OBS Studio Course

Lesson 1 • Navigating the OBS Interface

Introduces every panel, toolbar, and menu in the OBS main window. Students gain spatial familiarity needed to work efficiently throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • What OBS Studio Is and Does

Covers OBS Studio's role as a free, open-source tool for recording and live streaming. Establishes context before any technical setup begins.

Lesson 3 • Installing OBS on Your System

Guides students through downloading and installing OBS on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Ensures a clean, error-free installation on any major OS.

Lesson 1 • Adding and Configuring Sources

Covers every major source type available in OBS and how to add them to a scene. Students learn source-specific settings that control appearance and behavior.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Scenes and Scene Collections

Explains scenes as independent canvas layouts and collections as grouped sets of scenes. Establishes the organizational logic used throughout production.

Lesson 3 • Transforming and Layering Sources

Teaches resizing, repositioning, cropping, and z-order management for sources on the canvas. Students build polished, layered layouts with precise control.

Lesson 4 • Working with Media and Browser Sources

Introduces Media Source for local video files and Browser Source for web-based content. Expands creative options beyond basic screen capture.

Lesson 1 • Applying Audio Filters

Introduces the OBS audio filter chain including noise suppression, gates, and compression. Students apply filters to eliminate unwanted noise and control dynamics.

Lesson 2 • Capturing Desktop and Microphone Audio

Sets up Desktop Audio and Mic/Auxiliary Audio devices in OBS global settings. Establishes the two primary audio inputs used in most productions.

Lesson 3 • Using the Audio Mixer

Covers volume faders, mute buttons, and per-track settings in the Audio Mixer panel. Students balance multiple audio streams to achieve a clean mix.

Lesson 1 • Choosing and Configuring an Encoder

Compares software encoders like x264 with hardware encoders such as NVENC, AMF, and QuickSync. Students select the best encoder for their hardware and use case.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Resolution and Frame Rate

Explains base canvas resolution, output resolution, and frame rate and their impact on quality. Provides the conceptual foundation for all encoding decisions.

Lesson 3 • Streaming Output and Bitrate Settings

Configures streaming-specific output including bitrate, keyframe interval, and encoder preset. Students match settings to their upload bandwidth and platform requirements.

Lesson 1 • Multistreaming and Simultaneous Outputs

Explains how to stream to multiple platforms simultaneously using OBS and third-party services. Expands audience reach without duplicating production effort.

Lesson 2 • Managing a Live Broadcast

Covers scene switching, source toggling, and real-time adjustments during a live stream. Students maintain a smooth, professional broadcast under live conditions.

Lesson 3 • Connecting to Streaming Platforms

Shows how to enter stream keys and configure service settings for major platforms. Students establish a reliable connection before going live.

Lesson 4 • Monitoring Stream Health and Stats

Introduces the Stats dock and network indicators to diagnose performance in real time. Students interpret metrics and respond to degraded stream quality.

Lesson 1 • Configuring Scene Transitions

Introduces built-in transitions such as Cut, Fade, and Stinger and how to assign them. Students control how scenes change to maintain viewer engagement.

Lesson 2 • Using the Studio Mode

Explains Studio Mode's preview-program workflow for safe, rehearsed scene switching. Students transition scenes confidently without exposing unfinished layouts to viewers.

Lesson 3 • Applying Filters to Sources

Covers the source filter dialog and common filters like color correction, crop, and sharpening. Students enhance source appearance without external software.

Lesson 1 • Automating with Advanced Scene Switcher

Uses the Advanced Scene Switcher plugin to trigger scene changes based on rules and conditions. Students automate repetitive switching logic for unattended or complex productions.

Lesson 2 • Essential Plugins for Productivity

Introduces high-value plugins including Move Transition, Source Clone, and Advanced Scene Switcher. Students integrate tools that solve common production challenges.

Lesson 3 • Configuring Hotkeys

Maps keyboard shortcuts to OBS actions like scene switching, muting, and recording control. Students operate OBS hands-free during live production.

Lesson 4 • Scripting OBS with Lua and Python

Introduces the OBS scripting API using Lua and Python for custom automation. Students write basic scripts to control OBS behavior programmatically.

Lesson 1 • Replay Buffer and Instant Replay

Configures the Replay Buffer to capture recent footage on demand without continuous recording. Students save highlight moments instantly during live sessions.

Lesson 2 • Remote Control with OBS WebSocket

Sets up the OBS WebSocket server to enable remote control from companion apps and scripts. Students trigger OBS actions from external devices and dashboards.

Lesson 3 • Performance Optimization and Troubleshooting

Diagnoses and resolves common OBS performance issues including lag, encoding overload, and crashes. Students maintain stable, high-quality output under demanding system conditions.

Lesson 4 • Virtual Camera Output

Routes OBS output to a virtual camera device usable in video conferencing and other apps. Students use OBS scenes as a professional webcam replacement.