Frequently asked questions
About the beta, Setup and features.
What is RearSilver Stream Suite?
RearSilver Stream Suite combines an OBS Studio dock with a separate Control Hub.
The dock puts stream controls, scenes, sources, statistics and quick actions within reach inside OBS. The Control Hub brings together music, Twitch song requests, overlay design, Stream Tools and Suite settings.
You can use the features that suit your setup without configuring everything at once.
Who is the private beta for?
The private beta is for Twitch streamers who want to try the Suite and help improve it before release.
You don’t need software-testing experience. Feedback about confusing instructions, awkward controls or missing explanations is just as useful as a bug report.
Is the private beta free?
Yes. Approved testers can download the current private-beta build free of charge.
Beta access does not promise a free licence for a future commercial release. Details of the commercial versions will be announced separately.
How do I join?
Complete the private-beta application form. Applications are reviewed manually.
If approved, you’ll receive the private access details and an invitation to the beta Discord. Follow the supplied instructions to access the beta product and complete the free checkout.
Private Beta application page.
Why do I need to complete checkout for a free download?
Checkout creates an order so the store can deliver your installer and manage your download access. The beta product costs £0.
After completing checkout, you’ll receive an email containing your download link.
What do I need to run the Suite?
You’ll need a Windows PC with OBS Studio installed.
The current beta has been tested with OBS Studio 32.2.2. That is the tested version, rather than a confirmed minimum requirement.
Twitch account connections are needed for Twitch chat and song-request features. Spotify is optional and has additional requirements explained below.
Do I have to set up every feature?
No. Guided Setup lets you work through the main settings in order, skip optional features and return to them later.
You can revisit your choices in Suite Settings, or run Guided Setup again.
Do I need to keep the Control Hub open?
Keep the Control Hub running while using features it manages, such as music playback, requests and Stream Tools.
You can enable Open Control Hub with OBS in Suite Settings. Closing OBS does not automatically close the Hub, and closing the Hub does not close OBS.
Which music sources can I use?
The Suite supports:
- Local music files and folders.
- YouTube and YouTube Music fallback playlists.
- The Spotify desktop app through its optional integration.
For local and YouTube playback, the Hub handles playback itself. When using Spotify, the Spotify desktop app remains the music player.
YouTube support here refers to a music source; it does not mean the Suite provides YouTube livestream chat integration.
Do I need Spotify Premium?
Only if you want to use the Spotify integration.
That integration requires Spotify Premium, the installed Spotify desktop app and your own Spotify developer app. Suite Settings guides you through entering its Client ID and connecting your account. You should never enter a Client Secret.
You can use the other Suite features without connecting Spotify.
How do Twitch song requests work?
When enabled and connected to a supported music source, viewers can request songs through Twitch chat.
Accepted requests take priority over the fallback playlist but do not interrupt the track already playing. You can configure permissions, queue limits, per-user limits, maximum track length and the available content checks in Suite Settings.
Local-file playback does not support Twitch song requests.
Do I need a separate Twitch bot account?
No. A bot account is optional.
Your streamer account reads chat and identifies viewer roles. If you connect and select a bot account, it can send confirmations and now-playing messages. If the bot becomes unavailable, the Suite falls back to the streamer account.
Can I change who is allowed to use chat commands?
Yes. Suite Settings → Commands lets you choose which roles can use each command.
Permissions are additive, and the broadcaster always retains access. The Commands page provides a reference showing command syntax and the configured permissions.
Does the Suite make music copyright-free or safe to stream?
No. Using a track through the Suite does not grant permission to broadcast it. You remain responsible for choosing music you’re authorised to use.
Keeping music out of a VOD does not grant permission to use it during the live broadcast. The Suite does not automatically change your stream, recording or VOD audio-track assignments.
Can I change the dock’s appearance?
Yes. The dock includes layout and theme options, including high-contrast and colour-vision options.
Open Stream Tools → UI Settings in the dock to explore them.
Why are some controls unavailable?
Some features need OBS to be connected, an account to be authorised or a music source to be selected before their controls become available.
Check the status message beside the affected feature. For example, you can edit overlay settings while OBS is disconnected, but showing the overlay requires an OBS connection.
I installed the Suite, but where is the OBS dock?
Open the Docks menu in OBS Studio and enable RearSilver Stream Suite.
The RearSilver dock combines the functions you would ordinarily access through several separate OBS docks, including:
- Controls
- Scenes
- Sources
- Stats
- RearSilver Stream Tools
- Music controls
Once the RearSilver dock is visible, you can disable the separate native Controls, Scenes, Sources and Stats docks from the same OBS Docks menu. This gives you more workspace and avoids showing duplicate controls.
You can then drag and resize the RearSilver dock to fit your preferred OBS layout. If the dock is enabled but does not appear, try Docks → Reset UI and then enable RearSilver Stream Suite again.
Downloads and support.
Why does Windows show “Unknown publisher” when I install it?
Windows will ask for permission to make changes and may display “Unknown publisher.”
RearSilver Stream Suite is an independently developed application, and the installer needs administrator access to add the Suite to OBS Studio’s protected installation folders. Only continue if you downloaded the installer from the official RearSilver private beta link and Imperial Infusions store/site.
Where is my download, and how many times can I download it?
Your download link is sent by email after the free checkout. Check your spam or junk folder if it hasn’t arrived.
The current beta download allows three downloads, and the download page displays how many remain. If your link stops working or you need further access, contact beta support.
How will I receive beta updates?
Update announcements and instructions will be shared through the private-beta Discord.
The current build does not have a built-in update checker. For now, updates require downloading and running a replacement installer using the instructions provided. An in-app update system is planned.
What happens when this beta expires?
After expiry, normal Suite functionality is disabled. Feedback & Diagnostics remains available so you can still prepare information for support.
Check the beta Discord for announcements about subsequent builds.
How do I report a bug or suggest an improvement?
Use Feedback & Diagnostics in the Control Hub to describe what you were trying to do, what you expected and what happened instead.
For bugs, include the steps needed to reproduce the problem where possible. Review any diagnostic report before sharing it through the beta Discord.
Reports are not automatically sent to us.
Diagnostics & Privacy page. Keep the detailed reporting screenshots on that page.
Can I share the installer or invite a friend?
Please don’t redistribute the private-beta installer or share your access password or download link.
You’re welcome to direct interested streamers to the application page so they can apply themselves.
My customer name is different from my streamer name. How will you recognise me?
Your application asks for your streamer contact details. You can also optionally provide your preferred stream name, Discord username, Twitch channel and alternative email on the beta product page.
These details help match your order with your application and identify the best way to contact you about beta access and support.