Last Updated: November 21, 2025
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + R
|
Start/Stop Recording |
Ctrl + S
|
Start/Stop Streaming |
Ctrl + P
|
Pause/Unpause Recording |
Ctrl + E
|
Start/Stop Replay Buffer |
Ctrl + Shift + R
|
Save Replay Buffer |
Ctrl + T
|
Start/Stop Virtual Camera |
Ctrl + M
|
Mute/Unmute Mic/Aux |
Ctrl + F
|
Toggle Fullscreen (preview) |
F11
|
Toggle Fullscreen Interface |
Ctrl + G
|
Enable/Disable Studio Mode |
Ctrl + L
|
Lock Preview |
Ctrl + I
|
Show Settings |
Ctrl + N
|
Reset Scene Size |
Ctrl + D
|
Duplicate Source |
Ctrl + Up/Down
|
Move Source Up/Down in list |
Ctrl + Home/End
|
Move Source to Top/Bottom |
Hold Ctrl
|
Disable source snapping |
Hold Shift
|
Constrain aspect ratio when resizing |
Hold Alt
|
Crop source (drag edges) |
Delete
|
Remove selected source |
Ctrl + Z/Y
|
Undo/Redo |
Ctrl + C/V
|
Copy/Paste source (with transforms) |
Ctrl + Shift + C/V
|
Copy/Paste filters |
Ctrl + Alt + C/V
|
Copy/Paste transform |
Spacebar
|
Play/Pause Media Source |
Home/End
|
Media: Jump to Start/End |
Ctrl + H
|
Hide/Show Source |
R
|
Reset Transform |
F
|
Fit to Screen |
S
|
Stretch to Screen |
C
|
Center to Screen |
Ctrl + Number (1-9)
|
Switch to Scene 1-9 |
Scene Management
| Feature | Description | How To |
|---|---|---|
| Create Scene | New scene for different layouts | Scenes panel → + button → Name your scene |
| Duplicate Scene | Copy existing scene | Right-click scene → Duplicate |
| Scene Transitions | Smooth switching between scenes | Scene Transitions dropdown → Choose Fade, Cut, Swipe, etc. |
| Transition Duration | How long transition takes | Duration field next to transition type (default: 300ms) |
| Studio Mode | Preview before going live | Ctrl+G or Studio Mode button - edit right, live on left |
| Scene Collections | Save different setups | Scene Collection → New → Create setups for different streams |
| Quick Transitions | Hotkeys for specific transitions | Settings → Hotkeys → Set keys for each transition type |
| Scene Filters | Apply filters to entire scene | Right-click scene → Filters → Add color correction, etc. |
Source Types
| Source | Purpose | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Display Capture | Capture entire screen/monitor | Desktop streaming, presentations, multi-monitor setups |
| Window Capture | Capture specific window | Single app, avoid capturing desktop notifications |
| Game Capture | Capture games efficiently | Best performance for fullscreen games (Windows/DirectX) |
| Video Capture Device | Webcam, capture card | Camera, console capture (Switch, PS5, Xbox) |
| Audio Input Capture | Microphone | Your voice, external mic, audio interface |
| Audio Output Capture | System audio, app audio | Desktop audio, music, game sounds |
| Image | Static image file | Overlays, logos, backgrounds, webcam frames |
| Image Slide Show | Rotating images | Starting soon screen, BRB slides, sponsors |
| Media Source | Video/audio files | Intro videos, background music, sound effects |
| Text (GDI+) | Static/dynamic text | Titles, subtitles, song names (Windows only) |
| Text (FreeType 2) | Better text rendering | Cross-platform text, custom fonts, antialiasing |
| Browser Source | Web pages, widgets | StreamElements/StreamLabs alerts, chat boxes, timers |
| Color Source | Solid color background | Backgrounds, overlays, blocking areas |
| VLC Video Source | VLC playlist | Multiple videos in playlist, advanced playback |
| Scene | Nested scene | Reuse scene in another scene (camera corner, alerts) |
Audio Filters
| Filter | Purpose | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Suppression | Remove background noise | Method: RNNoise (best), Speex. Suppression Level: -30dB to -60dB |
| Noise Gate | Mute when below threshold | Close Threshold: -50dB, Open: -45dB. Mutes keyboard/mouse clicks |
| Compressor | Balance audio levels | Ratio: 10:1, Threshold: -18dB, Attack: 6ms, Release: 60ms |
| Gain | Increase/decrease volume | Adjust dB - use if mic is too quiet after other filters |
| Limiter | Prevent audio clipping | Threshold: -6dB, Release: 60ms. Safety net for loud sounds |
| Expander | Reduce low-level sounds | Alternative to noise gate, smoother result |
| EQ (VST) | Frequency adjustment | Boost/cut specific frequencies. Requires VST plugin |
Video Filters
| Filter | Purpose | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Chroma Key | Green screen removal | Remove green/blue background. Key Color Type: Green/Blue, Similarity: 400, Smoothness: 80 |
| Color Correction | Adjust colors | Gamma, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation, Hue Shift. Fix lighting issues |
| Luma Key | Remove by brightness | Remove very bright or dark areas |
| Color Key | Remove specific color | Like chroma key but for any color |
| Crop/Pad | Crop or add borders | Remove unwanted areas, black bars, aspect ratio adjustment |
| Scaling/Aspect Ratio | Resize source | Resolution: Bilinear/Bicubic (better quality). FPS: 60/30fps |
| Sharpen | Increase sharpness | Make image crisper, compensate for downscaling |
| Scroll | Animated scrolling | Credits, repeating backgrounds. Horizontal/Vertical speed |
| Image Mask/Blend | Custom transparency | Use image to define transparent areas, rounded corners |
| LUT Filter | Color grading | Apply .cube LUT files for cinematic looks |
| Render Delay | Delay video | Sync video with delayed audio (in milliseconds) |
Streaming Settings (Twitch/YouTube)
| Setting | Recommended Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (NVIDIA) / AMD / x264 | Hardware encoding (NVENC/AMD) = less CPU usage. x264 = better quality, more CPU |
| Rate Control | CBR (Constant Bitrate) | CBR for streaming, CQP/CRF for recording |
| Bitrate (1080p60) | 6000 Kbps | Twitch: 6000 max. YouTube: 6000-9000. Check upload speed! |
| Bitrate (1080p30) | 4500 Kbps | Lower motion = lower bitrate needed |
| Bitrate (720p60) | 4500 Kbps | Good for slower upload speeds |
| Bitrate (720p30) | 3000 Kbps | Minimum for decent quality |
| Keyframe Interval | 2 seconds | Required for most platforms. = FPS × 2 (e.g., 60fps = 120) |
| Preset (x264) | veryfast or faster | Slower = better quality but more CPU. veryfast good balance |
| Preset (NVENC) | Quality or Max Quality | Use Max Quality if GPU can handle it |
| Profile | high | Compatibility vs quality. High for modern devices |
| Tune (x264) | None or zerolatency | zerolatency for interaction, none for quality |
| Audio Bitrate | 160 Kbps | 128 minimum, 160-192 recommended, 320 max |
Recording Settings
| Setting | Recommended Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recording Format | mkv (safer) or mp4 | mkv prevents corruption if crash. Remux to mp4 after: File → Remux Recordings |
| Encoder | NVENC / AMD / x264 | Same as streaming but can use slower preset for quality |
| Rate Control | CQP (NVENC) or CRF (x264) | Constant Quality - better than CBR for recording |
| CQ Level (NVENC) | 18-23 | Lower = better quality, larger file. 18-20 for high quality |
| CRF (x264) | 18-23 | Same as CQ - 18 visually lossless, 23 good quality |
| Preset (x264) | slow or medium | Can use slower presets than streaming for better quality |
| Audio Tracks | Multiple tracks | Separate: game, mic, music. Edit independently later |
| Resolution | 1920x1080 or 2560x1440 | Match your monitor or desired output |
| FPS | 60 or 30 | 60fps for gaming, 30fps for tutorials to save space |
Video Settings
| Setting | Value | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Base Canvas Resolution | 1920x1080 | Your working space, usually your monitor resolution |
| Output (Scaled) Resolution | 1920x1080 or 1280x720 | Final stream/recording resolution. Scale down to improve performance |
| Downscale Filter | Lanczos (best quality) | Bicubic for performance, Lanczos for quality when scaling down |
| Common FPS Values | 60 or 30 | 60fps for fast games, 30fps for slower content or bandwidth limits |
| Integer FPS | Fractional: 29.97, 59.94 | Use Integer for simplicity unless specific reason for fractional |
Audio Setup
| Track | Purpose | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Audio | System sounds, game audio | Select default audio device or specific app with Application Audio Capture |
| Mic/Aux | Your microphone | Select mic in Audio settings → Apply filters: Noise Gate, Noise Suppression, Compressor |
| Monitoring | Hear yourself | Advanced Audio Properties → Monitor and Output (to hear yourself + stream) or Monitor Off |
| Audio Tracks (Recording) | Separate audio for editing | Track 1: All. Track 2: Game. Track 3: Mic. Track 4: Music. Edit in Audacity/Premiere |
| Ducking | Lower music when talking | Compressor with Sidechain on music, triggered by mic |
| Audio Sync | Fix audio delay | Advanced Audio Properties → Sync Offset (positive = delay, negative = advance) |
Popular Plugins
| Plugin | Purpose | Download |
|---|---|---|
| StreamFX | Advanced filters, shaders, effects | Blur, glow, 3D transform, SDF effects |
| Move Transition | Animate source movements | Smooth position/scale/rotation transitions between scenes |
| Spectralizer | Audio visualizer | Animated audio spectrum, music visualization |
| Source Record | Record individual sources | Record specific sources separately (webcam only, screen only) |
| NDI Plugin | Network video streams | Send/receive video over network, multi-PC streaming |
| VirtualCam Plugin | Use OBS as webcam | Now built-in: Tools → Start Virtual Camera |
| Replay Source | Instant replay | Show recent gameplay footage on command |
| Source Clone | Reuse sources | Clone source with different filters/transforms |
| Directory Watch Media | Auto-update media | Automatically show latest file in folder (screenshots, clips) |
| Tuna | Song info | Display currently playing song from Spotify, YouTube Music, etc. |
| Advanced Scene Switcher | Automate scene switching | Switch scenes based on time, window, audio level, hotkey |
| Transition Table | Different transitions per scene | Custom transition for each scene pair |
Performance Optimization
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| High CPU Usage | Use hardware encoder (NVENC/AMD). Lower x264 preset to veryfast/superfast. Close background apps |
| Dropped Frames (Network) | Lower bitrate. Check upload speed. Use wired connection. Change server |
| Dropped Frames (Encoding) | Lower output resolution (1080p → 720p). Reduce FPS (60 → 30). Use hardware encoder |
| Choppy Preview | Right-click preview → Enable Performance Mode. Lower preview resolution in View menu |
| Game Lag | Run OBS as administrator. Set OBS to High priority in Task Manager. Use Game Mode (Windows) |
| Large File Sizes | Use CRF/CQP 20-23 instead of 18. Use mp4 instead of mkv. Lower bitrate if acceptable |
| Audio Crackling | Increase audio buffer in Settings → Audio → Use default device timestamps |
| Black Screen (Game Capture) | Run OBS as admin. Change Capture Method. Use Window or Display Capture instead |
Common Setups
| Setup | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Gaming Stream | Scene 1: Game Capture + Webcam + Alerts. Scene 2: BRB (Media Source). Scene 3: Chatting (Webcam fullscreen) |
| Tutorial/Screen Recording | Display Capture + Webcam (corner) + Text overlays. 1080p60, CRF 18-20 |
| Dual PC Streaming | Gaming PC → Capture Card → Streaming PC. NDI for wireless. Game on PC1, encode on PC2 |
| Console Streaming | Console → Capture Card → PC. Video Capture Device for console. Separate Audio Input for mic |
| Podcast/Interview | Multiple Video Capture Devices (cameras). Multiple Audio Inputs. Scene per speaker + combined |
| IRL Streaming | Phone camera via USB/NDI + Mobile hotspot OR dedicated 4G encoder. Battery pack essential |
| Virtual Camera for Zoom | Add sources to scene → Start Virtual Camera → Select "OBS Virtual Camera" in Zoom |
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Black screen (Display Capture) | Run OBS as administrator. Disable laptop integrated graphics if using dedicated GPU |
| Black screen (Game Capture) | Run OBS as admin. Change Capture Method (Auto → Windows 10). Use Window Capture instead |
| No audio from game | Check Desktop Audio device selected. Use Application Audio Capture for specific app |
| Lag between audio and video | Advanced Audio Properties → Sync Offset. Adjust positive (delay audio) or negative (advance) |
| Recording corrupted | Use mkv format. Remux to mp4 after: File → Remux Recordings |
| Stream keeps disconnecting | Lower bitrate. Check upload speed (minimum = bitrate × 1.5). Try different server |
| Webcam green tint | Video Capture Device → Configure Video → Adjust exposure/white balance manually |
| OBS crashes on startup | Delete scene collection: %appdata%/obs-studio/basic/scenes. Reinstall with fresh settings |
💡 Pro Tips:
- Always record in mkv format - prevents file corruption if OBS crashes. Remux to mp4 after
- Use Studio Mode (Ctrl+G) to preview changes before they go live on stream
- Create separate audio tracks when recording for easier editing: game, mic, music
- Test stream to Twitch Inspector or YouTube before going live to check for issues
- Set up hotkeys for Start/Stop Stream, Mute Mic, and Scene Switching for hands-free control
- Use nested scenes to reuse elements (webcam corner, alerts) across multiple main scenes
- Check "Stats" window (View → Stats) to monitor dropped frames, CPU, and bitrate in real-time
- Install Browser Source Dock plugins for alerts/chat visible while streaming
- Use Filters creatively: Apply Chroma Key to remove green screen, then Color Correction to match lighting
- Save Scene Collections for different content (gaming, podcasts, tutorials) - switch instantly
- Replay Buffer is amazing for instant highlights - set hotkey to save last 30-60 seconds
- Run OBS as administrator if having capture issues, especially with anti-cheat games