This should not be confused with Rode Connect, which was their previous attempt at doing the same, but with the compatibility limited to just the Rode NT-USB Mini. Thankfully, this new software doesn't have any such issues and can easily work with any USB microphone. A major caveat is that there is no processing involved in that connectivity, as third-party mics can only be used for audio routing and basic mixing.
When used with native Rode USB mics, the software provides lots of options when it comes to audio mixing and sound design, so you can connect up to four individual USB mics, along with six additional virtual sound inputs, from a variety of places, such as your game, social media chat, a music/video player, or any other source you deem worthy of adding to the mix.
Livestreamers can bundle separate sub-mixes of various inputs, such as the headphones and your chat, and even trigger sounds and voice FX to enhance the interactions. To showcase the usability of this system, the company has also introduced two new microphones, called the XDM-100 and the XCM-50, which are part of the brand's new X series.
The former is a dynamic USB mic featuring a PSM1 shock mount and pop shield for professional audio quality, room noise rejection and zero-latency headphone output. While the latter is a standalone condenser mic, with comes with a tripod and 360-degree swing, got easy placement and zero-latency headphone output.
The XDM-100 comes at a starting price of $249, and the XCM-50 has a price tag of $149. Both mics come bundled with the Rode Unify software for free. In contrast, other users can simply download it from the official website and pay a nominal subscription fee of $5 per month or $45 annually. Right now, it is only compatible with the Windows operating system, but a macOS version is also coming soon.
