Verdict
The Røde X XCM-50 is proof that honorable things come in small packages . One of Røde ’s first consecrated gaming and cyclosis microphones , this is a niggling unit that packs a big puncher and is a brilliant option for streamers .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Take Røde gear but make it for gamers , that ’s the concept behind Røde X. The Rode XCM-50 is the first look at what the iconic Australian steel has been working on .
A USB - hundred condenser microphone , the Røde X XCM-50 promises studio apartment - quality performance at a less - than - studio terms point . It ’s certainly not a tawdry option as far as USB microphones go , so expected value for this streamer - focused mic are high from the outset . Here are my thoughts .
Design
If you ’re intimate with the Røde range , the XCM-50 will be a recognisable creature . Close your eyes and visualise theNT - USB Mini , now add a lilliputian carmine flair and you ’re 90 % of the way to a Røde X XCM-50 . If you take the logo and tripod forth from both , you ’d be forgive for believe they were different color alternative for the same mike .
That is n’t necessarily a speculative thing , as the Røde X XCM-50 offers a pleasant design . It ’s a no - trumpery microphone that , despite its gamer focusing , manage to avoid the classical tropes of tawdry LED lighting or outrageous shapes .
It ’s a little sanded - off rectangle and , without the tripod , the whole whole mensurate just 11 cm long and 6 cm encompassing . That ’s a pocket-size silhouette than an iPhone and , at just 4 cm deep , the XCM-50 meets the ‘ ultra - compact ’ tag Røde X has given it .
As you ’d expect from Røde , the build lineament on the XCM-50 is top - pass . It ’s great to see an all - alloy mental synthesis at this price and the matte , mildly textured body feels like a quality bit of kit . The subtle red hue flowing from behind the grille brings personality and helps bridge over the spread between studio apartment and game station .
The attached lilt setting lets the Rode XCM-50 whirl 360 degrees and offer plenty of tractableness when set in your setup . It ’s a pleasant surprise to find a bandstand included and the mini tripod palpate as well - made as the rest of the computer peripheral .
It ’s nice to have , but I did n’t find the tripod very useful . Its wide footprint call for too much deskspace make it awkward on a normal - sized desk , especially when you factor out in a few other streaming computer peripheral fighting for the same real land . I ’m certain it ’ll be fine in plentitude of apparatus , but I kept the XCM-50 on a Røde PSA-1 + mic arm .
It ’s a pocket-size thing , but a rap on the back to Rode for their cable inclusions with the XCM-50 too . The USB - C and headphone wing cables both sense high caliber and are a banging three meters long . That ’s plenty of overseas telegram length to play with and makes a boastful remainder to how easy it is to integrate the XCM-50 into a studio apartment frame-up .
Performance
For such a humble microphone , the Røde X XCM-50 is unbelievably strong . It would be well-situated to attend at a mic of this size and assume the output would be just as dinky , but the truth is the opposite .
The XCM-50 punches heavily . Before any EQ fiddle , the XCM-50 produced an impressively clean , unreserved sound with pleasantly neutral vocal . This is n’t a microphone with a profile that ’s geared heavily towards one kind of creator or another . It ’s the mic combining weight of a well - painted white rampart . It ’s unoffending , crisp and bright and works in just about any infinite , but there ’s also elbow room for each Almighty to sum up their own style on top with an EQ picture anatomy here and there .
If you ’re hunting for that rich , booming late - nighttime radio host vibe , this is n’t the mike for you . The insurance premium condenser capsule inside the Røde X XCM-50 favours a more natural , less raise sound . It ’s also more absolvitory on mic etiquette and will maintain tone from a wider kitchen range of address Angle and distances – utter for more inspire streamer and gamers .
Through testing , I establish my voice sounded crisp and clear without ever being rough or nettlesome like you ’ll often find out with loud USB options . There ’s a seemly amount of blank within the auditory sensation , though more as a style than a fault , and viewers of my flow commented it finger like they were pose in the way with me rather than look out an overly produce programme .
Features
The XCM-50 is equal to of some serious mightiness and it ’s one of the louder USB microphones around . You ’ll see a gain - level ascendence wheel on the front of the XCM-50 and I never had to move this beyond halfway to generate optimal output levels . There ’s a physical unspoken push uncommitted too , though I ’ve never been a fan of onboard controls as it ’ll generally result in an undesirable clunk in your audio frequency as you try out to trigger it . Around the back is the XCM-50 ’s 3.5 mm earphone jack for actual - time audio monitoring so you ’ve got no exculpation for forget to unmute yourself on current .
Condenser microphones can be fetch undone in unoptimised studio mise en scene , but the Røde X XCM-50 does a good line even with a minimal amount of acoustic discourse . The integrated pop filter solve well to struggle plosives and desk bumps are minimised thanks to the intragroup abridgment shock mount . The XCM-50 ’s tight cardioid polar pattern means that unwanted racket like mechanically skillful keyboard clacker or fans did n’t become a misdirection . The focus was still well and rightfully on my voice , even without have to keep the microphone too close to my mouth . If you ’re a streamer who prefers a clean look with your microphone off - camera , the XCM-50 is a unspoilt choice .
There ’s national Aphex voice processing as standard but , for creators wanting more manual control of their auditory sensation profile , Røde has the Unify app . I ’m not a huge fan of additional software like this , the six additional virtual audio recording devices it create can become a lot to manage and ride out on top of , but it ’s harmless enough if not a little undercooked for now . The usual stripe of processing personal effects like a compressor and high-pitched pass filter are available for you to mess around with and they work well . Røde has done an first-class job of the out - of - the - boxwood sound of the XCM-50 however , so the majority of creators probably wo n’t ask to put too much effort in .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
As a condenser mike , the Røde X XCM-50 delivers a more raw overall strait instead of an overly produced ‘ podcast voice ’ .
It does an o.k. job , but the Rode XCM-50 will find fault up more general room interference from a wider area than a dynamic microphone option .
Final Thoughts
Røde know what it ’s doing when it comes to microphones and the X XCM-50 is further proof of that . There ’s a lot of the NT - USB Mini here and that ’s no bad matter . It ’s taken a good microphone and added some supererogatory seasoning to make it even advantageously for streamer and depicted object creators .
It ’s not the crummy of USB streaming mics but it has n’t been price out of contention either . There ’s a strong price - quality symmetricalness to the Røde X XCM-50 that should make it an appealing panorama to first - time streamers or even those looking for an acclivity . Those uncoerced to pass even more for an added dose of luxury should count theLogitech Blue Sona .
Trusted Score
How we test
During each mike review , we lead a serial publication of recording tests that include try out sound during ideal preferences , with scope haphazardness apply and in an out-of-door setting ( where possible ) , to give you the good melodic theme of how each twist performs in substantial - world consumption .
FAQs
XLR microphone are the industry standard when it comes to broadcasting , streaming and the like . Quality is paramount with XLR . However , USB microphones stay on to ameliorate and typically issue forth in at a cheaper price .
Full Specs
