We just pushed an update to our Stream Deck plugin that gives you a little more control over clipping without having to stop what you're doing mid-stream.

Previously, your clipping options were limited to the available preset times. With this update, there are now more clip lengths to choose from, plus the ability to create a custom clip button for the exact amount of time you want to capture (up to 90 seconds for now).

If you know you regularly want to grab the last 30 seconds, 90 seconds, or whatever makes sense for your content, you can set up a dedicated button on your Stream Deck and have it ready whenever something happens.

This is especially handy if you're clipping for Shorts/TikTok later and different moments need different amounts of context. Sometimes you just need the reaction.

If you use a Stream Deck with Meld, update the Meld Studio Stream Deck Plugin and give the new clipping options a try.

What clip length are you going to be using?

Hardcore Minecraft runs are having a moment right now, and if your chat has been asking when you're doing one, we just shipped the toolkit for it.

This pack gives you everything you need to broadcast a Hardcore run properly: a Boss Tracker so viewers know what's still standing, a Death Counter for the moment everything goes wrong, and a Subathon Timer.

Free Hardcore Minecraft overlay pack. Boss Tracker, Death Counter, Subathon Timer. Works in OBS or Meld Studio.

👉 Grab it here

What's in the pack

Minecraft Boss Tracker

Shows viewers exactly what's standing between you and disaster: Ender Dragon, Wither, Warden, whatever gauntlet you set.

• !slain: mark the current boss beat, reveals the next one
• !bossreset: reset the tracker if you need a clean restart
• Low-profile widget, doesn't crowd your gameplay

Minecraft Death Counter

The number your chat is going to be spamming the second something goes wrong.

• !death+ / !adddeath: add a death
• !death- / !subdeath: correct a miscount
• !deathreset: start over
• Updates instantly, tracks across streams/episodes, won't touch your frame rate

Minecraft Subathon Timer

If you're going the "stream doesn't stop until it's done" route, this is what keeps the clock alive.

• Follow: +1 min | Sub T1: +5 min | Sub T2: +10 min | Sub T3: +20 min
• Raid: +30 sec per viewer | Fourthwall purchase: +10 min
• Fully configurable time values, manual add/subtract/reset controls built in

All three are mod-controllable through chat, so your mods can update boss status or fix a death count without you ever tabbing out mid-run.

How to install it

In OBS (via free Spark Plug plugin):

1. Install Spark Plug
2. Open OBS, sign in with your Meld account.
3. Drop Boss Tracker, Death Counter, and Subathon Timer into your scene as browser sources

In Meld Studio: They're built in, just add each as a Web Source layer, resize, done.

Quick FAQ

Do I need Meld Studio to use these? No, the whole pack works as browser sources in OBS through Spark Plug, which is free.

Can my mods control it without touching my broadcast software? Yes, all three elements are designed around mod-restricted chat commands.

Does the Death Counter track lifetime or per-run? It supports tracking across streams/episodes, so you can keep a running lifetime tally on top of the current run.

Is it customizable to match my branding? Yes, colors, fonts, and layout are all adjustable instead of using a fixed default skin.

If you've ever wanted your cam layer to actually feel like it's part of your scene instead of just floating on top of it, this is for you. You can now composite any visual layer (camera, media, game capture, images, whatever) using the same blend modes you'd find in Photoshop or After Effects, except it's live and updates in real time while you're streaming or recording.

How to use it:

• Select a layer
• Go to the Inspector Panel
• Look for the new Blend Mode dropdown right under Fill Mode
• Pick one and watch your scene change instantly

What's in the dropdown:

• Multiply (darkens things, good for shadows and moody vibes)
• Screen (brightens things, great for glows and light effects)
• Overlay (punches up contrast)
• Soft Light (subtler version of Overlay)
• Color Dodge (intense highlights, light streaks)
• Difference (weird, bold, high contrast inverted colors)
• Hue (applies color from your top layer, keeps the brightness underneath)
• Luminosity (applies brightness from your top layer, keeps the color underneath)

No plugins, no extra software, no rendering. It's just a dropdown now. You can read more about this feature on our Blog.

clip: instantly make a vertical clip of your content

switch scene: mutes your mic automatically on BRB

record: one press before you start that match

meld hotkeys work even in fullscreen.

If you have ever wished Meld Studio could record your camera and gameplay as separate files like OBS does with source recording, you are not alone. Meld Studio does not currently offer native multi track or per source recording, which makes it tricky to edit your camera and gameplay independently after the fact.

The good news is there is a workaround, and it works surprisingly well once you understand the setup. By using an ultra wide DFHD canvas, you can record both your camera and your gameplay in full 1920x1080 resolution side by side in a single recording, then split them apart in your editing software afterward. Here is exactly how to do it. (Credit to N3BST4R for the screenshot)

What Is a DFHD Canvas?

DFHD stands for Dual Full HD. Instead of recording a standard 1920x1080 canvas, you set your canvas resolution to 3840x1080. That gives you two full 1080p frames placed next to each other horizontally, essentially two 1920x1080 screens stitched into one ultra wide recording.

This matters because it lets you place your gameplay capture on one half of the canvas and your webcam on the other half, both at full 1080p quality, with zero downscaling or quality loss to either source.

Why This Works as a Source Recording Alternative

Meld Studio does not let you export your camera and gameplay as two separate video files the way some other streaming software does.... yet. The DFHD method solves this by recording everything as one file, but structuring that file so it can be split apart cleanly in post production. You get the flexibility of separate sources without needing built in multi track recording.

This is especially useful if you want to:

• Edit your camera and gameplay independently
• Resize, reposition, or completely change your layout after recording
• Cut away to full screen gameplay or full screen camera during editing
• Create clips or shorts that only use one source at a time

Step by Step: Setting Up Your DFHD Canvas in Meld Studio

Step 1: Create a New Canvas at 3840x1080

In Meld Studio, go into your canvas settings and set it to the ultra wide DFHD canvas to create your workspace.

Step 2: Place Your Gameplay Source on One Half

Add your game capture source and size it to exactly 1920x1080. Position it so it fills the left half of the canvas.

Step 3: Place Your Camera Source on the Other Half

Add your webcam or camera source and size it to 1920x1080 as well. Position it on the right half of the canvas, starting at the 1920 pixel mark. Now both sources sit side by side, each one taking up exactly half of the ultra wide frame.

Step 4: Record as Normal

Hit record in Meld Studio like you normally would. You will end up with a single video file at 3840x1080 that contains your full 1080p gameplay on one side and your full 1080p camera on the other.

Step 5: Import the Footage Into Your Editing Software

Bring the recorded file into your editor of choice. This works in Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, or basically any editor that supports layering and cropping video clips.

Step 6: Duplicate the Clip Onto Two Tracks

Place the same DFHD clip on two separate video tracks in your timeline, stacked on top of each other.

Step 7: Crop Each Track Down to a Single Source

On the top track, use the crop tool to cut away the right half of the frame, leaving only your gameplay. On the second track, crop away the left half, leaving only your camera. Most editors have a built in crop or position and scale tool that makes this a simple drag and adjust process.

Once both tracks are cropped, you now have your gameplay and camera as two completely independent 1920x1080 clips that are perfectly synced since they came from the same original recording.

What You Can Do Once They Are Split

After separating the two tracks, you have full creative control. You can:

• Build a custom layout with your camera as a small overlay
• Switch to full screen gameplay for highlight moments
• Cut to a full screen reaction shot using just the camera track
• Add transitions, effects, or graphics to each source independently
• Reframe either source for vertical shorts or clips

Since both tracks are perfectly synced by default, there is no manual syncing needed. You are simply choosing how much of each track to show and when.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Meld Studio support separate source recording?

Not natively at this time. The DFHD ultra wide canvas method is a workaround that lets you achieve a similar result by recording both sources side by side in one file and splitting them apart during editing.

Will recording at 3840x1080 lower my camera or gameplay quality?

No. Since each source only takes up half of the ultra wide canvas at 1920x1080, both your camera and gameplay are recorded at full 1080p resolution with no downscaling.

Do I need special software to split the tracks apart?

No. Any editor with basic crop, scale, or position tools works, including Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and CapCut.

Will my camera and gameplay stay in sync after splitting?

Yes. Since both sources come from the same original recording, they stay perfectly synced once separated into two tracks.

Can I use this method for a full stream, not just recordings?

This workaround is built for recording and post production editing. It is most useful when you plan to edit your footage afterward rather than for live viewers watching in real time.

Final Thoughts

If you have been looking for a way around Meld Studio not having native source recording, the DFHD ultra wide canvas method is a reliable workaround that keeps both your camera and gameplay at full 1080p quality while giving you full editing flexibility afterward. It takes a bit of setup the first time, but once your canvas and sources are positioned correctly, you can reuse that same layout for every recording going forward.

Has anyone else been using this method or found other workarounds for splitting sources out of Meld Studio? Would love to hear how others are handling this.

This week, two of the most requested features in this community have just shipped. Here's what's new:

Virtual Camera is now on MacOS

Use Meld Studio as your camera source in Zoom, Google Meet, Discord, TikTok Studio, or anywhere else that lets you pick a camera. Your scenes, overlays, and effects go anywhere your camera goes.

Global Hotkeys with scene switching

Assign keyboard shortcuts to core actions like starting streams, starting recordings, switching scenes, and more. You can now also assign hotkeys directly to individual scenes, so you can switch scenes without ever bringing Meld Studio to the front.

Available now on both Windows and Mac!

Read the full release notes here: Blog

Thanks for all your support and happy streaming!

If you’ve ever found yourself searching “how to make your own LUT” and landed on a tutorial that requires DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop, and a HALD image workflow, this is the easier version.

We built Meld LUT Lab, a free, browser-based tool that generates real 3D .cube LUTs from color curves, with a live preview on your webcam, an uploaded image, or test patterns. No install, no HALD round-trips, no plugins. So here’s how you use it.

What is a LUT?

A LUT (Look Up Table) is a file that remaps color and tone. Basically a portable, reusable color grade. Once you export one, it works across editing apps, streaming software, and cameras that support .cube (and png) files. Making your own means you get a signature look instead of a stock filter that everyone else already has.

How to create a custom LUT with Meld LUT Lab

1. Open the tool and go to https://luts.meldstudio.co/. It runs entirely in your browser, so there’s nothing to download to get started.
2. Pick your preview source. Load your webcam feed, upload a still image, or use a built-in test pattern. Previewing on your own camera feed is the fastest way to know if a look will actually work on stream.
3. Shape your color curves. Adjust the RGB and luminance curves to push shadows, midtones, and highlights where you want them. Watch the live preview update in real time as you drag.
4. Fine-tune contrast and tone. Dial in exposure and contrast until the look feels consistent across different lighting, not just the one frame you’re staring at.
5. Export your .cube LUT. Once you’re happy with it, export the file. This is a standard 3d LUT, so it’s compatible with the same apps and hardware that read any other .cube file.

Tips for making a LUT that holds up

• Test it against more than one lighting setup before calling it done. a LUT that looks great under one key light can crush shadows under another.
• Keep skin tones in mind first, then push stylization around them.
• Subtle usually reads as professional, while heavy-handed will read as filter.
• Save a few variants (day, night, high-key) rather than trying to make one LUT do everything.

FAQ

Is Meld LUT Lab free to use? Yes. It’s a free browser tool, no account or install required to create and preview LUTs.

What LUT file format does it export? Standard 3D .cube files or as PNG. 3D .cube files are the format used by DaVinci Resolve and Premiere. OBS and Meld both support these LUTs.

Do I need editing software to make a LUT? No. Meld LUT Lab builds the LUT from color curves directly in the browser. You don’t need Photoshop, Resolve, or a HALD image workaround to create one from scratch.

Can I use a custom LUT for livestreaming? Yes. Once exported, the .cube/png files work in Meld Studio and OBS as color correction filters on any video source.

We've got a new feature drop today: LUTs are now live in Meld Studio! If you've ever watched a streamer's setup and thought "how is their camera that cinematic?" This is how.

What are LUTs?

LUT stands for Look-Up Table, a color grading tool that instantly remaps the colors in your video to a specific style, or "look." Think of a LUT as a color preset on steroids: instead of manually tweaking contrast, saturation, shadows and highlights one by one, a LUT applies a pre-built color transformation across your entire image in one click.
LUTs are the same technology used in film, television, and professional video productions to get a moody cinematic look, a warm vintage vibe, or a clean, punchy commercial color grade. Now that same power is built directly into Meld Studio for your livestreams.
Common LUT file formats include .cube LUTs and PNG LUTs, which Meld supports both.

How to Add LUTs in Meld Studio

Adding a LUT to your stream takes less than 30 seconds. Here's the step-by-step guide:

1. Select the layer you want to apply your LUT to. This can be your webcam, a media layer, or even your game layer.
2. Open the Inspector Panel and click into Effects.
3. Select LUT from the effects list.
4. In Preferences, upload your .cube or PNG LUT file.
5. Use the Intensity slider to dial in how strong the effect looks: subtle color grade or a full cinematic transformation is up to you. That's it, you're done! No plugins, no external color grading software, no exporting and re-importing footage. Just real-time LUT color grading directly inside of Meld.

Why Use LUTs?

Using LUTs can take your streams to a whole new level.

• Consistent Branding: Lock in a signature color look across every stream so that your content is instantly recognizable.
• Cinematic Quality: Get film-grade color grading without touching editing software.
• Total Creative Control: Bring in your own custom LUTs, download free LUT packs, or build a look from scratch, then fine-tune it with the intensity slider.

TL;DR: Meld Studio now supports LUT color grading. Upload a .cube or PNG LUT, apply it to any layer via Effects > LUT in the Inspector Panel, adjust intensity, and go live with a cinematic color grade in seconds.

Sometimes your outputs may log you out due to the way their API works. Be sure to double check that you are logged in before starting any troubleshooting or creating a support ticket in the discord.

Stinger transitions are now live in Meld Studio, and getting them set up takes less than a minute!

How to Setup Stinger Transitions

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Transitions
3. Select Stinger
4. Hit Browse and select your stinger file from your computer
5. Let Meld do the rest

Once your file is uploaded, Meld will calculate the Duration and Midpoint for you:

• Duration - how long the full clip plays before your new scene is completely visible
• Midpoint - the exact frame where the transition "hits" (when the old scene fully disappears and the new one starts revealing)

Change your scenes and watch it work!

TL;DR
Settings → Transitions → Stinger → Browse → done

Read more on our Blog.

Meld Studio now supports Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting for streamers on supported AMD GPU or on MacOS, joining NVIDIA users who already had access.

What is Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting?

Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting lets your computer encode multiple quality versions of your stream at the same time. Twitch then automatically delivers the best matching version to each viewer based on their connection. A viewer on a fast connection gets the full 1080p experience, while a viewer on a weaker connection still gets a smooth, watchable stream instead of buffering or dropping frames.

Why this update matters

Before this release, Enhanced Broadcasting in Meld Studio was limited to NVIDIA GPU setups. That left a lot of AMD and Mac streamers without access to one of Twitch's newest features. This update closes that gap.

Who can use Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting in Meld Studio now?

• Streamers with a supported AMD GPU
• Streamers on MacOS
• NVIDIA users, who already had support

What do I need to set up Twitch Enhanced Broadcasting?

1. A supported AMD GPU or a MacOS device
2. The latest version of Meld Studio
3. Up to date AMD Adrenalin drivers if you are running an AMD GPU

If you stream on AMD or Mac, make sure you're on v0.10.2.0 or higher in Meld Studio and give Enhanced Broadcasting a try.