5 Game-Changing FreeShow + Livestream Tips You Might’ve Missed on FSF

Hey FreeShow Family,

If you missed FreeShow Friday on 10-10-25, you missed one of the most practical sessions we’ve had yet. Whether you’re running media for your church, streaming your podcast, or trying to master the flow between FreeShow and OBS, this one was packed with hands-on insights to make your livestreams cleaner, faster, and more professional.

Here are five of the biggest takeaways that I believe will instantly upgrade your setup:

1. Mastering the Power of Templates vs. Shows

One of the top questions that came in was from Malvin: “When I edit a slide, why does it change the template and not the actual show?”
That’s a super common question—and once you understand the difference, it’s a total game changer.

Templates control the look of your slides—things like fonts, layout, colors, and backgrounds.
Shows control the content—your lyrics, scriptures, or sermon notes.

My Tip:
If you’re editing text or lyrics, do it inside the show.
If you’re changing colors, fonts, or backgrounds, that’s a template edit.

Remember: editing a template affects every show that uses it. Editing a show only changes that show.
Once that clicked for me, it saved me so much time. Understanding this difference will save you a ton of confusion and keep your workflow clean and predictable.

2. Creating Dynamic Overlays for Livestreams (Using NDI + Invisible Windows)

During the session, I walked through how I bring overlays from FreeShow directly into OBS using NDI, and the best part—it’s all wireless.

Here’s my basic setup:

• Resolution: 1920x1080

• Output type: Invisible window

• Transparency: Turned ON

• NDI: Enabled

Then, in OBS, I simply add that NDI feed as a new source. This lets me display titles, lyrics, and timers on top of my video feed—live and in real time.

Why I love this:
It means I can build overlays like lower thirds, timers, and scripture references inside FreeShow and use them in OBS without juggling multiple programs. I can even send those overlays wirelessly between devices.

If you’re streaming to YouTube, Facebook, or YoloCast, this setup will make your livestream look 10x cleaner and way more professional.

3. Why Audio Matters More Than Video

I’ve said this many times, and I’ll say it again: Audio is just as important—if not more important—than video.

Here’s how I run mine:

• My soundboard’s main output runs into my camera via XLR.

• My camera’s HDMI goes into a capture card, then into my computer.

• In OBS, I select that capture card as my audio source.

When you route audio through the same camera that’s providing your video, the sync lines up perfectly—no lag, no offset issues.

If you’re sending your audio through USB directly from the board to the computer, you can absolutely do that too—just know you might need to tweak your sync settings in OBS.

And please, if you can, hardwire your connection. Don’t depend on Wi-Fi for livestreaming. You’ll thank yourself later. A stable audio signal builds trust with your audience. They’ll forgive slightly off visuals, but they won’t forgive bad sound.

4. Building Lower Third Countdowns and Timers in FreeShow

One of my favorite parts of this session was showing how easy it is to make your own countdown timer overlays right inside FreeShow.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Go to Functions → Timers → New Timer.

2. Choose “Towards a Time.” (I used 1:00 PM as the example.)

3. Name it something like FreeShow Friday Timer.

4. Create a new overlay and insert that timer field.

5. Add a semi-transparent background box, round the corners, and match it to your brand colors.

Now you’ve got a slick, professional countdown that sits right over your livestream feed—just like you see on major broadcasts.

I like to run mine before FreeShow Friday starts, so it shows the audience how long they have before we go live. You can use the same idea for pre-service videos, announcements, or live events.

5. Optimizing OBS Scenes for Smooth Switching

In OBS, think of scenes like “shows” inside FreeShow. Each one has different sources—camera, overlays, slides, etc.—and switching scenes changes what your audience sees.

Here’s how I organize mine:

• Scene 1: Camera only

• Scene 2: Camera + FreeShow overlays (lyrics or titles)

• Scene 3: Full screen slides (scripture or announcements)

• Scene 4: Split view (me teaching + slides side by side)

Each scene layers sources just like templates in FreeShow—camera at the bottom, overlays on top, background behind.

If you’re streaming solo (like I often do), pre-building these scenes is a lifesaver. With Bitfocus Companion or a Stream Deck, you can switch scenes with one button instead of clicking through windows mid-service.

My advice: keep it simple but strategic. Plan your scenes like cues in a production. The goal isn’t to show off how much gear you have; it’s to make your message clear and your presentation smooth.

Bonus: Why I Don’t Use PowerPoint Inside FreeShow

Someone asked how to bring PowerPoint into FreeShow—and honestly, I don’t.
If I build something in PowerPoint or Keynote, I export it as JPEG images and import those images into FreeShow as media.

That way, I can stay inside one ecosystem, control my slides natively, and never have to juggle two programs while I’m live.

It’s cleaner, faster, and way less likely to break mid-service.

Why This Session Mattered

This week’s FreeShow Friday wasn’t just about features—it was about confidence.
When you understand how FreeShow and OBS work together, you stop reacting to tech problems and start leading your stream with clarity.

My goal isn’t just to show you what buttons to press; it’s to help you understand why those buttons matter. When you know the “why,” you can solve problems in real time without panic.

That’s the difference between surviving a livestream and mastering one.

Your Next Steps

✅ Watch the replay on YouTube (search “FreeShow Friday 10-10-25”).
✅ Subscribe so you don’t miss my upcoming video on the Circle Mask feature.
✅ Share this email with your media team—especially whoever handles your livestream.
✅ Try one of these five upgrades this week. Start with the NDI overlay; you’ll love the results.

We’re building more than just better streams—we’re building a global community of creators who believe excellence and ministry can work hand in hand.

Let’s keep growing together.

See you next FreeShow Friday!

– Garry B. Jr.
Empowering Creators to Present with Confidence