If you want to become a Let’s Play star, making videos of the games you play with your personal live commentary overlaid for all to see and hear, you’re going to need more than a laptop and software like Fraps and Brandicam to make quality content. Pewdiepie didn’t get where he was by making grainy, unedited videos with choppy audio. He has great, affordable gear that makes his job easier, and that’s what you need to make your Let’s Plays stand out among the slush.
Here’s essential equipment that Pewdiepie himself uses that makes Let’s Plays (and other YouTube videos) easier than ever to create.
1. Blue Microphone
Pewdiepie uses a Blue mic for making his videos. With a mic stand, it’s easy for him to set the mic up next to his mouth and talk (or scream) to his heart’s content. As Pewdiepie says, the mic is pretty to look at, despite its ironic name and color scheme combo. The Blue mic has excellent quality and range, even if loud, sudden noises make it clip. Similar mics cost can cost a lot more, so you definitely get what you pay for here.
Price: $239.99
Buy the Blue Microphone here.
Pros:
- Available without mic stand and other accessories
- Amazing quality
- Similar mics can cost over $1,000
- Mic stand makes it easy to use while gaming
Cons:
- Loud noises can clip
- No XLR to USB converter
- Needs mbox or converter to plug into computer
- Pricey
Find more Blue Microphone information and reviews here.
2. Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000
If you’re looking to make Let’s Play videos with your face overlaid in the corner like Pewdiepie does, you need a decent camera to capture yourself with. Pewdiepie uses the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000. The camera has amazing picture quality for its price, it’s easy to set up, and it’s a great webcam overall for beginning YouTubers. Just beware if you’re a Vista user: The camera has reportedly had issues installing on that OS.
Price: $189.99
Buy the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 here.
Pros:
- Amazing picture quality
- Light adjustment
- Easy to install and set up
- Great for Skyping, too
Cons:
- Sometimes freezes
- Issues with Vista
- Expensive
Find more Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 information and reviews here.
3. Razer DeathStalker Essential Gaming Keyboard
The Razer DeathStalker Essential gaming keyboard is sleek, stylish, functional and affordable. What’s not to love? With nice backlighting that illuminates the keys in low light, a comfy wrist rest and responsive keys, this laptop is perfect for gaming and browsing alike. Plus, as Pewdiepie says, it’s deathly quiet, which makes it perfect for using while recording yourself playing games.
Price: $47.37 (5 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Razer DeathStalker Essential Gaming Keyboard here.
Pros:
- Great backlighting
- Comfortable
- Low, responsive keys
- Great price
Cons:
- Susceptible to oily fingers
- Not mechanical
- Backlight color not changeable
Find more Razer DeathStalker Essential Gaming Keyboard information and reviews.
4. Razer DeathAdder Chroma Gaming Mouse
If you need a simple mouse at a great price, nab the Razer DeathAdder Chroma. Pewdiepie seems to love his, after all. Unburdened by extra unnecessary buttons, this simple gaming mouse is as comfortable as it is stylish. It’s got an optic sensor for accurate control, the option to turn tracking off as soon as the mouse is lifted and customizable glowing mouse wheel and logo. What’s not to love?
Price: $59.99 (14 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Razer DeathAdder Chroma Gaming Mouse here.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Accurate and precise
- Tracking stops when mouse is lifted
- Customizable colors
Cons:
- Reports of mouse not lasting
- Loud button clicks
- Mouse wheel doesn’t scroll horizontally
- Single clicks can become doubles after months of use
Find more Razer DeathAdder Chroma Gaming Mouse information and reviews.
5. Razer Kraken PRO Headset
Pewdiepie sure loves Razer. His headset of choice is the Razer Kraken PRO headset. It features optimized weight for extended use, foldable ear cups, a closed-ear design with powerful drives for deep lows and piercing highs and a retractable microphone, making it a great headset for gamers and music-lovers alike at only $54.99. Some users have reported poor audio and mic quality, but most people love the Kraken PRO for its listed features. If Pewdiepie uses it, you can be confident this headset will be a good buy.
Price: $54.99 (31 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Razer Kraken PRO Headset here.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Foldable ear cups
- Powerful, ranging sound
- Retractable mic
Cons:
- Poor audio quality reported
- Mic on the cheap side
- Reported to be uncomfortable for certain head shapes
Find more Razer Kraken PRO Headset information and reviews here.
6. Adobe Premiere Pro CC and Adobe Photoshop CC
If you’re serious about making videos for YouTube, especially Let’s Plays, you’ll need some serious software to edit not only thumbnails but your entire videos. Windows Movie Maker, Microsoft Paint and other freeware aren’t going to cut it here. Luckily, you can pay less than $20 a month to sign up for a digital subscription to Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Premiere Plus. Photoshop will allow you to make artistic and eye-catching thumbnails for your videos, but Premiere Plus is absolutely necessary to edit your videos, overlay footage of yourself in the corner, make cuts and fades and so on.
Price: $19.99 per month (34 percent off MSRP)
Buy a digital subscription to Adobe Photoshop here.
Buy a digital subscription to Adobe Premiere Pro CC here.
Pros:
- Top tier editing software
- Robust and intuitive
- Learning the basics of both programs isn’t hard
- Digital subscriptions are cheaper than buying the full product
Cons:
- Subscriptions not as robust as owned copies
- $40 a month can get expensive
- Can’t access files if subscription dries up
Find more Adobe Photoshop CC information and reviews here.
Find more Adobe Premiere Pro CC information and reviews here.