Step 1: Prepare Your Gear

Before you can go live, you’ll need the right tools. At minimum, we recommend:

• Streaming PC or Laptop – with at least 8GB RAM, i5 or Ryzen 5 CPU.
• USB Microphone – clear audio is more important than video quality at first.
• HD Webcam – for sharp video during live streams.
• Ring Light or Softbox – proper lighting improves camera quality drastically.
• Headphones – to avoid audio feedback.

👉 You can find all these in our Starter Kits section.

Step 2: Download & Install OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a free, open-source software used by millions of streamers.

1. Go to obsproject.com.
2. Choose your platform (Windows, Mac, or Linux).
3. Download the installer and run the setup.
4. Open OBS Studio after installation.

Tip: OBS also has a version called Streamlabs OBS, which is beginner-friendly but uses more PC resources.

Step 3: Configure OBS Settings

Before going live, adjust the following settings:

• Resolution: 1920×1080 (or 1280×720 if your PC is weaker).
• FPS: 30 FPS for low-end, 60 FPS for smooth streams.
• Bitrate: 2500–4500 Kbps (Twitch/YouTube optimized).
• Encoder: Use NVENC (NVIDIA GPU) or x264 (CPU).

Step 4: Set Up Scenes in OBS

Scenes allow you to switch between layouts while streaming. Here’s how:

1. Click the + button in the Scenes panel.
2. Name your scene (e.g., “Gameplay”, “Just Chatting”).
3. Under Sources, add:
   • Display Capture – captures your entire screen.
   • Game Capture – optimized for specific games.
   • Video Capture Device – add your webcam.
   • Audio Input Capture – add your microphone.
4. Position and resize sources in the preview window.

Step 5: Connect OBS to Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook

Now you need to link OBS to your streaming account:

1. Go to Settings → Stream in OBS.
2. Select your service (Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook Gaming).
3. Login directly or paste your Stream Key from your platform.
4. Click Apply then OK.

⚡ Once connected, you’re ready to go live!

Step 6: Test Your Stream

Before streaming to an audience, always do a test:

• Stream privately (YouTube has “Unlisted”, Twitch has “Practice Mode”).
• Check your audio levels in OBS – make sure your mic isn’t too loud.
• Verify video quality, FPS, and bitrate.