Best OBS Settings for Kick Streaming

Streaming to Kick.com requires configuring OBS Studio to balance high-quality visuals with stream stability. This guide provides the exact encoder, bitrate, resolution, and audio settings you need to optimize your OBS Studio setup for a smooth, high-definition broadcast on the Kick platform.

1. Stream Connection Settings

To connect OBS Studio to Kick, you must use the Custom service option: * Service: Custom… * Server: Copy the Stream URL from your Kick Creator Dashboard (Settings > Stream Key). * Stream Key: Copy your unique Stream Key from your Kick Creator Dashboard.

2. Output Settings (Streaming Tab)

Set your Output Mode to Advanced to access the necessary encoder settings.

For NVIDIA Graphics Cards (GeForce GTX/RTX)

• Audio Track: 1
• Encoder: NVIDIA NVENC H.264
• Rate Control: CBR (Constant Bitrate)
• Bitrate: 8000 Kbps (for 1080p 60fps) or 6000 Kbps (for 1080p 30fps / 720p 60fps)
• Keyframe Interval: 2s
• Preset: P5: Slow (Good Quality) or P6: Slower (Better Quality)
• Tuning: High Quality
• Multipass Mode: Two Passes (Quarter Resolution)
• Profile: high
• Look-ahead: Unchecked
• Psycho Visual Tuning: Checked
• GPU: 0
• Max B-frames: 2

For AMD Graphics Cards

• Encoder: AMD HW H.264
• Rate Control: CBR
• Bitrate: 8000 Kbps
• Keyframe Interval: 2.0
• Preset: Quality

For CPU Encoding (x264)

• Encoder: x264
• Rate Control: CBR
• Bitrate: 8000 Kbps
• Keyframe Interval: 2
• CPU Usage Preset: veryfast (or faster for stronger CPUs)
• Profile: high

3. Video Settings

These settings dictate the actual resolution and frame rate of your broadcast: * Base (Canvas) Resolution: Set this to your monitor’s native resolution (typically 1920x1080). * Output (Scaled) Resolution: 1920x1080 (for 1080p) or 1280x720 (for 720p). * Downscale Filter: Lanczos (Sharpened scaling, 36 samples) for high-end PCs, or Bicubic (Sharpened scaling, 16 samples) for mid-range PCs. * Common FPS Values: 60 (for fast-paced gaming) or 30 (for slower-paced games or limited internet upload speeds).

4. Audio Settings

Clear audio is crucial for viewer retention. Use these standard specifications: * Sample Rate: 48 kHz * Channels: Stereo * Audio Bitrate (under Output > Audio tab): 160 Kbps or 320 Kbps for maximum clarity on Track 1.