Selective Recording in Streamlabs Desktop: How-To

Selective recording in Streamlabs Desktop lets you record specific sources (like your game, webcam, or mic) to separate audio tracks or video files, giving you more control in editing. This guide walks you through setting it up, common pitfalls, and fixes.

What You’ll Need

• Streamlabs Desktop installed (latest version recommended).
• A scene with at least two sources (e.g., a game capture and a webcam).
• Basic familiarity with the Streamlabs interface (Sources, Settings, and the Record button).

Step-by-Step

1. Open Streamlabs Desktop and log into your account. Ensure you’re on the latest version (check for updates in the top-right menu).
2. Set up your scene with all sources you want to record. For example, add a “Display Capture” or “Game Capture” source, plus a “Video Capture Device” for your webcam, and an “Audio Input Capture” for your mic.
3. Open Settings by clicking the gear icon in the bottom-left corner (or top-right, depending on your version).
4. Go to the Output tab. Under “Output Mode,” select Advanced if it isn’t already. This unlocks per-source recording options.
5. In the Recording section, choose a Recording Type:
   • Standard: Records all sources into one file (no selective recording).
   • Separate File per Source: Each source gets its own video file (useful for editing).
   • Separate File per Track: All sources go into one video file, but each source is on a different audio track (best for multi-track audio in editing software).

   For selective recording, choose either “Separate File per Source” or “Separate File per Track.”

6. If you chose Separate File per Track, you’ll see a list of tracks (Track 1, Track 2, etc.). Check the box for each track you want to enable. Track 1 is usually the default mix; tracks 2-6 are available for selective assignment.
7. Close Settings and go back to your scene. Now you need to assign sources to tracks/files:
   • Right-click on a source (e.g., your game capture) and select Properties.
   • In the properties window, look for Audio Tracks (if it’s an audio source) or Recording options (for video sources). For video sources, you may see a checkbox like “Record separately” or “Track” selection.
   • For audio sources (mic, desktop audio), check the track number you want that source to be recorded on. For example, put your mic on Track 2 and your game audio on Track 3.
   • For video sources, if using “Separate File per Source,” ensure each source has a unique name; Streamlabs will create a file per source automatically. If using “Separate File per Track,” you may not need to change video source settings—only audio tracks matter.
8. Click Done to save each source’s properties.
9. Now, when you hit the Record button (the red circle), Streamlabs will save files according to your settings. If you chose “Separate File per Track,” you’ll get one video file with multiple audio tracks. If you chose “Separate File per Source,” you’ll get multiple video files (one per source).
10. After recording, check your recording folder (default: Documents\Streamlabs\Recordings) to confirm the files/tracks are as expected.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to switch to Advanced Output Mode: Basic mode doesn’t offer per-source recording options.
• Not assigning audio tracks: If you leave all sources on Track 1, selective recording won’t separate anything.
• Using “Separate File per Source” with overlapping scenes: If two sources cover the same area, you’ll get two files with duplicated content, which is confusing.
• Recording with the wrong encoder: Some encoders (like certain hardware encoders) may not support multiple tracks. Use x264 or a compatible encoder.
• Not checking track boxes in Settings: Even if you assign a source to Track 2, if Track 2 isn’t enabled in Output settings, it won’t be recorded.

Tips

• Use Separate File per Track if you plan to edit in software that supports multi-track audio (like Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Audacity). It keeps sync perfectly.
• Name your sources clearly (e.g., “Game”, “Webcam”, “Mic”) to avoid confusion when you get multiple files.
• Test with a short recording before going live or recording a long session.
• If you want to record only your mic and game (not desktop audio), assign those to separate tracks and mute the desktop audio in the mixer.
• For streamers who want to upload highlights later, selective recording lets you record at a higher bitrate than your stream, so set a separate recording bitrate in Output settings.

Troubleshooting

• No separate files/tracks appear: Double-check that you selected “Separate File per Source” or “Separate File per Track” in Output settings, and that you assigned sources correctly. Restart Streamlabs after changing settings.
• Audio tracks are all on one track: Open each audio source’s properties and ensure you checked the correct track number. Also verify that the track is enabled in Output > Recording > Audio Tracks.
• Video files are missing for some sources: For “Separate File per Source,” ensure each source has a unique name and is not a group (groups may not separate). Try removing and re-adding the source.
• Recorded file won’t open in editor: The file might be corrupt due to a crash. Try recording again with a lower bitrate or a different encoder (e.g., switch from NVENC to x264).
• Streamlabs crashes when recording with multiple tracks: Update your graphics drivers and Streamlabs to the latest version. If it persists, try a different encoder or lower the number of tracks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record my webcam and game into separate files?

Yes, choose “Separate File per Source” in Output settings. Each source will be recorded into its own file. Make sure each source has a distinct name.

How do I record only my mic and game audio, not desktop audio?

In the mixer, mute or set the desktop audio source to a track you won’t record. Assign your mic to Track 2 and game audio to Track 3, and in Output settings, enable only Tracks 2 and 3.

Does selective recording affect my stream?

No, selective recording settings only affect the local recording. Your stream output remains unchanged.

Why is my recording file so large?

Recording at higher bitrates or with multiple tracks increases file size. Lower the recording bitrate in Output settings or use a more efficient encoder like NVENC (if supported).

Can I use selective recording with the Stream Deck?

Yes, you can assign hotkeys to start/stop recording, but the selective recording settings are configured in Streamlabs itself.

What is the best encoder for selective recording?

For most users, x264 (software) offers the best compatibility with multi-track recording. Hardware encoders (NVENC/AMF) may have limitations—test with a short clip first.

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