Full Guide: How to Setup Multi Camera in OBS

Are you considering using multiple cameras for your live streams but aren’t sure how to set it up on OBS Studio?

Using a single camera angle can easily bore your viewers. But if you are streaming with multiple cameras on OBS, you can switch between close-ups, wide shots, and other views to keep them interested in your stream. It adds variety by offering different angles and perspectives, which is especially useful when you have multiple people on camera or are showcasing various activities.

To help you get started, we have provided a basic tutorial on how to connect and configure multicam in OBS, so you can create a more engaging live stream even if you haven’t tried it before.

Part 1. Introduction to OBS Tools and Features

OBS is a free streaming and recording software used to create professional-quality broadcasts. With OBS, you can stream with one camera, switch between different cameras, or even display multiple cameras simultaneously on one frame. It’s all possible if you understand how to use the key features of the software effectively.

Once you launch OBS, you’ll see several key components on the software’s interface. They include Scenes, Sources, Preview Window, Program Window, Audio Mixer, and Control. These components are important for managing and setting up multi-cameras with OBS later.

• Scenes: Different layouts or setups where you can organize your multiple camera feeds. Each Scene can be customized with various Sources.
• Sources: The individual elements within each Scene, such as video feeds from your different cameras, images, and text. For multicam editing, you'll add each camera feed as a separate Source.
• Preview Window: Shows a real-time view of your current Scene. It helps you see how your stream setup looks before it’s live.
• Program Window: Displays the live output that your audience is seeing. This window reflects the Scene and Sources currently active in your broadcast.
• Audio Mixer: Allows you to adjust the audio levels for each Source, so you can make sure that the sound from each camera or other audio input is balanced.
• Controls:Provides buttons to start or stop your stream or recording, and access other important settings.

Remember or refer to this guide as you prepare and execute your live broadcasts to make the most of OBS’s powerful features. You will use these tools as you set up your camera angles, manage different Scenes, and adjust the audio levels of multiple cameras on OBS.

Part 2. Preparing the Multi-Camera Setup

Since you are going to stream with multiple cameras with OBS, you need to connect your cameras to your computer using the appropriate cables or adapters. This might include USB, HDMI, or other connections depending on your camera models.

After you have set up your camera, you need to add the cameras as sources in OBS. Here’s how to prepare a multi-camera setup on OBS:

• Step 1: Create a new Scene

Open OBS and go to the Scene panel. Click the + button to create a new scene. You can rename the Scene as you’d like for easier navigation.

Note: OBS also usually starts with a default scene. If you prefer, you can use this existing scene instead of creating a new one. Just select it from the "Scenes" panel.

• Step 2: Add Cameras as Sources in OBS:

When you select a scene in OBS, you may find it empty. To display your camera feed, you need to add it as a source. Start by navigating to the Sources panel. Click the + button and select Video Capture Device for each camera you want to add.

In the Video Capture Device properties window, you can select the specific camera you want to use from the "Device" dropdown menu. You can also adjust various settings such as resolution, frame rate, and video format to optimize the capture quality.

You can set the video format to BGR3 (emulated) as it provides better synchronization and looks the best. Then, select the video resolution you prefer.

Repeat this process for all cameras in your setup. You can set up different Scenes in OBS for various camera angles or broadcast setups. For example, you might have one Scene for a wide-angle view, another for close-ups, and another for a different angle.

• Step 3: Position and Resize Camera Feeds

Within each Scene, adjust the positioning and sizing of each camera feed to fit the screen. Use the Preview Window to make sure everything looks as you want it to before going live.

After you’re done, it’s advisable to conduct a test run to check the functionality of your cameras, the layout of your Scenes, and the balance of your audio levels through the Audio Mixer panel. Then, you can continue to the next section on how to use and switch between the cameras in OBS.

Additional Tip: Showing Multiple Cameras Simultaneously

OBS also allows you to display multiple cameras on one frame by layering and arranging your camera feeds within a single Scene. To do this, simply add each camera feed as a separate Source within the Scene.

You can then resize, position, and layer these feeds to create a custom layout that fits your needs.

Part 3. How to Use Multiple Cameras in OBS

Your multi-camera setup on OBS is now ready. But before you start streaming or recording, you need to set up shortcuts to switch between your camera feeds. If not, switching cameras during your stream or recording could interrupt your flow and affect the quality of your broadcast.

• Step 1: Go to the Hotkeys Settings

To help you quickly switch between cameras, you need to create a shortcut key for each camera source. To do this, go to Settings under the Control panel. Then, select Hotkeys. You’ll see the list of camera sources there in alphabetical order.

• Step 2: Set Keyboard Shortcuts for Each Scene

Find the camera source you want to set a shortcut for and type the desired keyboard shortcut in the “Switch to Scene” box. For example, you can assign Camera 1 to a shortcut key like "8" and CameraMain to “9.” Click OK to save the changes.

• Step 3: Try Switching Cameras Using the Shortcuts.

After that, you should be able to switch cameras quickly by pressing the keyboard keys "8" or "9" during your broadcast. It’s a quick and efficient way to manage multicam angles on OBS without interrupting your stream or recording.

Part 4. How to Edit Videos with Multiple Cameras in Post-Production

OBS Studio might be a good software for recording and live streaming with multiple cameras. But when it comes to editing those multiple camera angles in the post-production process, you’ll need more specialized software.

One of the best tools for multicam editing is Wondershare Filmora. Filmora is ideal for those who are new to multi-camera editing. It provides essential features for syncing and switching between camera angles with ease, while also offering straightforward tools for color correction, audio adjustment, and adding effects to your video.

Filmora simplifies multicam editing synchronization with automatic alignment based on audio waveforms and markers, which means you can quickly line up multiple camera angles without having to adjust them manually. You can preview and switch between different angles in real-time, and handle everything from basic edits to final adjustments within one platform.

How to Do Multicam Editing on Filmora

• Step 1: Download and Install Filmora

The multicam editing feature is introduced on Filmora 14. Make sure you have installed or updated the latest version of Filmora.

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• Step 2: Create a new project and import your videos

Launch Filmora and create a new project. Then, import all the video clips you want to use in your multicam edit. You can do this by clicking on the Import button on the interface.

Note: Make sure all the clips have the same audio or start with the same scene for easier synchronization.

• Step 3:  Sync the Video Clips

To sync your video clips, select all the clips you want to include in your multicam edit on the Media panel. Then, right-click and choose Create Multi-Camera Clip from the drop-down menu.

Filmora allows you to sync clips using audio or the first scene, with audio being the easiest method if all clips have the same sound.

• Step 4: Switch the Camera Angle

Now that your multi-camera clip is set up, you can start editing and switching between angles from your multicam video. To do this, switch to multi-camera view by clicking on the “Switch Multi-Camera View” button at the top of the preview window.

In this view, you can switch between different angles by simply clicking on the desired camera while the video plays. This is your "Main Timeline," where you can also adjust colors, add effects, and make other edits as needed to refine your final video. Any edits made here will apply to all the clips.

To make changes to individual clips, you need to switch from the "Main Timeline" to the specific multicam clip you’ve created. Here, you can perform adjustments like color correction or applying filters to that clip.

Conclusion

Now you should understand how to set up multiple cameras in OBS from the basics. Your livestream won’t be boring anymore. Instead of sticking to just one static view, your audience will stay interested as you switch between different camera angles.

And for editing your multi-camera footage after recording, you can use a video editor that supports multicam editing like Filmora. It helps you easily sync all your camera feeds, switch between them, and make any needed adjustments in real time. With its comprehensive tools, you can create professional-looking videos that capture every angle and keep your audience captivated.