Short answer
Before you start
- An OBS scene that already captures camera and gameplay
- Enough free disk space for a short test
- An editor that can crop or sync clips
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Step by step
- 01
Duplicate the profile before experimenting
Nicole, separate webcam and gameplay ↗In OBS, make a clearly named test scene collection or profile. Keep the live scene unchanged even if you only plan to record. A copy lets you remove a plugin or change the canvas without breaking the hotkeys you already know.
What you should see: You have a safe place to test a different output.
- 02
Choose the method for your edit
Nicole, separate webcam and gameplay ↗A wide canvas works when you want one file with camera and game side by side. A separate-source plugin works when your installation supports it and you need distinct files. Decide before changing resolution so the editor receives the material it expects.
What you should see: You know whether you will deliver one composite file to crop or two synchronized files.
- 03
Build a temporary wide canvas
Nicole, separate webcam and gameplay ↗In the test scene, place gameplay on one side and camera on the other without overlap. Leave a visible edge between them in the first test. That edge makes it easier to spot a crop that cuts off a hand, interface, or subtitle in the editor.
What you should see: The preview shows two complete, distinct areas.
A wide canvas reserves separate areas for gameplay and camera in one recording. YouTube · 1:46 ↗ - 04
Check Output before recording
Official OBS overview ↗Open Settings > Output and confirm the path, format, and recording mode. Advanced mode exposes more controls and tracks. Make the first recording short to see how much disk space the file uses before planning a long session.
What you should see: You know the destination folder and have checked that the disk can hold the recording.
- 05
Make a sync marker
Nicole, separate webcam and gameplay ↗Record a visible movement and a hand clap at the start. Watch voice and desktop-audio meters while it happens. That mark gives you a clear point if the editor opens separate files a few frames apart.
What you should see: The image and audio peak give you a reference for lining up clips.
- 06
Crop the composite file in the editor
Nicole, separate webcam and gameplay ↗Import the test, duplicate the clip on two tracks, and crop one copy for camera and one for gameplay. Do not scale to fill the frame before checking the edges. If the camera is too small, return to the temporary canvas and give it more area.
What you should see: You can move or enlarge camera and gameplay without one layer covering the other.
- 07
Test Source Record only in the copy
Official Source Record repository ↗Install a published version that matches your OBS and add the filter only to a source in the test collection. The Source Record project says its filter can make sources available to record separately. Check where every file appears and play both before relying on it live.
What you should see: The plugin creates the expected file, or you keep the canvas method.
Source Record can save one source in addition to the main composition. YouTube · 6:50 ↗ - 08
Check the full delivery
Nicole, separate webcam and gameplay ↗Open each output with headphones and check picture, voice, game audio, and duration. Keep a composed recording until a full session works. The composed copy can rescue an edit when a separate output loses a track.
What you should see: The needed clips play, share a reference, and contain usable audio.
The test ends with separate files you can open and inspect before a long recording. YouTube · 10:56 ↗
If something does not work
- The camera is too small to crop.
- Do not try to rescue it with extreme zoom in the editor. Give camera more space on the temporary canvas, make another test, and leave room around the head and shoulders.
- The file uses too much disk space.
- Measure a one- or two-minute test and calculate the space before a long session. Lower quality or rate only after comparing the new file with the detail you need to edit.
- Source Record creates no file or an empty output.
- Remove it from the test collection, check the published version, and return to the composite method. Save playback evidence and the OBS log before asking the project for help.
Test before you go live
- The live profile stays intact
- Camera and gameplay do not overlap in the test
- The recording path has free space
- A clap or visible marker starts the recording
- Every output played with audio
- A composed backup recording exists
Cómo grabar webcam y gameplay por separado en OBS: 2 métodos gratis
Watch the full tutorial ↗Common questions
Do I need a plugin to record separately?
No. A wide canvas lets you record both sources in one file and crop them later. A plugin can save that crop, but it adds a dependency you should test with your OBS version.
Can I edit camera and gameplay if they are in one file?
Yes, when you placed them in different canvas areas. Duplicate the clip in the editor and crop each copy. Final quality depends on how much space you gave each source while recording.
Should I record in 4K for more editing room?
Only if your computer, disk, and editor pass a full test. Higher resolution increases file size and load. Start with a test you can play and edit without errors.
How do I stop two clips from drifting out of sync?
Make one visible and audible mark at the start, then compare that point in the editor. Check that every output has the right audio track before a long recording.
Should I delete the composed recording once I have separate files?
Keep it until you finish an end-to-end test. If a separate source corrupts or has no audio, the composed recording still gives you an editable version.
