Today, we are writing this SteelSeries Alias Microphone Review to look into this product from SteelSeries. The manufacturer is a crowd favourite thanks to its outstanding headsets, keyboards, and more. But this time, they are looking into microphones, which we will discuss today.
SteelSeries Alias Microphone Packaging
The product ships in your standard SteelSeries-looking cardboard box and arrives on time for this SteelSeries Alias Microphone Review. The front of the box displays an image of the mic, its name and the company branding.
Inside, you will find additional accessories shipped with the USB microphone.
- Desktop Stand
- USB-C to UA cable
- Boom Arm Adapter
- Product Information Guide
SteelSeries Alias Microphone Review – Design and Functionality
After unboxing the product for our SteelSeries Alias Microphone Review, we noticed how premium its design was. It sports a pill-shaped body featuring durable metal grilles covered with a fine black fabric.
The microphone suspends on a shock mount, which gives you a hassle-free setup.
The front panel is elegantly uncomplicated, featuring a gain knob at the top left. There is a customisable knob on the top right and two mute buttons positioned below.
A noteworthy advantage is the customisation option for the right mute button dedicated to headphones, providing additional mic control. Adding to its appeal is the remarkable LED display embedded in its windscreen.
Positioned just above the mute button, Alias incorporates a five-stage LED indicator to represent peak levels. When muted, it turns into a red X.
Additionally, Alias boasts downward-facing RGB on the microphone base. It offers an ambient glow that you can customise using the GG software from SteelSeries.
We noticed a display that indicates the product’s current status while writing this SteelSeries Alias Microphone Review.
There is a red cross displayed when muted. It transforms into an audio-level monitor when actively picking up sound. Plus, it employs a five-stage indicator.
The monitor ranges from green to red, reflecting your current audio level. A frequent red glow indicates the need to adjust your volume/tweak its gain settings.
The visual confirmation of whether the microphone is on mute proves convenient, especially for online streaming. You can fully customise the brightness and colours of the mute indicator and audio level monitor. You can also choose to disable them using the SteelSeries Sonar Software.
This customisation option introduces levels of personalisation to your user experience.
We also checked the back of the mic for this SteelSeries Alias Microphone Review. Here, you will see another dial above the shock mount, which works for adjusting gain.
Below the shock mount is the USB-C port of the microphone. It also has a 3,5mm headphone jack to monitor the mic.
Shock Mount and Desktop Stand
The Alias sports a crafted metal shock mount fixed to a robust desktop stand. While the shock mount boasts a metal composition, the stand is plastic.
Yet despite its plastic build, the stand is solid and well-constructed. It also sports a circular base with anti-slip rubber linings.
This is compatible with boom arms, thanks to an included adapter. The stand provided by SteelSeries is sufficient for most users.
Much like the microphone, the stand is durable with a mix of sleek plastic and metal components. Its base underneath has a rubbery material, which helps prevent the microphone from sliding on various desk surfaces. This feature ensures a secure placement, making it a reliable accessory.
Key Features of the SteelSeries Alias Microphone
What makes the Alias microphone a product worth considering? To help you weigh your options, we made a list of its features that you can look through.
Determine what it offers and see if the microphone is essential for your streaming needs.
Increased Capsule Size
SteelSeries increased the capsule size of the Alias by three times more than other mics.
Keeps Your Voice Audible
Alias captures your voice from all directions while keeping it audible since it is a condenser microphone.
LED Levels of the SteelSeries Alias Microphone
LED levels let you know the audio levels and mute status of the Alias at a glance.
All-in-One Software Solution
The new Sonar for Streamers offers professional tools, including audio mixing, convenient drag-and-drop app routing, and AI noise cancellation.
Sturdy Shock Mount
The included shock mount effectively reduces unwanted vibrations for enhanced clarity. It is also compatible with the desktop stand and the boom arm (sold separately).
This accessory impressed us while testing the product for our SteelSeries Alias Microphone Review. We noticed its durable quality, which remained stable when attached to the desktop stand.
Customisable Lighting
Customise the RGB of the Alias to synchronise with other devices and change the colours of the level meter LEDs.
Specifications
- Microphone Type: Condenser
- Capsule: 25mm ClearCast
- Connection: USB-C port and 3.5mm Monitoring Jack
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Resolution and Sample Rate: 24 bit/48 KHz
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20 KHz
- Max SPL: 120 dB
- Dimensions (Stand Mounted): 110 x 130 x 230mm (W x D x H)
Hands-on with the SteelSeries Alias Microphone
We used the software during our product tests for this SteelSeries Alias Microphone Review product to learn about Sonar for Streamers.
SteelSeries launched Sonar for Streamers, the latest feature of Sonar audio, to support the Alias product line. Rather than a separate utility software, it is a feature you can access in Sonar, which integrates with SteelSeriesGG.
Sonar requires Windows 10 RS5 or the later operating systems to work. It also needs Intel Core i5-2xxx or AMD FX-4xxx processor and newer versions.
Sonar for Streamers is a virtual tool for mixing and routing audio. You can create submixes, route hardware and apps, and tune your audio with the 10-band parametric EQ.
SteelSeries has continuously enhanced the Sonar software since its first release. It has plenty of unique features for routing and mixing inputs and outputs. Plus, it allows dragging and dropping various programs, making it highly intuitive.
Standard streaming, recording, and chatting do not require using Sonar. However, you can use it to access advanced options, like tweaking the sound of your voice with voice filters. Plus, you can ensure the proper balance between game audio and mic volume.
Sonar also has specific EQ settings for dozens of games, with titles varying from FPS, racing, and more.
The product performed well, which impressed us while testing for this SteelSeries Alias Microphone Review. It had high-quality audio even without customising the settings via the audio. The sound was crisp with adequate clarity, and its broad cardioid pattern ensured it captured our voices.
Aside from the crisp audio, we noticed the depth of our audio recordings. The microphone was not picky with the positioning and captured plenty of detail. We also played various online games; surprisingly, the Alias did not interfere with delivering vital comms.
Although the marketing material prominently features the Sonar software, the Alias proves to be reliable for recording any audio type. The design is tailored for vocals and solo streamers, ensuring the microphone captures voices with crystal clarity and ample volume.
The oversized condenser capsules and cardioid pickup pattern contribute significantly to this performance.
Aside from excellent audio quality, the mute button was responsive. Plus, the gain motor proved handy for checking the impact of unwanted background noise during calls. Condenser capsules positioned just behind the mesh fabric are essential in achieving impressive performance.
The Alias offers an excellent balance of clarity, responsiveness, and range, creating a well-rounded and harmonious audio experience.
Together with the cardioid pickup pattern, it is designed to be placed in front of the user. We love how consistent its reproduction is across the board since it has adequate warmth for enjoyable sample sounds. Moreover, we only noticed minimal pop, which is not expected without software support.
The AI background noise removal worked effectively. It was another feature that impressed us since it allowed us to play loud games without headphones while on calls. It did not affect background noise levels, thanks to the AI technology.
SteelSeries Alias Microphone Review Summary
Featuring an appealing design accentuated by a cutting-edge LED display, the SteelSeries offers a well-rounded package with the Alias. It is user-friendly and delivers impressive sound quality straight out of the box.
The Alias makes a remarkable entrance by marking the first dedicated microphone from SteelSeries. It seamlessly brings the same user-friendly experience of SteelSeries mice or keyboards into the audio domain. This uncomplicated, plug-and-play microphone offers high-quality sound.
The Alias stands out as an excellent option within its price range. It is a hassle-free microphone with basic controls and a user-friendly app that covers all your gaming communication needs,
If you want a plug-and-play microphone that provides everything to communicate in games, we highly recommend Alias. It is the perfect choice since it is user-friendly and delivers excellent audio quality.
Learn more about the Alias Microphone when visiting the official SteelSeries product page.
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