These days, the ability to set up the perfect desk for a stream to wow the audience is becoming something that players are looking for more and more often. But in all honesty, getting started in your Streaming or YouTube career can be confusing and pretty costly.

I myself have dabbled here and there to make it happen, only to be disheartened by the learning curve of equipment and the prices of the things I need that throw up roadblocks. Luckily, as technology becomes easier to use and things develop, users get easier ways to make their dreams a reality.

Tech wizards at SteelSeries have come to answer the call though with their own Alias microphones that are aimed at taking the difficulty out of putting your nose to the grindstone, at least in the audio department. After having time with the base Alias and the Alias Pro, I can honestly say that there isn’t a better choice on the market.

What’s In The Box

For those purchasing either the Alias ($179.99) or the Alias Pro ($329.99), you’ll be happy to find that everything that you’re going to need is included inside with your mic. You honestly just have to plug them in, update them in the GG software, and begin doing your thing. They’re both easy and intuitive to use, right out of the box.

Alias

The Alias comes with the mic, a desk stand, a shock mount, a USB Type-C cable for power, and a hinge for a boom-type stand if that’s more your gig.

Alias Pro

The Alias Pro comes with a bit more gadgets though, as this is the more premium experience. You’ll find the Alias Pro itself, a desk stand, shock mount, Stream Mixer, XLR cable, 2x USB Type-C cables for connectivity, a power adapter, and that boom stand attachment.

Specs and Audio

Alias

• 3X BIGGER CAPSULE — USB-C condenser mic captures a wide vocal range with a capsule up to 3X larger than other mics

• LED LEVELS — Stay in control of your stream with a quick glance at Alias, which displays audio levels and mute status

• ALL-in-1 SOFTWARE SOLUTION — Sonar for Streamers is the total pro streaming package, with audio mixing, easy drag 'n' drop app routing, and AI noise cancellation (free download)

• SHOCK-MOUNT — Reduces unwanted vibrations for clearer sound, compatible with desktop stand or boom arm (sold separately)

• RGB DOWNLIGHT — Customize an ambient RGB to sync with your other devices, plus change the colors of the level meter LEDs

Alias Pro

• STUDIO-QUALITY XLR MICROPHONE — Designed for gaming, broadcast, and podcasting with a pro-grade XLR connection

• 3X BIGGER CAPSULE — Capture a wide vocal range with a capsule up to 3X larger than other mics

• XLR STREAM MIXER — XLR amplifier connects to PC via USB and features customizable controls and RGB

• ALL-in-1 SOFTWARE SOLUTION — Sonar for Streamers is the total pro streaming package, with audio mixing, easy drag 'n' drop app routing, and AI noise cancellation (free download)

• EZ DUAL PC — First-in-gaming solution to simply stream to one or two PCs via USB-C

• SHOCK-MOUNT — Reduces unwanted vibrations for clearer sound, compatible with desktop stand or boom arm (sold separately)

In testing both the Alias and Alias Pro, I have to say that my experience with them was phenomenal. For its modest price, the Alias offers some extremely crisp and rich audio that made my use with it feel way more joyful than with any of the other mics that I’ve treated out. The RGB on the bottom is cute and programmable, and the way that it gives me clear feedback with the LED levels was my favorite surprise to see. I honestly love its aesthetics and think it might be cooler looking than its higher-priced sibling.

As for the Alias Pro though, you can tell that this is a product that you’ll be able to depend on for the long game. This really is a professional streamer’s mic. You have the phantom power thanks to the Stream Mixer, and it gives the mic a smooth and high-quality sound to everything. While the mic doesn’t have RGB on it, the mixer makes up for it by having its own glow and LED feedback too. Though consumers may be taken aback by the price of the Pro model specifically, you honestly get what you pay for. The quality is shown from its build to the sound that it puts out.

Feedback

My only complaint based on what these mics put on the table, is their shock mounts. These are marketed as something great but are just standard shock mounts that do a decent job, but nothing all that crazy. Something else heavily marketed that will be updated as time goes on though is the Sonar software that can be used with these mics. The software is fantastic at tricking out the sound of the mics, but I do things such as the AI Noise Cancelation has a way to go before it works as well as marketed.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, purchasing either of these mics is really going to up your streamer game and cred. Though there are mics out there that have been the pillars of what streamers have come to know over the last decade, SteelSeries is coming in with the sledgehammer, not only with the quality of the mics but what they actually offer gamers and entertainers alike. The Sonar available within GG is next level, and totally makes using these mics worth the money,