It’s getting to be that time of the year again where a whole host of eSports events are taking place. The International 5 Dota tournament is up in August, with many League of Legends and Call of Duty competitions littering the spaces between. Webcasting and professional eSports commentary are getting some much-needed limelight as a result. It was only natural that the black and lime green king of PC peripherals was going to join in on all the fun.

Seiren

The Razer Seiren walks in, all buff and chunky, sits at the bar and orders a stiff whiskey on the rocks. It’s one mean bad-ass with nothing to lose and a debt to settle. Ok not really but I’ll tell you straight off the bat, this thing means business. AND THE PACKAGING? I’ve not seen such a well-housed device in a very long time.

It is adorned with the description “For Professional Studio-Grade Recording” and for all intents and purposes, the bulk of this unit will instantly fulfil those notions. It’s a beautiful beast. Out the box you are greeted with a black, brushed aluminium housing with a chunkiness that would make Nestle blush. Simplicity is key with the USB powered mic being shipped with one of the beefiest 3m USB to Mini USB braided cables I have ever seen in my life. It stands tall with its amazingly sturdy aluminium base, with front facing LCD display telling you what polar pattern (We’ll get into this in a bit) you have set the mic to, as well as the volume levels for both the microphone and the audio output.

Wait what? Audio out? But Slade! You said this was a microphone?

Well you’re right, I did, but that’s just what it is on the surface. Lurking below the grit and grime lies a DAC (Digital Audio Converter) with a resolution of 24bit 192 kHz. That’s right, you get a studio-grade sound card built into a mic. That means this works as both your microphone and audio out (headphones or speakers, pick your poison!). It’s honestly amazing they’ve squished all of those doohickeys and whatchamacallits in to something the size of a deodorant can.

I’m sure you would have heard a few audiophiles mention something called “HD Audio/Music”. They’re referring to music converted to a much higher bitrate and resolution than your average Joe’s 128kbps MP3’s. The degree of the audio reproduction is very noticeable if you’re moving away from on-board sound. As a package, Razer has outdone themselves considering a decent sound card alone will set you back R2000 at a minimum – but here you get the digital goodness of 24bit audio and a multi-faceted high fidelity condenser mic.

I do have a few issues regarding the way this mic has been marketed though. In comparison to most of the standalone microphone systems aimed at gamers this is one of the best made to date, but “Studio-Grade” it is not. It has a 3 membrane diaphragm in the housing, all angled at slightly different directions to allow you to pick between 4 polar patterns:

Seiren2

  • Cardioid: Used for webcasting/single speech recording as it nullifies the sound coming from the back of the device
  • Stereo: For recording instruments and vocals recording sounds laterally ignoring sound coming from both front and back (Though I am not sure why, as not often will a single mic ever be used to produce a stereo effects as you need two sources of recording)
  • Omni-Directional: Can be used for conference calls or group interviews as the sound is recorded from all directions
  • Bidirectional: Used for vocals or two person interviews by recording sounds both in the front and the back nullifying lateral sound

It’s great you have this functionality but the actual difference it made was barely noticeable. As testing was conducted in a fairly sanitised studio environment I was expecting a bit more. I don’t want to go as far as to say it’s a gimmick but if you are looking for dedicated hardware with an accurate polar pattern then this is not your ticket home. Let me highlight though, this will be the best sound quality recording you will get from a “gamer’s” microphone, but is not quite what you’d expect from the studio fidelity afforded by dedicated equipment

Speaking of sanitised environments it must be said that if you are in an open environment or a tiled or echo-laden room, this mic will pose problems. It’s a condenser or capacitor microphone, meaning that if you are standing 4m away and whisper, this mic will record and play that back in your headphones as if it were in your mouth.

It is phenomenally sensitive, so any hums, hisses, little brothers and nosey moms are going to come out clear as daylight while you’re trying to shoot some baddies in Battlefield Hardline. If you’re not fond of using headphones I would steer away. As mentioned before, this microphone is plenty sensitive and will share your plasma rifle sounds with all who care to listen.

Seiren3

For some, that might be useful – but for Most, significantly less so. As a gamers device? The microphone is a tad overkill but the soundcard’s degree of audio reproduction will bring a tear to your eye. It is also a beastly thing, tall and brooding, which is a bit awkward since best position for the mic would be centre face using the cardioid pattern setting on the mic. Depending on your setup, you might be staring down the barrel of a Seiren instead of your trusty 50. Cal.

If you are looking forward to a more webcaster applicable microphone you have definitely come to the right place. My review set came with the optional shock mount and pop filter. Using the device as a commentating microphone is where the Seiren has shown its true colours. It is sublime to use. The recording quality for voice is so close to standalone studio equipment (not to say that a dedicated professional mic wouldn’t produce better quality) that I can see quite a few bedroom producers actually making great use of the device and its functionalities. Ableton didn’t have any issues picking it up and the input latency was quite a bit better than any on-board soundcard I’ve had experience with.

The controls are a bit awkward with the LCD and audio out volume on the front of the mic, whilst the polar pattern controls and mic volume rest on the back. Why? I honestly couldn’t tell you. It’s awkward and clumsy and very out of character for Razer. Even the sexy lime green triple head glowing snake emblem is hidden at the rear. Boo.

Pros:

  • Insanely good value.
  • Solid design and build quality, should last eons
  • 24bit /192khz sound card built in

Cons:

  • Not “Studio-Grade” recording quality (but better than anything gamer orientated)
  • Clunky and awkward controls
  • Can be a bit too big for some setups.

Last Updated: March 25, 2015

Razer Seiren
Razer has done something both weird and innovative here. It falls in some places and rises far above its competition in others. This is congruous to Razer’s “For the Gamers” ethos. I like where they are going and looking over its little gripes, its remarkably good quality. If you are looking to upgrade to HD sound or want to dip your toes in the webcasting pond, I wouldn’t skip this, especially at its RRP of R2199
8

79 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief

    March 25, 2015 at 15:34

    SSSLLLAAAAAAADE

    Reply

    • Captain JJ the damned

      March 25, 2015 at 15:39

      Deathstroke? O_o

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        March 25, 2015 at 15:41

        He’s the same as Deadpool? 😛

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the damned

          March 25, 2015 at 15:41

          Hehe.
          I’d rather not start this debate. 😉

          Reply

          • Pariah

            March 25, 2015 at 15:42

            Well, I guess the discussion is dead in the water then.

          • Dutch Matrix

            March 25, 2015 at 15:42

            There is no debate! Deadpool is Deadpool. There is no one else like Deadpool!

          • Admiral Chief

            March 25, 2015 at 15:44

            BOOBIES

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 25, 2015 at 15:47

            You cannot distract me with your man boobs!

          • Admiral Chief

            March 25, 2015 at 15:49

            YET, here you are replying to me…

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 25, 2015 at 15:49

            Trevor made me do it

          • Dutch Matrix

            March 25, 2015 at 15:50

          • Pariah

            March 25, 2015 at 15:50

            I need go vomit. Please excuse me.

          • Admiral Chief

            March 25, 2015 at 15:51

            I threw up in my mouth already!

          • Pariah

            March 25, 2015 at 15:52

            I even left a word out of my response. It was THAT bad.

          • Admiral Chief

            March 25, 2015 at 15:56

            You are excused dude, you are excused. A VERY valid reason!

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 25, 2015 at 15:51

            Why can I only downvote once?!

          • Dutch Matrix

            March 25, 2015 at 15:58

            So I take it she’s NOT the next ION girl? You make Dutch sad…

          • Admiral Chief

            March 25, 2015 at 16:00

            Take one for the team then Dutch

          • Pariah

            March 25, 2015 at 16:00

            By the looks of it, he WOULD be doing the taking.

          • Hammersteyn

            March 25, 2015 at 15:59

            I did stare….

          • Pariah

            March 25, 2015 at 16:00

            I sincerely hope it was in disgust rather than approval. Otherwise I might have to write your tastes off like we all have toward Umar’s tentacles.

          • Admiral Chief

            March 25, 2015 at 16:01

            *misread as TESTICLES and promptly had a laugh about you having knowledge of Umar’s man-bits

          • Pariah

            March 25, 2015 at 16:01

            hahahahaha XD

          • Hammersteyn

            March 25, 2015 at 16:04

            I can’t look away

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 25, 2015 at 16:01

            Me too, but only because in the context of the discussion I thought I should check for an adam’s apple.

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 25, 2015 at 16:04

            LOL

          • Pariah

            March 25, 2015 at 16:06

            I think the chin is hiding it.

        • Kikmi

          March 25, 2015 at 16:13

          BEST YOU KNOW!

          Reply

      • Kikmi

        March 25, 2015 at 16:13

        No as in me

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the damned

          March 25, 2015 at 16:16

          Ha! No way! 😀

          Reply

          • Kikmi

            March 25, 2015 at 16:17

            Way way

    • Kikmi

      March 25, 2015 at 15:45

      *Lurch’s voice* You raaaang?

      Reply

  2. DrKiller

    March 25, 2015 at 15:35

    I think the “Lazygamer Let it Go Singstar” video should be recreated with this!

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      March 25, 2015 at 15:37

      They sang once, you made me remember, I dont wanna remember…

      Reply

      • DrKiller

        March 25, 2015 at 15:39

        They had bad mics 🙂 Blame it on the technology!

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          March 25, 2015 at 15:40

          XD

          Reply

        • Captain JJ the damned

          March 25, 2015 at 15:41

          Like when I lose a race in F1 and it’s the controller’s fault?

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            March 25, 2015 at 15:41

            Or when I crash my car, it’s Johnny Walkers fault?

          • Pariah

            March 25, 2015 at 15:42

            Should’ve walked.

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 25, 2015 at 15:42

            Well, it’s not called Johnny Driving

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            March 25, 2015 at 15:54

            BWHAHAHAHA

          • Hammersteyn

            March 25, 2015 at 15:58

            Bwahahahaha!

          • DrKiller

            March 25, 2015 at 15:43

            Depends who you play against 🙂

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 25, 2015 at 15:44

            That also changes things a bit, yes.

  3. Admiral Chief

    March 25, 2015 at 15:36

    Awesome write up dude!

    Reply

  4. Captain JJ the damned

    March 25, 2015 at 15:36

    Nice review. Exactly the info I needed to say: I want it!!!

    Reply

  5. Hammersteyn

    March 25, 2015 at 15:36

    *Drops the mic,breaks foot

    Reply

    • Kikmi

      March 25, 2015 at 16:14

      Actually, yes. Its a fucking monster dude.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        March 25, 2015 at 16:15

        XD

        Reply

  6. Pariah

    March 25, 2015 at 15:40

    Crap. Now I have to buy this.

    Reply

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      March 25, 2015 at 15:53

      Why do you have to buy it if you think it’s crap? O_o

      Reply

      • Pariah

        March 25, 2015 at 15:54

        Because consumerism?

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the damned

          March 25, 2015 at 15:54

          It’s your right to buy the crap you don’t need! You tell ’em!

          Reply

          • Pariah

            March 25, 2015 at 15:55

            Exakkeree! It’s MY MONEY and I can waste it if I want to!!!

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 25, 2015 at 15:56

            That exakkeree just makes me think of that ghost hunter dude in Bleach.

        • Admiral Chief

          March 25, 2015 at 15:56

          Working jobs you hate to buy shit you don’t need?

          Reply

          • Captain JJ the damned

            March 25, 2015 at 15:57

            Nice

          • Pariah

            March 25, 2015 at 15:57

            It’s sad that that sentence kind of sums up my life right now. :/

          • HvR

            March 25, 2015 at 16:03

            More like working jobs you hate, buying the president shit he doesn’t need.

            There is a a lot of shit I want, that is not getting bought after taxes and my municipal bill.

          • Admiral Chief

            March 25, 2015 at 16:03

            Preachit brudda!

  7. Dutch Matrix

    March 25, 2015 at 15:46

    But will I be the next Vanilla Ice with this?
    Stop! Werk saam en LUISTER.
    Ek moer Darryn
    Met my nuwe YSTER!

    Reply

  8. Corrie

    March 25, 2015 at 15:53

    Oh razer you had it then you lost it , 2K is a little bit overkill

    Reply

    • Pariah

      March 25, 2015 at 15:54

      Idk, they DO publish some great games. Borderlands works with overkill.

      Reply

      • Corrie

        March 25, 2015 at 15:59

        Oh Har har -_-

        Terramorphous does not work with overkill still can’t beat him to this day, 2K should seriously focus on Borderlands 3 and not “remaster” their games

        Reply

        • Pariah

          March 25, 2015 at 15:59

          That I can definitely agree on! BL3 please? Now.

          Reply

          • Corrie

            March 25, 2015 at 16:03

            With Moar Claptrap Damnit, I want Moar wub wub

    • Kikmi

      March 25, 2015 at 16:15

      24bit sound card built in? Totes worth it dude.

      Reply

      • Corrie

        March 25, 2015 at 16:21

        Yoh don’t wanna do professional stuff just maybe wanna make a vid, get in on the PewdiePie train ya know afford the simpler things in life, Like a Quad Titan X rig that could play Unity

        Atm still need a Midi Keyboard and that, can’t do nothing on a keyboard

        Reply

        • Kikmi

          March 25, 2015 at 16:32

          I get where you coming from, and to a degree, things can be done for much cheaper sure, but as an all in one package it seems an attractive option for some

          Reply

          • Corrie

            March 25, 2015 at 16:46

            True , it should work well but from the point of starting out and failing is just too high

  9. Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

    March 25, 2015 at 15:58

    Who’s this fucking n00b reviewing?

    Reply

    • Kikmi

      March 25, 2015 at 16:16

      Some fucking moron, you know LG, just picking up any old riff raff.

      Reply

      • Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

        March 25, 2015 at 16:18

        I like that guy Mike more

        Reply

        • Kikmi

          March 25, 2015 at 16:48

          AWYISS YA

          Reply

  10. Umar

    March 25, 2015 at 22:16

    ZOMG…SLADE!!

    Reply

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