Australian microphone model Rode is an enormous title in skilled audio and a rising one in tech — principally within the podcasting sphere. Whereas podcasting is adjoining to different types of content material creation — similar to Twitch streaming {and professional} gaming, it’s not shut sufficient for Rode.
Rode has determined it must formally enter the world of gaming peripherals, so immediately the corporate launched a brand new division only for streamers and players. The brand new division, Rode X, can be devoted to creating audio options particularly for streamers and players. I’m undecided precisely what this implies, as streamers and players seem to be they’d largely face the identical audio points as podcasters and indie filmmakers, however I’ll have to order judgment.
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Rode X launches with a modest, three-product line-up — two USB microphones and what appears prefer it has the potential to be a fairly spectacular piece of multi-channel mixing software program. (Once more, I’ll reserve judgment.)
The primary new mic is the XCM-50 (opens in new tab), a compact, sturdily-built condenser USB mic with a built-in 360-degree swing mount. It’s small and tank-like (it weighs simply over one pound), and appears nearly equivalent to the Rode NT-USB Mini. And that’s as a result of it’s equivalent, on the surface — however solely on the surface, Rode says. Inside, the XCM-50 sports activities a DSP chip that makes it “rather more {powerful}” than the NT-USB Mini. Rode guarantees this chip unlocks a “world of {powerful} processing” — at each launch and sooner or later.
Along with extra-powerful processing, Rode says the XCM-50’s mic capsule has been “tuned” and “optimized” for streaming and gaming — however didn’t elaborate on what, precisely, this may imply. I did a fast side-by-side recording take a look at with the XCM-50 and NT-USB Mini, and confirmed the mics do have completely different audio profiles (although it primarily appears to be quantity enchancment on the XCM-50 — nothing life-changing). The XCM-50 prices $149 (the NT-USB Mini prices $99), however does come bundled with Rode’s multi-functional desk prime Tripod 2.
The second new-ish mic is the XDM-100 (opens in new tab), which is a broadcast-style dynamic USB mic that includes “premium circuitry,” an inner DSP, and an ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution Preamp. (To avoid wasting you the difficulty — the XDM-100 is the more-than-just-reskinned Rode Podcaster USB Broadcast mic.) The XDM-100 prices $249, and is bundled with a Rode PSM1 Shock Mount and a detachable pop defend.
Each the XCM-50 and the XDM-100 embrace limitless, lifetime entry to the third product, which is the Rode X Unify software program. Whereas I often despise peripheral software program (for good cause!), this isn’t precisely that — Unify is a standalone program, not a companion app designed to help the model’s {hardware}. (That stated, it did auto-download a firmware replace after I plugged within the NT-USB Mini, however this will have been a coincidence.)
I haven’t had a lot time to play with Unify, however to this point it’s shaping as much as be a digital model of the Rodecaster Professional II — Rode’s common (and expensive) multi-channel audio mixer and all-in-one podcast studio.
Whereas Unify clearly lacks the {hardware} features of the Rodecaster Professional II, it does supply comparatively easy multi-channel mixing with a number of submixing choices (loosely preset for gaming/streaming), in addition to entry to extra superior options similar to multi-channel recording. It’s not going to switch a bodily piece of {hardware}, however Unify positively has the potential to be a good digital substitute for individuals who aren’t fairly able to spend $700 on a Rodecaster Professional II.
Unify additionally permits you to entry superior audio processing controls (unlocked by these {powerful} DSP chips) in Rode X microphones. This contains acquire management, high-pass filter, compression, noise gate, and APHEX processing — all of which could be fine-tuned. Rode X Unify is free with the acquisition of any Rode X product, however may also be accessible as a standalone subscription ($5/month or $45/12 months).
All three Rode X merchandise can be found now — we’ll have opinions of the XCM-50 and the XDM-100 up quickly.