Syed Imran Haider 
There are a number of gaming microphones available in the market, which means it would take a lot for a new one to distinguish itself. But, SteelSeries has seemingly accomplished this goal with the new Alias (USB) and Alias Pro (XLR). These mics have been designed to be all-in-one solutions for content creators who want to take their podcasts and streams to the next quality level.
Design and Features
The Alias and Alias Pro are undoubtedly two of the most stylish microphones that you will come across. They have a pill-shaped body that is covered in dark gray fabric that has exposed grille on the sides and on top. The front of the Alias Pro is unbroken, with the exception of a small logo on the bottom, while there is a small control panel on the standard Alias with a mute button and gain knob.
The biggest difference between the two is their connectivity, as Alias uses USB, while Alias Pro uses XLR and has its own audio interface named Stream Mixer that you can connect to your computer. Other than that, the two microphones have large 1-inch/25mm condenser capsules and have a frequency response of 50Hz to 20kHz and provide your PC high-resolution 24-bit/48kHz sampling.
The two look the same with matching shock mounts and desk stands and they have an adapter for mounting the mic, but the normal Alias has a control panel on the front. The large diaphragm microphone is one of the major features, as the 1-inch capsule is significantly bigger than the competition.
Software
The two devices use the free software called Sonar that can be downloaded from the website of SteelSeries. It gives you access to powerful customization tools, such as an AI-enhanced noise suppressor and an equalizer. It also comes with a compressor for balancing your volume levels and there is also a hard noise gate for silencing the mic below a certain level.
While the mics sound quite well, downloading Sonar can help you make it even better. It provides a digital mixer and there are also various presets for enhancing the tone of your voice.
Performance
The Alias Pro proves to be a great microphone and it also offers excellent clarity. It offers a high-frequency and sparkly detail that makes the sound natural. But, the greater sensitivity also means that your listeners will be able to hear everything, including the click of your mouse and keyboard. However, the AI noise suppression that Sonar offers is great for cutting down the sounds completely.
This also applies to the standard Alias, but its peak volume falls short. The Stream Mixer adds more to the Pro that allows it to pull ahead. However, it also depends on what you are trying to achieve. The mics are undoubtedly unobtrusive and great looking and you do not have to choose one over the other based on sound quality alone.
The Verdict
Even though they are on the expensive side, the SteelSeries Alias Pro is a great microphone that can elevate the quality of your content significantly.
