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On Ubuntu 24.04 or newer, install OBS Studio from the OBS Project’s official PPA if you want closer integration with system devices and plugins. Choose the official Flathub Flatpak if you prefer a sandboxed package or the PPA does not offer a package for your Ubuntu release. After installation, build a scene, check the audio meters, and make a short test recording before relying on OBS for a stream or important capture.
Check your Ubuntu version and session
Before choosing an installer, open Terminal and check the Ubuntu release:
lsb_release -aYou can also use cat /etc/os-release. Check whether your desktop session is Wayland or X11 with:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsecho $XDG_SESSION_TYPEThe result is usually wayland or x11. OBS lists Linux support for an OpenGL 3.3-compatible GPU and both the X window system and Wayland, but this does not guarantee every capture method will work identically on every desktop. See the OBS system requirements.
#1 Best Overall
- [Natural Audio Clarity] Operated with frequency response of 50Hz-16KHz, the podcasting XLR mic delivers balanced audio range, likely to resonate with your audience. Directional cardioid dynamic microphone corded will not exaggerate your voice, while rejects unwanted off-axis noise for vocal originality and intelligibility during your PS5 gaming streaming video recording. (Tips: Keep the top of end-addressing XLR dynamic microphone AM8 facing audio source, and suggested recording range is 2 to 6 in.)
- [XLR Connection Upgrade-Ability] To use XLR connection, connect the podcast microphone to an audio interface (or mixer) using a separate XLR cable (NOT Included) . Well-connected and smooth operation improves audio flexibility to make you explore various types of music recording singing. The streaming mic isolates the pristine and accurate sound from ambient noise with greater no interference and fidelity. (RGB and function key on mic are INACTIVE when using XLR connection.)
- [USB Connection with Handy Mute] Skip the hassle of setting something up and plug the cable to play the dynamic USB microphone directly, which suits for beginner creators or daily podcast. You can quickly control the gamer mic with tap-to-mute that is independent of computer/Macbook programs to keep privacy when live streaming. LED mute reminder helps you get rid of forgetting to cancel the mute. (RGB and function key are only available for USB connection, but NOT for XLR connection)
- [Soothing Controllable RGB] RGB ring on the desktop gaming microphone for PC, with 3 modes and more than 10 light colors collection, matches your PC gears accessories for gaming synergy even in dim room. You can control the RGB key button of the dynamic microphone USB directly for game color scheme gaming or live streaming. Configured memory function, the streaming microphone RGB no need to repeated selections after turnning off and brings itself alive when power on. (Only available for USB connection)
- [More Function Keys] Computer microphone with headphones jack upgrades your rhythm game experience and gets feedback whether the real-time voice your audience hear as expected. Get the desired level via monitoring volume control when gaming recording. Smooth mic gain knob on the PC microphone gaming has some resistance to the point, easily for audio attenuation or boost presence to less post-production audio. (Only available for USB connection)
The current OBS download page documents its Ubuntu PPA for Ubuntu 24.04 and newer. Ubuntu 22.04 users, or anyone whose release has no package candidate in the PPA, can use Flathub instead. Ubuntu’s supported documentation currently covers 22.04, 24.04, and 26.04 LTS; for older or end-of-life releases, check support status at Ubuntu Help. Users of Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, elementary OS, and other derivatives should not assume that the Ubuntu PPA supports their release.
Choose an installation method
The OBS Project identifies both its PPA and Flathub as official Linux distribution options on its download page. The package choice mainly affects how OBS integrates with your system.
| Consideration | Official OBS PPA | Flathub Flatpak |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Ubuntu 24.04+ users who want conventional APT integration | Users who want a sandboxed package or whose Ubuntu release lacks a PPA package |
| System integration | Usually more direct access to host libraries, devices, and native plugins | File and device access can depend on sandbox permissions; plugins may need Flatpak-compatible setup |
| Availability | Depends on the PPA publishing a package for the release and architecture | Distributed through Flathub; its OBS listing currently identifies the Linux build as x86_64 |
| Security trade-off | Adds a third-party APT repository | Uses Flatpak’s sandbox model |
Install from the official PPA on Ubuntu 24.04 or newer
The OBS Project’s current download page gives these installation commands for Ubuntu 24.04 and newer:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgradeIf add-apt-repository is not available, install its helper:
sudo apt install software-properties-commonThen add the OBS repository and install the application:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:obsproject/obs-studio
sudo apt update
sudo apt install obs-studioLaunch OBS from Activities by searching for OBS Studio, or run obs in Terminal. A PPA is maintained outside the Ubuntu archive: Ubuntu warns that PPAs are third-party repositories and are not checked by Ubuntu members for security or reliability. Only add a repository you trust; see Ubuntu’s PPA guidance.
Rank #2
- [Convenient Setup] Plug and play recording USB microphone for PC, with 5.9-Foot USB cable included for computer PC laptop, is connected directly to USB-A port for recording music, computer singing or podcast. The office condenser microphone for computer is easy to use and install. (NOT compatible with Xbox and Phones)
- [Durable Metal Design] Solid sturdy metal construction design, the computer microphone for Zoom meetings with stable tripod stand is convenient when you are doing voice overs or livestreams on YouTube. Durable material extends the service life of the voice-over microphone.
- [Mic Volume Knob] Gaming condenser USB mic compatible for PS4 with additional volume knob itself has a louder or quieter adjustment and is more sensitive. Your voice would be heard well enough through the zoom microphone USB when gaming, skyping or voice recording. Also, you can adjust your volume to zero and protect your privacy.
- [Widely Use] USB-powered design, the condenser microphone for recording no need the 48v Phantom power supply, works well with Cortana, Discord, voice chat and voice recognition. The podcast microphone for Mac, with USB-B to USB-A/C cable, is compatible with desktop, laptop or PS4/PS5, which meets most of your daily recording needs.
- [Clear Output Voice] Cardioid condenser microphone for PC captures your voice properly, producing clear smooth and crisp sound. Great computer recording mic for gamers/streamers/youtubers focus on the main source and reduces background noise. The streaming microphone does the job well for broadcast ,OBS and teamspeak.
The OBS Project’s older Linux installation article, published in 2021, says Ubuntu 18.04 or newer. That older wording conflicts with the current download page’s Ubuntu 24.04+ PPA instructions. Use the current download page as the guide to PPA eligibility rather than assuming the PPA supports every Ubuntu release.
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Install the official Flathub Flatpak
Check whether Flatpak is installed:
flatpak --versionIf the command is unavailable, install Flatpak:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install flatpakIf Flathub is not configured, follow its Ubuntu setup instructions. Then install and launch OBS:
flatpak install flathub com.obsproject.Studio
flatpak run com.obsproject.StudioYou can also install it from the OBS Studio page on Flathub, listed there as OBS Studio by OBS Project. Flatpak’s isolation can limit access to folders, devices, plugins, virtual cameras, and external encoders. If a file or device is missing, review the Flatpak permissions for OBS and confirm that the plugin or integration supports the Flatpak build; do not expect every extension to behave as it does in a native package.
Switch or uninstall later
Before removing an installation, export or back up your profiles and scene collections from OBS. Removing the application does not necessarily remove your configuration; do not delete OBS configuration folders unless you intend to erase those settings too.
- To remove the PPA package and repository, run
sudo apt remove obs-studio, thensudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:obsproject/obs-studioandsudo apt update. - To remove the Flatpak, run
flatpak uninstall com.obsproject.Studio. To remove unused Flatpak runtimes afterward, runflatpak uninstall --unused.
Run the Auto-Configuration Wizard
On first launch, OBS offers an Auto-Configuration Wizard that estimates settings for your hardware and intended use. Choose the recording option for local capture, the streaming option for livestreaming, or the virtual-camera option if that is your main goal. You can run it again from Tools → Auto-Configuration Wizard. OBS describes the wizard in its Quick Start Guide.
Treat the result as a starting point, not a guarantee. The wizard cannot fully account for factors such as thermal throttling, demanding games, background applications, unusual drivers, or complex browser sources. Test the workload you actually plan to capture.
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- Blue VO!CE software: Elevate your streamings and recordings with clear broadcast vocal sound and entertain your audience with enhanced effects, advanced modulation and HD audio samples
- Four pickup patterns: Flexible cardioid, omni, bidirectional, and stereo pickup patterns allow you to record in ways that would normally require multiple mics, for vocals, instruments and podcasts
- Onboard audio controls: Headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and mic gain put you in charge of every level of the audio recording and streaming process
- Positionable design: Pivot the mic in relation to the sound source to optimize your sound quality thanks to the adjustable desktop stand and track your voice in real time with no-latency monitoring
Create a scene and add a capture source
A scene is a layout; its sources are the video, image, text, or audio elements inside it. OBS opens with a blank scene. In the Scenes dock, click + and give it a name such as Desktop Recording. In Sources, click + and choose the capture type that matches what you want to record.
- Display Capture: captures a whole monitor or desktop.
- Window Capture: captures one application window.
- Video Capture Device: adds a webcam or capture card.
- Image or Text: adds a static graphic or label.
- Browser: adds a web page or overlay; availability and behavior can depend on the OBS build and package permissions.
OBS documents Display Capture and Window Capture for Linux in its Quick Start Guide. Do not choose Game Capture as the normal Linux game-capture source: OBS documents that source as Windows-only. On Linux, start with Display Capture or Window Capture and check the results in your desktop session.
Source order matters: items higher in the Sources list appear on top of items below them. Use the eye icon to hide or show a source. Select a source in the preview to move and resize it. OBS’s overview guide documents these canvas controls:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Ctrl+Ffits a source to the screen.Ctrl+Sstretches it to the screen; this can distort the image.Ctrl+Dcenters it.Ctrl+Rresets its transform.- Hold
Altwhile dragging an edge to crop. - Hold
Ctrlto temporarily disable snapping.
Fitting and cropping usually preserve the source’s proportions better than stretching.
Set up your microphone and desktop audio
OBS may select default audio devices automatically, but verify them in the mixer rather than assuming they are correct. Open Settings → Audio to select devices manually. Exact device names vary with Ubuntu release, desktop environment, hardware, and package type; Linux audio may involve PipeWire, PulseAudio compatibility, or both. OBS’s Quick Start Guide covers the audio setup controls.
- Select the intended microphone and desktop-audio output device.
- Speak and confirm the microphone meter moves.
- Play a system sound and confirm the desktop-audio meter moves.
- Keep ordinary speech below the red end of the meter; adjust the device or source level if it is consistently too quiet or too loud.
- Use the mixer’s gear menu to add filters such as noise suppression, noise gate, or gain if needed.
If a meter is silent, check Ubuntu’s Sound Settings, hardware mute switches, the application’s output routing, and the device selection in OBS. Restart OBS after connecting a USB microphone, capture card, or headset. With Flatpak, inspect its permissions if a device is not visible. Avoid monitoring a microphone through speakers, which can cause feedback. OBS may not expose every application’s audio separately on every Ubuntu setup; per-application capture can depend on PipeWire support, a compatible source, or an add-on.
Rank #4
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- Mute Button & LED Indicator --One-click to mute/unmute your microphone for pc, Build-in LED indicator tells you the working status at any time
- Intelligent Noise-Canceling Tech --Premium omnidirectional condenser microphone with noise-canceling technology can pick up your clear voice and reduce background noise and echo
- USB Plug&Play(1.8/6ft USB Cable) -- No driver required. Just need to plug & play for the microphone to start recording, well compatible with Windows(7, 8, 10 and 11) and macOS. (NOT compatible with Xbox/Raspberry Pi/Android)
- Solid Construction--Adopting premium metal pipe and heavy-duty ABS stand to make sure that you will be satisfied with our computer mic quality
Choose recording and video settings
For a first recording, start with the wizard’s suggested settings and make a short test before changing advanced options. In Settings → Output, check the recording path, format/container, encoder, quality preset, and audio tracks. Choose a writable folder with enough free space. Available format and encoder names vary by OBS version, distribution build, GPU, drivers, and installed multimedia libraries. OBS has Simple and Advanced output modes; Advanced gives more separate control over recording and streaming and supports more complex multitrack workflows. See the OBS overview guide.
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Set canvas resolution and frame rate
Open Settings → Video. Base (Canvas) Resolution is the workspace where sources are arranged; Output (Scaled) Resolution is the size OBS records or streams. The base canvas generally matches the monitor or game resolution, while output controls the final video size. Common FPS Value sets the target frame rate.
- Start at 30 fps if you are unsure whether your system can sustain 60 fps.
- Use 60 fps when the content benefits from it and your hardware can handle the added load.
- If performance is poor, try reducing output resolution before making more extensive quality changes.
- Test games, multiple displays, and browser sources under the real workload; each can change performance.
OBS notes that 60 fps can be considerably more demanding than 30 fps in its overview guide.
Select an encoder only after checking what is available
Depending on your GPU, drivers, OBS package, and libraries, the encoder list may offer NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD hardware encoding, software encoding such as x264, or other options. Hardware encoding can reduce CPU load, but it is not automatically the best choice for every system. If an expected hardware encoder is absent, check the GPU driver and whether your chosen OBS package exposes the required multimedia libraries. OBS explains that available hardware encoders depend on the system in its overview guide.
For streaming, avoid copying a bitrate number from a generic tutorial. The appropriate bitrate depends on the service’s current limits, upload capacity, resolution, and frame rate. OBS’s general overview includes an example service limit, but such policies can change; check the platform’s current guidance for your account and stream settings.
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- 【Crystal Clear Audio Quality】Our Omnidirectional pattern condenser microphone accurately captures your voice, making it perfect for dictation, online classrooms, and more.
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- 【Convenient Mute Button with LED Indicator】You can quickly mute/un-mute the microphone with the Mute Button and the built-in LED light lets you know the working status(Greenlight: Connected; Red light: Mute mode).
- 【Easy to use】 No drivers needed, just plug and record without external power supply, directly connect the microphone to a USB compatible device, well compatible with Windows(7, 8 and 10), Mac OS and PS4 (NOT compatible with Raspberry Pi/Linux/Android）
- 【Mini size with Adjustable Gooseneck】Adopted flexible and adjustable gooseneck metal pipe, easily adjust position 360 degrees to suit user comfort. The compact and stable base maximizes your desktop space.
Make and inspect a test recording
Before an important recording or livestream, record for two to five minutes and play the resulting file. OBS recommends testing for a few minutes in its Quick Start Guide.
- Add a Display Capture or Window Capture source and confirm the intended picture appears in the preview.
- Confirm the microphone and desktop-audio meters respond to speech and system sound.
- Click Start Recording, capture a representative sample, then click Stop Recording.
- Open the saved file and check that the image is visible, the intended window or display was captured, and audio is present and synchronized.
- Check for severe stutter or dropped frames and confirm the file is saved in the configured location.
Stream from Ubuntu
To configure a livestream, open Settings → Stream, choose the service, then authenticate or enter the stream key according to that service’s instructions. OBS lets users select a service and server and enter a key, as described in its overview guide.
- Run the Auto-Configuration Wizard with the streaming option.
- Build scenes and verify the audio meters before going live.
- Use a private or unlisted test if the platform offers that option.
- Start the broadcast with Start Streaming only after checking the preview and audio.
A stream key is a credential: do not show it in screenshots, recordings, or public posts. If it is exposed, rotate it using the streaming service’s account controls.
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Troubleshoot common OBS problems on Ubuntu
The PPA has no OBS package or installation fails
Refresh package information and inspect whether APT sees a candidate:
sudo apt update
apt policy obs-studioIf there is no candidate for your Ubuntu release or architecture, do not substitute an unfamiliar PPA. Install the official Flathub package instead. If add-apt-repository is missing, install software-properties-common and retry. For dependency conflicts, review the APT error before removing or replacing packages.
The capture preview is black
- Confirm the intended display or window is selected and the source is visible.
- Check that another source is not covering it in the Sources list.
- Use Display Capture for a full desktop or Window Capture for a single application.
- Check whether the app and OBS are using different GPUs.
- Check your session with
echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE; Wayland portals and capture behavior can vary by Ubuntu release, desktop environment, and package. - For Flatpak, review desktop/display permissions. If appropriate, try another capture source as a diagnostic.
OBS lists Wayland as supported, but that does not mean every capture workflow is identical to X11. Switching sessions is a diagnostic fallback, not the first fix.
Desktop audio or microphone is missing
- Check Ubuntu Sound Settings for the active input and output devices and confirm neither is muted.
- Open Settings → Audio and explicitly select the intended devices.
- Check whether the application is routed to a different output and whether the relevant OBS meter moves.
- Reconnect the USB or Bluetooth device and restart OBS.
- For Flatpak, check whether its permissions allow access to the device and audio stack.
The recording is choppy
Reduce the workload in a measured order: close unnecessary applications and browser tabs; lower output resolution; reduce 60 fps to 30 fps; try an available hardware encoder; simplify scenes and browser sources; then check GPU drivers and system temperature. Test again with a simple Display Capture scene. OBS notes that CPU demand varies with encoder, resolution, frame rate, and scene complexity in its system requirements.
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The file is missing or will not open
Check the recording path in Settings → Output, available disk space, and whether Flatpak can access the selected folder. Make sure OBS stopped recording cleanly and the file is no longer being written. If the intended editor does not accept the chosen container, check whether your OBS build can remux it. A short test recording can reveal path and compatibility problems before a long session.
A plugin does not appear, or a device feature is unavailable
Confirm that the plugin supports Linux and your installed OBS version, and that you installed it in the directory expected by your package. Some plugins expect a native installation and may not work in Flatpak without compatible extensions or permissions. Treat third-party plugins as executable software and verify their source and compatibility before installing them.
Quick Recap
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