What Microphone Does Markiplier Use?

For those in the gaming and vlogging industry, the name Markiplier may be familiar. Markiplier’s fame comes from his recorded gameplay videos, podcasts, and vlogs as a well-known YouTuber and social media personality. To produce high-quality content, however, Markiplier needs the best equipment – so what microphone does Markiplier use for recording?

Markiplier uses the Shure KSM44A microphone for his recordings. It is expensive and requires a power supply, but it offers high-quality sound recording with minimal distortion, reduced vibration, and picks up multiple patterns. The PGA27 is about a quarter of the price and used to be part of his setup.

Microphones are an investment that often provides the most notable improvements per dollar spent, so let’s look at Markipliers set up in more detail.

What Microphone Does Markiplier Use?

Many have tried to figure out what setup Markiplier uses in his videos and podcasts, and while there is some speculation, we know some information for sure. Markiplier used a PGA27 microphone from Shure for a long time, which is visible in some of his videos. 

But as time has passed, Markiplier’s setup has been upgraded to be more in line with his reputation for delivering quality audio streams. 

As such, he now uses a KSM44A multi-pattern condenser microphone, which comes with a hefty price tag – at least, for those who haven’t made a living out of streaming and recording, it seems expensive. 

Here’s a breakdown of the two setups Markiplier has used in recent years.

PGA27 Side Address Condenser Microphone

In the past, we could see that the microphone Markiplier was using was a Shure PGA27 mic.

It has a large diaphragm cartridge, which gives a much more comprehensive dynamic range with crystal clear highs and bold lows.

It’s also perfect for the control of unwanted low-end signals, thanks to a high-pass filter. 

The manufacturer of the PGA27 notes that it is also particularly adept at hearing audio from the source directly due to its cardioid polar pattern, which also means it rejects any unwanted sounds.

Lastly, it also has a -15dB switchable attenuator for Sound Pressure Level (SPL) versatility. All of this translates to a professional mic that is useful for those with some recording experience.

Pros Of The PGA27

• High-quality sound 
• Durable build quality
• Perfect for recording vocals as it picks up natural dynamics in your voice
• A good upgrade microphone for those moving up 
• Not overly expensive at around $230

Cons Of The PGA27

• Not great for beginners due to extra hardware requirements
• They require power, so you either use an audio interface or a phantom power supply
• Power requirements may limit which devices you can record on

Here are a few notes to consider when looking at this mic:

• To input audio into your computer using this microphone, you will need an audio interface, which can be an extra expense – unless you opt for a USB version. Otherwise, you will need an XLR to USB adaptor,
• Using a tablet or smartphone won’t provide enough power to this microphone, so you will need a plugged-in computer or laptop or an external power supply.
• If you find this mic is too soft or quiet, it is likely underpowered and requires an upgrade to a higher output source.

Shure KSM44A/SL Condenser Studio Microphone

Markiplier’s current setup includes the Shure KSM44A mic. It’s touted by many professional voice and music artists as being a very product, albeit pricey.

To mitigates the high asking price, you will also get a shock mount and carry case included.

The KSM44A is a vast step up from the PGA27 and can be considered one of the better microphones for those who need to record musical instruments and vocals.

It has a dynamic range and picks up clear polar patterns.

Pros of the KSM44A/SL

• Omnidirectional, bidirectional, and cardioid patterns are picked up
• Records with clarity – no crossover distortion and no vibrations
• Sleek looks without appearing bulky and clunky
• Sturdy diaphragm for the best frequency response
• It is lightweight so that it can be taken from location to location
• Durability is enhanced by gold-plating the diaphragm
• It has a switchable pad has 15dB, which handles high pressure

Cons of the KSM44A/SL

• Has an expensive starting price of over $1,000
• Not a good choice for those just starting out
• Requires 48 Vdc power supply, but can be used with lesser systems.

Finally, here is what you need to consider before investing in a KSM44A:

• The price may seem excessive, but for those who record for a living, this is an investment into the most advanced technologies in the market.
• The design is brilliant for minimizing self-noise and breath noise and eliminating vibrations. 
• You can successfully record voice, instruments, or broadcast recordings with this microphone – it can be used for voice-overs and background recording too, and experimenting with it will go a long way to learning the best applications. 
• You can select from three settings which response pattern you prefer, influencing the sensitivity to noise from various angles. 

Who Is Markiplier?

Markiplier is the online alias for Mark Edward Fischbach, an internet personality, YouTuber, and producer. He is also the co-host of the Unus Annus channel, which he used to co-host – it is no longer operational, however. 

Born in 1989, Markiplier is originally from Hawaii but began his career in Ohio in later years. He currently works from a home base in Los Angeles, California.

He is most well-known for his play-through videos of popular video games – Markiplier records his gameplay and commentary, which he uploads to YouTube to his main channel. His channel has almost 19 billion views and 33.6 million subscribers.

However, this isn’t the only thing he is famous for; he is the co-founder of a clothing brand alongside another popular YouTuber, Jacksepticeye. Additionally, he co-hosts a podcast.

Given his successes with streaming, recording, and in-studio work, it stands to reason that Markiplier knows quite a bit about the equipment needed.

Microphones are essential to capturing sound effectively, and when it is imperative to stream or record high-quality sound, only the best will do. 

Naturally, the top-rated microphones can cost a pretty penny, so consider that when you’re shopping. For Markiplier, the price may not be too much of a worry, considering he has a net worth estimated at $60 million.

That being said, let’s see what Markiplier recommends.

What Microphone Does Markiplier Suggest?

While the microphones mentioned above are excellent for those a little more experienced, they are also not cheap. Markiplier’s recommendation for those who are just starting is the Audio Technica AT2020 mic.

It costs between $75 and $100 depending on where you buy it from and is a much more affordable entry point into the vlogging realm.

This microphone is versatile and can record music, vocals, and streams. It can manage high SPL levels without much problem and proves reliable enough to reduce unwanted background noise.

It may not be the highest quality on the market, but it’s a good option for those just starting.

Final Thoughts On The Mic Markiplier Uses

Markiplier trusts Shure with his audio recording needs and has invested much money in his setup.

This includes the high-quality, durable, multi-directional KSM44A, which records with clarity while minimizing background sounds.