OBS is one of the most used streaming software.
This is probably because it is the less demanding one, yet has a lot of features, and great editing tools. These are top 10 OBS tips:
These are top 10 OBS tips:
1. Switch to Graphics Card – change encoding from OBS to your GPU
2. Changing the Bitrate – if your upload internet speed is good, let it be between 3500 and 5000 kbps, but don’t go under 2000 kbps
3. Audio Filters for Better Audio Quality – use Noise suppression, Noise Gate, and Gain Filter for better stream
4. Webcam Filters – make your video more pleasing, and use a green screen to remove the background
5. Overlays from One Browser Source
6. Changing the Resolution – keep the base resolution higher, 1080p, if that resolution matches the desktop resolution, but downscale the output resolution
7. Picking the Frame Rate – if you have better hardware choose 60 fps or stick to 30 fps
8. Hotkeys – create keyboard shortcuts for faster execution of commands
9. Testing before the Stream Starts
10. Browsing and Learning – always be up to date with the latest trends in streaming
Without any further ado, let’s begin with the OBS tips!
Table of Contents
10 OBS Tips and Tricks for Your Streams
1. Switch to Graphics Card
Most streamers use default OBS settings, and when it comes to encoding, this setting is not always the best.
If you notice a drop in performance, this is probably due to an overloaded CPU.
As said, OBS isn’t so demanding, but when the game, stream, and software are all opened at the same time, the CPU can easily get overloaded.
That is why you should consider choosing another encoding setting.
Graphics card for encoding is a much better choice, especially for people that have NVIDIA graphics card.
This setting is a part of Output settings, so just open this tab, and choose NVENC.
The problems with performance should be resolved.
2. Changing the Bitrate
Typically, streamers choose high bitrates expecting great Twitch stream quality.
These high values should result in high quality, but it may not always be the case.
If you aren’t using the best bitrate for your computer and internet connection, you will experience lags or even dropped frames.
So, your viewers won’t be enjoying the stream so much.
Before you adjust this setting, check the internet upload speed.
Only by knowing how fast the upload is, you can tweak this setting properly.
There are multiple websites for checking this parameter, so use the one that you find reliable.
When adjusting bitrate, keep in mind that it cannot be equal to the upload speed.
Typically, bitrate is a bit lower, or otherwise, the same problem will occur.
Also, be careful how low are you setting it.
Too low bitrate will result in poor video quality, and viewers won’t be able to follow the stream.
So, don’t go under 2000 kbps.
3. Audio Filters for Better Audio Quality
Most streamers do not use the best audio equipment for streaming.
For many, just a microphone and desktop sound are enough, and viewers do not have any trouble hearing them. So, how do they do it?
Well, OBS has audio filters which can significantly boost the quality of the sound.
One filter that should be used in all streams is Noise suppression.
It will block any background noise, so viewers can enjoy the clear sound.
Other filters I would recommend are Noise Gate, as well as Gain Filter.
These filters combined with the first one will make sure that the audio quality of your streams is unmatchable.
4. Webcam Filters
When it comes to filters, I have to mention webcam filters as well.
If you have decided to add webcam video to your stream, you should also make sure that the audience can see your face clearly.
QUICK OVERVIEW: Best Webcams
 | Logitech C922x
| |
 | Best Seller Logitech HD
| |
 | Logitech Brio
|
The background might be a bit distracting for them, so a green screen is also recommended.
If you are sitting in front of a neutral background then you can just add a few filters for color correction and some to make the video more esthetically pleasing.
5. Overlays from One Browser Source
Many of these OBS tips can help you reduce CPU usage – this is especially important for streamers that didn’t switch to hardware encoding.
Overlays, especially if there are many of them, can increase CPU usage significantly.
That is why you should group them and add them as only one browser source.
Also, the layout will be more organized which will make navigating easier.
6. Changing the Resolution
Every streamer wants to stream in 1080p Scaled Resolution.
However, this setting can cause many problems, especially if your computer cannot support it.
Keep the base resolution higher, 1080p, if that resolution matches the desktop resolution, but downscale the output resolution.
720p is high enough for streaming – there won’t be any lags, skipped or dropped frames, so viewers will enjoy the stream more.
Another setting you should adjust is the Downscale filter.
Bicubic is a great setting for someone with a more powerful computer, but for others, it is better to set it to Bilinear.
7. Picking the Frame Rate
After talking about the right bitrate and resolution, I also have to mention the frame rate, since it is one of the equally important OBS tips and these settings go hand in hand together.
Typically, streamers choose either 30 FPS or 60 FPS, but which is really ideal?
Well, this depends on the resolution you’ve picked and the game you are playing.
For example, streaming in 720p and 30 FPS won’t overburden the CPU, but that FPS is only suitable for single-player games.
If the game is more dynamic, you can stick to 720p but change the FPS to 60, so more details are captured.
8. Hotkeys
Hotkeys are just keyboard shortcuts – with them it is easier to access some commands during the stream. For example, you can add a hotkey for scene transition, or for switching between different sources.
There isn’t any rule for which hotkey is a must. This depends entirely on your needs.
After a few streams, you will notice which controls you use the most and accordingly add the hotkeys.
They all have to be set up manually.
9. Testing before the Stream Starts
Once you’ve adjusted the settings, one of the best OBS tips would be to test the stream.
This is the best way to determine whether everything works fine and spot any mistakes.
If there are any, you can easily fix them before going live.
10. Browsing and Learning
OBS is one of the most used streaming software. It is quite versatile and options are numerous.
So, one of my last OBS tips is to continue learning!
Streaming a great hobby, but it can also become your job.
Anybody can become a streamer as long as they do their homework and continue learning about the platform and program they are using.
Advantages of Using OBS
In the end, I would like to mention a few advantages of this software.
OBS gained its popularity for a reason, so let’s see what makes it so attractive:
1. Open-Source
You won’t have to spend a penny on this software.
It has an open-source code, which means that you can easily access it, change it and help improve it.
2. Compatibility
OBS is not suitable only for Twitch streaming.
You can use it to stream on other platforms and gain followers outside Twitch.
Also, it is compatible with multiple operating systems, which means that even after changing the equipment, you can keep using the software.
3. Numerous Plugins
Many features aren’t integrated into OBS, but it is possible to add them to the streams via plugins.
OBS is compatible with numerous, so adding OBS alerts, or a chat box shouldn’t be a problem.
Conclusion
Hopefully, one of these ten OBS tips and tricks helped you improve your stream and gain more followers and subscribers.
Check out the FAQ section below as well!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best streaming bitrate?
This depends on your computer. Typically, between 3500 and 5000 kbps is ideal, but check whether the CPU can handle it. Never go below 2000 kbps.
Which bitrate to choose for 720p?
Again, in this case, anything above 3500 kbps and below 5000 kbps would be ideal. Also, set the FPS to 60.
Is 30 FPS enough for streaming?
This will depend on the game you are recording and the resolution. If you are streaming in 720p, you can use higher FPS. Higher FPS is also recommended for more dynamic games.
