I was sent the Fifine SC3 Gaming Audio Mixer to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.
What’s in the Box?
The mixer comes neatly and safely packaged in a plain box. Inside, you get a copy of the instruction manual, a USB-C to USB-A cable, an aux cord, and the mixer. The instructions are easy to read, but the device is even easier to use with very little guidance. The USB cable and Aux cord are a decent length, but you might want to invest in a better aux cord if you want better sound.
Sound Quality
The SC3 Mixer is going to elevate your setup. You will get better sound than plugging your headphones into the motherboard, but most importantly, you’re getting amazing voice recordings out of the box. I used the mixer with the Fifine H9 gaming headset and am very impressed with the sound quality I got. You can use something like a voice meter to get a more professional sound, but I don’t think you need to. If you’re looking for the easiest and cheapest way to upgrade your sound for streams, the SC3 is what you need. I’ll leave a sample of the sound below:
Voice Changer Feature
The SC3 comes with a voice changer feature. This feature includes six easily toggleable presets: male, female, robot, monster, baby, and elder. This feature isn’t great, but it is fun. The male, female, and elder presets are the most usable of the batch. I’ll leave samples of the different profiles below.
Male Preset
Female Preset
Robot
Monster
Baby
Elder
Other Features
There are volume-controlling sliders for the mic, line-in, headphones, and line-out with corresponding mute buttons for each. There is also an autotune feature. I can’t sing to save my life and didn’t mess around too much with me. It feels a little basic, but it’s a fun and silly feature like the voice changer.
Of course, the SC3 wouldn’t be a gaming accessory without any RGB. The mixer has a solid collection of light profiles so you can always have a matching setup. The soft underflow is a very nice touch. I like the fact that I can toggle off the RGB if I need my desk to look less busy.
My favorite feature is the four programmable soundboard buttons. Each button can easily record and store your favorite sound bite to play during your stream or podcast. I already have my profiles loaded and ready for D&D silliness.
Quality
The SC3 mixer looks cheap, but the construction is sturdy. The sliders make the device feel cheap. I never had any issues with the sliders, but it feels like they will break after extensive use. That said, the SC3 will survive enough normal wear and tear to be worth the money you spend on it.
The buttons feel good and make up for the quality of the sliders. All buttons are easy to read, responsive, and soft. I like that the buttons glow white when they are in use, and make great use of their RGB lighting effects when not.
You are getting what you pay for, but it won’t break after a week of use.
Review
The SC3 mixer has become my daily driver for my home setup. It not only looks good on my desk, but it is also practical. The SC3 provides a decent soundstage. I would have liked a little more bass, but there is enough of it to make it an enjoyable experience. Most people who aren’t audiophiles will be content with the sound.
Voice recordings through the mixer is a fantastic experience. You aren’t getting studio quality, but the quality you’re getting is good enough for most cases. Without any tinkering or third-party software, you’re getting a good sound recording. The experience will vary based on the mic, but I did feel like I was getting a better-sounding recording from my Fifine H9 gaming headset. You can use something like voicemeter to make it sound more professional, but I don’t think it’s necessary. The SC3 mixer is an upgrade out of the box.
Quality isn’t an issue. The build looks solid, and it looks fine on the table. It does feel cheap, but I am not afraid of it breaking any time soon. This isn’t a buy-it-for-life situation, but it is a quality budget-friendly option. This is the device you buy while you save up for the expensive upgrade.
The SC3 is a very user-friendly and responsive mixer. Setup is easy, but there are some quality tutorials out there if you need them. I appreciate how responsive the controls are, especially if you’re using it for commercial purposes.
My only real complaint is that having your phone connected with the included aux cord sounds bad. There was a lot of static. A better AUX cord might fix this, but I wasn’t able to test one.
If you’re looking for a quality mixer that isn’t going to break your bank, check out the Fifine SC3. This mixer is a fantastic option for those looking to get into streaming or podcasting. You’re getting a decent amount of features for a good device that will hold you over till you’re ready for the upgrade. It doesn’t offer much customization in terms of equalizers, but you don’t really need them yet. While I do see some everyday use, this might be a bit overkill for everyone else. Unless you need the features, I would go with the Fifine H9 Gaming headset if you’re looking to upgrade your mic and sound. I am happy with the SC3, and recommend it to anyone in the market for a mixer.
You can pick up the Fifine SC3 Gaming Mixer for $49.99 using my Amazon Affiliate link.
