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We’re all acquainted with Razer, proper? Massive inexperienced branding, snakes with the next than common variety of heads, letters from the CEO within the field? Right here at WePC, we’ve coated 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 likely to preserve a eager eye out for any of their new stuff, nevertheless, we have now change into slightly 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 enjoying with it for a number 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 manage 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 normally scales with the value 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 security 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 Kind-C to Kind-A cable
- 2x floor lop isolators
- Fast begin information
Setup for the razer audio mixer begins merely, then takes a swift left flip while you keep in mind that establishing a streaming system with a tonne of inputs/outputs is a very advanced and generally 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 be capable of 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 gives ample alternatives for personalisation. The Razer Audio mixer may be the primary time Razer’s implementation of RGB lighting has really resulted in a tangible improve in person expertise. The lights do a fantastic job at indicating precisely the place issues are, whether or not you’re muted or not and many others.
The buttons are price mentioning right here too as they’ve been designed with a nice rubberized end and are virtually solely silent That is best for streaming functions as quickly spamming them received’t irritate the viewers or forestall them from listening to one thing extra pertinent. General, this is among 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 normally stand as much as some tough therapy, and their headsets aren’t so unhealthy both. Nevertheless, given our relative inexperience with their streaming gadgets, we aren’t tremendous certain 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 means that you can be exact with the positioning, even at a speedy tempo. The aforementioned lighting helps reassure you of the precise degree of the faders, and it name comes collectively feeling implausible.
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Taking a more in-depth 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 forestall 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 steel, so the plastic base feels comparatively low-cost. Moreover, changing this with a steel plate would add some weight to the underside of the system, additional growing its stability. Given the ~$250 value of the factor, yet another sheet of steel 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 generally 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 slightly 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 temporary blurb outlining the modifications you’ll must make in Home windows audio settings, earlier than making any modifications in Synapse. It’s price noting right here that for those who’re on Home windows 11 and also you haven’t activated it, you may be unable to vary 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, sport, 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 equipment, however these of you who’re acquainted with streaming will in all probability spend extra time in OBS or whichever streaming swimsuit you employ than Razer Syanpase so you possibly can fine-tune your settings.
It’s price looking on the obtainable inputs right here as this instantly 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 right 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 probably be the place your headset/headphones go in. Sadly, this mixer doesn’t have the aptitude to manage a wi-fi headset so that you’ll must go old-school for those who go along with the Razer Audio Mixer. After this, we discover the Optical in port which can most certainly be used for a PS5 or Xbox Sequence X/S, and the USB Kind-C energy port.
Last verdict
Razer has created a practical, well-built, and handsome Audio Mixer that can be capable of 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 first rate sufficient for customizability and management, skilled streamers may discover it missing a greater variety of inputs and will probably be saddened by the shortage of motorized faders. That final half is a giant deal for these of you who depend on fader presets.
