Rode X XCM-50 USB condenser microphone overview: Professional-level audio for reside streams and players

October 30, 2022

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Video video games and reside streams have blended into a big new medium, and beginning your broadcast with numerous {hardware} and software program is less complicated than ever. Rode has been a well known audio producer for a few years, well-known for its high-quality microphones and gear. Nonetheless, they beforehand appeared to intention at a extra skilled market than budding creators.

Seeking to sort out this rising viewers with its new Rode X streaming and gaming division, new microphones are on sale with an accompanying audio software program suite named Unify. Are these gamer-centric microphones definitely worth the improve over the usual Rode vary? I spent the weekend testing this USB-powered condenser variation for our Rode X XCM-50 overview to seek out the reply.

Rode X XCM-50: Value, availability, and specs

Rode X XCM-50 boxed

Rode X XCM-50 boxed (Picture credit score: Ben Wilson | Home windows Central)

Rode sells the XCM-50 USB condenser microphone via its official web site and third-party retailers, together with Amazon, for a $249 MSRP however is obtainable for $149 in some areas. Packaged with an adjustable tripod, 3m headphone extension cable, and a 3m Rode SC29 USB-C cable for applicable units, a substitute USB-A to USB-C cable just like the official Rode SC18 can also be suitable.

	Rode X XCM-50
Polar sample	Cardioid
Capsule	Condenser
Frequency vary	20Hz – 20,000Hz
Connectivity	USB-C
Analog output	3.5mm headphone
Pattern charge	48kHz
Bit depth	24-bit
Dimensions	62 x 42 x 118mm
Web weight	492g

Rode X XCM-50: What’s good

Rode X XCM-50 unboxed

Rode X XCM-50 unboxed (Picture credit score: Ben Wilson | Home windows Central)

My first impressions of this all-metallic microphone had been improbable; it is extremely well-built and feels sturdy sufficient to resist quite a lot of knocks and bumps round a gamer’s streaming setup. The XCM-50 is mounted right into a rotating cradle with a super-stiff grip, permitting quick access to the USB-C and three.5mm headphone ports on the rear. The cradle connects to the included tripod mount or any suitable microphone arm utilizing an included screw thread after eradicating a rubber cap.

Anybody aware of audio gear will discover no points getting began. Nonetheless, fortunately for even essentially the most novice streaming newbie, you do not want any extreme instruments since there is a huge sufficient slot to tighten the thread with a coin or keyring, as I did. The three-legged mount is essentially the most curious a part of this bundle, removed from the usual flat-base desk stands that include related microphones.

The plastic tripod mount fixes to the metallic XCM-50 with threaded screws which can be simple sufficient to tighten by hand, holding with the theme of accessibility and a easy setup. On the high finish, a ball joint permits you to tilt the microphone simply sufficient, which works in junction with the already-adjustable cradle. It is a novel concept, if considerably paying homage to a handheld gimbal for cameras. With sufficient house in your desk, you’ll maneuver this mic into a snug place.

Rode X XCM-50 tripod

Rode X XCM-50 tripod (Picture credit score: Ben Wilson | Home windows Central)

Because the XCM-50 is packaged with a 3m USB-C to USB-C cable, I opted for a Rode SC18 USB-A variant that was generously included with the overview unit. Not everybody has a contemporary motherboard or up-to-date laptop computer with the mandatory port, however switching the cable did not trigger any points. There is a gigantic 3m headphone extension cable too, so it is uncertain you may run out of size throughout setup.

A QR code on the field directs you to all the pieces you want, ditching the necessity for paper manuals.

The brand new Unify audio software program is a large a part of the Rode X model, and full entry is included with the XCM-50. Designed as a digital mixing studio, it might probably route as much as 4 USB microphones and 6 digital sources into one, very similar to the Rodecaster Professional II does in a bodily sense. A QR code on the field directs you to all the pieces you want, ditching the necessity for paper manuals and permitting for the newest recommendation direct from Rode.

When you’re not used to the idea of routing audio, it’s going to seemingly take a quick studying session to wrap your head round precisely what’s occurring, however the outcomes are super. The Unify app routinely applies a collection of reside Aphex-branded sign processing, which will be individually adjusted to your liking. This excellent mix of {hardware} and software program has the XCM-50 leaping a number of steps forward of its rivals.

Rode X XCM-50 tripod closed

Rode X XCM-50 tripod closed (Picture credit score: Ben Wilson | Home windows Central)

Do you have to bypass the Unify app altogether, for no matter purpose, uncooked recordings from the XCM-50 nonetheless sound nice. With out making the most of the interior DSP, all the pieces sounds suitably flat however stays crisp. When you had been in a pinch and could not entry the Web, you would report high-quality vocals in a plug-and-play method for later processing. Even the default Unify settings sound improbable, elevating your voice with skilled broadcast high quality, so there isn’t any purpose to not use it.

When you can overlook the hoarse voice, you’ll be able to hear how the XCM-50 makes my voice sound well-rounded and booming, even once I’m sick. Mixing my audio sources helps simplify streaming with OBS Studio, and the reside soundboard snippets turn out to be useful for enjoyable moments. Even cable administration is a bit simpler utilizing the reside monitoring perform since I can route all of the audio again to the headphone port. The bodily quantity management knob mixed with a mute button is equally well-made and simple to make use of in a pinch.

Rode X XCM-50: What’s not so good

Rode X XCM-50 tripod notches

Rode X XCM-50 tripod notches (Picture credit score: Ben Wilson | Home windows Central)

If you do not have a microphone arm to mount the XCM-50, you may must depend on the plastic tripod mount. Though it’s properly made and does a improbable job of holding the metallic microphone in place, the legs themselves aren’t so sturdy in each place. Every has a notch in the direction of the highest, which clicks into place at full stretch, spreading out in every route throughout your workspace.

It may well technically get up with out absolutely extending the tripod legs, albeit with much less stability. In case your desk has a fabric masking, this can assist maintain it elevated as excessive as you would possibly want. Nonetheless, one or two errant touches will finally see it sinking to the bottom level until you’ll be able to anchor it towards one thing strong. Utilizing two entrance legs partially prolonged and the rear finish out all the way in which is a passable compromise, however extra notches alongside the legs would have improved issues.

Streamers and players usually must prioritize different gear on a desk. Some will seemingly spring for a microphone arm to swing it comfortably out of the way in which above all the pieces else. The XCM-50 tripod does creep a bit an excessive amount of on a compact desk setup, and also you would possibly discover it takes up a few of your keyboard and mouse house if positioned straight in entrance of you. The usual screw attachment leaves loads of alternate options, so take into account your choices first.

Rode X XCM-50 USB-C cable

Rode X XCM-50 USB-C cable (Picture credit score: Ben Wilson | Home windows Central)

Because the XCM-50 is a USB-C microphone, that is the one cable you must look forward to finding within the field. With out USB-A, you would possibly wrestle to connect with something however the newest desktops and laptops with the suitable ports. Any substitute cable of cheap high quality ought to work simply nice, and it is a minor setback that’ll seemingly solely have an effect on the sorts of shoppers who hold on to their expertise so long as attainable.

The downsides are comparatively trivial however value noting when evaluating towards the competitors.

Seeing six new audio outputs and two enter sources seem in Home windows could possibly be intimidating for informal customers since you would by accident choose one with no playback.

With out setting the microphone up in Unify, the XCM-50 floods you with audio units that, at first look, all appear to do the identical factor. Maybe if the automated drivers put in by Home windows caught to a singular output, it might be extra appropriate as an ad-hoc microphone when wanted for fast recordings with out Web entry.

Any gamer on the lookout for a fast plug-and-play microphone must double-check their setup, particularly since it is not designed to connect with any consoles out of the field. The downsides are comparatively trivial however value noting when evaluating towards the competitors. PC gaming with the Unify app is the place this microphone shines, so follow what it does greatest, and you will not be upset with its efficiency throughout reside streams.

Rode X XCM-50: The competitors

Elgato Wave 3

Elgato Wave 3 (Picture credit score: Jez Corden | Home windows Central)

There is not a scarcity of USB microphones to select from, and many provide high-quality recordings similar to the XCM-50. When you’re not too all for online game streaming however nonetheless need the identical construct high quality, you may get virtually the identical expertise with Rode’s personal NT-USB Mini, which comes with a regular flat base stand on your desk.

You will nonetheless have entry to audio software program much like Unify with Rode Join, and the included USB-A to USB-C cable helps older {hardware}. The 2 microphones are so strikingly related that the XCM-50 feels extra like a particular “gaming version” than a completely new product. A $100 bounce for an additional DSP chip and entry to the complete vary of Unify software program instruments means when you by no means plan to make full use of those extras, you are solely paying further for purple paint and a tripod.

Contemplating you’ll be able to choose up the Elgato Wave 3 for a similar worth level, you may profit from a extra simple flat stand than the desk-hogging Rode X tripod, and it comes with a regular USB-A cable besides. Whether or not or not Elgato’s Wave Hyperlink audio suite compares with Unify is up for debate, however I might personally lean in the direction of the Rode X pairing alongside a good microphone arm.

Rode X XCM-50: Do you have to purchase?

You should purchase this if …

You need a high-quality condenser USB mic.
You need to improve your livestreaming voiceovers.
You stream from a number of purposes and sources.

You should not purchase this if …

You do not need to change to new audio software program.
You will not use reside audio processing results.
You have got restricted desk house.

The XCM-50 is exceptionally much like the usual Rode NT-USB Mini at a look, however the most effective options are hidden inside. Rode X is not only a lick of paint to attraction to players; it is a vary of {hardware} tweaks paired with the improbable Unify app, all aimed toward making life simpler for streamers and reside content material creators. The DSP results provide you with a studio-quality voice for narration, and submixing all of your sources into one place makes quantity administration a breeze.

It’s going to be simple to advocate it to anybody who wants the greatest microphone for streaming because the reside processing results sound equally nearly as good as a high-end XLR mic with a bodily preamp. The desk tripod mount is not for everybody; you may want loads of desk house to angle it into the most effective place and nonetheless have room for a mouse and keyboard. Solely choose up the XCM-50 when you’re assured you may use all the additional features.

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Rode X XCM-50 USB condenser microphone overview: Professional-level audio for reside streams and players

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