Record your composition
Currently, SenSei does not support Syphon/Spout output (only input), so you cannot record SenSei’s output this way. Rendering your composition directly is also not possible at this time.
A simple workaround is to use screen-capture software, like QuickTime Player or OBS, but for significantly better quality, an external HDMI recorder is recommended.
In any case, setting SenSei’s output window to full-screen will give the best results, because the engine then stops applying certain adaptive/performance-saving shortcuts, so the scene looks higher-quality and more cinematic, including better Depth of Field. But this also depends on the render quality settings (set in the s_SenSei Control + Main Camera plug-in). By default, the render quality is set to Medium. In this mode the output is adaptive, meaning that Unreal Engine will automatically reduce or even disable certain expensive effects (like Depth of Field, motion blur, bloom, lens effects, shadow mapping) depending on the window size.
Note for Mac users: macOS Sonoma introduced Game Mode, which automatically activates when the system detects a game is running in full screen (SenSei is classified as a game). Game Mode reallocates system resources to improve performance and responsiveness by giving the foreground “game” higher CPU priority, deprioritizing background tasks, and optimizing GPU scheduling and latency. However, this also means that Ableton Live, EboSuite, and other real-time audio or video applications may receive fewer system resources and perform noticeably worse. To prevent this, disable Game Mode via the macOS main menu.
Below you’ll find more information about recording with OBS and a HDMI recorder.
Recording visuals and audio with OBS
In Ableton Live set your Audio Output Device to BlackHole (2 In, 2 Out).
In OBS press the ‘+’ to add a ‘Windows Capture layer’ to your ‘Scene’. Give the window layer a name and press ok. Select the SenSei output window from the dropdown list, hit ok to confirm your choice. Press ‘+’ again to add an ‘Audio Output Capture layer’ to your ‘Scene’. Give the layer a name and press ok. Select the Blackhole 2ch from the dropdown list, hit ok to confirm. Press the ‘Start Recording’ button to make a recording. Set the folder where the video recordings will be saved in the preferences (‘Output’).
Recording visuals and audio with an HDMI recorder
For significantly better recording quality, an external HDMI recorder is recommended.
A solid option is the Atomos Ninja V, for example, which can record both visuals and audio. It’s very easy to use, just press Record, and it handles 4K ProRes at 60fps without issues.
The Ninja V records to a removable SSD, making it easy to transfer your footage to a computer for editing. When placed inline between your computer and your display, it can capture the signal at any moment. Before recording, set your monitor to the desired resolution (typically Full HD) and adjust your audio output in Ableton Live accordingly.
Set SenSei’s output window to full screen on the HDMI output you are using for recording. In the example below, there are two screens connected and SenSei’s output window is set to full screen on the second HDMI output. In this example the recording is made at 1280×720 (full HD, 1920×1080, is more common), so the screen resolution is set to 1280×720 as well.
In Ableton Live’s Audio preferences select the HDMI output as your Audio Output Device.
