How to Record Streams Using Streaming Software (Without Breaking Your Brain)

Last updated: 2026-01-21

If you just want reliable recordings, use your streaming software’s built‑in recording (cloud or local), set a safe format and folder (MKV in OBS, local or cloud in StreamYard), and you’re 90% of the way there. If you need studio‑quality post‑production or separate tracks for every guest, turn on local multi‑track recording and double‑check your plan and storage limits before you go live.

Summary

Use your tool’s built‑in recording (local or cloud) and set recording paths, formats, and quality before you go live.
In OBS, use MKV and a clear recording path to reduce the risk of corrupted files and lost recordings. (OBS Standard Recording Guide)
In StreamYard, paid plans automatically record your live streams in the cloud (1080p), and local recordings (4K UHD) capture separate, studio‑quality tracks per host and guest. (StreamYard) (StreamYard Local Recording)
Choose cloud recording for simplicity, and local multi‑track when you care most about editing flexibility and top‑end quality.

What is streaming software actually recording?

When you hit “Go Live,” most streaming tools can do two jobs at once:

Send your show to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Twitch.
Capture a recording that you can repurpose later.

Different tools handle this in different ways:

OBS / Streamlabs
- Record directly to your computer.
- You pick the folder, format, and quality. (OBS Standard Recording Guide)
StreamYard
- On paid plans, your live streams are automatically recorded in the cloud. (StreamYard)
- You can also enable local recordings for each host and guest, giving you separate, studio‑quality files. (StreamYard Local Recording)
Riverside / Restream
- Focus heavily on recordings, with options for cloud and local capture.
- Restream’s local recording captures each participant on their own device in up to 4K, but uses more CPU and storage and requires a Professional plan or higher. (Restream Local Recording)

For most creators in the U.S. who want a simple, reliable workflow, having recordings handled automatically in the cloud (with optional local backups) is the sweet spot. That is exactly the path we prioritize at StreamYard.

How do you record a stream in StreamYard?

If you’re using StreamYard, recording is designed to “just happen” in the background.

1. Understand what your plan includes

Live streams are automatically recorded in the cloud while you’re live. (StreamYard)

2. Go live, knowing your recording is covered

On paid plans, when you:

Create a broadcast.
Select your destinations.
Go live.

Your live show is recorded automatically in the background. You don’t need to press a separate “Record” button.

After you end the broadcast, the recording is available in your dashboard, ready to download, trim, or repurpose.

3. Turn on local multi‑track recording when quality matters most

For podcasts, interviews, and multi‑host shows, local recording is a game changer.

We capture individual audio and video files for each host and guest.
Those files are recorded on each participant’s device in studio‑quality and then uploaded, giving you clean tracks even if the internet hiccups. (StreamYard Local Recording)
We recommend settings like 1080p at around 4500 kbps video bitrate for a strong balance of quality and file size. (StreamYard Local Recording)

This is where many creators default to StreamYard over “pro” tools. You get the benefits of multi‑track recording without asking non‑technical guests to install anything—StreamYard passes the “grandparent test” for joining a show.

How to record with OBS while streaming?

If you’re using OBS to stream to Twitch, YouTube, or another platform, you can record at the same time. It just takes a little setup.

1. Set your recording path and format

In OBS:

Go to Settings → Output → Recording.
Choose a Recording Path so you know exactly where your files go. OBS treats this as the folder where all your recordings will land. (OBS Standard Recording Guide)
Set Recording Format to MKV.
- OBS recommends MKV to reduce the chance of corrupt recordings if something goes wrong during a stream. (OBS Standard Recording Guide)

2. Decide on recording quality

You can set recording quality to:

Same as stream (simpler, less CPU heavy).
A higher quality preset.

OBS notes that anything not set to “Same as stream” uses extra resources from your computer. (OBS Standard Recording Guide) If your machine is older or you stream at high resolution, “Same as stream” is a safer starting point.

3. Enable multi‑track audio (optional but powerful)

Still in Output → Recording:

Switch to Advanced mode.
Enable multiple audio tracks.
Pick which tracks to record (for example, Track 1 for game audio, Track 2 for microphone, Track 3 for music).

OBS lets you select which audio tracks you record in this advanced view. (OBS Standard Recording Guide) This makes editing way easier later.

4. Hit Start Streaming and Start Recording

When you’re ready:

Click Start Streaming.
Click Start Recording.

You are now streaming and recording at the same time. Just remember to stop both when you’re done.

For creators who love tinkering, OBS and Streamlabs give deep control. For most people, though, the learning curve and risk of mis‑configured settings is exactly why they end up preferring StreamYard’s simpler, cloud‑first approach.

Cloud vs local recording — which is best?

Let’s keep this simple.

Cloud recording

Cloud recording means your show is captured on the platform’s servers.

Pros:

No local storage headaches.
Safer if your computer crashes or you close your laptop.
Files are accessible from anywhere.
In StreamYard, live streams on paid plans are automatically recorded in the cloud. (StreamYard)

Great for:

Live shows you want to repost quickly.
Webinars and virtual events.
Teams that share access to recordings.

Local recording

Local recording means the file is captured on each participant’s machine.

In StreamYard, we record separate local audio and video tracks for each host and guest, then upload them for you. (StreamYard Local Recording)
Restream also offers local recordings up to 4K per participant, but it requires more CPU and storage and is limited to the Professional plan and higher. (Restream Local Recording)

Pros:

Higher, more consistent quality.
Better for heavy post‑production and noise reduction.
Separate tracks make editing cleaner.

Great for:

Podcasts and interview shows.
Courses and signature content.
Situations where your guest’s internet may be unstable.

Our take: use cloud recording by default. Turn on local multi‑track when quality really matters.

Best recording formats and settings to prevent corruption

The biggest recording horror story is simple: you finished an amazing stream, but the file is corrupted.

Here is how to avoid that.

Use MKV in OBS

The OBS documentation recommends MKV because it is more resilient if OBS crashes, your power goes out, or the recording stops unexpectedly. (OBS Standard Recording Guide)

After recording, you can remux to MP4 inside OBS if needed for editing.

Pick realistic quality settings

Recording higher quality than your stream looks nice, but uses more CPU and disk.
OBS notes that using settings other than “Same as stream” will take extra resources. (OBS Standard Recording Guide)

If you are not sure, match your stream quality first, then experiment upward when you know your system can handle it.

Follow bitrate and resolution guidance from your platform

For local multi‑track recordings, we recommend practical combinations like 1080p at ~4500 kbps to balance quality and performance. (StreamYard Local Recording)

Creators who prioritize a fast, reliable setup often favor StreamYard or similar studio‑style tools over raw software encoders, because the risk of misconfiguring quality settings is lower.

How to download individual tracks from Restream or Riverside

If you are using Restream or Riverside mainly for recording, the high‑level workflow is similar across tools.

In Restream

Enable local recording in studio (Professional plan or above). (Restream Local Recording)
Go live or record only.
When you are done, go to your recordings area.
Download each participant’s individual track (audio and/or video), plus any mixed track the tool provides.

Restream’s local recording can capture each participant in up to 4K (still in beta), but uses more CPU and disk space, so plan ahead. (Restream Local Recording)

In Riverside

While the specific interface differs, the concept is close:

Start a recording session.
Each participant is recorded locally.
After the session, Riverside uploads those tracks and lets you download individual files for editing.

If you primarily run live shows with guests and multi‑streaming, many teams prefer a studio‑style workflow like StreamYard for day‑to‑day production.

How to enable local multi‑track recording in StreamYard

If your main question is “How do I get clean, separate files for every guest without tech headaches?”, this is the path.

In your StreamYard dashboard, create or open a studio.
Turn on local recording in the studio settings.
Invite your guests using the standard link.
Go live or record.
After the session, download each person’s local audio and video track from your recordings area. (StreamYard Local Recording)

You get studio‑quality, individual files while still keeping the “click a link and you’re in” simplicity that non‑technical guests love.

What we recommend

Use your platform’s built‑in recording by default; in StreamYard, that means automatic cloud recordings on paid plans.
Turn on local multi‑track recordings whenever you care about editing flexibility or podcast‑level quality.
In OBS, always set your recording path, choose MKV, and test “Same as stream” quality before cranking settings higher.
If you value ease of use, fast onboarding for guests, and reliable recordings, make StreamYard your main home base and layer in other tools only for specific, advanced workflows.