The open-source video recording and live streaming software OBS Studio has released version 32.1 in public beta. This update includes a redesigned audio mixer, support for WebRTC simulcast, and various interface improvements. Developers advise against using the beta in production environments.
OBS Studio 32.1 entered public beta testing on January 15, 2026, bringing enhancements to its cross-platform capabilities for Linux, macOS, and Windows users. The software, known for its role in video recording and live streaming, introduces a new audio mixer with an enabled palette for the Light theme. Additionally, a new Add Source dialog streamlines adding elements, while WebRTC simulcast support enables more efficient multi-resolution streaming.
Interface updates include rearrangements of default dock positions, restored undo/redo actions for scene items, and updates to the Edit Transform dialog. The transition preview button now resides in a button box, and the media source playback slider updates at a higher rate. Default bitrates have shifted to 6000 kbps, and copying a scene item now includes all properties.
Several fixes address user-reported issues: the word “Source” is removed from source names, dock animations are disabled, and projector resolutions no longer display decimals. Corrections for NAL types in HEVC caption/BPM SEIs prevent errors, and NVIDIA Blur and Background Blur effects avoid banding or splotchy appearances. Synchronization between Preview and Program views improves, the Save function refactors to handle only frontend canvas scenes and groups, video scaling in multivideo encoder scenarios is accurate, and black thumbnails on recordings are resolved.
Binaries are available on the project's GitHub page for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Windows, and macOS. As a pre-release version, it is intended for testing rather than live use.
