Screencast with Open Broadcaster Software

by Manfred Wöller

Publication date

In the basic configuration of BigBlueButton, we naturally pay attention to DSGVO compliance and ensure that there is no possibility of BBB recording conferences. But what if you want to record a webinar and make it available to others? Simple. That's what OBS is for.

Open Broadcaster Software

OBS is an open source software for video recording and real-time broadcasting. It is available for Linux, macOS and Windows operating systems.

OBS setup for macOS

Since the software is very powerful and extensive, the configuration can be a bit time-consuming. I myself use macOS and show here my setup, which I could have used well when I created my first screencast via OBS.

What do I need?

  • Software OBS for recording image and sound signals.
  • iShowU Video Capture as an extension to record audio signals from the computer.
  •  App audio MIDI setup to manage the audio sources.

How do I configure OBS & Co?

  • iShowU Video Capture
  • Audio MIDI setup
    • Search for Audio MIDI Setup in the Spotlight search and select/launch the app.
    • Click on the +sign at the bottom left and select Create device with multiple audio outputs.
    • In the name of the newly created audio device multi-output device click once and change the name. I have named it OBS Audio Setup.
    • Now select Output (integrated) under Main Device at the top.
    • Below that, set the sample rate to 44.1 kHz.
    • Now select the audio devices output (integrated), iShowU Audio Capture and if necessary Bluetooth headphones, like in my case the AirPods Pro.
    • Finished configuring, the app can be closed.
  • OBS - Open Broadcaster Software
    • Settings: First, go to the settings on the bottom right and click on Audio on the left side. Now deactivate all audio devices and confirm with Okay.
    • Scene: Click on the +sign at the bottom left of the scene window, create a new scene and name it.
    • Sources: To the right of this, click the +sign in the Sources window and select Window Capture. The actual source is then selected from the drop-down menu at the bottom. All windows that are selectable are displayed there.
    • Sources: Click on the +sign again and select Audio Input Recording and assign a name, iPods Pro for me. In the dropdown menu select the headset, for me the iPods Pro and click on Okay.
    • Sources: Click the +sign again and select Audio Input Capture and give it a name, System Audio Capture for me. In the dropdown menu select the headset, for me the iShowU Audio Capture and click on Okay.
    • The rest of the configuration can be done according to your taste and can be adjusted at any time. For more information, see OBS and the OBS Wiki.

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