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

Gaming creators and streamers will already be acquainted with Rode. The firm’s and make good choices for these plugging into OBS, YouTube, Twitch and anyplace else you would possibly “go live.” But as of at the moment, there’s an entire new sub model particularly catering to their wants: Rode X.

The first three merchandise beneath 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 optimal performance for streaming and gaming.”

The 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’ll be able to learn in regards to the distinction ). The XDM-100, no less than bodily, seems like Rode’s with a splash of pink on the high. 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.

Both microphones are USB solely (no XLR), which implies you received’t want an audio interface to make use of them, and so they have built-in headphone ports for latency-free monitoring. Which of the 2 would possibly curiosity you most will rely on each your preferences and the room the place you stream from.

The XCM-50 has a brilliant sound that can work nicely for these in acoustically handled, or “softer” rooms. When examined aspect by aspect 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 “closer” by comparability.

The XDM-100 has a extra basic “dynamic” microphone sound. While maybe not fairly as nicely 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 desire a good USB dynamic possibility, this seems like a aggressive selection for the value. Especially as soon as coupled with the brand new Unify software program.

The one factor that loads of avid gamers and streamers actually need isn’t a lot a microphone – there are lots of choices for that – it’s a dependable device to route all of the sounds in your stream, often some mixture of recreation sounds, chat, music and results. With Unify, you might have a easy software program answer that’s much 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 may 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 enjoying, however not the music you’re streaming. With Unify, you’ll be able to pipe most issues to most locations, after which change the degrees, or “mix” for every vacation spot additionally.

Rode has added the power to file all of your audio straight throughout the app, too. This makes it interesting to extra than simply streamers. For instance, you might use it to file either side of a Zoom name and be capable of feed audio into that decision that will in any other case be difficult. The undeniable fact that Unify has sound pads for intros and results means it additionally works fairly nicely as a software program “Rodecaster Pro.”

Unify seems most much like Wave Link however affords rather 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 file inside that app or set off sound results.

Where 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. If you simply needed the software program options you’ll be able to pay $5 a month or $45 a yr for the app alone. This means you’ll be able to simply use it with any microphone you might have, you’re not beholden to utilizing a Rode (not like, Wave Link that requires an Elgato mic). If you do purchase a Rode X mic, then the software program is free. Sadly, in the event you already personal a Rode USB mic, it received’t unlock the software program, you may be paying like everyone else.