Australian microphone model Rode has determined to make a play for a spot on our listing of finest gaming microphones — below 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 encompasses 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 will 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 enables for superior audio processing, which will 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 system 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 gentle).
In case you’ve regarded by way of Rode’s catalog earlier than, the XCM-50 may look acquainted — very acquainted, as it’s nearly an identical to the Rode NT-USB Mini. In reality, 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 slapped on after the actual fact).
However whereas the XCM-50 and NT-USB Mini might 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, in accordance with Rode — for the time being, this implies superior Aphex audio processing, however the firm says it might 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 little bit 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 a better locking place (approx. diameter: 7.25 inches / 18.4 cm). When folded, the legs kind a snug, 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 toes (3 meters) lengthy.
Specs of Rode X XCM-50
| Capsule Kind | 1x Condenser |
| Frequency Response | 20 – 20,000 Hz |
| Polar Sample | Cardioid |
| Orientation | Facet Handle |
| Pattern Price | 48 kHz |
| Bit Depth | 24-bit |
| Adjustable Acquire | None |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Cable | USB-C to USB-C (9.8 toes/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 good cardioid polar sample. Just like the NT-USB Mini, the XCM-50 data 24-bit/48 kHz audio and has a frequency response price 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 large, 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 could be a little finicky in terms of connection ports. A handful of instances 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 problem with both the port it was plugged into or maybe the variety of USB gadgets I had plugged into my PC total (…so much). This was simply mounted with a restart and a few cable shuffling, and it didn’t occur too ceaselessly — but it surely occurred greater than as soon as, so it’s value noting.
Options and Software program of Rode X XCM-50
Probably the most 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 will also be bought as a separate subscription ($5/month, $45/12 months) 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 enables you to join as much as 4 microphones (or different audio enter gadgets) and management six digital audio interfaces (system, chat, music, sport, browser and digital), which it creates in your PC.
When you’ve arrange the digital interfaces (by way of the quantity mixer within the Home windows’ Sound Settings menu) and linked your gadgets, you need to use Unify to fine-tune the steadiness of your audio sources.
You’ll be able to create a number of sub-mixes and assign them to totally different outputs — e.g., stream, headphones, chat. That is helpful if you would like your stream viewers to listen to some parts, similar to your voice and your sport audio, however not others, like your staff chat.
Unify seems and operates like a digital model of the Rodecaster Professional II (Rode’s multi-channel audio mixer and one-stop podcasting system). Its essential display screen has channel mixers on the left and a scroll-through financial institution of buttons (eight buttons throughout eight pages, 64 whole) on the best.
The buttons will be programmed to play sound results (which will 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.
Due to its inner DSP, the XCM-50 may also entry superior Aphex audio processing by way of Unify. This features a compressor, noise gate, high-pass filter, and Aphex’s “legendary” Aural Exciter and Large Growth enhancements. Unify grants you granular management over every of the parameters inside these processors, so you may create the proper 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 could’t exchange the {hardware} parts of the Rodecaster Professional II, but it surely’s a reasonably highly effective app for streamers and players seeking to degree up their audio with mixing and processing.
The software program isn’t instantly intuitive, even in the event you’ve used the Rodecaster Professional II or different {hardware} decks beforehand. You’ll most likely want to have a look (or three) on the person information and video walkthroughs to get every little thing 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 wonderful USB gaming microphone for learners, producing full, pure vocals out of the field, and it affords 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 aspect, but it surely no less than feels value it with its strong, research construct and premium equipment (extra-long cables and a flexible tripod mount). Plus it’s compact, making it good for touring (or small desks).