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Configuration Guide

OBS Studio Setup Guide for Shoutcast Net

Complete step-by-step configuration guide for OBS Studio with Shoutcast Net. Learn optimal settings for server URL, stream key, bitrate, and troubleshooting common issues.

Setup Time:

10-15 minutes for complete configuration

Download OBS
OBS Studio configuration interface for Shoutcast Net streaming

Before You Start

What You'll Need
  • OBS Studio - Free download from obsproject.com
  • Shoutcast Net Account - Sign up here
  • Server Details - From your control panel:
    • Server hostname
    • Port number
    • Stream key / password
  • Stable Internet - At least 5 Mbps upload speed
Recommended Specs
  • CPU - Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 (or better)
  • RAM - 8GB minimum (16GB recommended)
  • GPU - For hardware encoding (NVENC, AMD VCE, or Quick Sync)
  • OS - Windows 10/11, macOS 10.15+, or Linux
  • Internet - 10+ Mbps upload for HD streaming

Step-by-Step Configuration

Step 1 Install OBS Studio

Download and install OBS Studio from the official website.

  1. Visit obsproject.com/download
  2. Select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
  3. Download the installer
  4. Run the installer and follow prompts
  5. Launch OBS Studio
First Launch: OBS may show an Auto-Configuration Wizard. You can skip this and configure manually for optimal Shoutcast Net settings.

Step 2 Configure Stream Settings

Set up your Shoutcast Net server connection in OBS.

Configuration Steps:

  1. Click Settings (bottom right corner)
  2. Select Stream from left sidebar
  3. Configure as follows:
Stream Settings:

Service:

Custom...

Server:

rtmp://server1234.shoutcastnet.com:1935/live

Stream Key:

your-unique-stream-key

Use authentication:

Unchecked (not needed)
Find Your Details: Login to your Shoutcast Net control panel → Stream Settings → Copy RTMP URL and Stream Key

Step 3 Configure Video Settings

Optimize video resolution, frame rate, and quality settings.

Settings → Output:

  1. Set Output Mode to Advanced
  2. Select Streaming tab
  3. Configure encoder settings:
Setting Recommended Value Notes
Encoder NVIDIA NVENC H.264 or x264 Use hardware encoder if available
Rate Control CBR Constant Bitrate for streaming
Bitrate 3500-6000 Kbps See bitrate table below
Keyframe Interval 2 Seconds (required for streaming)
Preset Quality Balance quality and performance
Profile high For best compatibility

Settings → Video:

Base (Canvas) Resolution:

1920x1080 (or your screen resolution)

Output (Scaled) Resolution:

1920x1080 or 1280x720

Downscale Filter:

Lanczos (best quality)

FPS:

30 or 60

Recommended Bitrates by Resolution:

Resolution 30 FPS 60 FPS Use Case
1920x1080 (1080p) 3500-5000 Kbps 4500-6000 Kbps High quality streaming
1280x720 (720p) 2500-4000 Kbps 3500-5000 Kbps Standard quality
854x480 (480p) 1000-2000 Kbps 1500-3000 Kbps Lower bandwidth

Step 4 Configure Audio Settings

Set up microphone and desktop audio capture.

Settings → Audio:

Sample Rate:

48 kHz

Channels:

Stereo

Desktop Audio:

Default (your sound output device)

Mic/Auxiliary Audio:

Your Microphone

Audio Bitrate Settings:

In Settings → Output → Audio:

  • Audio Bitrate: 160 Kbps (music/high quality) or 128 Kbps (voice)
  • Encoder: AAC (recommended)
Audio Mixing: Use the Audio Mixer in OBS main window to adjust volume levels for each source before going live.

Step 5 Add Video/Audio Sources

Add content sources to your OBS scene.

Common Sources:

Display Capture

Capture your entire screen

Sources → + → Display Capture

Window Capture

Capture specific application window

Sources → + → Window Capture

Video Capture Device

Add webcam or camera

Sources → + → Video Capture Device

Text (GDI+)

Add text overlays

Sources → + → Text (GDI+)

Layer Order: Drag sources up/down in the list to change which appears on top. Sources at the top of the list appear in front.

Step 6 Test Your Stream

Test your stream before going live to verify settings.

Testing Steps:

  1. Click Start Streaming button in OBS
  2. Watch the bottom status bar for connection status
  3. Check your Shoutcast Net control panel for "Live" status
  4. Open your stream URL in VLC or browser to verify playback
  5. Monitor CPU usage (should be under 60-70%)
  6. Check for dropped frames (should be 0% or very low)
  7. Verify audio levels are good (green, not red)

What to Check:

  • Video quality looks sharp
  • Audio is clear and in sync
  • No stuttering or freezing
  • Bitrate is stable (check OBS stats)
  • Latency is acceptable (typically 5-10 seconds)
Ready to Go Live! Once everything looks good, you're all set to stream with OBS and Shoutcast Net.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Connection Failed

Symptoms: "Failed to connect to server" error

Solutions:

  • Check server URL format (rtmp://hostname:1935/live)
  • Verify stream key is correct
  • Test with: telnet hostname 1935
  • Disable firewall/antivirus temporarily
  • Check router doesn't block RTMP (port 1935)
High CPU Usage / Lag

Symptoms: Dropped frames, stuttering

Solutions:

  • Switch to hardware encoder (NVENC, AMD VCE)
  • Lower output resolution (1080p → 720p)
  • Reduce FPS (60 → 30)
  • Use faster x264 preset (veryfast, ultrafast)
  • Close other applications
  • Run OBS as administrator
Dropped Frames

Symptoms: Stream freezes, skips

Solutions:

  • Lower bitrate (6000 → 3500 Kbps)
  • Check upload speed: speedtest.net
  • Use wired ethernet instead of WiFi
  • Enable "Dynamically change bitrate"
  • Try different streaming server if available
No Audio

Symptoms: Video works but no sound

Solutions:

  • Check audio devices in Settings → Audio
  • Verify audio mixer isn't muted (unmute icon)
  • Ensure desktop/mic audio sources are selected
  • Test with "Monitor Off" → "Monitor and Output"
  • Check Windows sound settings
  • Restart OBS and reconfigure audio

Pro Tips & Best Practices

Optimize Performance

  • Use Scene Collections for different stream types
  • Enable Studio Mode for smooth transitions
  • Set Process Priority to "High" (Advanced settings)
  • Use hotkeys for quick scene switching

Backup & Redundancy

  • Export your profile/scenes regularly
  • Enable automatic recording as backup
  • Keep a test scene for connection checks
  • Save stream key securely

Professional Look

  • Add branding overlays and logos
  • Use transitions between scenes
  • Add lower-thirds for names/titles
  • Include "Starting Soon" / "BRB" scenes

Ready to Start Streaming with OBS?

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