The RodeX XCM-50 microphone provides impressive out-of-the-box audio quality and great adjustment options in a compact and sleek device.
Rode’s newest line of microphones, the RodeX series, features two models, the XCM-50 and the XCM-100. This new series is aimed at gamers and streamers who want quality audio to complement their gameplay.
The RodeX XCM-50 is a compact condenser mic, which provides top-notch audio quality right out of the box thanks to its cardioid polar pattern, which zeroes in on the cone of sound directly in front of the mic. When purchasing, you get access to the Rode Unify software for free, which allows you to tweak a whole host of audio options so you can adjust them to suit your needs.
We saw these microphones hit the market last November, and the XCM-50 has been at a fixed retail price of £170 / $149 / AU$239 since. This is a relatively average cost for a microphone with the HyperX QuadCast S coming in at £160 / $159.99 / AU$279. Compared to those of similar quality, it comes at a much lower cost, with the legendary Shure SM7B retailing at £369 / $399 / AUS$770.
RodeX XCM-50: design
The XCM-50 is a portable and stylish microphone that is perfect for a wide array of setup sizes. It boasts a sleek black chassis with Rode's signature red accents, which gives it a professional and modern appearance. And compact footprint makes it easy to slot it into any recording setup, whether that’s in the recesses of your bedroom or a full-blown studio.
If, like me, you're a fan of RGB, then brace yourself; the RodeX XCM-50 doesn’t come with the RGB LEDs. That being said, I think this visual sacrifice is worth it when you consider the quality of audio the mic provides. But I’ll admit I was a little sad having to unplug my giant RGB HyperX QuadCast, which could probably light up an entire city at night.
There are LED lights that act as a subtle indicator as to the mic's status, denoting whether it's muted or unmuted, and on or off. While it's not going to be searing your retinas with a dazzling rainbow of colour, it fits with the minimalistic design.
The RodeX XCM-50 also comes with a durable tripod, so you don't need to factor in the additional cost of a stand or boom arm if you're on a budget. However, the tripod is on the bulky side, so if you can stretch for a boom arm, you'll have the bonus of more space as well as increased audio quality (what with the mic being closer to your mouth, and free from desk vibrations). Thanks to the price tag, that purchase may be a little easier to justify. There's a slot in the bottom of the mic's base to mount it to a stand or boom arm.
RodeX XCM-50: features
Despite its size, the XCM-50 is crammed full of features that allow it to compete for the top spot in portable condenser microphones. Weighing in at 492g, it has a lot of power behind it for such a small device.
The XCM-50 has a frequency range of 20Hz-20kHz, and a sensitivity of -40dB, making it capable of capturing a wide range of sounds with excellent detail and clarity. The mic also uses a USB-C port which a majority of builds have nowadays. But if your setup is as old and creaky as mine, a USB to USC-C adaptor will quickly make it compatible with your rig.
One of the standout features of the XCM-50 is its high-quality condenser capsule, which enables clear and accurate audio reproduction. This makes it ideally suited for a range of sources, including vocals, instruments and podcasts. It's also adept at picking up background noises, so if you're going to be using the mic for Discord chats and gaming, you'll need to consider placement in relation to your keyboard or finetune the settings. If you're clacking away on your keyboard, the XCM-50 will pick up the sound, so do your friends and teammates a favour and spend some time fine-tuning.
That's where the RodeX XCM-50's switchable low-cut filter and a -10dB pad come in, allowing you to tailor the sound to your specific needs. These features make the microphone highly adaptable and capable of producing excellent results in a variety of recording scenarios.
RodeX XCM-50: performance
The setup process for the microphone is incredibly easy. It offers only one cable and an optional stand to attach, so I had it up and running within minutes. To test the microphone, I started with a simple audio test comparison and it gave me great depth and clarity compared to that of my HyperX Quadcast S.
After checking how it performed on its own, I downloaded the RodeX unify and tweaked the settings until I found the perfect options for my voice. This was pretty straightforward as the UI was welcoming for a novice and allowed for easy experimentation. Notably, I maxed out the drive on the Exciter settings as this gave my voice a crisp and studio-like effect to it.
One thing to point out is that you cannot adjust any of the microphone settings without the Unify software, with the only controls on the microphone allowing you to adjust the volume of your headset if you plug it directly into the port on the device. As stated earlier, you get free access to the software with the purchase of the microphone.
Within the software itself, you're given the option to turn on or off the noise gate, compressor, aural exciter and big bottom. If you want even more adjustment, you can open advanced settings for each of these features and tweak the tune specifically until you get an output you're happy with. You can also adjust the gain and high-pass filter if you're finding too much background noise passing through.
The ability to make these adjustments means this microphone can be suited to most use cases, as you can ensure that the output suits exactly what you need depending on your circumstance, which is what sets this microphone apart, in my opinion.
RodeX XCM-50 microphone: final thoughts
Overall, the Rode XCM-50 is a versatile and high-performing plug-and-play microphone that is sure to impress both beginners and professionals alike. Its compact size, modern design and wide array of features make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable microphone, which also happens to offer stunning audio quality.
TL;DR An amazing compact microphone that provides you with both a plug-and-play and customisable experience.
Score: 5/5
