So, you’re an avid gamer with tons of experience and decide to share that with the world.  You decide that the best starting point for you is to become a streamer, so you do a little research, register on your favourite platforms, and download Streamlabs, your software of choice, only to notice that you have yet to learn how to set it up. You also have to master Streamlabs overlays and find ways of optimising your chat with Streamlabs commands.

Not to worry, these problems are easily solved thanks to Streamlabs’ ease of use. After going through our Streamlabs guide, managing your Streamlab settings should be a breeze, solving the question of how to use Streamlabs. We know that many factors, such as a subpar streaming setup, faulty hardware, lousy internet, etc., can hinder your overall stream quality and performance. Fret not. Streamlabs can always help optimise your streams’ quality, even in little ways that matter if used correctly. There are just some general rules to follow when tweaking your Streamlabs settings.

Streamlabs Settings Every Streamer Should Consider

The settings on Streamlabs usually depend on the specific use case and content streamed, but generally, some good starting settings for streaming with Streamlabs OBS include the following:

  • Encoding:Use the NVENC (Nvidia) or AMF (AMD) encoder for faster performance, as these are hardware-accelerated encoders.
  • Bitrate: Use a bitrate of at least 4000 kbps for 1080p resolution and 6000 kbps for 4k resolution.
  • Resolution: Use 1080p resolution for most streams, as this is the most commonly supported resolution.
  • Frame Rate: Use a frame rate of 60 fps for most streams, providing a smooth viewing experience.
  • Keyframe Interval: Set the keyframe interval to 2 seconds.
  • Audio: Use a sample rate of 48kHz and a bitrate of 160 kbps for the best audio quality.
  • Internet: A stable internet connection is crucial for streaming, so ensure you have a good internet service provider and use wired connections whenever possible.

These are some basic Streamlabs settings tweaks that you can do to ensure you have a better understanding of how to use Streamlabs to make your streams look better and run smoothly.

streamlabs settings body

Image Credit: Streamlabs

General Tips on Streaming with Streamlabs

Aside from the adjustments you’d make to your Streamlab settings, you’d also have to make some ‘personal’ adjustments for yourself as a novice streamer. So here are some handy tips for making your stream top of the class.

  1. Have a consistent schedule: Having a consistent schedule for your streams will help your viewers know when to tune in and will help you build a regular audience.
  2. Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and questions during your streams, and encourage your viewers to interact with each other. This act will help create a sense of community around your streams.
  3. Promote your streams: Use social media, forums, and other platforms to promote your streams and attract new viewers.
  4. Invest in good equipment: Investing in a good streaming setup (microphone, webcam, and lighting) will help improve the overall quality of your streams.
  5. Be professional: Be punctual and reliable, and treat your streams as a professional endeavour. This trait will help you establish credibility and attract more viewers.
  6. Interact with other streamers: Collaborate with other streamers or participate in online gaming communities. This skill will help you expand your reach and attract new viewers. This is also an ideal way to develop your community while learning as a streamer and a gamer.
  7. Monitor your stream’s performance:  Use tools like OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS to monitor your stream’s performance and adjust as needed.
  8. Use overlays and graphics: Adding Streamlabs overlays and graphics to your stream can enhance the visual appeal and make it more engaging.
  9. Keep learning: The streaming industry is constantly evolving, so keep learning new tips for streaming to improve your stream.
  10. Be yourself: Be authentic and genuine, and don’t try to copy other streamers; let your personality shine through, and your viewers will appreciate it.
  11. Take care of yourself: Streaming can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very demanding. Ensure you put in the effort required to take care of yourself by eating well, getting enough sleep, and taking breaks as needed. Also, always try to remain conscious of your physical and mental well-being.
  12. Know when to call it a day: It is good to keep in mind that you cannot win every single game. Even pro players like ImperialHal and Faker have seen their fair share of losses. There will always be bad days, and knowing when to call it quits or change the game is an unspoken streaming skill every good streamer possesses.

Conclusion

If you take advantage of our Streamlabs settings and carefully follow these tips, you’ll notice the growth of your streams’ viewer counts with time. With everything put in place, you are now well on your way to becoming one of the most-viewed Twitch streams.

Streamlabs is also incredibly easy to pick up and use. Even more so now, with the ability to stream from different devices, including consoles and mobile. Streaming has hit a significant popularity wave, and now is as good a time as any to hop on that train.


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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up my Streamlabs for a stream?

First, download and install Streamlabs OBS from the official website. Then, connect your desired streaming platform (such as Twitch or YouTube) to Streamlabs OBS. You can do this by going to the “Stream” tab in settings and selecting your platform. Next, input your stream key, and you’re ready to go.

How do I customise my Streamlabs overlay?

Streamlabs OBS has a built-in overlay editor where you can customise your overlay by adding elements such as text, images, and alerts. You can access this by clicking on the “Overlay” button in the main window.

How do I add music to my stream?

To add music to your stream, go to the “Sources” menu and select “Audio Output Capture.” Choose the audio source from which you want to play your music (such as Spotify or iTunes), and click “Add Source.” You can also adjust the volume of your music using the audio mixer. After this, you can now enjoy streaming your favourite songs and even become a popular music streamer.

How can I monetise my streams?

Monetising your streams is possible through different platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook. Twitch has the “Affiliate” and “Partner” programs, YouTube has the “YouTube Partner Program,” and Facebook has the “Level Up Program.” Each platform has its criteria, and you will have to reach them to be able to monetise your streams.