SteelSeries - Alias USB Microphone - Black

I love the Steel Series product line and free software they provide (SONAR), even if you don't use their products. I tried three different microphones before settling on this one. I went the budget option with a FiFine AM8 and even got the mixer and XLR hook up for it and mic boom. For my use that was overkill and did not like that the mic was picking up desk bumps due to not having shock mount, so it went back to Amazon. Next, I tried the Hyper X Quadcast S from Amazon (on sale). I purchased the Alias at the same time from Best Buy (not on sale) and did numerous side by side recordings and videos. After doing my own comparisons, I determined that the Alias definitely was the winner in terms of sound quality, size, and shock mount. I preferred the Hyper-X desktop stand over the Alias, and I like the RGB lighting, but in the end, the Alias was the clear winner, even with the much bigger price tag at the time of purchase. The only complaint I have is with the mic stand. It is nice and heavy metal, but with the plastic cover it has, it generates a flexing sound if you handle it or move it around. I know it is always best on a mic boom, but that isn't something I need currently, since I'm not a content creator or heavy streamer. I just wanted something that was better for game night with friends and family, and this is perfect for my needs. I honestly can't tell much difference between this running on usb-c versus XLR and with the oversized condenser mic, it is clean and close in quality when compared to a similar dynamic microphone. Overall, I am very pleased with this microphone and would highly recommend it others. They just need to go with a solid metal base on the next version and ditch the plastic overlay. Last note, I saved the mic in my cart and caught it on sale one week after purchase. Using the Best Buy chat feature, they refunded me the difference in a matter of minutes, and I didn’t have to go back to the store. Very pleased with the mic and Best Buy customer service!

This is my first USB microphone so my opinion is probably biased.. but this thing is incredible! My friends on Discord say it sounds like I am standing right next to them when I talk. I like the real-time LED feedback you get on the face of the mic as you're talking and the giant red X that shows when the mic is muted. It makes fine tuning the gain of the mic a breeze. If you plug your headphones into the back of the mic you get real time monitoring with no delay but don't expect it to drive 250ohm headphones. Even with my 28ohm PC38X's I have to have the dial turned to about 80% for good, comfortable sound. I could go louder for sure, but any lower and its too quiet for my "old man" ears. What I really like about this mic is using it with the Steelseries GG software. You can EQ just about anything and get the sound you want. It has to be the most user-friendly piece of audio software I have ever used.

Overall, it’s good for what it’s worth there is definitely better on the market. It is very finicky and you have to mess with the settings on your computer. They have an app for it but overall once you get past all the technical issues, it works really well and it makes you really clear. Very good for streaming or just talking casually to friends, I use it for school as well.

This product is great, it has a great quality for Audio and the AI helps to improve the output. It doesn't need to be on an Arm, it is more than enough to catch all the sounds and your voice. I'll highly recommend it

Use this mic for gaming and for our podcast works great for both!! Sounds amazing!