SteelSeries Alias and Alias Pro Review

"Review Units Sent by SteelSeries"

Professional Grade Mics That Give You Everything you Need out of the box!

The SteelSeries Alias and Alias Pro are premium microphones offering a range of standout features. It boasts a 1” condenser capsule type, ensuring high-quality audio capture. The microphones have a frequency response ranging from 50 Hz to 20,000 Hz and utilizes a cardioid polar pattern. Designed with a side address orientation, it provides a sample rate of 48 kHz and a bit depth of 24-bit. Users will appreciate the Alias Pros' ability to utilize an XLR as well as having a digital audio inface that can connect to two computers atonce making a dual pc setup a breeze while the Alias has its adjustable gain, and for seamless connection, it employs a USB-C interface, coming along with a USB-C to USB-A cable measuring 6ft (2m) in length. The product is complemented by the software "Sonar for Streamers." In terms of dimensions, without any mount, it measures 7.75 x 2.25 x 1.75 inches. With a shock mount, it measures 7.75 x 4.33 x 4.5 inches, and when paired with both a shock mount and stand, its dimensions are 9.05 x 4.33 x 5.12 inches. The microphone's weight stands at 7.23oz (205g), while the shock mount weighs 6.88oz (195g), and the stand weighs 12.35oz (350g). As of its release date on October 3, 2023, the microphones is priced at $179.99 and $329.99 respectively.

Now, let's take a peek inside the box, shall we? The Alias package brings you the streaming mic perched on its stand, a nifty USB-C cable for PC connection, and a boom arm adapter. The Alias Pro packs a little more punch with the addition of an XLR cable, stream mixer, power cable, and a duo of USB-C cables. And hallelujah for the boom arm adapter in both! Makes things so much simpler. Just a little heads up—depending on your current boom arm, you might be on the hunt for an additional adapter.

Visually, the Alias and its Pro sibling are absolute show-stoppers. SteelSeries' signature style is a blend of yesteryears' radio charm and modern finesse. While the Pro version is button-free thanks to its XLR and mixer features, the Alias isn't shy about its controls. Front and center, there's a volume knob for those connected headphones, and a ridiculously intuitive mute button. Just a gentle tap and you're on mute. Flip it over, and there's the gain knob, USB-C port, and the 3.5mm jack. Maybe I'd swap the knobs around, but that's just nitpicking!

As for the Alias Pro, all it flaunts is the connection to your stream mixer via the XLR cable. The compact mixer is a breeze to set up, even if you're juggling multiple connections. Quick tip: always plug in your XLR cable before the AC adapter.

I confess, I've got a SteelSeries obsession. Most of my desk real estate is occupied by their gear, and not without reason! With the new mics in the scene, the King Bee II had some competition. But was it good enough to bench my trusty old mic?

What about functionality? Oh, it's all there! Gain knobs, customizable buttons, and my favorite – the heavy-duty shock mounts to dampen those keyboard clatters or, in my case, the occasional desk thud after a game loss. And can we take a moment to appreciate the RGB features? The visual cues on the Alias are a game-changer, especially the LED monitoring system, ensuring your vocal peaks don’t blast your audience.

Now, the real deal: audio quality. SteelSeries went big, housing one of the largest condenser capsules inside the Alias series for pristine voice capture. They’ve stuck to the cardioid pattern, ensuring clarity for streamers. The Alias Pro introduces the world of XLR – or eXternal Line Return. And it makes a world of difference, especially for dual PC setups. The quality? Stellar, even without diving deep into filters or EQ.

Check out my audio below, like the Lords of the Fallen and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 reviews. It's rich and clean without much fiddling. SteelSeries has knocked down the barriers of post-processing; plug it in and you're golden.

Spider-Man 2 Review Recorded using SteelSeries Alias Pro

Lords of the Fallen Review Recorded Using SteelSeries Alias

Let's chat about Sonar, SteelSeries' genius software solution. Beyond its magic for audio output, it elevates the audio input game, especially for the Alias series. From EQ presets, noise reduction, to the marvel of ClearCast AI noise cancellation – the Alias range coupled with Sonar is a powerhouse. The best part? Managing your audio is a cinch. Whether it's stream music, Discord chat, your mic, or even a video, everything is at your fingertips in the digital studio mixer. Connecting it all to your streaming software is painless. For dual PC setups, the Alias Pro uses two USB-C ports on the stream mixer. Configuration is a breeze.

All said and done, the Alias mics stand out in a crowd. I recently guest-starred on a podcast using the Alias Pro, and the playback was nothing short of impressive. It's fast becoming my top pick, outshining even the King Bee II. The price tag, though, is a tad steep. At $179.99 for the Alias and $329.99 for the Pro version, it's a commitment. For streamers, it's an ideal investment, promising ease of use and stellar audio quality.

The question then remains: is it worth it to move from the iconic King Bee II? Honestly, the SteelSeries Alias series has carved out a space for itself. It's given my trusty King Bee II a run for its money. So, would I swap back? Well, that's a tale for another day.