (XSHM) 74
Scripts 128
Scroll 110
Set Color 57
Service 149
Sharpen 111
Show in Multiview 39
Show overflow 147
Simple {Output Mode} 152
Slide 45
SLI/Crossfire Capture Mode (Slow) 65
Source management 52
Sources types & properties 60
Audio Capture Device (ALSA) 60
Audio Input Capture 60
Audio Output Capture 61
Blackmagic Device 61
Browser 62
Color Source 63
Display Capture 64
Game Capture 64
Syphon Client 67
Image 68
Image Slide Show 68


JACK Input Client 71

Lua Clock 130
Media Source 71
Scene 74
Screen Capture (XSHM) 74
Text (Free Type 2) 74
Text (GDI+) 76
Video Capture Device 78
VLC Video Source 81
Window Capture 83
Window Capture (Xcomposite) 84
Sources 32
Speed (percent) 73
Start Recording 133
Start Streaming 136
Stats 29
Stinger 45
Stop Recording 134
Stop Streaming 136
Stream Key 150
Stream settings 149
Streaming 136
Streaming tab 155
Studio Mode 137
Swipe 47
Sync Offset (ms) 181
System requirements 5
Temporary
Temporary disable source 53
Temporary enable source 53
Text (Free Type 2) 74


Text (GDI+) 76
Themes 142
Tools menu 16
Tools 120
Auto-Configuration Wizard 120
Automatic Scene Switcher 121
Captions (Experimental) 124
Output Timer 127
Scripts 128
Tracks 182
Transform 90
Transform options (dependencies) 92
Transition 40
Transition Override (per scene transitions) 42
Transitions types 43
Cut 43
Fade 43
Fade to Color 44
Luma Swipe 44
Slide 45
Stinger 45
Swipe 47
Unlock
Unlock source 53
Using Layers 86
UWP (Metro/Store) applications 64
VBR
VBR 156
Vertical Layout {mixer} 184
Video 170
Video Capture Device 78


Video Delay (Async) 117

Video sources 48
Video resolution 48
View menu 20
VLC Video Source 81
VST 2.x Plug-in 118
What
What's New in OBS Studio 10
Window Capture 83
Window Capture (Xcomposite) 84
Windowed Projector (canvas) 29
Windowed Projector (program) 141
Windowed Projector (scene) 37
Windowed Projector (source) 60
Windows audio ducking 176
Shortcuts Windows 193
Working with sources (positioning) 34
X
x264 161
Y
Z

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What are scenes and layers in OBS Studio?

What are scenes and layers in OBS Studio?

What are the different source types in OBS Studio?

What are the different source types in OBS Studio?

Open Broadcaster Software Studio

(app. ver. 23.0.0)

About video resolution and audio sample rate....................48

Installing OBS Studio

Run installer and follow the on-screen installation instructions.

to start. OBS Studio uses hardware acceleration and shaders

Earlier builds of the OBS Studio were tested on i7-4770K CPU +

Minimum OS requirements to be able to run the application

If you are new to OBS Studio:

If you want to create your first scene right now!:

If you are an experienced OBS user:

If you want to focus on Web Streaming features:

If you want to focus on Recording features:

Using online Forum

All users must accept Forum online agreement before asking

Work more efficiently

Canvas Preview Real-time canvas preview gives you ability to

Studio Mode Allow to preview all changes made to the scene

Layers With layers, you can work on one element without

Enjoy unlimited creative options

Plugin Sources Choose the best plugins from the online

Transitions Transitions between scenes makes your shows more

Relax while your PC is working hard.

Encoding acceleration NVENC, VCE, Quick Sync can be used for

What's New in OBS Studio

Studio Mode Control visually all changes completed to scenes

Multi-Track Allows to you to save audio sources in different

Multi-Output Now you can stream at one quality and make

New render engine To create professional OpenGL and Direct3D

New audio grabbing engine Low latency, low memory

Work fast and accurate

Snap to borders Fast and accurate positioning of the sources

Transform Customize output view for better appearance with

CHANGES since v22.0.0 of the application

✔ Mac now uses Backspace and Return keys to remove and

See Blackmagic Device on page 61

See Show overflow on page 147

As always, number of known issues were fixed and added few

Looking at the Work Area

About the work area

Canvas preview area The canvas preview area provides real-time

Scene management and Control options Main screen control

Using menu bar

program's update, view current log and post log-file online.

To Post OBS Studio log-file online (current session):

Join Discord Server

Check for updates

(See Auto-Configuration Wizard on page 120)

Automatic Scene Switcher

Scene Collections menu

You can specify new scene collection by selecting sub-menu

You can specify new profile by selecting sub-menu option New.

sub-menu option allows to load profile from the external

sub-menu option enables next UI elements:

To restore default layout: choose sub-menu option Reset UI.