People are always wondering what kind of mic a certain artist or online personality uses for recording or streaming – in fact, people often ask me this very question, as if, since I write content for a blog, I must have some special access to the world of celebrities, their choices and their preferences.
I don’t, but the more I think about these questions the more it makes sense to me to find out what mic they use. After all, anybody who is interested in doing content creation, who wants to try their hand at home recording, who wants to stream gameplay or anything like that, might really like to know what gear top professionals use and see if it is maybe in their own range.
Or maybe somebody likes a certain gamer’s or singer’s sound or style, and the way their microphone captures such a wide range of expression and dynamics, and so naturally they might, again, want to know what mic is being used and see if there is any way they can afford and use the same one.
So I decided to put together a fairly long list of top internet personalities, announcers and recording stars, and the microphones they use, with a very short comment on each one.
But before we get into it, it is interesting to consider the most popular mics among the top artists. Specifically, the three microphones which appeared most frequently in our list are:
1. Shure SM7B (on the list: 7 Times)
2. Neumann U87 (On the list: 6 Times)
3. Neumann TLM 103 (On the list: 4 Times)
And now, let’s get the bigger picture, and see exactly what microphone 28 of the top celebrities and personalities are using in 2024. I hope that this listicle of the top microphone choices of celebrities and content creators will be useful in helping you find your next microphone, and I especially hope you end up as successful as any of them!
What Microphones Do Top Singers, Content Creator, Gamers and Streamers Use in 2024?
What Microphone Does Beyoncé Use?
One of the most successful and wealthiest entertainers in the world, with an estimated net worth of around half a billion dollars, Beyoncé uses one of the most expensive microphones on the planet for all of her recording – the peerless Telefunken ELA M 251, which is quite probably the most beautiful sounding mic ever made. If eleven grand for a mic is too rich for your studio, you might consider the AKG C12VR, which uses similar components and the same tube, and is considered by many recording engineers to be the 251’s only rival – and at just under 7,000 dollars is a real bargain!
What Microphone Does Justin Bieber Use?
As you might expect, Justin Bieber uses some pretty special mics to capture his highly expressive voice and singing style and his wide vocal range. And, as you might also expect, they’re all pretty pricey! But while the amazing Telefunken ELA M 251 and the enormous Sony C-800G might be out of range, he also loves the warm and silky sound, the incredible dynamic range, and low distortion of the Neumann U87, which at under four grand is less than half the price, and by many accounts is the best sounding of all of them.
What Microphone Does BTS Use?
Perhaps no other artist or group has more online commentary about their mics of choice than BTS, especially now that they have their new custom colored mics, and yet nobody seems to be sure exactly what mics they use. Each member has his own color of custom mic – the colors being quite symbolic and personally significant – and the base seems to be a Sennheiser SKM 6000, but we’re not sure what heads they use, or who customized the mics – except that they apparently are applied with Swarovski crystals!
What Microphone Does Callmecarson Use?
Callmecarson uses the Shure SM7B, which is the most popular mic on this list, and one of the most popular in the world – especially among high-level gamers and streamers, voice actors, singers, and content creators. The price, for its professional quality and beautifully warm and clear sound, is definitely not high-level, though, and yet even the most successful and highest earning artists stick with the SM7B for its ability to reproduce the human voice, in all its expressive range, with such accuracy and power.
What Microphone Does Captainsparklez Use?
Captainsparklez uses a Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser XLR mic on a Rode PSA1 Boom Arm. The 2035 is a very affordable basic cardioid condenser microphone which is known for beautiful reproduction of the human voice, from the softest and most subtle nuances to very high sound pressure levels. It is also, for the money, an extremely well made unit, with a premium fit and finish and good durability. The good captain is not alone in his praise of this inexpensive mic, which has gotten an astounding 4.8 star rating from Amazon with over 1,600 reviews!
What Microphone Does Couragejd Use?
Couragejd uses the Shure SM7B dynamic microphone, which is a mid-range microphone used by lots and lots of streamers, content producers, voice actors and singers, and loved for its ability to take even the loudest vocal delivery in stride, while still easily capturing subtle nuances and whispers. The SM7B is a warm, clear and low noise microphone, approaching the performance, sound quality and durability of much more expensive professional mics, and is easily one of the best values on the market today.
What Microphone Does Drake Use?
The Canadian rapper and actor Drake, or Aubrey Drake Graham, uses a Neumann TLM 103 condenser microphone, which is a much more affordable version of what may be the finest vocal microphone in the world – the Neumann U87. While Drake certainly can afford as many U87s as he wants, he and other celebrities seem to prefer the TLM 103, which still features the legendary Neumann ability to reproduce any voice or vocal sound with incredible accuracy, and still has that beautifully warm Neumann sound, but may be even a little more dynamic that the U87, allowing for even stronger and more intense vocalics.
What Microphone Does Dream Use?
The hyper-popular Minecraft gamer Dream primarily uses a Shure SM7B, which is one of the most widely used microphones today among streamers, gamers and content creators of all types. A surprisingly affordable mic, the SM7B has a warm and lovely tone, and yet is exceptionally accurate, capturing both the loudest and softest vocal sounds with ease, and is as good a choice for people just starting out as for established online personalities.
What Microphone Does Billie Eilish Use?
Billie Eilish uses a Neumann TLM 103 microphone for recording, which puts her in good company – many pop singers and celebrities choose this superb vocal microphone even over the more expensive, legendary Neumann U87. Eilish’s extremely subtle and expressive voice is perfectly served by the TLM 103, which is among the best mics in the world for fully capturing any voice, any vocal style, even the smallest nuances and an enormous range of emotion and expression.
What Microphone Does Eminem Use?
If you want to use the same microphone as Eminem, you will need some pretty significant coin, since his mic of choice – the superb Sony C-800G – costs over ten thousand dollars. It is, for all of that, an incredible microphone, with a bright and clear tone that reproduces any type, style or range of vocals, and any sound level, with unerring accuracy, and still somehow offers its own beautifully warm signature. A more rational choice may be the Sony C-100, which is similar in sound and shares some of the 800’s tech and design philosophy, but at around a tenth the price.
What Microphone Does Flamingo Use?
Albert Aretz, better known as AlbertsStuff or Flamingo, is on record as using the Neumann TLM 103 microphone for streaming gameplay. Flamingo’s vocal style, with a wide range of expressivity and lots of screaming and raging, is perfectly captured by this super-premium mic, which is known for its wide dynamic range and ability to take high vocal volume without strain or distortion, as well as for its warm and beautiful tone.
What Microphone Does Fundy Use?
Fundy’s microphone of choice is the beautiful Australian made Rode Podcaster, an inexpensive but high quality USB mic with a strong and loyal following among streamers and content creators of all types. The Podcaster, which is known for its high levels of clarity and accuracy, high dynamic range and low noise, is best used with the equally affordable Rode PSM1 Shock Mount and Rode PSA1 Boom Arm, which combine to give an essentially studio quality experience for very little money.
What Microphone Does Ariana Grande Use?
Ariana Grande(-Butera) is known for her extreme vocal range and drop-dead gorgeous voice, and so it makes sense that her microphones are pretty much the finest made. For recording she prefers the legendary Neumann U87 in her home studio, which is possibly the finest vocal mic made. On tour, Grande uses Sennheiser wireless mics, like the SKM 5200 and 9000, but she is known to love the stunningly clear and liquidly musical Neumann sound.
What Microphone Does Jacksepticeye Use?
Jacksepticeye’s primary microphone is the Neumann U87, which is mentioned in many other places in this list and is, by all accounts, a truly extraordinary mic – if extraordinarily expensive as well. Jacksepticeye also has been known to use a Sennheiser MKH416-P48U3, which is a directional, pressure gradient shotgun mike designed for outdoor use and noisy environments, and is, like the Neumann, known for exceptional fidelity in recording the human voice, very low noise and high durability.
What Microphone Does Logic Use?
The Grammy nominated American rapper Logic, also known as Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, uses the Shure SM7B vocal microphone, a mid-priced dynamic mic known for its ability to take a lot of sound pressure and volume without strain or distortion, allowing vocalists (or streamers, gamers or voice actors) to really let loose without worry. The SM7B, which features in several other places on this list, is also known for its remarkably clear and true reproduction, and has a warm and beautiful sound.
What Microphone Does Ludwig Use?
Ludwig, or Ludwig Anders Ahgren, is yet another of the seemingly countless top-level streamers and content creators using the brilliant Shure SM7B, which is known for its clear and clean audio, its great dynamic range and its ability to reproduce the loudest and most intense vocalics and the softest and most subtle details with equal success. A very accurate and high fidelity mic for a very low price, the SM7B is nonetheless also loved for its distinctively warm sound signature and tonal beauty.
What Microphone Does Markiplier Use?
As of right now, Markiplier’s primary microphone is the Shure KSM44A, a large diaphragm condenser mic with multiple polar patterns. Though quite pricey, this is a well known mic amongst content creators, streamers and voice talent, for its superb fidelity, low coloration and beautiful sound, and for its versatility and durability. The KSM44A is especially great for male vocals, and allows for a huge range of expressivity, from whispers to screams. Markiplier also uses the excellent RODE PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm.
What Microphone Does Pewdiepie Use?
Pewdiepie’s current microphone of choice is the AKG Pro Audio C414, which is known for its beautiful retro design as much as for its incredibly accurate reproduction and neutral sound signature. The C414 is a truly premium mic in both performance and build quality, and with its adjustable polar patterns, attenuation and bass cut filters proves to be one of the most versatile and rugged condenser microphones on the market, and equally good for male and female voices.
What Microphone Does Philza Use?
Phil Watson, better known as Philza or Ph1LzA, is known to use the Shure SM7B, one of the most popular microphones in the world, and especially big among streamers, gamers, content creators and voice actors. The beautifully warm sound of the SM7B, in combination with real accuracy and excellent reproduction of detail and dynamics, make it a favorite among professional recording engineers as well, and yet its low price makes it accessible to even amateurs and people just starting out.
What Microphone Does Pokimane Use?
Pokimane, or Imane Anys, an award winning Twitch live streamer, likes microphones that offer the most clear and clean audio possible. She uses two mics regularly – the amazingly inexpensive Audio-Technica AT2020, known as much for ultra-low distortion and essentially no coloration as for its bargain basement price, and the, admittedly, far superior Electro Voice RE-20, which is a much more popular mic among top level streamers, known for having an especially smooth and natural sonic signature and extreme accuracy.
What Microphone Does Joe Rogan Use?
Joe Rogan’s most recent choice in microphones is the remarkably affordable Shure SM7B, which may be a bit surprising considering Rogan’s success and net worth! Still, it’s understandable, as the SM7B is known to have absolutely beautiful sound quality – clean and clear, and with very flat frequency response and superior reproduction of fine details, but also with an unmistakable warm character that makes any voice sound better. The SM7B is also the equal of many far more expensive mics in terms of dynamic range, and really allows Joe, or any voice talent, to cut loose and fully express themselves.
What Microphone Does Travis Scott Use?
The American rapper and record producer Travis Scott is known to use a few different microphones when in the studio, but his favorite seems to be the legendary Neumann U87, which is an extraordinarily talented mic and perfect for capturing Scott’s powerfully dark and wholly unique vocal style. An expensive mic, the U87 is widely considered to be among the very finest mics for vocals, and used by superstars, serious professionals and devoted amateurs all over the world.
What Microphone Does Wilbur Soot Use?
Considering his popularity, not to mention his income, Wilbur Soot’s choice of microphones is surprisingly modest. He is known to prefer the ultra-budget Blue Yeti, a USB mic which is admittedly one of the most popular choices among streamers and content creators, and remarkably high quality for the money, and the Rode NT1, a wonderful Australian made mic with extreme dynamic range, stunning clarity and low noise, which is considered by many to be one of the very best values in condenser microphones for vocals.
What Microphone Does Howard Stern Use?
One of the most famous, even infamous, radio personalities of our time, Howard Stern uses one of the most famous and beloved microphones of all times – the Neumann TLM 103. Stern’s distinctive voice is captured with perfect fidelity by the superb 103, which adds just the perfect amount of warmth and presence without changing his sound. And even when he is very close to the mic, as he is wont to do, there is no harshness, overload or sibilance, just an abundance of subtle vocal expression.
What Microphone Does Taylor Swift Use?
There’s a lot of speculation that the lush, lovely voice of Taylor Swift must be at least partially due to the mics she’s using. To be sure, the Avantone CV12 she uses on all her studio recordings will give a warm and sweetly musical tone to any voice. It is also known for its incredible resolution of detail, low distortion and low noise and high dynamic range. The CV12 is fast becoming the mic of choice of many discerning recording artists, and while still modestly priced, this professional quality microphone easily competes with some of the most expensive mics currently available.
What Microphone Does TimTheTatman Use?
TimTheTatman, born Timothy John Betar, uses the superb yet highly affordable Audio-Technica BP40 dynamic microphone. A less sensitive mic, as are dynamics generally, the AT BP40 requires strong preamp gain, but really allows vocalists to get as loud and crazy as they want, and is also great for rejecting background noises. The BP40 is also, it should be said, a beautiful sounding microphone, which is exceptionally well made and durable, and well worth its low price.
What Microphone Does Tommyinnit Use?
The young British YouTube and Twitch streamer Tommyinnit, or Thomas Simons, has great taste in microphones, and currently uses the wonderful AKG P120, a very inexpensive mic that rivals even some professional units for low distortion, clarity and detail. The bright and clear sonic signature allows all vocal types to come through with accuracy, and the P120 is a very well made and rugged mic – again, especially for the money – and is easy to use and suitable for a wide range of applications and environments.
What Microphone Does Kanye West Use?
Kanye West, who has changed his name to Ye, currently uses the powerful Audio-Technica AT4050 condenser microphone, a relatively expensive mic that is, nonetheless, known as a real value. The strong low end makes even Ye’s rich voice sound even more striking, and the exceptionally transparent overall sound captures details and vocal nuances with often breathtaking accuracy and presence. The 4050’s high quality diaphragm offers consistent sound quality regardless of volume, and also over the years, and provides incredible detail and very low distortion.