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We’re all aware of Razer, proper? Large inexperienced branding, snakes with a better than common variety of heads, letters from the CEO within the field? Right here at WePC, we’ve lined their stuff so extensively that just about everybody who works right here has a Razer product of some description on their desk on a everlasting foundation.
This implies we are inclined to preserve a eager eye out for any of their new stuff, nevertheless, we’ve grow to be somewhat bored of recent revisions to their mice, keyboard, and headset lineups. This meant we had been fairly eager once they introduced that they had been going to be making an audio mixer particularly for streaming. Sadly, it took us some time to get on in-house, however we’ve been taking part in with it for a couple of days and have some ideas.
Razer audio mixer
Analog connectivity
Hybrid XLR and 6.35mm port, 3.5mm Line In port, 3.5mm Line Out port, 3.5mm Headphone Out port. 3.5mm Microphone In port
Digital connectivity
1 x USB-C, 1 x Optical Audio Cable
Dimensions
155 mm x 115 mm x 55.3 mm
Professionals
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Versatile enter choices -
Vibrant and helpful RGB lighting -
Censor button is a pleasant contact
Cons
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Can’t be used to regulate wi-fi headsets
Razer audio mixer specs
Hybrid XLR and 6.35mm port, 3.5mm Line In port, 3.5mm Line Out port, 3.5mm Headphone Out port. 3.5mm Microphone In port
1 x USB-C, 1 x Optical Audio Cable
155 mm x 115 mm x 55.3 mm
Unboxing & setup
We’ve talked about earlier than that the unboxing expertise of Razer merchandise often scales with the worth of the product in query. Nevertheless, the Razer Audio Mixer seems to be the exception to that baseless rule we made up. There isn’t a high-density foam or magnetic clasps to be discovered right here. As an alternative, the protection of the ~$250 mixer is entrusted to a soft-touch padded drawstring bag. Ours arrived in mint situation however we’d have preferred to see extra in depth packaging right here.
Field contents
- Razer Audio Mixer
- USB Sort-C to Sort-A cable
- 2x floor lop isolators
- Fast begin information
Setup for the razer audio mixer begins merely, then takes a swift left flip whenever you do not forget that organising a streaming system with a tonne of inputs/outputs is a very advanced and typically loathsome expertise. Nevertheless, between the software program, the paperwork, and the manuals for the gadgets you’re going to be utilizing with the Razer Audio Mixer, you’ll have the ability to handle it with relative ease.
Design
We completely love the look of the Razer Audio mixer right here at WePC. With the rounded corners, ergonomically-angled prime controls, and RGB lighting it actually appears to be like the half. This places it head and shoulders above different audio mixers as they’re purely utilitarian in design, with no thought given to the general look of your streaming setup.
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We like RGB lighting right here at WePC, It appears to be like cool and supplies ample alternatives for personalisation. The Razer Audio mixer is likely to be the primary time Razer’s implementation of RGB lighting has truly resulted in a tangible enhance in consumer expertise. The lights do an incredible job at indicating precisely the place issues are, whether or not you’re muted or not and many others.
The buttons are value mentioning right here too as they’ve been designed with a pleasing rubberized end and are virtually fully silent That is very best for streaming functions as quickly spamming them received’t irritate the viewers or stop them from listening to one thing extra pertinent. General, this is without doubt one of the cleverest designs we’ve seen from Razer.
Construct high quality
Razer’s historical past of construct high quality has been categorized as ‘fairly good’. Their mice and keyboards often stand as much as some tough therapy, and their headsets aren’t so dangerous both. Nevertheless, given our relative inexperience with their streaming gadgets, we aren’t tremendous positive of the general high quality. Regardless of this, we’re very impressed with the Razer Audio Mixer because it feels strong and planted, and all of the switches, sliders, and buttons really feel nice.
Other than the strong powder-coated aluminum housing, our favourite side is the development of the faders. They’ve an honest degree of resistance to their motion which each feels nice and lets you be exact with the positioning, even at a fast tempo. The aforementioned lighting helps reassure you of the precise degree of the faders, and it name comes collectively feeling unbelievable.
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Taking a better take a look at the fader switches we see that the vertical slots they run alongside have a small layer of silicon or different comparable materials beneath the floor of the mixer. This materials is vertically bisected to permit free motion of the switches, however stop errant crumbs from falling in and getting pulverized to mud on the subsequent motion of a fader.
The one side of the construct high quality we don’t like is the plastic plate on the underside of the mixer. The perimeters are constituted of sturdy metallic, so the plastic base feels comparatively low cost. Moreover, changing this with a metallic plate would add some weight to the underside of the system, additional rising its stability. Given the ~$250 value of the factor, another sheet of metallic isn’t an excessive amount of to ask.
Efficiency & software program
Given the customizable and addressable requirements of an audio mixer, we’ve lumped the efficiency and software program classes collectively as they go hand in hand. We’re happy to report that it performs nice and the software program is usually intuitive and streamlined. It’s not essentially the most complete system, nevertheless, so hardcore streamers that change between console and PC or have a number of mics will discover the Razer Audio Mixer somewhat under-specced.
When you’ve put in Razer Synapse, your first port of name would be the ‘Customise’ tab. Right here you’ll discover a transient blurb outlining the adjustments you’ll have to make in Home windows audio settings, earlier than making any adjustments in Synapse. It’s value noting right here that when you’re on Home windows 11 and also you haven’t activated it, you may be unable to alter any of the Home windows audio settings, so get that licence key ASAP.
After you’ve modified the Home windows settings you’ll be good to go forward and bind the faders and buttons with reckless abandon. There are 4 faders that may be individually assigned to any of the next: Mic, chat, music, recreation, optical, line-in, or system. The 4 corresponding mute buttons may also be re-assigned however with out fairly as many choices. General, it’s a decently customizable piece of package, however these of you who’re aware of streaming will most likely spend extra time in OBS or whichever streaming go well with you utilize than Razer Syanpase so you’ll be able to fine-tune your settings.
It’s value looking on the out there inputs right here as this immediately correlates to what number of gadgets and alerts the Razer Audio Mixer is able to dealing with. Right here we discover an XLR/6.35mm enter which is good for both a professional-grade streaming microphone or an electrical guitar, nevertheless, these are mutually unique so select accordingly. After this, we discover a 3.5mm line in and line out, which will likely be the place your headset/headphones go in. Sadly, this mixer doesn’t have the aptitude to regulate a wi-fi headset so that you’ll must go old-school when you go together with the Razer Audio Mixer. After this, we discover the Optical in port which can most probably be used for a PS5 or Xbox Sequence X/S, and the USB Sort-C energy port.
Ultimate verdict
Razer has created a practical, well-built, and handsome Audio Mixer that can have the ability to deal with the wants of a newbie to mid-level streamer with ease. Whereas the design is sensible and Razer’s Synapse software program is respectable sufficient for customizability and management, skilled streamers may discover it missing a greater variety of inputs and will likely be saddened by the dearth of motorized faders. That final half is a giant deal for these of you who depend on fader presets.
