SHOULD YOU BUY INTO RODE X? | XDM100 Review
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- čas přidán 30. 10. 2022
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Remember when I said I wouldn't be reviewing any more USB mics?
That was because all the offerings were super boring and it had become stale.
Leave it up to RODE to shake things up.
You are going to want to see what these things can do!
Buy the RODE XDM100 -
brandstore.rode.com/products/...
Buy the RODE XCM50 -
brandstore.rode.com/products/...
Join the Dark Corner Studios Discord!! - / discord
My Instagram - @darkcornerstudios
My Twitter - @DarkCornerYT
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Mics - RODE NT2A - amzn.to/2WWQTnn
- TZ Audio Products Stellar X2 - amzn.to/3gHTj0X
Mixer - Arturia Audiofuse Studio - amzn.to/33kSBnq
Secondary Boom Arm - amzn.to/2WBhveB
Camera - Canon T7i - amzn.to/2X3yTYi
Lenses - Canon 50mm 1.8 - amzn.to/2LxiI0k
Canon 24mm 2.8 - amzn.to/2zF96Ok - Věda a technologie
Thank you for ur review. i have the mini NT USB and i was wondring how it is diffrent from the rode xcm-50. is it worth to upgrade to that or better to keep the money for better option 🤔
I would buy 2 right now if the Unify software worked on Mac OS. I envision this to replace my Presonus Revelator that I use for Podcasting, Video calls and work meetings. I hope they port it to Mac OS soon because they are definitely leaving money on the table. The mic doesn’t solely have to be for gamers. It’s basically a software Rodecaster Pro 2.
NO... don't do it, don't buy it. I found out the hard way.
I bought it, went to install the software only to have problems when I noticed it was an exe file. I emailed their support then called in California and was told... nope software is not for Macs and never will be. So I thought I'll buy Parallels and create a virtual Windows system and then use the software mainly with Zoom. WRONG!!!
Rode UNIFY does NOT support Parallels at all and never will. Like many companies that don't give a rat's ass about Mac users. This mic is now little more than an run of the mill "common" but expensive usb mic. So much time and money wasted!
i actually contacted RODE and they said it's currently NO Plans for Unify for Mac OS .. :(
Just to update Ride now has a Mac OS beta version of Unify!
Love your videos and live streams. Might add a mic review to my podcast channel.
You can have them both plugged in at the same time on the Mac with Audio Hijack or even just using Audio/Midi but how does it compare to the Rode NT-USB- Mini?
Which good external sound card would you advise to use with USB mic if I wont use the onboard chip? And I would like to see compare it to Revelator USB mic.
Just got mine today. Pretty pumped tonplay with it
Question?? I have the BEACN Mix Create with the BEACN mic, though this does intrigue me about the Rode XDM 100, I think I am better off keeping my setup! The only thing that the Rode X series seems to off over the BEACN is the sound effects built into the software, which I can do most of that thru my stream deck XL....BUT....you are WAY more of an audiofile then myself and I wanted to get your take?? I know initially BEACN had software issues at launch, but 9 months in and I have ZERO software or hardware issues with the Mix Create and Mic combo and I have been told that my mic on stream (twitch) sounds as good as other streamers Sure SM7B....but again, your are the Audiofile and I am the Noob in comparision!! :) :)
I'm still thinking of what mic to buy this sounds like good AiO as entry for me, Imo wouldn't something like PodCaster with Audio Interface get kind of better?
How does it compare to the procaster soundwis
The DSP make sense to have the USB mic since you practically will need add the compressor later, have that on the mic directly is nice to no fight on the software to insert the FX.
I honestly really like the XDM100. I'm less of a fan of the 50, even though it does sound good. I just like how the 100 sounds. That said, I think both sound better than the Shure. There's some upper mid frequency that was just irritating on that mic.
I love your reviews. I wanted to get your input on which mic solution you think is best sounding for streaming, the Presonus Revelator Dynamic USB or the Rode XDM100?
What if I threw something like an MV7X hooked into a Wave XLR into the options?
Easy answer...Rode xdm or xcm.
Their whole setup sounds amazing...
Does the DSP require Unify to be running? Or can you use Unify to set up the compression/eq/effects and then take the mic with you to another computer?
Unify HAS to be working...
In fact, with PC...the mic doesnt start working until UNIFY is open...at least for me.
That is why I bet that the UNIFY software is basically the driver for the mic.
@@DarkCornerStudios Thanks 🙏
Is this mic and a stream deck Plus gonna play nice together. Or is the unity software gonna fight being tied to the stream deck knobs ? I worry because the mic seems to lose features when you aren’t using unity (like the mute)
i bet you have to choose, one or the other, you dont have to install wavelink, to make the stream deck plus work.
Have they put a mute button on the smaller version? also what is that cable on the bigger Rode sticking on the side?
Yes...there is a mute button on both...
And that cable is headphones out
@@DarkCornerStudios thats great Sir. Glad it has it. Thank You for the info for both mics. Great job as always.
Xdm 50 vs Profile which is better ? And can we plug in with A Phone or Tablet 😅
Procaster or XDM100?
Decent sound and small form factor. XCM 50 wins for me.
if you had to choose between the xdm-100 or the podcaster which would you pick?
PodMicUSB
There's like a $60 price difference between the XCM 50 and NT-USB mini where I live. Which one should I get?
After seeing Liberty Dude's clip over on Bandrew's channel, I have a greater respect for him :)
Liberty dudes clip? Where?
@@ObscureTech Bandrew Says on CZcams yesterday. A video submission. About 8 minutes, you’ll love it
These mics are very intriguing to me. I’m looking forward to seeing some comparisons with some industry standard dynamic mics. As a Mac user, I will hold off until Unify gets released for masOS.
Which "industry standard" usb mics are you thinking?
The mics themselves indeed work on macOS (as confirmed by the official datasheet of each mic). Only UNIFY is (for today anyway) Windows-only. Which of course means that with macOS, there is no access to the DSP (for now).
@@DarkCornerStudios I meant industry standard dynamic mics, like the Shure SM7B, EV RE20/320, etc. not necessarily USB mics. Although I do expect the sound quality to be excellent, to harness the DSP features, software will be key.
@@jasona59 problem is those are apples to oranges comparisons.
A usb mic has a fixed DA converter and preamp.
So you are comparing a usb mic up against an xlr with any range of pre?
That's why those comparisons are difficult to include.
USB vs XLR is so much more than Mic A vs Mic B.
You buy a usb mic to avoid all the other hangups...like having an interface and signal chain
@@DarkCornerStudios That makes sense. I personally would prefer the flexibility to have both XLR and USB, for different uses, but I’m not in love with the Shure MV7
can procaster owners use that pop filter on their mics? :)
As far as I know...yep
managed to pick up 2 xdm 100’s on sale for €100 each, great way to start a budget podcast
Does it work with Android?
I think the xdm100 will be a big improvement I have a siren mini (condenser) even with filters it's not great and picks up alot of background ,
did you end up getting it?
Awesome review, do you still have that wave 3 kicking around to make a comparison. Easy video idea
You mean the Wave Dx?
Yeah...I decided to go only usb for this...not only for time...but also to not muddy the water
@@DarkCornerStudios the wave dx is the XLR version , the wave 3 is the usb version with somewhat the same type of software.
@@kebeker740 oh I never got the wave 3
I'd love to be able to get this mic cause it checks all my boxes, but man is it expensive. If it wasn't for the annoying RGB I'd just get the VO-7U. I guess it's between this rode mic, and the presonus revelator now. I have 2 dogs, and they can be noisy. SO dynamic it is.
I got the Deity VO-7U and switched the RGB permanently off. It has its own issues (confusing gain knob and by using the mute knob an annoying red RGB shows up) but sounded great. Fortunately, you can use some little tools to cope with this: use Equalizer APO and some plugins to adjust it (I've made a long German tutorial at CZcams) and use Volume² and TorkilsMicMuter to mute it without the hardware mute knob.
Now, after the cheap mic arm on the Deity set broke I was thinking about giving the XDM-100 and Unify a shot as I was not really happy with Voicemeeter as routing software and had the feeling that Steelseries GG interfered with EQ APO. But after having just tested Unify, you are not able to route your input/output devices with it (as you can do in GG or Voicemeeter) - you can only route streams which makes it less practical to use than GG. I was not able to even see/use my Jabra headset/mic within Unify and so, I am not sure if it would work for me with a Rode mic or if I would be happier with GG. Also, the XDM-100 shock mount does not look very graceful on cam.
but what's the real difference between XCM50 (150$) and the Rode Nt Mini with the Rode Connect App (99$) ?
No idea...I don't have the Mini anymore.
But I do have a video...bit of legwork and you will have your answer
Does the mute button on the XDM mute the headphones output, or the mic input?
Mic input
I just bought the XDM100 and I am getting Code 43 on 4 different PC’s. Tried different ports, cables, updates, uninstall/reinstall, just about everything I can find. Keep getting ‘unknown usb device (device descriptor request failed). Did I just receive a defective device or have others seen similar issues and there is by chance a fix?
I have no idea...but @rode_x tech support is very good at their job...
@@DarkCornerStudios a shot in the dark to see if their was a quicker way than waiting for Rode to respond and tell me to unplug my computer and plug it back it haha! Thanks anyway. If I find a fix I’ll respond here for others that may end up with the same issue.
@@Phantom_Work call them!
It's immediate
I am looking for a usb mic for singing? Xcm50 usb mic would it be good for singing?
In short, I'd say yes. And good for guitar and instruments as well. Ideally, you want to record with a real (plug in) mirophone, no a USB. But these mics are a big step above something like a Yetti microhone. I their price range it'd go for it!
Excellent review, with one correction. The mics themselves indeed work on macOS (as confirmed by the official datasheet of each mic). Only UNIFY is (for today anyway) Windows-only.
Yeah...I misspoke.
Thanks for the correction
I have been migrating to all Mac's so, this one isn't for me but it seems nice
Great review! To me it definitely sounded better than the MV7, and is something I’ll probably pick up. Do we know the mic releases?
As far as I can see they are available now!
The MV7 is a cash grab, sadly. These two new Rode microphones sound clearly better, but that's not a high bar to clear.
The XDM-100 does sound darn good on your voice (so does the XCM-50, actually). But what's the self-noise? Rode just says "ultra-low self-noise" (i.e., bla-bla), but the Amazon page for the XDM-100 shows a signal-to-noise ratio of 70 dB, which means a self-noise of 24 dB, which is very high.
I know that traditional dynamic microphones don't have self-noise (well, even that is debatable, but that's a debate for another day), but the XDM-100 has its own amp, so it _does_ have self-noise, and I find it a tad worrying that Rode doesn't provide an actual number (... unless they did, though only on Amazon).
No idea what it is...though self noise isn't really an issue for a gaming mic.
This mic isn't pretending to be anything more than that
But people will want to use it for more than that, even if they use it primarily as a gaming/streaming mic.
BTW, your voice may sound even better via the XCM-50.
@@sinocelt true...but some mics...especially these are for specific purpose and are marketed as that.
The mics themselves are almost secondary to the software.
I believe you can use ASIO4ALL to use two usb mics at the same time. Also voucemeter with virtual drivers.
the only issue i see is
1. no mac support. (also no linux support....... :( ) so hopefully they add mac support.
2. the price of the XCM50 is a little too high due to the wave 1 being 50$ new. is it 100$ better?
other than that both mics sounds great (assuming it wasn't EQed)
now i like how the market is moving towards this "all in one" software solution included with your mic/audio interface.
It's totally worth $100 more for that software and effects.
Much better than the Wave solution imo
@@DarkCornerStudios the wave software also has the EQ/compressor/streaming.
checking others reviewer the 100 seems to sound much better than the 50. it seems your voice makes the 50 sounds almost as good as the 100 for some odd reason.
@@BrotherO4 all mics are different man...depends on which effects you use...I believe I had some off.
As for the Wave...I prefer the Rode solution for effects
How good is this working with USB-A? I only see this offered with USB-C but normal computers often use USB-A still. Sounds pretty damn good for a reasonable price considering when using a XLR-Mic you also need an audio interface to go along with it which results for good microphones of comparable sound quality with a good audio interface in around $700-1000.
Both, the Rode NT and the Mini USB, as well as this one work perfectly with USB A on older and newer PCs. The have USB C on the mic itself, and either C or A on the other end
I kinda hate how they literally reskinned their old mics and made it more expensive and as much as I love both mics I don't know how to feel about it but I do like the idea of the new software and I hope it works on other mics as well
It works on other USB mics but it's a subscription service...
The software will work...but not the dsp...
I like the idea that they did it.
Both mics look great...and consider all the companies that did the same.
I'm here for it
@@DarkCornerStudios Thanks. I did know that but didn't make it clear. I just wish they'd consider offering a one off price.
@@TheHalfmanofOz well...they kinda do...if you buy one of the mics.
Boom...you own the software too...thats actually quite fair considering all that went into the R&D for it
I’m more curious about the mic he’s talking into.
One thing these reviewers "fail" to do.. time and time again, is to do a noise test.. pressing mouse & keyboard when not talking & talking. For mics that is music focused, that's of course not needed, but for all streaming/gaming mics and whatever mics might be used by content creators, such things are just much appreciated, but noone does it.
The headphone cable dangling off the side of the dynamic mic just sucks. Between that and the spider shock mount it looks like a big mess on camera. For a mic pushed as a streaming mic it’s not very camera friendly.
That is easily fixed...rotate mic...use cable management...
Such an easy fix man
Smaller form factor mics are underrated. Having a big donger partially blocking your view when gaming kind of sucks.
@@DarkCornerStudios I hate to be negative, but why didn’t you do it? I’ve seen a few reviews now and they all have wires dangling all about and it looks a mess. I keep wondering why nobody is doing exactly what you said, and isn’t also routing the cables along the boom arm. So I’ve gotta disagree… if y’all reviewers aren’t doing it should we expect that non-mic people will? Rode should have redone ports so all cabling exits mic from the same end instead of copy-pasting the housing from a mic they designed ages ago. And there is a reason companies like Lewitt and Austrian Audio are innovating away from big spider shock mounts. These were designed during the radio days when camera views didn’t matter. Gaming, reading copy, etc. with a big chonking shock mount in the way isn’t great. Lots of new media use the Lewitt mics, for instance. Not so many Rode NT1s.
The on-board DSP is a great thing, and the software/virtual routing seems good, I just wish they would have put more effort into the form factor if they’re targeting an on-camera market.
I’m not taking issue with your review, just Rode’s decisions on this one.
@@AdamBA380 if you have ever done a review last minute you would understand.
Sorry for not cable managing it for you...lol.
@@TheHalfmanofOz Its funny...but I kinda agree.
However there are a LOT of streamers that like the big chungus in the shot...
To each their own
the lack of Mac support is a hard stop, I'm not a gamer, however I don't see those microphones as purely targeted for gamers, and if you're going to lay down that sort of case, I would expect more funcatalit, and support. Really, we need to see MacOS, and iPad support.
sorry, my rant is not done yet, also its really worth pointing out that any usb mic is a one trick pony, and in general I can't recommend them .
I love my USB NT as well as my Mini NT USB and next on my list is this one (XDM 50).
I love the Rode connect for the USB Mini and with this one, Infinity is for free and finally I can use the Mini, the NT and this one on the same software 😁
But you have to connect the XDM / XCM at the same time to use the unify software?
@@DieTabbi you can connect them both, or just one of them, or even other USB mics, but some specific features only work with those two ATM.
@@BernhardSchieber oh that sound great, thank you.
i thought you weren't reviewing usb mics anymore
That's funny...if you recall ...I said MOST.
And I specifically said I would on review the ones that stood out and offered more.
That said...I make that joke in the first 10 seconds
@@DarkCornerStudios You show up to church for Christmas and Easter, don't you?
@@seanwebb605 do I have to answer that?
Lolz
Cool 😎 🎉🎉🎉
Are you kidding me? There are tons of Mac gamers! We just use a Mac for the work, then the pc for the fun 😊
Rode hands down sounds better in this configuration
She never should have left the Mary Tyler Moore Show. She definitely shouldn't have left Valerie.
NO... don't do it, don't buy it. I found out the hard way.
I bought it, went to install the software only to have problems when I noticed it was an exe file. I emailed their support then called in California and was told... nope software is not for Macs and never will be. So I thought I'll buy Parallels and create a virtual Windows system and then use the software mainly with Zoom. WRONG!!!
Rode UNIFY does NOT support Parallels at all and never will. Like many companies that don't give a rat's ass about Mac users. This mic is now little more than an run of the mill "common" but expensive usb mic. So much time and money wasted!