tags: #obs #streaming #recording
[OBS: Open Broadcaster Software](https://obsproject.com/) is a great Free Software solution for recording and streaming.

When recording a live session in a [DAW](DigitalAudioWorkstation) (like [Reaper](/aw/music/daw/reaper)), it is best to record audio as [PCM]() (Pulse Code Modulation), such as you find in a .wav or .aiff file. This lets you compress later on and, if the compressed audio isn't of sufficient quality, you can try again with different settings, whereas if you record compressed audio first off, you can do nothing to rescue a poor quality recording.

## Recording PCM Audio
* Settings set to Advanced mode.
* Settings→Output
    * Type set to **Custom Output (FFmpeg)** (at the top)
    * Container Format to **matroska**
    * Set Video encoder if necessary
    * Audio Encoder to **pcm_f32le**

## Capturing DAW Output
I use Windows for music software. For normal playing and producing, I use the ASIO drivers that come with my audio interface. But to capture the output, I use the [FL Studio ASIO](FlStudioAsio) driver which allows [OBS]() to capture the audio going to the device from the [DAW]().

To capture plugin windows in Reaper, which appear as floating tool windows which [OBS]() can't see as normal windows, I dock the [FX Chain]() window into the main Reaper window.

## Capturing Keyboard Input
See [Key-n-Stroke](https://github.com/Phaiax/Key-n-Stroke)