Free guide · For beginnersYouTube

Record, edit and export your first YouTube video

Record a short original sample before the whole episode. Check which formats your editor supports. OBS can remux MKV into MP4 without encoding the video again. Keep the original and listen to the exported file.

Thunderstream team8 min read3ViewsUpdated:

Prepare before you start

Follow the numbered actions in order and compare your screen or recording with each expected result. Menu names can differ between application versions. Arrows show the order of settings and choices, not a claim that every account offers the same controls.

A dictionary without difficult abbreviations

A dictionary without difficult abbreviations
NameAfter this step you will see
Framing9:16 → 1080 × 1920 px; 16:9 → 1920 × 1080 px
FPS30 FPS = 30 × frames / 1 s
Mb/s · MB/s1 Mb/s = 1000 kb/s; 1 MB/s = 8 Mb/s

Step by step · 1–4

  1. Action

    Write down: Idea → 1 × Problem.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Promise.

  2. Action

    Select or set: Framing → 16:9 / 1920 × 1080.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: 16:9 / 1920 × 1080.

  3. Action

    Select or set: Recording → OBS → Settings → Output → Recording.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Recording.

  4. Action

    Select or set: File format → MKV / Hybrid MP4.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Editor support.

OBS · Record, edit and export your first YouTube video. Photo source: OBS Project.Enlarge the screenshot ↗
OBS · Record, edit and export your first YouTube video. Photo source: OBS Project.Actual screenshot from official documentation. The version and language of the program may be different from yours.Photo source: OBS Project · Source verified: 2026-10-27

Step by step · 5–8

  1. Action

    Select or set: Audio → Voice / Music.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Voice | Music.

  2. Action

    Test: Recording → 30–60 s.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Synchronization.

  3. Action

    Record: Demonstration → Recording · 15–30 s.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Evidence.

  4. Action

    Copy: Backup → Source files.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Backup.

OBS · Record, edit and export your first YouTube video. Photo source: OBS Project.Enlarge the screenshot ↗
OBS · Record, edit and export your first YouTube video. Photo source: OBS Project.Actual screenshot from official documentation. The version and language of the program may be different from yours.Photo source: OBS Project · Source verified: 2026-10-27

Step by step · 9–12

  1. Action

    Edit: Timeline → Editing → Duration (s).

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Problem → Evidence → Results.

  2. Action

    Select or set: Export → H.264 / MP4 / AAC.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Platform → Sources and licenses.

  3. Action

    Test: Export → Viewer output · A / B.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Viewer output.

  4. Action

    Upload: Visibility → Private.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Usage rights + File.

OBS · Record, edit and export your first YouTube video. Photo source: OBS Project.Enlarge the screenshot ↗
OBS · Record, edit and export your first YouTube video. Photo source: OBS Project.Actual screenshot from official documentation. The version and language of the program may be different from yours.Photo source: OBS Project · Source verified: 2026-10-27

Settings · Context

Settings · Context
ActionAfter this step you will seeContext
RecordingMKV / Hybrid MP4Editor support
AudioVoice | MusicSynchronization
ExportH.264 / MP4 / AACPlatform → Sources and licenses
BackupSource filesSource files

Quick setup · Short test

For a five-minute tutorial, record the problem, the demonstration and the finished result separately. Remove loading waits and mistakes while keeping the explanation understandable without the original livestream. Listen to the whole export, including its ending and moments when speech overlaps music.

Remuxing changes the container; it does not repair the media. Separate tracks help editing, but some simple players play only one. Check the file in your editor and confirm which audio reaches the final export. Keep the original after the first export.

  1. Select or set: Recording → OBS → Settings → Output → Recording.
  2. Test: Recording → 30–60 s.
  3. Edit: Timeline → Editing → Duration (s).
  4. Upload: Visibility → Private.

Before you go live

Keep your existing configuration and original source file first. Change one parameter at a time. Check a short recording or the actual viewer output, rather than relying only on the editor. Restore the recorded baseline if the result gets worse.

  1. One change at a time → Baseline.
  2. Viewer output → Short test.
  3. Results → Backup.

Before you go live

  • Baseline ✓
  • Usage rights ✓
  • Viewer output ✓
  • Backup ✓
  • One change at a time ✓

Frequently asked questions

Prepare before you start?

Account / Source files. Baseline → Backup. Short test → Viewer output. Write down: Idea → 1 × Problem.

Stop and check?

After this step you will see: Usage rights + File. Keep your existing configuration and original source file first. Change one parameter at a time. Check a short recording or the actual viewer output, rather than relying only on the editor. Restore the recorded baseline if the result gets worse.

Context?

Record a short original sample before the whole episode. Check which formats your editor supports. OBS can remux MKV into MP4 without encoding the video again. Keep the original and listen to the exported file.

Official documentation and further help