Ultimate Guide: Razer Seiren Mini USB Condenser Microphone
Anyone wishing to increase their audio quality should consider purchasing the Razer Seiren Mini USB microphone since it is an outstanding alternative at the entry-level price point. And even though it lacks several functions to reduce its size and cost, the sound quality is not compromised in any way.
The sound quality of the Seiren Mini is almost on par with that of USB microphones that sell for three or four times as much. Because of its compact size, it is an excellent choice for anybody just beginning their journey into audio or video content creation. If you want to upgrade from the current headset mic, this is an excellent option for your first purchase in this category.
Design
To use the Razer Seiren Mini, you must connect it to your computer using the wire supplied, which you then insert into the back of the microphone. Using the Razer Seiren Mini requires very little mental effort on your part. You won’t have any trouble using this mic for either video conferencing or gaming when you put it to use.
The Seiren Mini is a discrete and stylish microphone with a pill-shaped casing that conceals the microphone cable by making it flush with the device’s rear. Even though it is not very heavy and can be held in the palm of your hand, the microphone does not give the impression that it is fragile or delicate in any way.
Because it is tiny and portable, you may keep it on your desk without distraction and carry it with you when you leave the house.
The Seiren Mini just requires one step to be assembled: connect the microphone to the rod and install it on the stand. You can simply aim the microphone in the direction of the sound source with a ball head since it enables the mic to rotate around in all directions. Since the stand is stable, there is no need for you to be concerned about it toppling over while you are rearranging it.
Features
The Razer Seiren Mini has a limited set of functionality, and it has no onboard buttons or inputs except the micro USB port. You will need to use the input settings on your computer — or the software that you employ for recording or streaming audio — to make any adjustments to the gain.
This makes it a plug-and-play microphone that is incredibly straightforward to use in practically any setting; nevertheless, it might be bothersome if you want to mute yourself or check the gain levels of your recording while using it.
One polar pattern is available for the Seiren Mini, and that pattern is super-cardioid. The sound field it takes up, as a result, is quite directed as a result of this. It features a limited pickup pattern in front of its capsule and only a little behind it, but it filters out the noise coming from the sides.
This very directed pickup pattern was probably designed to overcome the “remote” sounding effect that results from using a mic stand that is too short.
Performance
The Seiren Mini microphone contains a 14mm condenser capsule that records 16-bit audio at a sample rate that ranges from 44.1kHz to 48kHz. Additionally, the microphone accurately captures voice frequencies throughout the frequency spectrum of vocals. This microphone will make you sound very nice, or at the very least, it will make you sound the way you generally do, regardless of the pitch of your voice.
Because it has a super-cardioid pattern, the Seiren Mini tends to reject more background noise from the sides and anything behind it. As a result, it focuses more intently on the sound source directly in front of the microphone. This structure emphasizes directly on the person doing the speaking, making it an excellent choice for most singers.
The height and angle of the Seiren Mini may affect performance. The screw-in stand is sturdy, and the tilt that it gives is useful; however, the tilt can only be adjusted back to a certain point, and in order for it to properly line with your mouth, the stand has to be moved a significant amount farther away than what would be considered optimal.
Because the Seiren Mini can be unscrewed from its stand, it is feasible to attach it to a boom arm or another stand completely; however, doing so naturally raises the price and partially nullifies the bargain this microphone provides. Depending on where the mic is placed, a raise of anywhere from three to six inches may significantly impact its performance.
Compatibility
The Razer Seiren Mini is compatible with the 64-bit version of Windows 10 and will also function properly on your macOS device. Although it is compatible with XSplit Broadcaster and Open Broadcaster Software, the Seiren Mini is incompatible with Razer Synapse. As a result, you will need to download third-party software to take basic control of the microphone, including the option to mute it.
Takeaway
The Razer Seiren Mini is a strong candidate because of how easy it is to use and how much value it offers. This is an appropriate microphone to use if you are new to streaming or are looking for something that is simple to transport and enables you to get straight to work.
The Razer Seiren Mini is a basic microphone that is easy to use and has a straightforward design. Its cheapness is its strongest feature, but it is also a forgiving mic, which means that users with less general recording and audio knowledge are likely to receive excellent results despite the absence of DSP training wheels. This is possible because of the mic’s forgiving nature. It sounds varies depending on how close you are to the mic, just as any other microphone does, but in general, there is more warmth here and less ambient sound.
The Razer Seiren Mini is a plug-and-play solution that comes in black, white or an eye-catching shade of pink. It has a sound quality comparable to that of microphones that cost twice as much, and it is as easy to use as possible.
PROS
Easy to use
Affordable
Sleek Design
CONS
No headphone jack or onboard controls
No Razer Synapse support
Picks up a lot of keyboard sound
