REAL WORKFLOWS

Cool Tools

A short list of software and resources I find genuinely useful in production work.

The distinction: Tools are the utilities built here. Cool Tools is the curated software and reference list.

Anchor Tools

These come up repeatedly in streaming, recording, control, and automation work.

Streaming & Recording

OBS Studio

OBS is still the default answer when someone needs to stream, record, capture, or build a lightweight production workflow without buying into a larger stack first.

  • Strong fit for streaming, recording, NDI utility work, and compact production jobs.
  • Huge plugin ecosystem and real-world documentation depth.
  • Easy to start, easy to overcomplicate.
Open OBS Page OBS Settings Planner
Control & Automation

Bitfocus Companion

Companion solves a real operator problem: too many systems, too many clicks, not enough fast control. When it is built well, it saves serious time.

  • Used with ATEM, vMix, OBS, PTZ, playback, graphics, audio, and show control.
  • One of the most practical ways to turn a Stream Deck into a real control surface.
  • Powerful, but messy if the page design is bad or module support is inconsistent.
Open Companion Page Bitfocus Connections
Live Production & Streaming

vMix

vMix brings switching, streaming, recording, graphics, remote guests, and production outputs together on a Windows system.

  • Strong fit for multi-camera live production that needs more built-in operational depth than a basic streaming setup.
  • Supports practical workflows around NDI, SRT, browser inputs, recording, overlays, and external outputs.
  • Edition and hardware choices matter, so plan the actual production before committing to a build.
Official vMix Features Streaming Planner
Built by Broadcast.Tools · Live graphics

QLG — Quick Live Graphics

Create and operate transparent browser-source graphics without a full graphics system.

  • Lower thirds, status graphics, countdowns, scoreboards, images, and maps.
  • Separate Build, Control, Preview, and clean output surfaces.
  • Designed for OBS, vMix, and other browser-source workflows.
Open QLG

More Cool Tools

More useful choices for graphics, automation, diagnostics, and media-system work.

Graphics & Playout

CasparCG

Open-source graphics and playout engine for teams that need custom behavior more than polished packaging.

  • Strong fit for graphics, tickers, clip playout, and custom control chains.
  • Powerful when somebody technical truly owns the workflow.
  • Easy to underestimate the maintenance side.
Open CasparCG Page Timecode Tool
Automation & Integration

Node-RED

Visual flow glue for events, APIs, and control logic when several systems need to talk to each other fast.

  • Strong fit for dashboards, webhooks, triggers, and glue logic.
  • Great for modest automation, dangerous when it becomes hidden infrastructure.
  • Best when the team treats it like real system logic, not a toy.
Open Node-RED Page Companion Workflows
Diagnostics & Network Truth

Wireshark

Packet-level truth when the network story sounds wrong and you need proof instead of guesses.

  • Strong fit for multicast, timing, streaming, and IP troubleshooting.
  • Not the first tool to reach for, but often the right one when symptoms stay vague.
  • Useful because it ends arguments with evidence.
Open Wireshark Page IGMP Guide
Real-Time Media Systems

TouchDesigner

Real-time media environment for interactive, XR-adjacent, installation, and custom visual-system workflows.

  • Strong fit where media, data, sensors, and custom outputs meet.
  • Flexible enough to be brilliant or overbuilt depending on ownership.
  • Best when a standard media player is clearly not enough.
Open TouchDesigner Page XR Camera Guide
Stream Automation

Streamer.bot

Local event automation for stream workflows that need more than scattered plugins and manual scene changes.

  • Strong fit for OBS-side event triggers, chat actions, and local automation.
  • Useful when automation helps operators move faster instead of hiding the workflow.
  • Gets risky when it becomes a maze of undocumented side effects.
Open Streamer.bot Page OBS Workflows