Australian microphone model Rode has determined to make a play for a spot on our checklist of finest gaming microphones — underneath its model new gaming and streaming division, Rode X. Rode X launched final month with two USB mics — the XCM-50 and the XDM-100 — each of which sport acquainted designs (however in gamer-friendly black and purple).
The Rode X XCM-50 is a compact condenser mic that takes its outer aesthetic from the Rode NT-USB Mini. This small, sturdy side-address cardioid mic incorporates a full-range 20 – 20,000 Hz frequency response, data 24-bit/48 kHz audio, and sounds nice out of the field. It has a built-in swing mount and may be mounted on a growth arm, although it additionally comes bundled with Rode’s premium Tripod 2.
For its Rode X replace, the $149 XCM-50 has had its capsule “tuned” for streaming and gaming, and it additionally has a strong inner DSP that permits for superior audio processing, which may be managed within the new Rode X Unify software program. Unify is Rode’s digital reply to audio mixing and processing — it’s principally a software program model of the Rodecaster Professional II — and it comes bundled with all Rode X merchandise.
Design of Rode XCM-50
The Rode X XCM-50 is a small-but-mighty condenser USB microphone with a built-in pop filter and 360-degree swing mount. It’s compact and easy, housed in a black and purple chassis consisting principally of metallic (and a few plastic). Together with the swing mount, the mic measures 4.65 inches (118 mm) tall, 2.44 inches (62 mm) extensive and 1.65-inches (42 mm) deep.
Regardless of having a smaller footprint than the common smartphone, the XCM-50 weighs simply over one pound (1.08 kilos / 492 grams) — this mic is constructed like a tank. On the entrance of the XCM-50, you’ll discover two standing lights and a headphone quantity dial. On the again, there’s a 3.5 mm headphone output for zero-latency monitoring, in addition to a USB-C port for energy and gadget connection.
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The dial on the entrance of the mic is clickable and toggles the mic’s zero-latency monitoring mode (indicated by the primary standing mild).
In the event you’ve appeared via Rode’s catalog earlier than, the XCM-50 may look acquainted — very acquainted, as it’s nearly equivalent to the Rode NT-USB Mini. In truth, the one visible distinction between the XCM-50 and the NT-USB Mini are the XCM-50’s purple accents (even the X on the XCM-50 seems to be slapped on after the actual fact).
However whereas the XCM-50 and NT-USB Mini could look related on the within, they’re totally different on the within. The mic capsule on the XCM-50 has been “tuned” for streaming and gaming. The XCM-50 additionally homes a “rather more highly effective” digital sign processing chip, which can unlock a “new world” of processing, based on Rode — in the intervening time, this implies superior Aphex audio processing, however the firm says it could add extra performance sooner or later.
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The Rode X XCM-50 ditches the NT-USB Mini’s static magnetic base and comes packaged with the Rode Tripod 2, which has a 1/4-inch to three/8-inch thread adapter that attaches to the XCM-50’s swing mount.
The Tripod 2 has lengthy, sturdy legs that unfold into a large base — a bit of too extensive for the common desktop setup (with an approx. diameter of 9 inches/23 cm), however you can even twist the part proper above the legs for the next locking place (approx. diameter: 7.25 inches / 18.4 cm). When folded, the legs kind a cushty, ergonomic handheld grip.
The XCM-50 additionally comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable and a headphone extension cable, each of that are 9.8 ft (3 meters) lengthy.
Specs of Rode X XCM-50
| Capsule Kind | 1x Condenser |
| Frequency Response | 20 – 20,000 Hz |
| Polar Sample | Cardioid |
| Orientation | Facet Deal with |
| Pattern Fee | 48 kHz |
| Bit Depth | 24-bit |
| Adjustable Achieve | None |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Cable | USB-C to USB-C (9.8 ft/3 meters) |
| Software program | Rode X Unify |
| System Necessities | Home windows 10 / macOS10.12 or newer |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 4.65 x 2.44 x 1.65 inches / 118 x 62 x 42 mm |
| Weight | 1.08lbs / 492g |
| MSRP | $149 |
Efficiency of the XCM-50
The Rode X XCM-50 is a condenser microphone with a decent cardioid polar sample. Just like the NT-USB Mini, the XCM-50 data 24-bit/48 kHz audio and has a frequency response fee of 20 – 20,000 Hz. It’s largely designed to be plug-and-play, with an on-mic headphone output for zero-latency audio monitoring and playback (plus a quantity dial), and a capsule “tuned” for streamers. It comes with entry to Rode’s new Rode X Unify software program, however this mic works completely out of the field, no software program essential.
Vocals on the XCM-50 sound glorious — pure, heat, and full. The condenser capsule picks up nuance and element with out getting too gritty, and the mic has an inner pop filter that does a reasonably good job of decreasing plosives.
Rode says the XCM-50 has been “tuned” for gaming and streaming, however didn’t elaborate on what, precisely, this implies. Uncooked recordings on the XCM-50 did sound totally different from uncooked recordings on the NT-USB Mini; the distinction isn’t enormous, but it surely’s there.
Essentially the most notable distinction was that the XCM-50 picked up extra quantity — whereas retaining a comparatively low noise flooring — than the NT-USB Mini. (This can be partly because of the NT-USB Mini’s included desktop stand, which, whereas sturdy, locations the microphone very low in your desk.)
The Rode XCM-50 generally is a little finicky in terms of connection ports. A handful of occasions throughout my testing, it stopped working abruptly and I used to be unable to get my PC to acknowledge it.
This appeared to be a difficulty with both the port it was plugged into or maybe the variety of USB gadgets I had plugged into my PC general (…so much). This was simply mounted with a restart and a few cable shuffling, and it didn’t occur too regularly — but it surely occurred greater than as soon as, so it’s price noting.
Options and Software program of Rode X XCM-50
One of the streamer and gamer-oriented options of the XCM-50 is its bundled entry to Rode X Unify, Rode’s new audio mixing and processing software program. All Rode X merchandise embody lifetime entry to Unify, which may also be bought as a separate subscription ($5/month, $45/yr) if you wish to use it with totally different gadgets (together with common Rode gadgets that aren’t a part of the Rode X line).
Unify is a digital mixing deck that permits you to join, route, and management a number of audio sources (digital and never). Unify allows you to join as much as 4 microphones (or different audio enter gadgets) and management six digital audio interfaces (system, chat, music, recreation, browser and digital), which it creates in your PC.
When you’ve arrange the digital interfaces (through the amount mixer within the Home windows’ Sound Settings menu) and linked your gadgets, you should utilize Unify to fine-tune the steadiness of your audio sources.
You possibly can create a number of sub-mixes and assign them to totally different outputs — e.g., stream, headphones, chat. That is helpful if you’d like your stream viewers to listen to some components, comparable to your voice and your recreation audio, however not others, like your workforce chat.
Unify seems to be and operates like a digital model of the Rodecaster Professional II (Rode’s multi-channel audio mixer and one-stop podcasting gadget). Its most important display has channel mixers on the left and a scroll-through financial institution of buttons (eight buttons throughout eight pages, 64 whole) on the correct.
The buttons may be programmed to play sound results (which may be loaded or recorded) or toggle voice results. The primary eight buttons are pre-programmed with primary sound results together with applause, laughter, crickets and extra.
Because of its inner DSP, the XCM-50 also can entry superior Aphex audio processing via Unify. This features a compressor, noise gate, high-pass filter, and Aphex’s “legendary” Aural Exciter and Huge Increase enhancements. Unify grants you granular management over every of the parameters inside these processors, so you’ll be able to create the right customized sound.
Unify does a reasonably good job of streamlining a number of audio sources in a digital mixing deck, with sub-mixes, sound results, and superior audio processing. It additionally has a built-in recorder and helps multi-track recording. It may well’t change the {hardware} components of the Rodecaster Professional II, but it surely’s a reasonably highly effective app for streamers and avid gamers seeking to degree up their audio with mixing and processing.
The software program isn’t instantly intuitive, even when you’ve used the Rodecaster Professional II or different {hardware} decks beforehand. You’ll in all probability want to have a look (or three) on the consumer information and video walkthroughs to get all the pieces arrange. However as soon as it’s configured, it really works fairly seamlessly.
Backside Line
The Rode X XCM-50 is a extra spectacular replace to the Rode NT-USB Mini than its minimal redesign suggests. It’s a superb USB gaming microphone for learners, producing full, pure vocals out of the field, and it presents loads of superior options for professionals, due to its inner DSP and bundled entry to Rode’s Unify software program.
At $149, the XCM-50 is on the pricier facet, but it surely not less than feels price it with its strong, examine construct and premium equipment (extra-long cables and a flexible tripod mount). Plus it’s compact, making it excellent for touring (or small desks).
