OBS Recording Settings: How to Record Your Stream

To record your stream with OBS Studio, you need to configure the Output and Video settings correctly, then click “Start Recording.” This article explains the exact settings to use for high-quality local recordings that match your stream, including bitrate, encoder, resolution, and file format choices.

Why Record Your Stream in OBS?

Recording your own stream serves several practical purposes. It gives you a local copy of your broadcast that you can edit, clip, or re-upload to other platforms like YouTube. It also acts as a backup in case your streaming platform fails or your internet connection drops mid-stream. Many streamers also use recordings to review their own performance, check audio levels, or create highlight reels without relying on the platform’s VOD feature, which may have time limits or be disabled for certain music.

OBS Studio is free and open-source, and it allows you to record and stream simultaneously. The key is that you can set separate bitrates and encoders for streaming and recording, so you don’t have to compromise one for the other.

Understanding OBS Recording Settings

OBS has two main settings areas that affect recording: Output and Video. The Output tab controls the encoder, bitrate, and container format. The Video tab controls the base resolution, output resolution, and FPS. Getting these right is essential for a smooth recording that doesn’t lag or look blurry.

• Encoder: This is the software or hardware that compresses your video. Common options are x264 (CPU), NVENC (NVIDIA GPU), AMF (AMD GPU), and QuickSync (Intel GPU). Hardware encoders offload work from the CPU and are recommended if you have a modern GPU.
• Bitrate: This is the amount of data used per second of video. Higher bitrate equals better quality but larger file sizes. For 1080p60 recording, a bitrate of 10,000–15,000 Kbps is a good starting point.
• Container: The file format. MP4 is widely compatible, but MKV is safer because it doesn’t corrupt the file if OBS crashes. You can remux MKV to MP4 later.
• Resolution and FPS: These should match your stream output or be higher for archival purposes. Recording at 1080p60 is standard, but you can record at 1440p or 4K if your hardware can handle it.

Step-by-Step: Configure Recording Settings

Here is the exact path to set up recording in OBS Studio (version 28 or later):

1. Open OBS Studio and go to Settings (bottom right) or File > Settings.
2. Click the Output tab.
3. Set the “Output Mode” to Advanced (not Simple) to get full control.
4. In the “Recording” section, choose your encoder (e.g., NVIDIA NVENC H.264 for NVIDIA users).
5. Set the “Rate Control” to CBR (constant bitrate) or CQP (constant quality). CQP is recommended for recordings because it maintains consistent quality regardless of motion.
6. If using CQP, set the “CQ Level” between 18 and 23 (lower = better quality, larger file). For CBR, set the bitrate to 10,000–15,000 Kbps for 1080p60.
7. Set the “Recording Format” to MKV (safe) or MP4 (if you prefer direct compatibility).
8. Go to the Video tab.
9. Set the “Base (Canvas) Resolution” to your monitor’s native resolution (e.g., 1920×1080).
10. Set the “Output (Scaled) Resolution” to the same as your base for recording, or lower if you want smaller files.
11. Set the “Common FPS” to 60 or 30, depending on your content.
12. Click Apply and OK.
13. Click Start Recording on the main OBS window.

Choosing the Right Encoder and Bitrate

The encoder you choose depends on your hardware. If you have an NVIDIA GTX 10-series or newer GPU, use NVIDIA NVENC H.264. It produces excellent quality with minimal performance impact. AMD users can use AMF, and Intel users with integrated graphics can use QuickSync. If you have a very powerful CPU and a weak GPU, x264 with a “veryfast” or “faster” preset can work, but it will use more CPU resources.

For bitrate, here are general guidelines:

• 720p30: 4,500–6,000 Kbps
• 720p60: 6,000–8,000 Kbps
• 1080p30: 8,000–10,000 Kbps
• 1080p60: 10,000–15,000 Kbps
• 1440p60: 16,000–20,000 Kbps
• 4K60: 30,000–45,000 Kbps

These are starting points. Adjust based on the complexity of your scene (e.g., fast motion requires more bitrate).

Common Problems and Fixes

Recording issues are common, but most have simple solutions:

• File is corrupted after a crash: Switch to MKV format. OBS can recover MKV files, but MP4 files become unplayable if the recording is interrupted.
• Recording is choppy or laggy: Lower the recording resolution, reduce the bitrate, or switch to a hardware encoder. Also close other programs that use CPU/GPU.
• Audio is out of sync: In Settings > Audio, set the sample rate to 48 kHz. Also, avoid changing audio devices mid-recording.
• File size is too large: Use CQP with a higher CQ level (e.g., 23) or lower the resolution/fps.
• Recording stops automatically: Check the “Replay Buffer” settings or disk space. OBS may stop if the disk is full.

Recording vs. Streaming: Separate Settings

One common misconception is that you must use the same bitrate for streaming and recording. In OBS, you can set them independently. In the Advanced Output mode, the “Streaming” and “Recording” sections are separate. This means you can stream at 6,000 Kbps (Twitch’s limit) but record at 15,000 Kbps locally for better quality. This is especially useful if you want to upload highlights to YouTube later.

However, note that if you use the same encoder for both, OBS may have to encode twice, which can increase CPU/GPU load. To avoid this, you can use different encoders (e.g., NVENC for streaming and x264 for recording) or use the “Twitch VOD track” feature, but that’s more advanced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best recording format in OBS?

The best format is MKV because it is resilient to crashes. If OBS crashes, you can still recover the file. MP4 is more compatible with editors, but you can remux MKV to MP4 in OBS (File > Remux Recordings) without losing quality.

Should I use CBR or CQP for recording?

For local recordings, CQP (constant quality) is better because it adjusts the bitrate dynamically to maintain consistent quality. CBR is best for streaming where you need a predictable bitrate. With CQP, a value of 18–20 gives high quality, while 23 is a good balance of quality and file size.

Why is my OBS recording so large?

High bitrate and high resolution produce large files. If you use CBR at 15,000 Kbps, a 1-hour recording will be about 6.75 GB. To reduce size, lower the bitrate, use CQP with a higher value, or reduce the output resolution to 720p.

Can I record and stream at the same time without losing performance?

Yes, but it requires a decent GPU or CPU. Using a hardware encoder like NVENC for both streaming and recording is the most efficient. If you experience lag, lower the recording resolution or bitrate, or use a different encoder for each.

How do I fix audio desync in recordings?

Audio desync is often caused by mismatched sample rates. Go to Settings > Audio and set the sample rate to 48 kHz. Also, avoid using different audio devices with different sample rates. If the issue persists, try using the “Audio” filters like “Compressor” or “Limiter” to stabilize levels.

What is the difference between “Simple” and “Advanced” output mode?

Simple mode gives you basic options like “Indistinguishable Quality” and “High Quality” presets. Advanced mode lets you manually control encoder, bitrate, format, and other settings. For recording, Advanced mode is recommended to get the best quality and file size balance.

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