This wikiHow teaches you how to use OBS Studio to record your screen on Windows or macOS.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Record the screen
Step 1. Open OBS Studio on a PC or Mac
It is located in the area All applications from the Start menu in Windows and in the folder Applications on macOS.
If you want to record yourself playing a video game, check the following method
Step 2. Click the + under “Sources”
It's near the lower-left corner of OBS. A list of the sources will appear.
Step 3. Click Show Snapshot
This will open the "Create / Select Source" window.
Step 4. Click OK
This will open a window with a preview of the desktop.
Step 5. Select the screen you want to record
If you only have one video card or monitor, there is no need to make any changes. To record a different screen, select it from the "Screen" drop-down menu.
Step 6. Click OK
This will take you back to the main OBS Studio screen.
Step 7. Adjust the volume as needed
You will see two sliders on the "Mixer" tab at the bottom of OBS.
- Desktop Audio: Control the sounds coming from the computer (applications and music) during recording.
- Mic / Aux: This controls the microphone or an external input. If you are using a microphone to speak over the recording, make sure this slider is at the top; if it isn't, just move the bar as far to the left as possible.
Step 8. Click Start Recording
It's near the lower-right corner of OBS. Recording will start immediately.
Step 9. Click Stop Recording when you are done
It's just below "Start Recording."
- The video file has been saved in the Videos folder. To access this folder, press ⊞ Win + E to open File Explorer, then click on the folder Videos in the left column.
- To change the default save location, click Setting In the lower right corner of OBS, click Examine… next to “Recording Path”.
Method 2 of 2: Record a game
Step 1. Open the game you want to record
OBS Studio can record you playing any DirectX or OpenGL video game.
Step 2. Open OBS Studio on a PC or Mac
It is located in the area All applications from the Start menu in Windows and in the folder Applications on macOS.
Step 3. Click + under “Sources”
It's near the lower-left corner of OBS. A list of sources will appear.
Step 4. Click Capture Game
This will open the "Create / Select Source" window.
Step 5. Click OK
Step 6. Select a capture mode
The default option Capture any application in full screen mode it will automatically detect the game as long as it is in full screen mode.
- If you keep the default mode, you have to know that removing the full screen mode (like when you press Alt + Tab ↹) will put the screen black until you reopen it.
- To capture only the video game, click on the "Mode" menu, select capture a specific window, and then choose the game.
Step 7. Click OK
This will take you back to the main OBS Studio screen.
Step 8. Adjust the volume as needed
You will see two sliders on the "Mixer" tab at the bottom of OBS.
- Desktop Audio: controls the volume of the sound that comes from the game, as well as that of any other open application.
- Mic / Aux: Control the microphone or an external input. If you are using a microphone to speak over the recording, make sure this slider is at the top. If not, just move it as far to the left as possible.
Step 9. Click Start Recording
It's near the lower-right corner of OBS. Recording will start immediately.
Step 10. Click Stop Recording when you are done
It's just below "Start Recording."
- The video file is saved in the Videos folder. To access this folder, press ⊞ Win + E to open File Explorer, then click on the folder Videos in the left column.
- To change the default save location, click Settings in the lower right corner of OBS, and click Examine… next to “Recording Path”, then select a different folder.