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Under its new game and streaming division, Rode X, the Australian microphone company Rode is trying to get on our list of the best gaming microphones. Last month, Rode X came out with two USB microphones, the XCM-50 and the XDM-100. Both have familiar designs, but are black and red to appeal to gamers. The Rode X XCM-50 is a small condenser mic that looks like the Rode NT-USB Mini on the outside. This side-address cardioid mic is small and sturdy.
It has a full-range frequency response from 20 to 20,000 Hz, takes 24-bit/48 kHz audio, and sounds great right out of the box. It has a built-in swing base and can be attached to a boom arm. It also comes with Rode’s Tripod 2, which is their best tripod. For the Rode X update, the $149 XCM-50’s capsule has been “tuned” for streaming and games. It also has a powerful internal DSP for advanced audio processing, which can be controlled by the new Rode X Unify software.
Rode X XCM-50 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Microphone Type | Condenser microphone |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Sensitivity | -42dBV/Pa |
| Max SPL | 135dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 74dB |
| Output Connector | 3.5mm TRRS |
| Power Options | Plug-in power from camera or mobile device |
| Weight | 42g (1.5oz) |
| Dimensions | 81mm x 23mm x 23mm (3.2″ x 0.9″ x 0.9″) |
Rode X XCM-50: Design
The Rode X XCM-50 is a USB condenser microphone that is small but powerful. It has a built-in pop filter and a stand that can be moved in any direction. It’s small and easy to use. It comes with a black and red metal (and some plastic) frame. The mic is 4.65 inches (118 mm) tall, 2.44 inches (62 mm) wide, and 1.65 inches (42 mm) deep with the swing mount. You can buy this microphone from its official website
Features and Software
The Rode X XCM50 is a plug-and-play microphone, so it only takes a few minutes to set up and use. This is perfect for a new fan. I also liked having a USB-C port, which gave me more choices that we really needed. The XCM-50 must be used with the Rode X Unify software that comes with it. It’s easy to download and use, and the box has directions. This is a great way for people who have never streamed before but want to get better at using their voices.
The XCM-50 mic itself is pretty small, measuring 62 (W) x 42 (D) x 118 (H), which is great for streamers like me who don’t have a lot of room. Even though the tripod takes up more room, I used the XCM-50 with Rode’s PSA1+ Professional Studio Arm, which lifted my mic above my workspace and made the sound even better because the mic was farther away from my keyboard and mouse.
Rode X XCM-50: Performance
At $149, the XCM-50 is the Rode X launch unit that is best for people on a tight budget. This makes it close competition with gadgets that have been around for a long time, like the Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti, for the $100 to $150 crown. It works out pretty well in that fight.
The form of the device goes well with the warm sound profile, which you can hear in the video above. It has that “old-timey” softness you’d expect from a condenser mic that looks like a retro-futuristic version of a 1950s crooner’s microphone.
Price and availability
The Rode X XCM50 costs $148, £170, or $250 AU, which puts it in the middle of the price range for game microphones. But many places are now selling it for a lot less than they did before.
Final Words
The Rode X XCM50 is a great streaming microphone with clear, natural sounds that work well with plosive audio. With good background noise cancellation and a free access to Rode X Unify software for life, this streaming mic doesn’t have much more to offer.
The good and The bad
The Good
- Compact size
- Full and warm vocals
The Bad
- Premium price tag
FAQS
A lot of mics have frequency responses that are between 20 and 20,000 Hz. It is possible for a microphone’s frequency response to go beyond what a person can hear, but it doesn’t happen very often. But some low-end frequencies may be turned down on some mics on purpose to cut down on rumble.
This large-diaphragm condenser microphone is one of the best choices for people who want to set up their own studio at home because it is affordable and makes good sound. When you buy the Rode NT1, you don’t just get the microphone; you also get everything you need to get started.
