SteelSeries: Your dream of becoming a streamer star is now a reality with Alias
What do I do better here than blow minds, right? Fortunately, it’s all about SteelSeries coming through with the mind-blowing flexing needed on a random Tuesday, of course. In the past you’ve seen me geeking out over the technology game-changer coming through with headsets, keyboards, mice, oh my - but deciding to take over the microphone game? Holy shit smokes, no, I really mean shit!
SteelSeries is here to change your view on streaming with Alias and Alias Pro
You know when I start geeking out, it’s going to be one for the record books, right? You might as well print this out now - wait, printers in 2023, seriously though - because I’m hitting you with editorial, big facts, minimal to zero cap, maybe just a little cap to go with the daily hat - and ample visual flexing because I have been hearting SteelSeries in every possible way since getting put onto the brand in 2021 - big facts. Now for someone like myself, I pride - er - myself in being nice-nice with the gaming goals. Simple, right? Loading up the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X for a shoot ‘em up session with the Arctis Nova 7P and Arctis Nova 7 and Arctis Nova Pro headsets on a daily basis never felt so good - not to mention the fact I use my SteelSeries Apex gaming keyboard for way more fun typing and gaming whenever I can - so to find out there was a buzz building over a huge reveal this past summer? I was pumped.
An invite-only and special 45-minute interaction with what SteelSeries teased as its latest innovation had me hooked in - a couple RSVP’s later, minor schedule conflict and then meeting the three-team SteelSeries squad - IYKYK - in one of those signature fancy New York City Manhattan hotels - you know, the type you feel you need to tip the door person and add a splash of Versace cologne every time you pass through the fancy Cinderella type doorway? Yup - that hotel - I was hyped for what would be unveiled to me in this mystery room in mid-September.
A match made in heaven - the new SteelSeries Alias and SteelSeries Alias Pro legit glowed when I feasted my eyes on both. Now granted, if you’re like me, you’re going to think without looking into it, the Alias Pro is the way to go, right? I mean, did I take a moment to consider if I needed to look into the details of what the iPhone 15 Pro Max had versus just the traditional iPhone 15? But in this case, I had an up-close look at these and to keep it 100? As someone who embraces both the lifestyle of traveling and turning my apartment into a technology giant - I found both the Alias and Alias Pro being perfect in both scenarios. For the comfort of traveling and less things to worry about, having all features and gadgets in once place with the Alias is an absolute no-brainer. The extra baggage of awesomeness the Alias Pro comes with makes for the ultimate setting at home and in both cases - each can do the same thing but it’s a matter of your comfort level, overall needs and how much of a perfectionist you are when it comes to sound and mic features, right?
Wait - why don’t I let the SteelSeries gang-gang dish out on what makes these both so fire?
As much as the culture relies on sites and people to put you up on the next awesome thing on the market, I want to highlight one simple YouTube comment for why you, yup, you, push the culture forward and prove the people really determine greatness:
^ END OF STORY…. honestly, I have pages and pages worth of details and big facts to get into but this comment completely gets to the point of what SteelSeries is doing and has continued to do.
INSPIRE.
MOTIVATE.
LEAD.
From all the publishers, influencers, advertising, promotions and everything else you expect from a drop of any product, this comment right there completely embodies what I love about the brand. Take someone with just a slight interest or maybe zip-zero interest in streaming and provide a red carpet to them taking their gaming goals to a whole new level.
SteelSeries can take something in the culture which is either complex or unappealing and really connect with us - the true game-changers and forces which can make or break great brands - hi, Peloton - and with someone like myself who fell in love with the audio levels, being able to simply customize and set up streaming features to my preferred settings with Sonar fully easy to use and understandable - the Alias and Alias Pro are quite possibly SteelSeries’ biggest jump forward.
Computers can be complicated. Dealing with things like the ability to stream while produce content simultaneously can be intimidating and overwhelming - to say the least - and SteelSeries takes the challenge and honestly? Simplifies it. In the company’s own words…
“For many, gaming isn’t just a pastime, it’s a passion and a lifestyle, so having the very best peripherals fills a need to make the experience amazing every time,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, SteelSeries CEO. “For decades, SteelSeries has been as passionate about bringing innovative, best-in-class products to the market as gamers are about gaming itself. With the launch of our Alias microphones powered by Sonar for Streamers, we are empowering current gamers, streamers, and content creators, and enabling future generations to create great streams and content for years to come.”
Bigger sounds better. Alias microphones powered by Sonar for Streamers feature a custom-built 1” condenser capsule that’s 3x the size of standard microphone capsules to flawlessly capture each gamer’s voice, while a finely tuned cardioid capsule pattern minimizes background noise with a bubble-like capture area. This equates to a sound pattern used in broadcast and recording studios and is the optimal solution for accurate and impactful vocals -- and the only one needed for streaming. Add a custom-built shock mount that absorbs vibrations and allows gamers to get animated during their streams and the sum of the parts is a sleek, streamlined microphone chassis specifically designed for gamers.
To power the Alias microphone chassis, SteelSeries developed a high-performance turbo engine known as Sonar for Streamers. This free studio-grade software suite provides gamers with an all-in-one sound studio and delivers everything a streamer needs for audio high-quality production. Streamers can utilize an independent 10-band Parametric EQ with broadcast presets for deeper vocals, audio routing, precision tuning, and mixing, and ClearCast AI noise cancellation to make even the noisiest room sound like a recording studio. Pro software mixing tools like the Compressor and Limiter remove the need for additional audio programs or plugins. Sonar is compatible with standard video broadcasting software (OBS, Streamlabs, etc.) and uses CPU rather than GPU processing to avoid frame rate drops.
Now, it wouldn’t be legit without geeking out over those game-changing features, right? Of course I’ll keep dishing on the simplicity factor because in times where you want things done fast, being able to get a lot accomplished quickly? Super vital. But it’s more than just the quickness. How about doing an up-close look the difference in both Alias mics? For what seems like half the price of what the Alias Pro sells for, the Alias holds you down - whether you’re a newbie or hardcore streamer looking to have all your settings and features all in one spot:
The new SteelSeries Alias USB Microphone brings true broadcast level vocals to your desktop with a large 1” condenser capsule for deep rich audio and awesome Sonar Software for an all-in-one solution, plus RGB lighting.
Pure, Powerful Audio
Pro grade 24-bit /48kHz sampling and a large 1” mic capsule provides a wider capture frequency than other mics for richer, deeper vocal recordings.
Broadcast Cardioid Pattern
The tight cardioid pattern is the preferred solution for professional streaming and vocal recording, focusing the creator’s voice and eliminating unwanted noise.
Sonar for Streamers
Sound Like a Pro with Sonar Software, a powerful tool for making your stream and vocals sound professional with easy-to-use configuration options for quick results. Works with stream software using USB audio (OBS, Xsplit etc.).
Real-Time LED Monitor
5 built-in LEDs provide live feedback to set the perfect level, with onboard gain adjustment and 3.5mm port for mic-monitoring.
Quick Controls
Mute, Gain, and Volume (for Mic-Monitoring) are right at your fingertips for quick adjustment.
PrismSync RGB
Bring life to your stream with custom lighting control and audio synchronization for true personalization with GG software.
For a solid $179.99 in the United States, you can get your streaming goals going right away and the simplicity of seeing your voice levels, when you’re on mute/unmuted and adjusting your sound with the knob right toward the base? It’s easier than coding, kiddies. Now, if you’re like me, you’re going to ultimately want to see what the ‘Pro’ version has to offer - just keep in mind, for the purpose of traveling and keeping things in place, there is a convenience feature for the Alias over the jam-packed awesomeness of the Alias Pro.
The new SteelSeries Alias Pro XLR Mic + Stream Mixer makes advanced streaming simple using the Stream Mixer’s twin USB connections with SteelSeries’s powerful Sonar Software to easily route and mix game, music, chat and more on-the fly to be an instant Pro.
Pure, Powerful Audio
Pro grade 24-bit /48kHz sampling and a large 1” mic capsule provides a wider capture frequency than other mics for richer, deeper vocal recordings.
XLR Mic + Pre-Amp
Pro-grade XLR mic connection and pre-amp are built directly into the Stream Mixer with +48V phantom power. The XLR mic has a tight cardioid pattern which is the preferred solution for professional streaming and vocal recording, focusing the creator’s voice and eliminating unwanted noise.
Sonar for Streamers
Sound Like a Pro with Sonar Software, a powerful tool for making your stream and vocals sound professional with easy-to-use configuration options for quick results. Works with stream software using USB audio (OBS, Xsplit etc).
Simple Setup for Dual or Single PC
USB is all you need, it’s that easy! Fully digital USB provides the purest sound quality by minimizing lossy D/A conversion.
Mappable Mixer Controls
2 custom-mappable mute and volume controls means fade-ins on-the-fly or muting specific inputs is quick and easy to configure for quick adjustments.
Real-Time LED Monitor
LEDs provide live monitoring for total control.
I am the type to embrace challenges and growth - so while it’s great to have the go-to in the Alias, I am always going to lean toward the bigger and better - think of it like the Xbox Series S versus the X - while the Pro is much like the X in regard to power and features, there is a simplicity and comfort in the Alias, much like the Series S, when it comes to traveling, compactness and convenience - try squeezing a Series X into your book bag while going through airport security, yikes. And much like the difference in consoles, you’ll notice you’re dropping $329.99 to secure your own Alias Pro.
But as the features suggest, it’s loaded with awesomeness and if you feel you might be the type to grow into a more serious streamer or at least have the luxury too, things like the dual PC streaming and professional features you’re going to embrace way more as your followers triples and quadruples in a matter of hours - okay, days, at least, right - the Alias Pro is ready to go to the sky and back, salute Starfield!
This is one of those rare times when it’s a win-win no matter what direction you go and let’s keep it 100 - SteelSeries is always going to push for innovation. Whether you’re able to secure a single mic, both of them or a mic for every crib and workplace you visit, it’s about what works best for you.
Level up those gaming goals and let your voice really be heard.