Rode is an Australian microphone brand that is a big name in professional audio as well as it is a growing one in tech and especially in the podcasting sphere. Podcasting is close to Twitch streaming and professional gaming but it is not that close to Rode. 

Rode has decided that it needs to enter the world of gaming peripherals and therefore today the company has launched a new division just for streamers and gamers. The new division named Rode X is to develop audio solutions for streamers and gamers. But streamers and gamers would face the same audio issues as podcasters and indie filmmakers, thus we have to wait before concluding anything. 

Rode X launches with a modest, three-product line-up – two USB microphones and it also seems to have the potential to be an impressive piece of multi-channel mixing software. 

The first new mic is XCM-50 which is a compact, sturdily-built condenser USB mic along with a built-in 360-degree swing mount. It is really small and tank-like and looks similar to the Rode NT-USB Mini. But it is similar only on the outside. And inside, the XCM-50 sports a DSP chip that makes it more powerful than the NT-USB Mini. Rode promises that this chip unlocks a “world of powerful processing” at both launches as well as in the future. 

Rode said that the XCM-50’s mic capsule has also been “tuned” and “optimized” for streaming and gaming but did not describe what it means exactly. A quick recording test was done with the XCM-50 and NT-USB Mini and confirmed the mics have different audio profiles. The XCM-50 costs $149 but comes bundled with Rode’s multi-functional tabletop Tripod 2. 

The second new mic is the XDM-100 which is a broadcast-style dynamic USB mic that features “premium circuitry,” an internal DSP, and an ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution Preamp. The XDM-100 costs $249, and is bundled with a Rode PSM1 Shock Mount and also a removable pop shield. 

Both XCM-50 and XDM-100 consist of unlimited, lifetime access to the third product, which is the Rode X Unify software. Unify on the other hand is a standalone program and not a companion app that has been designed to support the brand’s hardware.  

It is gradually taking shape of a virtual version of the Rodecaster Pro II – Rode’s popular multi-channel audio mixer and all-in-one podcast studio. 

Unify is devoid of the hardware aspects of the Rodecaster Pro II and it provides simple multi-channel mixing with multiple submixing options and access to advanced features like a multi-channel recording. It won’t replace a physical piece of hardware, but unify has the capability to be a decent virtual substitute for those who are not yet prepared to invest $700 on a Rodecaster Pro II. 

Unify also allow you to access advanced audio processing controls in Rode X microphones. This consist of gain control, high-pass filter, compression, noise gate, and APHEX processing – all these can be fine-tuned. Rode X Unify is free with the purchase of any Rode X product but will be made available as a standalone subscription ($5/month or $5/year). 

All three Rode X products are available now and all you need to do is, keep an eye on our website to get all reviews of the XCM-50 and XDM-100 soon.