When it comes to gaming peripherals, Roccat needs no introduction. The German brand has developed its own microphone dedicated to gaming and content creation.
The Roccat Torch microphone is sold plug-and-play, with its base that incorporates physical controls. For recording, it has three directivity curves: cardioid, stereo and whisper. It also has RGB backlighting and can attach to most mounting arms that have a universal thread.
For less than 100 euros, is the ROCCAT Torch worth it?
Technical characteristics
Presentation and design
The Roccat Torch microphone has a dark design revealing a backlight on the logo. To this must be added the two RGB strips integrated into the structure of the microphone, in its length. These bands are not only aesthetic, they allow to differentiate the different modes of the microphone, as well as the level of the gain.
Roccat has a habit of presenting products with a sober design. The Torch is dark and understated, what more could you ask for. For RGB enthusiasts, its lighting is quite visible, but without getting in the way.
On the top of the microphone, there is a touch surface to swipe to activate or deactivate mute mode. This mode is interesting, but is often triggered by inattention if the sensitivity is at maximum. Finally, the microphone has a universal attachment that is located under it. Thanks to this universal thread, the Roccat Torch can be adapted to almost all mounting arms, whether entry-level or more expensive.
The Torch microphone comes with its base which includes all the necessary connections and offers physical controls. This base has a universal attachment for the Torch microphone. This attachment, with adjustment ring, allows the microphone to tilt back without having to unscrew it.
The base
There are three physical controls. The first on the left allows you to select one of the 4 modes, stereo, cardioid, whistler and off. The first three are pick-up modes, and the last allows you to turn off the microphone. The second is a potentiometer to adjust the headphone volume. It also allows, by pressing it, to activate or deactivate the microphone (mute mode). The third knob adjusts the microphone gain. To this, we must add a live indicator light that lights up green when the microphone is active. And a red crossed-out mic symbol to indicate when the Torch mic is muted.
At the back of the base is from left to right: the headphone output, the USB-C output (connected to the computer), the USB-C output which allows you to connect the microphone to the base, then a button push button to adjust the sensitivity level of the tactile surface placed at the top of the microphone to three positions (the tactile mute mode), and finally, a button for adjusting the intensity of the backlight (or deactivating it completely).
The ROCCAT Torch comes with three cables: a USB-C to USB-A (connects the computer to the base) and a 200 cm USB-C/USB-C cable (for installation with a mounting arm ) and a short USB-C/USB-C cable (to connect the microphone to the base when it is not on a mounting arm).
The sound quality of the Roccat Torch
The Roccat Troch is pleasant to use, thanks to its base and the physical controls it incorporates. It is therefore easy to choose between the three directivity modes: stereo, cardioid and whisper (ROCCAT).
The cardioid mode allows you to highlight your voice, ideal during streams or gaming. This is a mode for capturing sounds coming from the front.
The stereo mode allows for spatial sound capture, making a difference between sounds coming from the right and from the left. This mode is mainly aimed at those wishing to do ASMR or during an interview, a podcast.
The third mode is the Roccat Whisper. This mode captures quiet sounds, such as whispers. This mode is for players who want to limit noise during a night game, while providing quality capture.
When used on a mounting arm, Roccat provides in its pack a 200 cm long cable allowing the microphone to be fixed while taking advantage of the adjustment base.
As far as recording quality is concerned, the Roccat Torch offers quality recordings, especially considering its price, and the accessories provided. We remain on an entry-level microphone, but the latter offers superior benefits to many microphones in the same range.
The three recordings were made on the same text, keeping a constant volume, except for the whisper mode. These three recordings were made without processing or post-production for a realistic rendering.
Cardioid mode with 100% gain
Stereo mode with 100% gain
Roccat Whisper mode with 100% gain
Convincing results
In this test, the final volume was weak when the gain was set to a height of 50%. Once the gain is increased to its maximum, i.e. 100%, recordings are clearer and more audible.
As for the different modes, the cardioid polar pattern is not very efficient. Lateral noises are captured without producing a real difference with a front capture. The stereo mode is functional, and the whisper mode fulfills its functionality, while allowing whispers to be heard. The Roccat Torch succeeds in transcribing a natural, warm and precise enough voice tone for non-professional use. The pop filter is effective.
The Roccat Torch software
The Torch microphone software is the ROCCAT Neon. Its only purpose is to synchronize its RGB backlighting effects with the brand's other peripherals. And for good reason, this software is not the one used by other ROCCAT peripherals. It only provides visual utility, without much interest.
Adjustments are made only via the base. Setting up the microphone is done very quickly and all the settings are at your fingertips.
Photo gallery
Conclusion: the ROCCAT Torch microphone
Roccat has struck a big hit with his very first microphone. The brand is aimed directly at streamers and gamers. While its design won't appeal to everyone, the Torch mic is well built. It is above all designed to be functional, thanks to the physical controls integrated into the base. Its use is pleasant.
In terms of pickup, the Torch microphone shows weaknesses. The voice is naturally transcribed, warm, but it sometimes lacks presence and clarity. The cardioid mode lacks precision and the pick-up is not narrow enough to attenuate ambient noise.
To conclude, displayed at a price of less than 100 euros, the Roccat Torch is surely one of the most interesting models with a good quality-price ratio.
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