Notice: See my Stance on Streamlabs As of 11/17/2021
Stream alerts are one of the mainstay attractions that a live streaming environment has that make it such a unique form of media. In this article, I’m going to show you how to add alerts to OBS StudioOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More and Streamlabs OBSOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More, should you still prefer to use that. Don’t worry, no matter what option you choose to go with, they are fairly easy to implement and get up and running.
All you need to do is add a browser sourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More and paste a URL into a field within OBS Studio. Sounds easy, right? Just make sure that you never share this URL with anybody else, or else they can tap into and stalk your channel metrics.
There are a few different alert systems that you can choose from, with my old preference being Streamlabs. However, that has changed due to my newfound understanding of their business practices. While it is true that Logitech bought them up, their business practices have been more or less the same.
Table of Contents
How to Add Alerts to OBS Studio Using Own3D Pro
I only recently realized that Own3D launched its own alerts service, which relies on a plugin to attach to numerous free alerts and overlays This service is called Own3D Pro, and it is a way to hook into alerts and overlays.
When you first hook your TwitchTwitch is a popular, gaming-focused live streaming platform. It is one of the most well-known streamer-first platforms out there and has millions of active streamers and viewers. More account into Own3D’s system, you’ll be greeted with four initial steps to take, which will guide you through the setup process. However, their walkthrough video is out of date, so I’m going to just tell you the steps to take here –
- Click on the Own3D Button Above (Disclosure – It’s an affiliate link. It is free to use, but has premium features.)
- Click the “Join for Free” button. It’s yellow with White text (A bit hard to read, if I’m being honest. They need a lesson in Accessibility design)
- Click The TwitchTwitch is a popular, gaming-focused live streaming platform. It is one of the most well-known streamer-first platforms out there and has millions of active streamers and viewers. More button, and then Accept if you agree to share permissions. If not, skip to the next section which covers how to hook up Stream Elements to OBS StudioOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More
- Download & Install the OBSOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More Plugin (OBS StudioOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More will need to be installed before you install this)
- Open OBS StudioOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More up
- Click on Tools, located at the top left menu area, and select the new Option in there, “Own3D Pro”
- Click on the “Log me in” button
- Click the + in your sourcesA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More and Select “Own3D Alerts” - Set it to 100% (Optional) and Lock the sourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More
And It is connected! Now, you can select from several existing Free Overlay Packs to apply to your Stream to get yourself up and running, all without the need to use Streamlabs.
The next step from here is to select Configure Alerts, which will open your online Alert Configuration window within the OWN3D Pro Dashboard. You’ll need to toggle the Alert types you want to appear:
Once you’ve configured your alert messages, and have chosen what alert types you want to appear, you merely need to choose the alert package from Own3D. There are numerous free ones, and a ton of premium ones, all installed at the click of a button.
To test it, Navigate to the Alert Settings Window, click test, and select an alert to test. The free version will have an Own3D Pro Watermark attached to the alert, as a heads up. I’m not 100% if the watermark is removed if you subscribe to the premium edition, as their breakdown list doesn’t specify this.
However, the fact that you get access to 460+ Overlay packages, and 470+ Alert packages at a cost of $10 a month, that really isn’t all that bad, especially considering the costs of hiring an artist to create custom animated assets for your content. The 5 they start you off with for free look great though and will work perfectly fine until you want to invest into your hobby a bit more.
Just remember, the alerts and overlays won’t carry your stream’s success, so don’t feel the need to invest if you don’t have the ability to do so.
Stream Elements Guide Coming Soon!
I’m still working on the Stream Elements Guide, but there are a ton of videos available on YouTube to make the transition away from Streamlabs, should you choose to abandon ship based on the ruling from your moral compass.
As always, I’ll refer you over to EposVox for now, as the way he explains things in his videos makes the process very easy to understand.
How to Add Alerts to OBS Studio With StreamLabs
To add Alerts to OBS StudioOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More using Streamlabs, you’ll first need to sign into Streamlabs using your Streaming account. I’ve included a picture that shows all of the permissions it needs to function. The very first step is to connect your streaming account to them.
Streamlabs needs the permissions it asks for in order to programmatically use certain features in a useful way, such as showing alerts.
- Select the appropritate Streaming account you wish to Connect
- At the moment, Streamlabs does not support Glimesh or Trovo
- Select the Authorize button
- Under the stream essentials tab, select Alert box
- See above image for reference
- Click on the copy button
- Do not reveal the url if you are currently live
- Open OBS StudioOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More
- Add a browser sourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More - Paste the copied url
- Ensure that the url will not be visible to others if you are live
- Click one of the Test buttons to make sure it is working
If everything is working as expected, then you should see a test alert and hear a chime play. If not, check to make sure you didn’t accidentally close the browser sourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More without pasting the URL accidentally. If it isn’t working still, then re-paste the URL after left-clicking in the field, pressing Ctrl + A, and then the delete key.
If by then it is still not working, then there may be an issue with the streamlabs servers at this time. You’ll have to try again later or contact Streamlabs support.
Quick Alert Customization –
You can adjust the size of the alerts by changing the browser sourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More resolution in OBS Studio. I recommend that you set it to whatever your canvas size is and resize and reposition the browser sourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More itself using the manipulation handles. This simplifies the process of configuring it greatly, for a potentially very minimal performance tradeoff.
As for customizing the appearance of the alerts themselves, that can be done within the Streamlabs Alertbox configuration page. Here is a really handy video for walking you through that process by NerdorDie. They do use a slightly different process than traditional means, but they also make the installation of their assets as painless as possible. The video below shows this process in detail.
Adding Alerts Using the Built-In Tools in SLOBS
If you’re instead using Streamlabs OBSOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More (which I tend to recommend against because it isn’t quite as stable as OBS StudioOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More), the process of connecting your alerts to it is greatly simplified. In fact, the ease of use of this software as compared to OBS StudioOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More is generally better, and that is often why many newer streamers flock to it.
- Click the + in the sourcesA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More window - Log into your Streamlabs account
- Authorize the connection
- Click on “Alertbox”
- Click Add SourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More - Name it what you prefer
- Change width and height to your canvas size
- Configure it as you see fit
- Click done
- Position it where ever you like
Here Are Some Popular Choices for Streamer Gear
Hey, thanks for reading the article! So I’ve compiled this small resource for you guys in case you may be on the lookout for some handy or helpful things to add to your streaming setup. Some of you may be new to streaming and may not know about this stuff, so I wanted to bring this stuff to your attention.
There are a large number of cool products designed to make the lives of streamers and content creators easier or to improve the quality of their setup. Before I do list them though, I strongly recommend that you do your research and check reviews from multiple sourcesA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More, even beyond those I’ve included here. It is never bad to get a second, third, or even fourth opinion before you make an investment.
Microphones: One of the most popular microphones for live streaming is the Elgato Wave 3 or Wave 1. This microphone is great for streamers because it gives you a ton of control over your audio chain, mimicking some of the features of the venerable GoXLR virtually without all the wires and complexity.
Here are some reviews that you can reference so you can decide whether or not you’d like to get one for yourself:
EposVox Wave 3 Review / Harris Heller(Alpha Gaming) Wave 3 Review / Podcastage Wave 3 Review
Audio Interfaces: For those of you who’d like to not be limited to a single microphone option, then you’re in luck because Elgato now makes the Wave XLR Audio Interface. This device allows you to use any XLRXLR stands for External Line Return. It is a balanced connector for studio-grade audio equipment that is nearly immune to electromagnetic interference. It is most commonly used for condenser and dynamic microphones, audio interfaces, and audio mixers. More microphone, including the ever-popular, but gain hungry SM7B without a cloud lifter, and retain the features of the Wave microphones mentioned above.
Here are some reviews of this audio interface:
EposVox Wave XLR Review / Podcastage Wave XLR Review / Harris Heller Wave XLR Review
Green Screens: A green screen is a common tool used by content creators to give them unparalleled control over their backgrounds for content. Many opt to use a green screen to remove their background entirely and overlay themselves onto the gameplay itself. As for What green screen I recommend, you’ll have to read my article about green screens, because it explains it better than what I can fit here.
LightsLights are a staple of media and content creation. They help create interesting focal points, improve the quality of your webcam or DSLR, and are essential for streamers to ensure consistent lighting. This is especially true for high-action gameplay, where the monitor light can very quickly become an ugly flashing light show if there isn't a key light powerful enough to overpower it. More: Lighting is super important if you care about the quality of your camera feed from your webcam or any camera for that matter. For one, those of you who rely on your monitor for your main sourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More of light will have inconsistent lighting that changes based on what your screen is displaying. The best part is that almost any light will do, as any light is better than no light.
With that said, there are better lightsLights are a staple of media and content creation. They help create interesting focal points, improve the quality of your webcam or DSLR, and are essential for streamers to ensure consistent lighting. This is especially true for high-action gameplay, where the monitor light can very quickly become an ugly flashing light show if there isn't a key light powerful enough to overpower it. More that are designed for production purposes that have better color accuracy, are brighter, and have more control. You can check out some of them in my top 5 lights article. Also, having a dim light in your background on a camera sceneA scene is a collection of sources in OBS Studio. It is what viewers will see when you are broadcasting. More will look better.
