Setting Up OBS Studio: Download, Install, and Your First Scene

When you actually need OBS

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is the tool you graduate to once you want more control than a phone or single-app stream gives you — combining your camera, your screen, overlays, and multiple sources into one broadcast. It's free and it's the industry standard for desktop streaming.

If you haven't started streaming yet, start on your phone first (see our phone streaming setup guide) — come back to this once you know streaming is for you and you're ready for more control.

Step 1: Download and install

• Go to the official OBS download page (linked above) and grab the installer for your operating system.
• Run the installer and accept the defaults — no special configuration needed to start.
• Open OBS for the first time and let the Auto-Configuration Wizard run if it's offered — it sets sensible defaults for your hardware and internet connection.

Step 2: Set up your first scene

A "scene" in OBS is just a saved layout of sources — think of it as one camera angle or one screen you switch to.

• In the Scenes panel (bottom left), you'll already have a "Scene" created — you can rename it if you like.
• In the Sources panel next to it, click the + button and add a Video Capture Device — this is your webcam.
• Click + again and add an Audio Input Capture — this is your microphone. Confirm it's picking up sound in the Audio Mixer panel.
• If you want to share your screen or a game, add a Display Capture or Window Capture source the same way.

Step 3: Connect OBS to your streaming platform

In OBS, go to Settings → Stream. Choose your platform (Twitch, YouTube, Kick) from the Service dropdown, then paste in your stream key.

• Twitch: find your stream key under Creator Dashboard → Settings → Stream.
• YouTube: find it under YouTube Studio → Go Live → Stream key.
• Kick: find it in your Kick creator dashboard under Stream settings.
• Keep your stream key private — treat it like a password. Never share a screenshot that shows it.

You're ready

Hit "Start Streaming" in the bottom right. That's the whole setup — everything past this (overlays, alerts, scene transitions, plugins like Aitum for scene automation) is a later upgrade, not a requirement to go live.