For most OBS recordings, start with Settings → Output, choose a folder with enough free space, record to MKV, and select a quality preset your computer can handle. Make a short test recording before a long session. If your editor needs MP4, remux the finished MKV rather than risking an interrupted regular MP4 recording.
How do I record a stream in OBS?
- Set the recording folder. Open Settings → Output and set Recording Path to a location with adequate free space. An external drive is an option if your computer is short on storage; OBS does not require a particular drive or capacity.
- Choose a recording format. Select MKV for a resilient default. If you need MP4 for editing or uploading, remux the completed recording afterward or enable automatic remuxing in Advanced settings.
- Choose output mode and quality. Simple output is a straightforward starting point. Use Advanced output when you need separate recording encoder settings, multiple audio tracks, or recording rescaling.
- Check sources and audio. Confirm the intended video sources are visible and the right audio sources are active. If using multiple tracks, check which sources are assigned to each track.
- Start recording and check the result. Make a short test, stop it normally, then open the file from the recording folder. Verify picture, audio, playback compatibility, and the save location before relying on a long capture.
OBS places its basic recording controls under Settings → Output. Its Standard Recording Output Guide recommends MKV for most use cases because an interrupted recording is less likely to lose the entire file.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Should I use MKV or MP4 for OBS recordings?
| Format | Advantage | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| MKV | OBS recommends it for most cases; an ungracefully interrupted recording does not necessarily corrupt the whole file. | Some editing software handles MKV less well, so remuxing may be necessary. |
| Regular MP4 or MOV | Broad compatibility with editing and online video workflows. | The file needs finalization; an interrupted write may leave it unrecoverable. OBS does not recommend recording directly to regular MP4 or MOV. |
| Fragmented or hybrid MP4/MOV | Can combine improved resilience with wider compatibility in supported workflows. | Compatibility depends on the editor and codec combination; some editing suites may require remuxing. |
To convert an existing MKV recording without re-encoding it, use OBS File → Remux Recordings. You can also enable automatic remuxing in Advanced settings. Check your editor’s format support before a long recording. The OBS formats guide describes container and codec compatibility.
Recommended Free Tools
Which OBS recording quality setting should I choose?
In Simple output, the presets make different tradeoffs between visual quality, file size, and system load. OBS describes High Quality as targeting high quality with a medium file size. Indistinguishable prioritizes quality but creates larger files and can affect older or weaker hardware. Lossless creates exceptionally large files and uses the CPU encoder. Same as stream reuses streaming encoder settings, but recording cannot be paused in that mode. See OBS’s recording encoder presets guide.
#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)
- Choose High Quality when a practical file size matters and the recording looks good for its intended use.
- Try Indistinguishable if you need more image detail and have storage and hardware headroom; test first for performance.
- Use Lossless only when its very large files and CPU encoding suit a specific workflow.
- Choose Same as stream if matching the stream’s encoder settings matters more than pausing the recording.
There is no universally best preset for every computer, intended output, and editing workflow. A recording mode other than Same as stream can use additional system resources, so watch for performance issues during a test.
What advanced encoder settings should I use?
Advanced mode is for cases where you need control over recording separately from streaming, or need track selection or rescaling. OBS’s Advanced Recording Settings Guide, published 2023-11-30, gives the following baseline examples. They are starting points for the named encoders, not guarantees for every OBS version or hardware configuration.
Rank #2
- Custom three-capsule array: This professional USB mic produces clear, powerful, broadcast-quality sound for YouTube videos, Twitch game streaming, podcasting, Zoom meetings, music recording and more
- 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
| Encoder | OBS baseline examples |
|---|---|
| NVENC | Constant QP 16–23; keyframe interval 2; preset P5; High Quality tuning; two-pass quarter-resolution; High profile; look-ahead off; adaptive quantization on; 2 B-frames. |
| x264 | CRF 16–23; keyframe interval 2; veryfast CPU preset; High profile; no tune. |
| AMD | CQP 16–23; keyframe interval 2; Quality preset; High profile; maximum 0 B-frames. |
| Quick Sync | ICQ 16–23; TU4; High profile; keyframe interval 2; normal latency; 3 B-frames. |
For these quality-number controls, a lower value means higher quality and a larger file. Not every setting is available on every encoder or system. OBS’s standard guide also notes that hardware encoder availability varies by machine.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
For high-quality local recording, OBS’s formats guidance recommends the best-quality hardware encoder available and gives this order: AV1, then HEVC, then H.264. Treat that as guidance for the use case described in the OBS documentation, not a universal rule: codec support differs, AV1 has weaker editing support in that guide, and H.264 remains broadly compatible.
Rank #3
- [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.
How do I record separate audio tracks in OBS?
- Open Advanced Audio Properties and assign each audio source to the track or tracks you want.
- Open Settings → Output and enable the corresponding recording tracks.
- Make a test recording and check the tracks in your editor or media software.
Separate tracks are useful when you plan to adjust sources independently in post-production. Standard video players generally play only one track at a time. If the file must play with a complete mix without editing, assign all sources to track 1 as well. See the OBS multiple audio tracks guide.
How much storage does an OBS recording use?
File size depends on quality settings and the encoder; it is not fixed just by choosing OBS. As a specific example, the OBS Project’s recording encoder presets guide says the Lossless preset produces around 7 GB per minute. That estimate applies to that lossless preset, which uses the CPU encoder, not to ordinary recordings in general.
Rank #4
- [Award Honored, Full Audio] FIFINE AmpliGame A6V, a gaming mic, has earned the globally recognized iF Design Award. The PC microphone with 192kHz sampling rate delivers naturally detailed audio, making your team sound like they're right beside you. Cardioid polar pattern and 70dB SNR offer dual support for pure voice, sensitive to the front vocal and reducing background noise interference. The streaming mic helps you win more easily.
- [Quick Mute Button, Handy Gain Knob] Immediately silence the USB microphone with a tap, preventing emotional outbursts to maintain a positive team atmosphere. RGB off when muted to indicate status and prevent streaming accidents. Mic volume control conveniently located on the condenser microphone is intuitive to use. You can speak at a comfortable level without shouting or whispering during game.
- [Gradient RGB] Bicolored RGB cycles through 7 gradient colors automatically. Vivid lighting on the FIFINE microphone for PC enhances your glowing rig for a carnival atmosphere, immersing you in the intense game arena. The computer microphone for desktop with fixed light modes achieves a personalized experience without visual clutter, randomly matching game characters for surprise color combos.
- [Plug and Play] The PS5 microphone is easy to install and compatible with PS4, desktop, laptop and mainstream operating systems like Windows/Mac OS, without extra software. Quickly start game chat on Discord, Team and Zoom, or stream on OBS, Streamlabs and Twitch platforms. The gaming microphone PC coming with 6.6ft-long detachable USB cable ensures no interruptions or connectivity issues, even if your computer host is under the desk.
- [Useful Accessories] The podcast microphone features durable construction. Anti-vibration shock mount with four rubber bands absorbs tremor from keyboard taps and mouse clicks. The detachable pop filter reduces plosives caused by excited speech during gaming. The stable tripod stand with rubber feet allows for optimal recording positioning via an adjustable thumbscrew, whether you're leaning back or in.
Check free space at the destination before a long session. If local storage is limited, an external drive can provide more room, but it does not solve encoder overload, dropped frames, or image-quality problems.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWhat should I check if an OBS recording has a problem?
- The recording is missing or saved somewhere unexpected: Check Settings → Output → Recording Path, then confirm the destination drive has free space.
- An interrupted recording will not open: If you recorded directly to regular MP4 or MOV, an incomplete file may be unrecoverable. For future recordings, use MKV or a supported fragmented/hybrid format. Remuxing helps with format compatibility; it cannot guarantee recovery of every damaged file.
- The editor will not import the MKV: Use File → Remux Recordings to create an MP4, or check whether the editor supports the file’s container and codecs.
- The recording is too large: Use a less storage-intensive quality preset and make another test. Lossless is especially demanding on storage.
- The computer struggles while recording: Try a less demanding preset, verify the selected encoder is supported, and test the recording workload. Recording with settings different from the stream can require additional system resources.
- The video plays but some audio is missing: Check Advanced Audio Properties and the enabled recording tracks. A standard player may play only one track; include the complete mix on track 1 if ordinary playback is required.
Or let it run in the cloud
For a prerecorded video you want to keep live on YouTube without leaving a computer on, StreamNeo runs the loop from the cloud: upload your video, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home. It streams the file as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card; one free day is available per account. Monthly is $9.99 per month. UPI and cards are accepted in India; card checkout is available worldwide. Start your StreamNeo free day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Studio-Quality Sound for Clear Podcast Recording – The K66 USB podcast microphone delivers studio-quality, broadcast-level audio using a high-performance condenser capsule and cardioid pickup pattern that focuses on your voice while reducing unwanted background noise. Designed as a reliable microphone for PC, it features a wide 40Hz–18kHz frequency response and a 46kHz sampling rate to reproduce rich lows, smooth mids, and clear highs for natural, detailed vocals. With –45dB ±3dB sensitivity, it captures balanced sound without distortion during expressive speaking. Ideal for podcasting, voice-over, online classes, meetings, and professional content creation.
- Intelligent Noise Reduction Mode for Cleaner Podcast Audio – This podcast microphone features an advanced Noise Reduction Mode designed for clearer, more focused voice recording in real-world environments. Press and hold the mute button to enable noise reduction (blue indicator). In this mode, the microphone helps reduce keyboard clicks, PC fan noise, air conditioner hum, and background chatter. Default Mode maintains a warm, natural vocal tone for quiet spaces. Designed as a reliable microphone for PC, it allows creators to identify the active mode instantly and adapt as needed, ensuring clear audio for podcasting, gaming, streaming, online classes, meetings, and recording.
- True Plug-and-Play USB Microphone with Wide Device Compatibility – Engineered for effortless plug-and-play use, the K66 USB microphone requires no drivers, apps, or software installation. Simply connect and start recording on Windows PC, Mac, laptops, PS4, PS5, and tablets. Included USB-C and Lightning adapters ensure seamless compatibility with iPhone, iPad, and modern USB-C phones and devices, making it easy to switch between desktop and mobile recording. Ideal for creators working across multiple platforms, this microphone delivers consistent, high-quality audio for YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, Zoom, Discord, OBS Studio, Streamlabs, podcasting, livestreaming, and professional voice recording.
- Real-Time Zero-Latency Monitoring with Adjustable Volume Control – This podcast microphone features real-time, zero-latency monitoring through a built-in 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing you to hear exactly what’s being recorded without delay. Designed as a reliable microphone for PC, it includes a dedicated monitoring volume control that lets you adjust headphone listening levels independently for accurate and comfortable audio monitoring. Real-time feedback helps identify distortion, background noise, or uneven volume before it affects your final recording, making this podcast microphone ideal for podcasting, streaming, online teaching, voice-over work, and professional content creation.
- Precision Audio Adjustment Knobs for Full Sound Control – This podcast microphone gives creators hands-on control with dedicated knobs for microphone volume, monitoring volume, and echo adjustment. Fine-tune mic gain to maintain clear, balanced vocal output, adjust headphone monitoring levels independently for comfortable listening, and add or reduce echo to enhance depth and presence. Designed as a reliable PC microphone, these intuitive physical controls allow fast, on-the-fly adjustments without software, helping identify distortion, background noise, or level inconsistencies instantly. Ideal for podcasting, streaming, ASMR, voice-overs, singing, and professional multi-platform recording.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
