HomeMacityiTunes, Music & Video As the broadcast market is increasing (across all channels), Razer has seen fit to update its product lineup with this Razer Seiren V2 Pro, cardioid microphone suitable for situations where voice is key.
A little braggart
Inside the box of the Razer Seiren V2 Pro are the microphone with its pedestal, a small instruction booklet (accompanied by the Razer tissue that increases the hype for the product) and the power cable via USB-A.
Once on the desk, the microphone stands out, it is not large but with the pedestal it asks for its place, much more for example than the Seiren Mini, which instead occupied a more modest solution between mouse and keyboard and appears a bit boastful even when it is not used.
The microphone has dimensions of 15 centimeters in height (which become 21 with the pedestal) by 5 in diameter (9 with support).
The external material is purely metal with a slightly matt satin finish (and a soft surface on the underside of the pedestal), weighing approximately 550 grams.
The rear cable offers a hollow connector, which does not risk anything because, all in all, the microphone is not an object that moves often but with a somewhat particular shape you need to be careful because a standard USB-C connector could have a hard time getting inside. .
On one side there are two manual potentiometers to modulate the volume and gain, plus the physical Mute button (compatible with Microsoft Teams) while on the opposite side there is the USB-C connector (which carries signal and power) and an audio jack analog if we also want to connect a pair of headphones (we tested it with the Razer BlackShark V2 flush than with the Razer Opus X, less capable but wireless, therefore much more comfortable).
Link and how it works
For the connection you need a simple USB-A connector: the computer immediately sees the peripheral even if there are substantial differences between Mac and Windows.
On Mac the microphone is seen natively, but it is not possible to perform the various customizations for which the Razer Seiren V2 Pro is designed: on Windows you can operate in the same way but thanks to the Synapse 3.0 drivers a world of possibilities opens up both for Broadcasting and for the various recordings.
In fact, the drivers include the possibility of having different profiles in addition to the hardware one, so as to be able to separate the incoming audio from the outgoing one, and have complete control in the case of a mixer.
An excellent possibility for those who want to optimize the quality of their streaming, thus being able to control every single detail of the audio and being able to have a different signal in the headphones than the one that actually comes out to the public.
Features
With a 24-bit 96KHz sampling rate, the Razer Seiren V2 Dynamic Microphone offers a 30mm capsule.
The polar figure is Cardioid, which means that the best position, as Razer also suggests, is by tilting the microphone towards the user, in order to exploit a half sphere above the microphone (as seen in the image just below), although the microphone worked well even in an upright position.
The best position of the Razer microphone, to capture sound via the cardioid capsule If you use it on Windows, the use of the two knobs for volume and gain reflects the movement in the drivers, while on the Mac the use is as if it were analog.
The microphone is suitable for streaming even in unprofessional environments, such as a room in the house or a partially crowded place, thanks to the ability to limit distant noises and avoid distortion of the voice, in addition to the ability to eliminate unexpected noises and off topic, such as bangs and bumps or bangs and hisses while talking.
We didn't like it very much, but a windscreen is also included in the package, in case you use it outdoors.
Last note: the microphone integrates an integrated stand, but at the base there is a soft rubber cap that hides a standard screw adapter from 5/8 ″ male to 3/8 ″ female, for use with a mobile support from desk.
Razer Seiren V2 Pro and Razer Seiren mini in comparison
How it works
We tested the Razer Seiren V2 with various software for webinars, calls and some nice Discord chat on our favorite Diablo III channel.
On Teams for Mac no problem, the same for Zoom, while on Discord it was not easy to understand how it works, for the simple reason that Discord can diversify the various incoming volumes, and when you chat in a group you need everyone to have the same incoming volume, which is not easy to explain to those who are not in the trade.
On Windows the presence of the microphone and the Synapse drivers has opened an incredible series of virtual peripherals, an effect given above all by the possibility of choosing both the physical and the virtual microphone given by the customizations, then leaving it to be managed by a software console.
An interesting effect for those who approach streaming or recording professionally, a little less for those who use it for the first time.
In use, everything went pretty well, the built-in stand is stable and the microphone has a good ability to handle male voices with a strong propensity for low tones, and effectively cut out the loud noises of offspring playing in the next room. when we are live.
If you want to carry it around there is no problem, connecting and disconnecting the microphone takes a moment but in the suitcase it asks for its space, personally we are more oriented towards the little brother Seiren Mini.
On the other hand, the possibility (even if it is not new) of being able to connect headphones to the analog jack is excellent, which for those who use several computers at the same time is a boon, since it detaches and attaches only one connector instead of two.
Razer is a brand that made gaming history, but the Razer Seiren V2 Pro is a great product too for office use
Considerations
Although the shape is not entirely original (but it is now the most popular in the market) the new Razer Seiren V2 Pro is a good product that combines a sober but pleasant look (even if it lacks that typical Razer panache given by the RGB lighting, absent here) with a very good yield.
The hardware is up to par and the management software (Windows only) offers a plethora of customization and channel management suitable for those who know where to get their hands and make the most of the product.
The price is not entirely popular, but it is in line with several other high-end models of the market via USB: it is an advanced, specific product that can give a lot of satisfaction, even if on Windows it needs to tame it a bit. Too bad for the lack of drivers on Mac, but as for mice and keyboards, we got a bit of a call.
Too bad about the lack of RGB lighting, but the microphone still looks great above the desk
Pros:
• Excellent capsule response • Excellent reduction of external noise • Sold on stand, ready for one arm
Cons:
• The capsule is cardioid only • To be Razer, RGB lighting is missing • Customization on Synapse requires expert hands • Mac drivers are missing
Price:
• € 159.99
Razer Seiren V2 Pro is available from the Italian website of the parent company or you can find it more conveniently also at Amazon.it
