Professional Guide to Screen Recording

for YouTube Using OBS


1. Why Screen Recording is Essential for YouTubers

1.  Universal Need: Nearly all creators require screen recording for:

        *  B-roll of articles/tweets/comments

        *  Software tutorials

        *  Digital whiteboard demonstrations

        *  Reaction content

2.  Gaming Creators: Critical for gameplay capture

3.  Non-Gaming Creators: Vital for supplemental visuals


2. OBS Studio Setup (Free & Professional)

Step 1: Download & Install

    *  Visit obsproject.com

    *  Install for Windows/macOS/Linux


Step 2: Optimal Settings Configuration

1.Output Settings (Settings > Output > Advanced):

        *  Recording Format: MP4 (stable) or MKV (crash-resistant)

        *  Encoder:

             1.  NVIDIA: NVENC H.264

             2.  AMD: AMF

             3.  Intel: QuickSync

        *  Rate Control: CQP (15-20 for quality/performance balance)

        *  Audio: AAC @ 256kbps, 48kHz (if mic supports)

OBS settings

2.Video Settings:

        *  Base Resolution: 1920x1080 (standard) or 4K (if hardware allows)

        *  FPS: 30 (standard) or 60 (gaming)

3.Audio Setup:

        *  Separate tracks for:

            i. Desktop audio

            ii. Microphone

            iii. Additional sources (Discord, etc.)

        *  Balance levels: Voice > background sounds


3. Advanced Capture Techniques

Multi-Source Recording:

   1.Display Capture: Records entire screen

   2.Window Capture: Isolates specific applications

   3.Video Capture Device: Webcam/facecam overlay

        *  Position/resize via drag-and-drop

        *  Right-click > Transform > Fit to Screen

Pro Audio Isolation:

   1. Settings > Output > Recording > Tracks:

        *  Track 1: Desktop audio

        *  Track 2: Microphone

        *  Track 3: Secondary audio (e.g., Discord)

   2. Enables independent editing in post-production

OBS Youtube settings recording audio


4. Dual-Canvas Workflow for Maximum Flexibility

1.Double Your Canvas Width:

        *  Settings > Video > Base Canvas: 3840x1080 (2x 1920x1080)


2.Arrange Sources:

        *  Left half: Screen capture

        *  Right half: Facecam


3.Post-Production:

       *  Crop to isolate elements

       *  Re-composite with full positioning control


5. Key Professional Tips


   1. Test Recordings: Verify audio balance before final capture

   2. Shortcuts: Configure hotkeys (Settings > Hotkeys) for:

        *  Start/stop recording

        *  Pause/resume

   3. Crash Protection: Use MKV format + "Remux" to MP4 post-recording


6. Common Issues & Solutions

                   Problem                                                                       Solution


               Black Screen                                                 Run OBS as Administrator

          Audio Sync Issues                 Check sample rates match (48kHz recommended)

            High CPU Usage                                        Lower CQP value or resolution

       Webcam Not Detected                        Check privacy settings (Windows/macOS)


7. Recommended Hardware

GPU: NVIDIA RTX (NVENC) or AMD RX (AMF)

CPU: Intel i7+/Ryzen 7+ for 1080p60

Microphone: USB condenser (Blue Yeti/Rode NT-USB)


8. Post-Recording Workflow

1.File Location: Check Settings > Output > Recording Path

2.Editing:

        *  DaVinci Resolve (Free) for multi-track editing

        *  Audacity for audio cleanup

3.Backup: Always retain original OBS recordings


Final Note: These OBS techniques are used by top creators like MrBeast for B-roll

and Linus Tech Tips for tutorials. Proper setup saves hours in post-production