ROCCAT Torch USB Microphone Review

Summary
Now entering the live streaming hardware market for the first time ROCCAT debuts their new Torch USB Microphone. The Torch features a dual condenser design, 24-bit audio quality, 3 sound modes, mixer style controls, and a contactless quick-mute priced at $99.99. Weighing in at 500 grams you can feel the quality of the material and craftsmanship in your hands when you pick it up. Responsible for the sound quality are dual condensers capable 24-Bit audio with up to 48kHz sampling rate. Torch is a more versatile microphone that works well with instruments and multiple speaker situations. It's really hard to believe we are still talking about a microphone that costs only $99.99. ROCCAT's new Torch USB microphone is well worth the price.
Good
  • Excellent out of the box sound quality
  • RGB lighting
  • Versatile sound settings
  • Quality built
Bad
  • Whisper setting useless
  • Awkward flat shape
  • Small size diaphragm
8.6
Great
Quality - 10
Performance - 8
Customization - 7
Design - 8
Price - 10

ROCCAT, Turtle Beach’s PC peripheral brand continues to innovate and improve since its acquisition. Now entering the live streaming hardware market for the first time debuting their new Torch USB Microphone. A studio-grade microphone designed to give content creators a professional sound at an affordable price. The Torch features a dual condenser design, 24-bit audio quality, 3 sound modes, mixer style controls, and a contactless quick-mute priced at $99.99.

When you look at the pictures the Torch does not look anywhere near the size it is in real life. This mic is actually huge… and that is exactly what you want in radio-style broadcasting. Unfortunately, the Torch has a small size diaphragm due to having dual microphones inside its shell. This makes it better at capturing multiple audio sources but will not generate those deep radio voice feels that larger diaphragm microphones create out of the box. I do prefer a round barrel but that is just a personal preference. Weighing in at 500 grams you can feel the quality of the material and craftsmanship in your hands when you pick it up. As do all ROCCAT products you can expect the Torch has a handful of amazing extra bells and whistles. Out of the box, it comes attached to a small mixing board at its base which can be easily detached at any time. You can adjust the gain, volume, pick-up pattern, contactless quick mute, and LED brightness from this board. We did test the anti-vibration base next to the keyboard on our desk and but it still picks up that bad base-sounding knock when you hit a key. If you are purchasing a microphone of this quality, you are going to want to hang it on a boom anyway. It also is equipped with a 3.5mm jack just in case your application needs it.

Responsible for the sound quality are dual condensers capable 24-Bit audio with up to 48kHz sampling rate. You can select from a cardioid, stereo, or the ROCCAT exclusive whisper mode. While USB sound could never replace analog XLR in radio-style broadcasting, the Torch is a more versatile microphone that works well with instruments and multiple speaker situations. ROCCAT’s exclusive Whisper mode is marketed as a late-night gaming feature when you need to be quiet and still be heard. I am not a huge fan of this setting it picks up every sound in your space. I think this feature is just a bit of over-engineering. The Stereo setting does its job by opening up both condensers allowing you to pick up multiple sound sources. Out of the box, it has all the tools to give a beginner a great sound but also provides a solid foundation for an expert to reach their desired sound. Torch is controlled by the new ROCCAT Neon software which currently only offers a switch to activate your RGB lighting on the microphone. You will need to download third-party software like VoiceMeter to manually adjust your deep settings.

Team RGB lighting always wins when it comes to PC battle station hardware. ROCCAT delivers with a lit logo in the front, 2 RGB strips up the sides, and even a green live indicator light in front of the mixer base. The next level engineering award goes out to the person who created the quick mute feature which allows you to mute by simply waving your hand above the microphone. I think the Torch delivers everything you need for a live streaming setting. It’s really hard to believe we are still talking about a microphone that costs only $99.99. ROCCAT’s new Torch USB microphone is well worth the price.

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