Want to start a streaming career?
Regardless of your chosen platform, you need the right software to broadcast your stream. The good news is that OBS is free and offers easier streaming for beginners.
Ready to start broadcasting your stream? Read on and learn how to set up OBS like a pro:
How to Set Your Stream Key on OBS
Before streaming anything, give OBS the right credentials to broadcast your stream. The way you do this depends on your chosen platform. Twitch is a great opportunity to start earning income online as it’s one of the world’s largest streaming platforms.
No matter the platform, you can generate your stream key in your account settings. On Twitch, it’s easier since you can connect your account to OBS directly. Log in with your Twitch credentials on OBS to stream right away.
OBS has OAuth, in case you have privacy concerns. With OAuth, you don’t pass any login information through the software.
To set up your stream using your Twitch stream key, go to your Twitch account. On the top right, you’ll see your avatar. Click on it and select the dashboard option.
Once there, look at the menu on the left and click channel. It’s underneath the settings header. Click the purple Show Key button and copy the text.
Go to OBS since it’s where you’ll enter the stream key. Go to the main window and select the Stream tab from the menu. In the drop-down box for Service, pick Twitch.
Paste the Stream Key in the appropriate field and click Apply.
How to Set the Output Resolution and Bitrate in OBS
After setting your stream, you must set other important stream aspects. It involves your resolution, bitrate, and frame rate. Your PC will work harder the higher they are.
OBS has no built-in bandwidth checker. It means you must tweak the settings to find out what works best for your setup. If your internet connection is stable and your PC has awesome specs, use a 1080p60 at a higher bitrate.
However, if you’re planning to stream online, consider your audience. Some viewers have slower connections, so these settings may make videos load slower. Figure out the right balance between your viewers and your capabilities.
Adjust your OBS settings by selecting the Video tab from the Settings menu. Input your desired levels for the base and output resolution. Do the same for the frame rate before clicking the Output tab.
Once there, adjust your video bitrate box. On the dropdown menu, pick your preferred encoder. Pick whether OBS uses your CPU or GPU.
How to Set Up Audio Devices in OBS
After setting your video output, it’s your audio’s turn. Bad audio can hurt your viewer count. If you want to ensure your streaming success, invest in good audio quality.
Planning to use multiple audio devices? It would help to get audio management devices to ease your burden.
Go to the Settings menu and select the Audio tab. You’ll see various boxes representing your desktop audio devices. Your microphone and other auxiliary devices are there.
The audio tab also gives various options like the push to talk or push to mute. It works regardless of the hardware audio device.
Your main OBS window lets you manage audio levels using the mixer. Consoles are sources on their own. A good practice is to turn it down since it’s too loud when using the default settings.
How to Add Capture Cards and Webcams to OBS
Are you streaming console-based games? Add your capture card as a source in your OBS software. After that, add a webcam device to let everyone see your wonderful visage while playing.
The process of adding these are the same in OBS. Click the + button in the sources box located in the main OBS window. Pick a video capture device and input a name that would make it easier to identify.
Click OK and pick the appropriate capture card or webcam from the Device dropdown box. Here, you can also adjust some video settings like frame rate and resolution. For capture cards, pick the highest possible option from your console, like 1080p60.
If your stream has a little window, it’s a waste of processing power and bandwidth. Try 720p when this happens. 720p consumes fewer resources but will look great on stream regardless.
How to Add PC Game Capture to OBS
OBS is more desirable if you’re a PC gamer. The software can detect your games and import them. To set your PC game capture, click the + button in the main window’s sources box.
Pick Game Capture. You’ll get options to optimize your streaming experience. If your PC games are always in fullscreen, set OBS to capture any fullscreen application. This option is available in the Mode dropdown menu.
Windowed games are also easy to capture. Change the mode to “capture specific window” in the mode options. Pick your game from the dropdown box for windows.
Twitch is a great platform for creators to share original content. However, to grow your brand, you need to market yourself first. Check out our guide to learn more about boosting your social media leads!
How to Add a Stream Overlay to OBS
One of OBS basics is to add an overlay to your stream. It makes your stream look more professional. You can also view new followers and subscribers, add social media links, and more.
Regardless of your chosen service, adding OBS for beginners follows the same process. Copy your overlay URL and go to your main window. Click the + button and pick the browser source.
Paste the URL in the appropriate field. Change the height, width, and frame rate to match your settings. The overlay will appear on your stream. Move it toward the top of your list to ensure it’s on top of your other stream items.
Learn How to Set Up OBS Today
These are some things to set if you use OBS for your streams. Use the steps above to set up OBS and kickstart your career. You can also consider reading our pro tips for using OBS software.
OBS is only the beginning of your streaming journey. Wondering if you should get a new PC setup for your streams? Check out this guide to discover if you should build or buy a PC.
