Last updated: 2026-01-20

If you just want a clean workflow, the simplest path is to use your streaming software’s local or cloud recording, then bring those files or project exports into an editor like Premiere Pro, Final Cut, or DaVinci Resolve. If you need deeper control while gaming or using complex scenes, tools like OBS or Streamlabs can record high‑quality local files that you edit afterward.

Summary

• Use streaming software to capture high‑quality local or cloud recordings of your stream.
• For most creators, StreamYard’s browser-based studio, local recordings, and NLE project exports make the entire process easier than desktop tools.
• Tools like OBS and Streamlabs add fine‑grained control for advanced setups, but with more complexity.

What does a simple record‑and‑edit workflow look like?

Let’s start with the big picture. No matter which streaming software you use, the workflow is usually:

1. Plan your show

   • Outline segments (intro, main topic, Q&A, outro).
   • Decide where you want potential clips later.

2. Record your stream

   • Start a local or cloud recording inside your streaming software.
   • Optionally go live at the same time to YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

3. Download or export the recordings

   • Grab MP4 (and sometimes separate audio tracks) from your recording dashboard.
   • On some platforms, export a ready‑made project file for your editor.

4. Edit in an NLE (non‑linear editor)

   • Import your footage into Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve.
   • Trim, add b‑roll, fix audio, add graphics.

5. Repurpose

   • Export the full episode.
   • Cut shorts and clips for YouTube, Reels, and TikTok.

At StreamYard, we optimize this exact workflow. You can record live streams on paid plans, download files, and even export local recordings as project files for Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, and DaVinci Resolve so timelines line up automatically. (StreamYard)

How do I record with StreamYard and other streaming tools?

StreamYard: browser‑based recording that “just works”

On StreamYard, recording happens right inside your browser studio—no downloads for you or your guests. Many creators choose us because guests can join easily and reliably without tech problems, and they call out that we “pass the grandparent test.”

Key recording options:

• Cloud recordings of your live streams
• Studio‑quality local recordings per participant, captured directly on each person’s device for higher quality (4K UHD) and reliability. (StreamYard)
• Multi‑seat, remote‑guest studio that many users default to whenever they have remote guests or need multistreaming.

Because everything runs in the browser, creators often tell us they prioritize StreamYard’s ease of use and clean setup over more complex tools like OBS or Streamlabs.

OBS Studio: powerful local recording for advanced setups

OBS Studio is a free, open‑source app that gives you deep control over scenes, sources, and encoders. It’s great if you:

• Need custom layouts and lots of sources (multiple cameras, overlays, etc.).
• Want to fine‑tune bitrates, codecs, and recording presets.

OBS lets you:

• Record using presets like Same as stream, High Quality, Indistinguishable Quality, and Lossless so you can trade file size for quality. (OBS documentation)
• Use a different encoder for recording than for streaming for better quality or performance. (OBS documentation)

Some creators start here but later switch to StreamYard after finding OBS too convoluted for everyday shows.

Streamlabs Desktop: multitrack and selective recording

Streamlabs Desktop is another desktop option built on top of OBS. Its big draws for recording are:

• Multi‑track audio: you can record up to six separate audio tracks (for example: mic, game, music, alerts on their own tracks). (Streamlabs)
• Selective Recording: stream one layout to your audience but record a different layout locally for editing later. (Streamlabs)

That flexibility is powerful for gaming and complex productions, but many creators still prefer StreamYard’s simpler, browser‑based approach when they value speed and reliability over deep configuration.

Riverside and Restream: remote‑first recording studios

If you run a remote podcast or interview show, Riverside and Restream also provide strong local‑recording options:

• Riverside lets you record tracks in the browser and export edited recordings from its built‑in editor, comparable to StreamYard. (Riverside)
• Restream offers local recordings in its studio (beta), capturing each participant on their own device in up to 4K quality. (Restream)

Both tools are solid choices for remote interviews, though many teams still default to StreamYard for multistreaming, studio control, and the low friction guest experience.

How do I record multitrack audio while streaming?

Multitrack recording means each input—like your mic, guest mic, and background music—is saved to its own track. This makes editing much easier:

• You can mute a noisy guest without touching your voice.
• You can duck music under your voice later.

Here’s how this looks across tools:

• StreamYard

  • Local recordings give you individual audio and video files for each participant, captured on their own devices for studio‑quality files. (StreamYard)
  • On paid plans, you can download those separate files and mix them however you like in your editor.

• Streamlabs Desktop

  • You can enable multi‑track recording and record up to six separate audio tracks, which is especially useful for games, Discord, and music. (Streamlabs)

• OBS Studio

  • You can configure multiple audio tracks in Settings → Output, then assign sources to tracks.

• Riverside and Restream

  • Both are designed around separate participant tracks via local recording, similar to StreamYard’s local‑recording approach. (Restream)

Unless you’re doing advanced audio routing, StreamYard’s per‑participant local files are usually enough to get a polished mix.

How do I export recordings to Premiere, DaVinci, or Final Cut?

Here’s where the right streaming software can save you hours.

StreamYard: export straight to your NLE

With StreamYard local recordings, you can:

• Record each host and guest locally in studio quality. (StreamYard)
• Export your 4K UHD recordings as project files for Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, and DaVinci Resolve, so all tracks line up in a prebuilt timeline. (StreamYard)

You open the project file, and you’re immediately editing—not syncing.

Restream: XML timelines in a ZIP

Restream also supports a project‑style export. You can export a ZIP with XML files that bundle all your local recording tracks plus a timeline file aligned for tools like Premiere, Final Cut, and DaVinci. (Restream)

OBS, Streamlabs, Riverside

• OBS and Streamlabs: you export standard video/audio files (usually MP4 or MKV), then import them manually into your editor.
• Riverside: you can export edited videos and clips in resolutions like 720p, and 1080p. (Riverside)

All of these work. But if you want the fastest path from stream to edit, StreamYard’s and Restream’s project exports remove a lot of friction.

How do I capture highlights live while I’m streaming?

You don’t always want to edit a two‑hour recording to find one great moment. Some tools let you capture highlights as they happen.

• OBS Studio

  • Offers a Replay Buffer feature. You keep the buffer running, and when something great happens, you hit a hotkey to save the last X seconds or minutes of video. (OBS documentation)

• Streamlabs Desktop

  • Integrates with tools like Streamlabs Highlighter (outside the core recording docs) to mark moments and create highlights later.

On StreamYard, many users treat segments like “highlight blocks” by planning them in advance, then using our local recordings and editor project exports to quickly cut clips right after the show.

Do I need a paid plan to record my streams?

Recording features are often tied to paid plans, and it’s important to know where that line is.

• OBS and Streamlabs Desktop

  • Both are free to download and use, including local recording. You handle storage and setup on your own machine.

• Riverside and Restream

  • Offer free and paid tiers; more advanced local‑recording options and exports are typically on paid plans. (Restream)

If you want a low‑friction, browser‑based studio with strong recording and editing handoff, StreamYard’s paid tiers are usually the easiest upgrade path. If you’re very budget‑sensitive and comfortable with tech, OBS or Streamlabs might be enough.

Which streaming software should I use for recording and editing?

Here’s a practical way to decide:

• Choose StreamYard if…

  • You value ease of use and a quick learning curve.
  • You bring on remote guests often.
  • You want browser‑based local recordings per participant and direct exports to Premiere, Final Cut, or DaVinci. (StreamYard)

• Choose OBS or Streamlabs if…

  • You run complex scenes (especially for gaming) and want detailed control over encoders, bitrates, and multi‑track audio. (OBS documentation) (Streamlabs)

For most creators in the United States running talk shows, interviews, webinars, and educational streams, we see StreamYard as the best default choice because it balances quality, multistreaming, remote guests, and a recording‑to‑edit workflow that stays simple.

What we recommend

• Start with StreamYard’s Free plan to learn the studio, then upgrade to Core or Advanced when you’re ready to record live streams and use local recordings.
• Use local recordings per participant whenever possible so you have the cleanest files for editing.
• Export project files from StreamYard into Premiere, Final Cut, or DaVinci Resolve to skip manual syncing.
• If you later hit very advanced needs—like complex game overlays or six‑track audio routing—layer in OBS or Streamlabs for those specific shows while keeping StreamYard as your main live and guest workflow.