How To Be A Youtube Star
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How To Be A Youtube Star

A lot of 22-year-olds have opinions about gadgets. Not many have 3 million fans who will listen. Marques Brownlee—best known as MKBHD—is an Internet celebrity who’s attracted hordes to his YouTube channel since launching seven years ago. Brilliant and funny smartphone reviews, unboxings, and meditations on all things tech have set him apart as one of the most influential tech vloggers out there.

Tips From Marques Brownlee

Learn From The Best

“When I see a shot in a video or movie I like, I’ll Google it to find out what it is and how to do it. I watch a lot of YouTube tutorials. The more often I do it, the more steps I remember—and the easier it gets.”

Shoot For The Editor

“At events I’ll make a list of everything I want to capture, shoot it, and then record audio back at my hotel since it’s a more controlled environment. I film knowing what type of effects I want to add afterward.”

Speak To What You’ve Filmed

“I have talking points to make sure I don’t forget anything important. It’s more of a conversation than a script. If I fully scripted videos, I would never finish anything on time.”

This article was originally published in the January/February 2016 issue of Popular Science.

Tools Of The Trade

Engineers trust Yamaha's studio monitors to deliver precise sound across all frequencies. Never underestimate good audio. <strong>$499</strong>

Yamaha HS8

Engineers trust Yamaha’s studio monitors to deliver precise sound across all frequencies. Never underestimate good audio. $499
This newer model of MKBHD's monitor offers better ergonomics, a 4K pixel count, and precise color accuracy to easily spot errors. <strong>$1,299</strong>

Asus PA328Q

This newer model of MKBHD’s monitor offers better ergonomics, a 4K pixel count, and precise color accuracy to easily spot errors. $1,299
YouTube supports up to 4K video, but Apple's tower PC has the horsepower for three 5K screens at once. Hashtag futureproof. <strong>$2,999</strong>

Apple Mac Pro

YouTube supports up to 4K video, but Apple’s tower PC has the horsepower for three 5K screens at once. Hashtag futureproof. $2,999
Red's cameras aren't cheap. But they offer user-upgradeable shooters that record in 6K—the highest resolution available. <strong>$59,500</strong>

Red Weapon Dragon

Red’s cameras aren’t cheap. But they offer user-upgradeable shooters that record in 6K—the highest resolution available. $59,500
Sigma's lenses are sharp. Crystal-clear capture with great low-light options. <strong>$799</strong>

Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 Lens

Sigma’s lenses are sharp. Crystal-clear capture with great low-light options. $799
This battery-powered field mixer can be used as a preamp to add clarity when filming. Or afterward to dub over mistakes. <strong>$929</strong>

Sound Devices Mixpre D-P48

This battery-powered field mixer can be used as a preamp to add clarity when filming. Or afterward to dub over mistakes. $929
Cutting out ambient noise is key. This shotgun mic picks up audio only where it's aimed, so your viral video will sound just how you like. <strong>$1249</strong>

Sennheiser MKH416

Cutting out ambient noise is key. This shotgun mic picks up audio only where it’s aimed, so your viral video will sound just how you like. $1249
The side wheel on this mouse lets you scroll horizontally as easily as vertically. Pair three devices at once, switch connections with a button press. <strong>$99</strong>

Logitech Master MX Mouse

The side wheel on this mouse lets you scroll horizontally as easily as vertically. Pair three devices at once, switch connections with a button press. $99
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