OBS Studio
Full setup guide for using OBS Studio with mosque streams.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is the most popular free app for streaming and recording. This guide shows the best setup for mosque streams.
Installation
Download
- Visit obsproject.com
- Download the correct version:
- Windows: Installer (.exe)
- macOS: DMG
- Linux: Flatpak or distro package
First-time setup
On first launch, the auto-configuration wizard appears:
- Usage: "Optimize for streaming"
- Video settings: 1920×1080, 30 or 60 FPS
- Stream info: Configure later
- Auto configuration: Let it run
Interface
Main areas
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Preview │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Scenes │ Sources │ Audio │ Transitions │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Control: Start stream, recording... │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘- Preview: Live view of the output
- Scenes: Different layouts/views
- Sources: Cameras, images, text, etc.
- Audio mixer: Volume control
- Control: Start/stop stream & recording
Add sources
Video sources
| Source type | Use |
|---|---|
| NDI Source | NDI cameras (plugin required) |
| Video Capture Device | USB webcams, capture cards |
| Window Capture | Capture a window |
| Display Capture | Capture the whole screen |
| Media Source | Video files |
Set up sources
Add an NDI source
- Install the OBS-NDI plugin
- Sources → + → NDI Source
- Select your NDI camera
- Confirm with OK
Add a USB webcam
- Sources → + → Video Capture Device
- Select your webcam
- Set the resolution
- Confirm with OK
Other sources
- Image: Logos and images
- Text: Titles and overlays
- Browser: Web content (e.g., prayer times widget)
- Color Source: Solid color backgrounds
Create scenes
Recommended scene structure
| Scene | Description |
|---|---|
| [Intro] | Intro slide before the stream |
| [Main camera] | Main view (minbar) |
| [Camera 2] | Alternate camera |
| [Split] | Two cameras side by side |
| [Pause] | Break screen |
| [Ending] | Outro |
Create a scene
Create
- In Scenes: click +
- Enter a name
Add sources
Add sources to the scene.
Adjust
Position and size your sources.
Arrange sources in scenes
- Drag & drop: Move a source
- Right-click: Transform, lock
- Ctrl + F: Fit to screen
- Ctrl + D: Center to screen
Set up audio
Audio sources
The audio mixer shows:
- Desktop Audio (system sound)
- Mic/Aux (microphone)
- Source audio (e.g., NDI audio)
Audio settings
Settings → Audio:
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Sample Rate | 48 kHz |
| Channels | Stereo |
| Desktop Audio | Disable (for streams) |
| Mic/Aux | Your microphone |
Audio filters
Right-click an audio source → Filters:
- Noise suppression: Remove hiss
- Noise gate: Silence when not speaking
- Compressor: Level volumes
- Limiter: Prevent clipping
Stream settings
Stream tab
Settings → Stream:
For moschee.io:
Service: Custom...
Server: [URL from moschee.io dashboard]
Stream Key: [Key from moschee.io dashboard]For YouTube:
Service: YouTube - RTMPS
Stream Key: [Copy from YouTube Studio]Output settings
Settings → Output → Streaming:
| Setting | Basic | Good | Optimal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitrate | 2500 kbps | 4500 kbps | 6000 kbps |
| Encoder | x264 | x264/NVENC | NVENC |
| Preset | veryfast | faster | medium |
Video settings
Settings → Video:
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Base resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Output resolution | 1920×1080 |
| FPS | 30 (standard) or 60 |
Set hotkeys
Settings → Hotkeys:
Recommended hotkeys
| Action | Key |
|---|---|
| Start/stop streaming | F9 |
| Start/stop recording | F10 |
| Scene [Main camera] | F1 |
| Scene [Camera 2] | F2 |
| Scene [Pause] | F3 |
| Toggle Studio Mode | F11 |
Studio Mode
Studio Mode enables professional transitions:
- Enable "Studio Mode" bottom right
- Left: Preview (next scene)
- Right: Program (what’s live)
- Center: Trigger the transition
Transitions
- Cut: Immediate switch
- Fade: Crossfade
- Slide: Slide-in
- Stinger: Video transition
Plugins & extensions
Key plugins
| Plugin | Function |
|---|---|
| OBS-NDI | NDI sources & output |
| Move Transition | Animated transitions |
| Advanced Scene Switcher | Automatic scene changes |
| Source Record | Record individual sources |
Install a plugin
Download
Download the plugin.
Install
In OBS: Tools → Scripts, or run the installer.
Restart
Restart OBS.
Verify
Confirm the plugin is available.
Recording
Local recording alongside the stream
Settings → Output → Recording:
| Setting | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Path | Folder with enough space |
| Format | MKV (convert to MP4 later) |
| Encoder | Same as stream or higher |
Start recording
- Click "Start Recording"
- Can run in parallel with the stream
- After streaming: stop the recording