OBS Studio is built for live streaming and screen recording, not video editing. It doesn’t include tools for trimming, adding effects, or polishing your footage. To turn a recording into a professional video, you’ll need a separate editor like Camtasia Editor, DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, or Adobe Premiere Pro.
Key Takeaways
OBS Studio records and streams video, but does not include built-in post-production editing. Use a desktop video editor to trim footage, clean audio, add captions, and export the finished video.
Free options covered here include DaVinci Resolve, OpenShot, Kdenlive, Shotcut, and VSDC Free Video Editor. Paid options include Camtasia Editor, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Vegas Pro, and Pinnacle Studio. Include captions, audio descriptions, and sufficient text contrast as part of the editing workflow.
Can you edit recordings in OBS Studio?
No, OBS Studio does not include a built-in video editor. The software is designed primarily for capturing and broadcasting content in real-time, rather than for post-production work. As a result, OBS lacks built-in features for tasks such as trimming footage, adding complex effects, or creating polished final products. Users looking to edit their OBS recordings will find that the software’s functionality is focused almost exclusively on capture and streaming. This specialization allows OBS to excel in its primary role, offering high-quality video and audio recording from multiple sources, but it means that post-production editing is beyond its scope.
For that next step, you’ll need a separate video editor — free and paid options are covered below.
OBS plugins that reduce video editing
While OBS Studio doesn’t have built-in video editing capabilities, several plugins can help streamline the recording process and reduce the need for extensive post-production editing. The Source Clone plugin allows users to create multiple instances of a single source, enabling real-time adjustments without affecting the original. This can be particularly useful for applying different filters or effects to the same source during live recording.
For those looking to enhance their recordings with interactive elements, plugins like Live Polls and Pixel Art can add engaging visual content directly within OBS. The Local Vocal plugin offers seamless live transcriptions, which can eliminate the need for adding captions in post-production 2.
Additionally, the Ashmanix Countdown Timer and OBS Graphics Clocks plugins provide customizable on-screen timers and clocks, reducing the need for adding these elements during editing 2. While these plugins don’t replace full video editing software, they can significantly reduce the amount of post-production work required by incorporating many desired elements directly into the live recording.
What to edit in an OBS recording
Post-production editing can significantly enhance OBS recordings, making them more engaging and professional. Here’s a list of recommended features and editing actions to improve your content:
Audio enhancements
- Clean up background noise
- Adjust volume levels for consistency
- Add background music or sound effects
- Balance audio between different sources (e.g., voice and game audio)
Visual improvements
- Add dynamic captions or subtitles
- Highlight cursor movements for tutorials
- Implement screen zooming to focus on important areas
- Incorporate annotations to clarify points
- Insert animations to maintain viewer interest
- Use custom cursor designs for visual appeal
Engagement boosters
- Create intro and outro sequences
- Add lower thirds for information display
- Implement picture-in-picture effects
- Insert transitions between scenes or segments
- Include progress bars or timers for time-sensitive content
Content organization
- Trim unnecessary footage
- Rearrange clips for better flow
- Split screen to show multiple perspectives
- Add chapters or timestamps for easy navigation
Colors and effects
- Color correction and grading
- Apply visual effects or filters
- Add overlays or watermarks
- Implement green screen effects
Accessibility features
- Add closed captions
- Implement audio descriptions for visually impaired viewers
- Ensure proper contrast for text elements
By focusing on these post-production elements, you can create clearer, more professional recordings that your audience will want to finish. Remember to tailor these enhancements to your specific content type and audience preferences for maximum impact.
Why desktop editors can better preserve OBS recording quality
When editing high-frame-rate OBS recordings, it’s crucial to consider the potential impact of online video editors on video quality. While these platforms offer convenience, many compress uploaded videos to facilitate smoother online editing, which can be particularly detrimental for high-quality OBS recordings.
Popular online editors like Kapwing and FlexClip process and convert videos on upload to keep file sizes manageable for browser-based editing. For high-frame-rate or high-resolution OBS recordings, this extra processing step means less direct control over the original file than when working with it locally. 1.
Similarly, YouTube’s built-in editor, while convenient for quick edits, applies its own compression algorithms that may further reduce video quality. Even professional-grade online platforms like Adobe Express can introduce some level of compression during the upload process.
For projects where maintaining the highest possible quality is paramount, local editing software remains the preferred choice. These applications allow direct manipulation of the original OBS recordings without the need for initial compression. However, if online editing is necessary, it’s advisable to carefully review the platform’s specifications regarding file size limits and supported formats to minimize quality loss.
Free desktop editors for OBS recordings
Several free desktop video editing tools are available for editing OBS recordings without compromising quality. Here are some popular options:
DaVinci Resolve
- Professional-grade color correction and audio post-production
- Supports high frame rate and 4K resolution editing
- Includes visual effects and motion graphics tools
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux 1
OpenShot
- Open-source editor with a simple, user-friendly interface
- Supports many video formats
- Offers basic editing features like trimming, splitting, and transitions
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux 2
Kdenlive
- Open-source editor with multi-track editing capabilities
- Provides a wide range of effects and transitions
- Supports proxy editing for smoother performance with high-resolution files
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux 3
Shotcut
- Open-source editor with a customizable interface
- Supports a wide range of formats and codecs
- Offers features like color grading and audio filters
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux 4
VSDC Free Video Editor
- Supports high frame rate and 4K resolution editing
- Offers advanced features like chroma key and object animation
- Includes a built-in screen capture tool
- Available for Windows only 1
These tools provide robust editing capabilities for OBS recordings without the quality loss associated with online editors. They allow users to work directly with high frame rate and high-resolution files, preserving the original quality of OBS captures throughout the editing process.
Paid desktop editors for OBS recordings
Here is a list of recommended paid desktop video editors for OBS recordings, with Camtasia listed first and considering the previously mentioned features:
Camtasia Editor
- Specializes in screen recording and video tutorials
- Offers a wide range of built-in assets like animations and transitions
- Includes features for cursor effects and zoom-n-pan
- Provides audio editing tools and voice narration capabilities
- Supports interactive quizzes and closed captions
- Available for Windows and macOS
Adobe Premiere Pro
- Professional-grade video editing software with a comprehensive feature set
- Offers advanced color correction and audio mixing tools
- Includes motion graphics templates and visual effects
- Supports multi-camera editing and VR video editing
- Integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps
- Available for Windows and macOS 1
Final Cut Pro
- Optimized for Mac systems, offering excellent performance
- Features a magnetic timeline for easy clip arrangement
- Includes advanced color grading tools and motion graphics
- Supports multi-cam editing and 360-degree video
- Offers built-in audio editing and mixing capabilities
- Available exclusively for macOS 2
Vegas Pro
- Known for its user-friendly interface and quick rendering times
- Offers advanced audio editing features
- Includes motion tracking and video stabilization tools
- Supports 4K and 8K video editing
- Provides a wide range of effects and transitions
- Available for Windows only 3
Pinnacle Studio
- Offers an intuitive interface suitable for beginners and intermediate users
- Includes multi-camera editing and stop motion animation tools
- Features motion tracking and 360-degree video editing capabilities
- Provides a library of effects, transitions, and titles
- Supports 4K video editing
- Available for Windows only 4
These paid desktop video editors offer robust features that align with the previously mentioned editing enhancements, including audio improvements, visual effects, engagement boosters, and content organization tools. They provide professional-grade capabilities for editing high-quality OBS recordings without compromising on video quality or frame rates.
How to edit OBS recordings with Camtasia Editor
Camtasia offers powerful features for editing OBS recordings, making it an excellent choice for post-production work on screen captures and tutorials. Here’s how to edit OBS videos with Camtasia, along with some key features:
Importing OBS recordings
- Rename the OBS file extension from .mkv to .mp4 before importing into Camtasia. 1
- Camtasia supports direct import of the renamed files without quality loss.
Cursor effects
- If OBS recording doesn’t include cursor footage, Camtasia allows adding custom cursors. 2
- Options include highlighting clicks, customizing cursor appearance, and adding cursor paths.
4K video support
- Camtasia can edit and produce 4K resolution videos (3840×2160). 3
- Supports frame rates up to 60 fps for smooth high-quality output. 4
Screen recording-specific features
- Zoom-n-pan effects to focus on specific screen areas.
- Callouts and annotations to highlight important information.
- Transition effects designed for seamless cuts between screen captures.
Camtasia Editor audio tools
- Noise removal to clean up background sounds.
- Audio leveling for consistent volume across clips.
- Voice narration tools for adding commentary.
Camtasia Editor visual tools
- Color correction and filters to enhance video appearance.
- Green screen effects for removing backgrounds.
- Motion graphics and animations to add visual interest.
Engagement tools
- Interactive quizzes to boost viewer participation.
- Closed captioning for accessibility.
- Customizable intro and outro sequences.
Efficient editing
- Multi-track timeline for complex edits.
- Ripple editing to easily adjust clip durations.
- Library of assets including music, sound effects, and graphics. 2
Export options
- Multiple format choices, including MP4, AVI, and WMV.
- Customizable export settings for resolution and quality.
- Direct upload to platforms like YouTube and Vimeo.
By leveraging these features, Camtasia provides a comprehensive toolkit for transforming OBS recordings into polished, professional-quality videos suitable for tutorials, presentations, and other screen-based content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OBS have a built-in video editor?
No, OBS Studio focuses on recording and live streaming rather than post-production. Use a separate desktop editor to trim footage, improve audio, and add captions.
Can you trim an OBS recording in OBS?
OBS does not include a built-in trimming tool. Import the recording into an editor such as Camtasia Editor, DaVinci Resolve, or Shotcut. Then remove unwanted footage on the editor’s timeline.
Where is the Edit Scene button in OBS?
OBS does not include a post-production Edit Scene button for editing a completed recording. Use OBS for capture and streaming, then open the saved file in a separate video editor. This article compares free and paid desktop options for that step.
How do I edit an OBS recording in Camtasia Editor?
Import the recording and place it on the timeline. Trim unwanted footage, clean the audio, and add captions or visual cues as needed. Export the finished video with the resolution and quality settings that fit your project.
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