Rode X is the new gaming sub-brand from the Australian microphone stalwart

Gaming creators and streamers will already be conversant in Rode. The corporate’s and make good choices for these plugging into OBS, YouTube, Twitch and anyplace else you may “go stay.” However as of as we speak, there’s an entire new sub model particularly catering to their wants: Rode X.

The primary three merchandise underneath the brand new mark embody two microphones and a complete desktop app for stream routing and mixing. The mics will look eerily acquainted to followers of Rode merchandise, however the firm assures us they’ve been “redesigned internally for optimum efficiency for streaming and gaming.”

The brand new mics are the XDM-100 ($249) and XCM-50 ($150). The clue to the distinction between them is within the title – D for dynamic, C for condenser (you possibly can learn concerning the distinction ). The XDM-100, no less than bodily, seems to be like Rode’s with a touch of pink on the prime. The XCM-50 is a condenser microphone that seems to be constructed on the identical platform because the and incorporates a distinct pink button on the entrance.

Each microphones are USB solely (no XLR), which implies you gained’t want an audio interface to make use of them, they usually have built-in headphone ports for latency-free monitoring. Which of the 2 may curiosity you most will depend upon each your preferences and the room the place you stream from.

The XCM-50 has a shiny sound that may work properly for these in acoustically handled, or “softer” rooms. When examined facet by facet with its NT-USB Mini doppelganger, they do sound extremely shut, however to my ears the XCM-50 is a tiny bit brighter sounding. The NT-USB Mini sounds a shade “nearer” by comparability.

The XDM-100 has a extra traditional “dynamic” microphone sound. Whereas maybe not fairly as properly rounded as one thing just like the Shure SM7B and even Rode’s personal Podmic, it feels cleaner than the Podcaster that it shares its bodily look with. If you would like USB dynamic choice, this looks like a aggressive selection for the worth. Particularly as soon as coupled with the brand new Unify software program.

The one factor that numerous avid gamers and streamers actually need isn’t a lot a microphone – there are a lot of choices for that – it’s a dependable instrument to route all of the sounds in your stream, normally some mixture of recreation sounds, chat, music and results. With Unify, you’ve a easy software program resolution that’s just like the routing matrices you discover with the GoXLR, the or Elgato’s .

Unify creates a few digital audio interfaces in your PC and you’ll then management which app makes use of what, and the place that sound goes. For instance, you most likely need your intro music to exit on the stream, however possibly you don’t need it in your headphones? Or possibly you need your viewers to listen to a YouTube video you’re taking part in, however not the music you’re streaming. With Unify, you possibly can pipe most issues to most locations, after which change the degrees, or “combine” for every vacation spot additionally.

Rode has added the flexibility to document all of your audio straight throughout the app, too. This makes it interesting to extra than simply streamers. For instance, you may use it to document either side of a Zoom name and be capable to feed audio into that decision that may in any other case be tough. The truth that Unify has sound pads for intros and results means it additionally works fairly properly as a software program “Rodecaster Professional.”

Unify seems to be most just like Wave Hyperlink however provides far more fine-grained management. The app isn’t fairly so simple as BEACN’s, which helps you to entry every combine matrix always and has a barely clearer UI. BEACN additionally advantages from the {hardware} mixer, too, however there’s no choice to document inside that app or set off sound results.

The place Unify differs from most of its rivals is that you simply don’t have to purchase the corporate’s {hardware} to make use of it. In the event you simply needed the software program options you possibly can pay $5 a month or $45 a 12 months for the app alone. This implies you possibly can simply use it with any microphone you’ve, you’re not beholden to utilizing a Rode (not like, Wave Hyperlink that requires an Elgato mic). In the event you do purchase a Rode X mic, then the software program is free. Sadly, should you already personal a Rode USB mic, it gained’t unlock the software program, you will be paying like all people else.