Just about everybody in the photo and video industry knows who Rode is. They make the microphones that many of us use in various circumstances. They’re also quite popular for streamers and podcasters, too. But now, Rode’s separating out the podcasting and live streaming side of things to a whole new brand, Rode X.
They’ve launched the new Rode X brand with three new products. There’s the XDM-100 dynamic USB microphone, the XCM-50 condenser USB microphone and the Unify virtual mixer application. Both microphones are designed specifically for gaming and streaming. As such, they’re all-in-one self-contained systems that connect directly to your computer.
Rode X XDM-100 – $249
The Rode X XDM-100 is a dynamic USB-C microphone, with advanced DSP and a built-in high-gain preamp for gaming and streaming uses. It’s designed to be positioned close to the subject to minimise picking up unwanted sounds from the room in which you’re streaming. Rode X says it works well in both untreated rooms as well as home studios, with a cardioid polar pattern that focuses audio capture towards the front of the microphone.
It’s powered completely by the USB-C bus connection and includes a 24-Bit 48kHz analogue to digital converter. It sports a zero-latency 3.5mm headphone jack with a volume dial and mute button for live monitoring in real time.
Rode X XCM-50 – $149
The Rode XCM-50 is a compact USB-C Condenser microphone, with built-in advanced DSP features. It’s designed specifically to provide detailed and natural speech and voice reproduction. It’s targeted towards streamers and gamers that want that higher-end sound but with easier plug-and-play operation than traditional XLR phantom power-based systems and at a significantly lower budget.
It, too, features a 3.5mm headphone jack with volume control and a mute button for real-time monitoring. It also has the same built-in 24-But 48kHz analogue to digital converter. It comes with a 360-degree swing mount and a desktop tripod is included.
The Unify software provides virtual audio mixing for streamers, allowing you to mix multiple sound sources including microphones, chat audio, game audio, music and system audio. Advanced APHEX audio processing uses the Rode X microphone’s internal DSP and you also get Voice FX (later in 2022) and multitrack recording capabilities.
It’s unclear whether the Rode Unify software can also be used with USB-capable Rode microphones, like the Rode VideoMic NTG, VideoMic GO II, Wireless GO II, etc. but we’ve reached out to Rode for some clarification on this and we’ll update this post if and when they respond.
Update: It is somewhat compatible with Rode’s USB microphones. You do get basic audio processing but not the advanced audio processing you get with the Rode X mics. It will also work with other third-party microphones, but you don’t get advanced or basic audio processing. There’s a chart at the bottom of the Unify product page.
The Rode X XDM-100 is available to buy now for $249, the Rode X XCM-50 is available to buy now for $149 and the Rode X Unify software is free with the purchase of any Rode X microphone or can be picked up on a subscription basis for AUD$7.99 monthly or $69.99 annually.
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