How to Record a Zoom Meeting with OBS: Step-By-Step Guide

Recording Zoom meetings has become an integral part of remote work and collaboration. With more businesses and individuals relying on virtual meetings, capturing these sessions for future reference or sharing is increasingly important.

While Zoom offers built-in recording features, using Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) in conjunction with Zoom provides greater flexibility and control over the recording process.

With OBS, you can create high-quality recordings of your Zoom meetings, preserving important discussions, presentations, and decisions for later review or distribution.

Key Takeaways

• OBS creates high-quality recordings with customizable layouts. You can capture individual video feeds and shared screens and even add branding or overlays for a professional touch.
• OBS provides separate audio input options, so you can adjust levels and add filters for clear, polished sound, making the final recording more professional.
• OBS’s settings for resolution, frame rate, and recording quality offer flexibility to optimize file size and video quality based on your needs, which Zoom’s built-in recorder lacks.

Recording a Zoom Meeting with OBS: How it Works

Recording a Zoom meeting with OBS involves using the Open Broadcaster Software to capture the audio and video during a Zoom call. 

OBS allows you to capture specific windows or screens during the recording. You can also record the Zoom window, including all participants’ video feeds and any shared content, or focus on specific elements, such as a particular speaker or a shared screen.

OBS records both the audio and video components of the Zoom meeting, ensuring that all aspects of the discussion are captured in the final recording.

With this software, you have control over the layout of the recording. You can arrange the video feeds, shared screens, and other elements to create a visually appealing and informative recording.

OBS offers various settings and options to optimize the quality of your Zoom meeting recording. As such, you can produce high-quality recordings that accurately capture the content and flow of the virtual discussion.

Why Record Zoom Meetings with OBS?

Recording Zoom meetings with OBS has become popular. While Zoom’s built-in recording feature is convenient, OBS offers several advantages that make it a compelling choice for capturing virtual meetings.

One reason to use OBS for recording Zoom meetings is the ability to produce higher-quality recordings. OBS allows you to adjust various settings (e.g., resolution, bitrate, and audio quality) and have greater control over the final output. 

Another benefit of using OBS is the flexibility to customize recording layouts. With OBS, you can create custom scenes with multiple sources, like individual video feeds, shared screens, and overlays, to create visually engaging recordings highlighting key speakers, presentations, or demonstrations.

OBS also allows capturing specific windows or screens during recording. This is useful when you want to focus on a particular aspect of the meeting, such as a speaker’s presentation or a software demonstration. As such, you can create targeted recordings emphasizing the most important content.

Additionally, OBS enables you to record separate audio tracks for each source, providing greater flexibility in post-production editing. You can adjust the volume levels, apply noise reduction, or remove unwanted background noise from audio sources for clearer and more polished recordings.

Lastly, OBS is an open-source software. This, combined with its powerful features and customization options, makes OBS an attractive choice for recording Zoom meetings.

Limitations of Recording Zoom Meetings with OBS

While OBS offers numerous benefits for recording Zoom meetings, it may have some limitations that could impact your experience.

These include:

Additional Setup and Configuration

Unlike Zoom’s built-in recording feature, OBS requires you to set up and configure the software before you can start recording. This process involves selecting the appropriate audio and video sources, adjusting settings, and creating custom scenes. This process can be time-consuming and confusing for users.

Complexity for Unfamiliar Users

OBS is powerful software with a wide range of features and settings. For users unfamiliar with video recording and streaming software, navigating the OBS interface and understanding the various options can be overwhelming. The steep learning curve can be a barrier.

Potential Sync Issues

When recording Zoom meetings with OBS, you may encounter synchronization issues between the audio and video sources. This can happen if there are delays or latency in the audio or video feeds, resulting in a mismatch between the speaker’s lips and the audio. 

While OBS provides settings to help mitigate these sync issues, perfect synchronization may require additional tweaking and experimentation.

Larger File Sizes

Depending on your recording settings, the resulting recordings may be larger than those generated by Zoom’s built-in recording feature. 

Larger file sizes consume more storage space on your device and may take longer to upload or share with others. You may need to compress the file or adjust your recording settings to balance quality and file size.

Lack of Automatic Cloud Storage and Sharing

Unlike Zoom, which offers cloud storage and sharing options for recorded meetings, OBS recordings are typically saved locally on your device. This means you must manually manage the storage and sharing of recorded files. 

You may also need to upload the recordings to a cloud storage service or use other file-sharing methods to distribute them to participants or colleagues. The absence of automatic cloud storage and sharing features adds an extra step to your workflow.

How to Record a Zoom Meeting with OBS

Here is how to set up and record Zoom meetings using OBS Studio:

Step 1: Install OBS Studio

To start recording your Zoom meetings with OBS, first install the software on your computer. OBS Studio is a free and open-source program downloadable from the official website.

Visit https://obsproject.com/ and click on the “Download” button. Choose the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and follow the installation instructions provided.

Once the installation is complete, launch OBS Studio. When you open the program for the first time, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the main sections of the OBS Studio window, namely:

• Scenes: This is where you create and manage different scenes for your recordings. Each scene has its own sources.
• Sources: In this section, add and configure the audio and video sources you want to include in your recording. This can include your microphone, webcam, Zoom window, and more.
• Mixer: The mixer allows you to control the audio levels of each source in your scene. You can adjust the volume or mute audio sources as needed.
• Controls: The control buttons at the bottom of the window allow you to start and stop your recording, as well as access other features like the settings menu and the studio mode.

Take a few minutes to explore the different sections of OBS Studio. Familiarizing yourself with the interface will make the rest of the setup process much smoother.

Step 2: Configure Video Settings

Before you start recording, it is essential to configure your video settings to ensure optimal quality and performance.

Base and Output Resolutions

The base resolution determines the canvas size of your scene. Set it to match the resolution of your primary display or the desired recording resolution. Common options include 1920×1080 (1080p) or 1280×720 (720p).

The output resolution is the final resolution of your recorded video. You can keep it the same as the base resolution or scale it down to reduce file size. For example, if your base resolution is 1920×1080, you can set the output resolution to 1280×720 to create a smaller file while maintaining good quality.

Frames Per Second (FPS)

The FPS setting determines how smooth your recorded video will appear. A higher FPS value results in smoother motion but also increases the file size.

For standard recordings, 30 FPS is a good balance between quality and file size. If you want to capture fast-paced content or create a more fluid look, you can opt for 60 FPS.

Recording Quality and Format

OBS Studio offers various recording quality presets and output formats.

The Recording Quality setting affects the bitrate and compression of the recorded video. Higher quality settings result in larger file sizes but better visual fidelity. Based on your preferences and storage capacity, you can choose from presets like “High Quality” or “Indistinguishable Quality.”

OBS Studio supports multiple output formats, including MP4, MOV, and MKV. MP4 is a widely compatible format that works well for most purposes. If you need a specific format for compatibility with other software or platforms, choose accordingly.

Adjust these video settings based on your requirements and your computer’s capabilities. Remember that higher resolutions and frame rates demand more processing power and storage space.

Step 3: Add Audio Input Capture

Capturing high-quality audio is crucial for a professional Zoom meeting recording. OBS Studio makes adding your microphone or other audio input devices to your recording setup easy.

To add an audio input capture source:

1. Click the “+” button in the “Sources” box at the bottom of the OBS Studio window.
2. Select “Audio Input Capture” from the list of available sources.
3. Choose a name for your audio input source, such as “Microphone” or “Headset.”
4. In the “Create/Select Source” window, select your desired audio input device from the dropdown menu. This could be your built-in microphone, an external USB microphone, or a headset.
5. Click “OK” to add the audio input source to your scene.
6. Adjust audio levels: Once your audio input source is added, you can monitor and adjust the audio levels in the mixer section of OBS Studio. Ensure that your microphone picks up your voice clearly without clipping or distortion. You can use the volume slider to increase or decrease the input volume as needed.
7. Configure audio filters: OBS Studio also offers various audio filters to enhance the quality of your recorded audio. Right-click on your audio input source in the mixer and select “Filters” to access the audio filter settings. 
8. Test your audio: Before starting the recording, test your audio setup to ensure everything works correctly. Speak into your microphone and monitor the audio levels in OBS Studio. Adjust the input volume or audio filters to achieve the desired sound quality.

Step 4: Add Zoom Window Capture

Now that your audio input is set up, you can capture the video from your Zoom meeting. To add the Zoom window capture source:

1. Join or start your Zoom meeting: Launch the Zoom application and join or start the meeting you want to record. Make sure the Zoom window is visible on your screen.
2. Create a new Window Capture source in OBS: In the OBS Studio window, click the “+” button in the “Sources” box and select “Window Capture” from the list of available sources. Choose a name for the source, such as “Zoom Meeting,” and click “OK.”
3. Select the Zoom meeting window: In the “Create/Select Source” window, use the dropdown menu to choose the Zoom meeting window you want to capture. If the Zoom window is not listed, make sure it is not minimized and try again.
4. Resize and position the capture source: Once the Zoom window capture source is added to your scene, you can resize and position it in the OBS Studio preview. Use the red bounding box to adjust the size and drag the source to the desired location within the preview area.
5. Crop the capture source: If you want to focus on a specific portion of the Zoom window, such as the speaker’s video feed or a shared screen, you can use the “Crop” filter to trim the edges of the capture source. Right-click on the Zoom window capture source, select “Filters,” and add a “Crop/Pad” filter to adjust the cropping values.
6. Optimize window capture settings: To ensure smooth and efficient window capture, go to the OBS Studio settings and navigate to the “Video” tab. Under the “Window Capture” section, select the “Capture Method” that works best for your system. “Windows Graphics Capture” is recommended for Windows 10 and later, while “BitBlt” or “Windows Graphics Capture” can be used for older versions.

With the Zoom window capture source added and configured, you can record your Zoom meeting. OBS Studio will capture all the visual elements of the Zoom meeting, including participants’ video feeds, shared screens, and any other content displayed in the Zoom window.

Step 5: Set Up Scenes and Transitions (Optional)

OBS Studio’s scene and transition features allow you to create a more dynamic and engaging recording of your Zoom meeting. Scenes are different layouts or configurations of your video and audio sources, while transitions provide smooth and visually appealing effects when switching between scenes.

Create Multiple Scenes for Different Recording Layouts

You can create separate scenes for different parts of your Zoom meeting, such as one scene for the main speaker, another for screen sharing, or Q&A sessions. This allows you to focus on specific elements and create a more organized and professional-looking recording.

You can enhance your scenes by adding additional video sources like your webcam feed, images, or text overlays. For example, you can create a scene that displays your webcam video alongside the Zoom window or add a branded overlay to your Scenes for a consistent look.

Within each scene, you can arrange and resize your video and image sources to achieve the desired layout. Use the source controls in the OBS Studio preview to position and scale your sources, ensuring that all important elements are visible and well-organized.

Set Up Transitions Between Scenes

OBS Studio offers a variety of transition effects to create smooth and visually appealing transitions between your scenes. Popular options include “Fade,” “Cut,” and “Swipe.” 

You can customize the duration of your transitions to control how long the effect lasts when switching between Scenes. Shorter durations create snappy and quick transitions, while longer durations provide a more gradual and subtle effect.

Assign hotkeys to your scenes and transitions for quick and seamless switching during recording. This allows you to change scenes on the fly without interrupting the flow of your Zoom meeting. Configure your hotkeys in the OBS Studio settings under the “Hotkeys” tab.

Test and Rehearse Your Scenes and Transitions

Before starting your recording, preview your scenes and transitions to ensure they look and function as intended. Use the OBS Studio preview feature to see how your scenes will appear in the final recording. Make any necessary adjustments to your sources’ layout, sizing, or positioning.

Familiarize yourself with switching between scenes using your assigned hotkeys or the scene controls in OBS Studio. Practice transitioning between scenes during a test recording to get comfortable with the flow and timing of your scene changes.

Pay attention to your transitions’ pacing and visual impact. Ensure the transition effects enhance the viewing experience without being too distracting or jarring. Adjust the transition durations and effects to create a smooth and professional-looking recording.

Step 6: Start and Stop Recording

1. When you’re ready to begin, click the “Start Recording” button in OBS Studio. This will initiate the recording process.
2. Conduct your Zoom meeting as you normally would. Engage with participants, share your screen, and collaborate as needed. OBS Studio will continue recording in the background, capturing all the moments of your meeting.
3. Once your Zoom meeting concludes, click the “Stop Recording” button. This will end the recording process and save your recorded file.
4. Your recorded Zoom meeting will be saved in the specified output directory, which you can configure in the OBS Studio settings. The output directory is set to your computer’s “Videos” folder by default.
5. Access your recording: Navigate to the output directory to find your recorded Zoom meeting file. The file will be named based on the current date and time, following the format “YYYY-MM-DD HH-MM-SS.mp4” (e.g., “2024-06-30 14-30-00.mp4”).
6. Review and edit your recording: Open the recorded file in a video player or editing software to review the content. If needed, you can trim the beginning or end of the recording, remove any unnecessary sections, or make other edits to refine it.
7. Share your recording: When you are satisfied with your recording, you can share it with others by uploading it to a video hosting platform, cloud storage service or sending it directly to participants via email or file transfer.

With OBS Studio, you can start and stop your Zoom meeting recording anytime during the session. This allows you to capture only the relevant portions of the meeting and avoid recording unnecessary content.

Benefits of Using Wave for Zoom Meeting Transcription

Wave offers an AI-powered solution for transcribing Zoom meetings. It can automatically join Zoom meetings and transcribe discussions in real-time, ensuring you get all the details without manual effort. 

Wave generates summaries and action items, helping you focus on the content instead of taking notes. You can also transcribe a pre-recorded Zoom meeting and share the transcript with participants. 

This eliminates the need for complex recording setups like OBS. With Wave, you can access the best meeting transcription apps for Zoom and streamline your workflow.

Final Thoughts

Recording Zoom meetings with OBS provides flexibility but can be complex for some users. Wave offers a simpler, AI-driven alternative that automates taking notes on Zoom calls. Wave’s features allow you to save time and focus on participating actively in your meetings.

Wave AI Note Taker simplifies meeting notes by providing effortless and accurate transcription for Zoom meetings. Try it free to experience a more efficient way to capture and share meeting content. 

Download the Wave app now!