How to Set Up OBS Studio for Creators
To get started with OBS Studio, create a scene, add your camera, check your microphone, and test a recording. For a live show, connect OBS using your streaming platform's supported setup instructions.
OBS is the production software. It does not create a model account or automatically connect your earnings or profile to a platform.
Run the setup wizard
Open Tools → Auto-Configuration Wizard. Choose whether your main use is streaming or recording and work through its questions.
The wizard considers your hardware and, for streaming, network conditions. Treat its result as a starting point: your destination may require different bitrate, frame-rate, or codec settings.
Build a simple scene
A scene is your layout. A source is one element inside it, such as a webcam, image, or microphone.
- 1.Select or create a scene in Scenes.
- 2.Click + in Sources.
- 3.Add your webcam using the appropriate video capture source.
- 4.Select the camera and check its preview.
- 5.Position and resize the picture.
Start with only the sources you need. You can add a more elaborate layout once the basic setup works.
Check microphone and desktop sound
Speak and watch the Audio Mixer. Select the correct microphone in Settings → Audio if needed.
Check whether Desktop Audio captures app sounds or notifications you did not intend to include. A visible camera picture does not confirm your microphone is working.
On Mac, review the camera, microphone, and any screen-capture permissions OBS needs through OBS Studio → Review App Permissions.
Choose output settings for the actual task
For recording, choose the recording folder, format, and a suitable quality preset in Settings → Output. Review resolution and frame rate in Settings → Video.
For streaming, use the platform's accepted settings and supported connection method. If it provides a server address and stream key, enter the matching details in Settings → Stream. Keep the stream key private.
Do not assume a platform supports OBS simply because it has a webcam broadcasting page. Some require a different route or do not accept external encoders.
Test before a full session
Make a short local recording containing movement, normal speech, and any intended background sound. Play it back to check framing, smoothness, audio level, and timing.
Then test the live destination through its permitted test workflow where available. A local recording cannot confirm that the internet route or destination settings are correct.
Check the selected scene and output controls before clicking Start Streaming or Start Recording so you start only the output you intend.