Instructions for using the OBS screen recording station
Bring your flash drive(s) and any materials needed for your recording session. If you need specific software to demonstrate with, you will need to download and install it onto the computer. The machine is currently running Windows 10, but will be upgraded to Windows 11 this summer. Please keep these downloads within reason.
For those familiar with the Lightboard, there is a similar ON button to the left of the station in the whiteboard. Press to turn on the system, including lights and camera. The computer and several other items are left on by default and you should not turn anything other than the white button on or off. Make sure all office overhead lighting is off. All necessary lighting will be activated with the white button.
Unlike the Lightboard computer, you will need to sign into the computer to get started. The credientials for the sign on are on the bulletin board to the left of the desk.
Insert the USB in the front USB slot on the computer. If you have an additional USB drive with your materials just make sure that the one used for recording is listed in the D: drive as all recording will default to that location.
DO NOT make any adjustments to the camera, light, or mic. These items are set to precise locations and loving them will interfere with the quailty of the recording.
Once you are ready to start recording, open up OBS Studio. This is pinned to the bottom taskbar. You should not have to make any changes once it is opened. You should see the desktop screen to the left and a video of yourself to the right. If you do not see a video of yourself, you may need to restart the computer.
Additionally, if you need to hear the audio coming from the desktop during your recording, you will need to plug in a pair of headphone into the back of the Wave XLR (the audio interface for the system.) Please be VERY CAREFUL if touching this device as it is very sensitive and is very easy to accidentally mute.
To begin recording, simply click the ‘start recording’ button on the bottom right section of the interface. To stop, click ‘stop recording.’ You can stop and start as many times as needed.
You will notice once you stop your recording there will be a window that states the recording is being ‘remuxed.’ Please do not stop this process.
Recorded files will default the D: drive as previously mentioned. The files will be listed by date and time and there should be two files for every recording (MKV and MP4.) Please keep both versions of the recording.
If you are happy with your recordings you can leave your recordings with Katy to be edited. Even if you plan on editing the videos youself, you may need to have Katy separate the recording into different tracks since the audio is recorded on two seprate tracks and will not play correctly without this extra step.
You may need to schedule a meeting if you have specific requests for the editing process. Katy will make sure to take out any obvious gaps or glitches, and any additional improvements that the recording may need. After your video(s) have been processed they will be uploaded to the department server designated for online recordings, and you will get an email from Katy to let you know they are available for viewing.
