Roccat Torch in the test: USB microphone wants to compete with the Blue Yeti

Roccat already released a USB microphone in 2021 with the Torch, which at a price of 99 euros is intended to compete directly with the top dog Blue Yeti, among others.

I own the latter because I originally bought it for dubbing or voice-over recordings for videos. I have now taken a look at the Torch in the test for you and compared it directly with the Yeti.

To begin with, a restriction: My comparisons relate primarily to voice recordings. Musicians may come to a different conclusion. What Blue Yeti and the Roccat Torch have in common is that you simply plug the microphones into the computer via USB and you can get started without having to install any drivers or software. A big difference lies in the operation. While Blue is limited to a few controls directly on the microphone, Roccat provides a basis with buttons and even an RGB indicator. There is even an option for gesture control.

Specifications Roccat Torch

Condenser microphone with two capsules (14 c 6.5mm)
Connection method: USB-A (3.0)
Sample/Bit Rate: 48kHz
24-bit optionally with 44.1 kHz
Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Stereo, Whisper
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Sound pressure: 110 dB
4-pin 3.5mm headphone jack for connecting headsets
Dimensions: 138 x 95 x 208mm
Weight (microphone and base): 500 g
Weight (Microphone): 290g
Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11
Box contents: microphone with control base, two connection cables for microphone and base, USB to USB A cable, quick start guide
Price: approx. 99 euros

You can use the base of the microphone to change the polar pattern and adjust the volume for the headset and gain. Of course, there is also a headphone port so that you can listen to your own voice when recording. You can use the contactless gesture control to mute the microphone, which is symbolized by an RGB light. The distance for recognizing the gestures can be adjusted.

Equipment and processing

The Roccat Torch works on the side with lighting zones, which change color to indicate which polar patterns you have just selected. The light bars on the side also serve as visual indicators that help with the gain setting and move up and down accordingly. The colors in turn represent the characteristics: purple for stereo, green for cardioid and blue for the compressed, particularly sensitive Whisper mode. Actually, I’m not a fan of such lighting gimmicks, but here it is indeed a good visual aid. Some LEDs on the base in front indicate the status of the microphone.

Like the Blue Yeti, the Torch can also be used with standard microphone arms if it is unscrewed from the base. You use the 3/8 inch thread for this. A spider, on the other hand, in contrast to the Yeti, does not easily fit here due to the design. What happens to the base when you use a microphone arm? A short and a long connection cable are included in the scope of delivery. The short one is used when you use the torch directly on its base. If you use a microphone arm, then you use the longer cable. Of course it’s a bit more tangled than with a Yeti, but still okay.

Technically, the Torch is ahead in one respect: If the Yeti only allows 16-bit recordings, the Torch has a higher resolution of 24-bit. Yeti uses three condenser capsules for this and offers more choice in the characteristics (omni, cardioid, figure-8, stereo). Personally, I like the workmanship better on the much “bulky” Yeti. The Yeti weighs 500 grams without its table tripod – with the stand it’s about 1.5 kg. This creates a very valuable and robust impression. Advantage of the Torch: Due to its low weight, it can of course be transported more comfortably. The microphone can also be tilted backwards by about 35° on the base.

The torch weighs only 290 g or 500 g with the base. If the Yeti uses a fairly solid metal construction, then at least the base of the torch is more of a plastic bomber. Nevertheless, Roccat’s microphone also seems stable and valuable overall, but I see the Yeti clearly in front. As far as aesthetics are concerned: the Yeti exudes a certain retro charm, so the Torch looks much more modern. What you prefer is a matter of taste.

Operation and recording quality

Roccat’s mixer stand integrates controls on both the top and rear. The rear controls are used to adjust the sensitivity of the gesture sensor. There is also a button that adjusts the brightness of the lights.

As I mentioned, there are two USB-C ports on the base. One is used to connect the base to the actual microphone, the other leads to the PC. The headphone port is also on the back.

At the base, you can now control the torch using three controls: the characteristics can be set on the left, and you can control the volume of the microphone on your connected headset in the middle. Pressing the knob mutes the microphone. The Gain slider sets the input level. Of course you have to be careful not to get into the red area, otherwise there will be distortions in the recordings. Depending on how and what you record, you can adjust the gain. This control is independent of the Windows system settings.

The contactless muting of the microphone advertised by Roccat is done by swiping your hand over the top of the torch. This works well, but of course it can also become a stumbling block if you tend to gesticulate wildly during live streams or podcasts. Then you should, as described at the beginning, reduce the sensitivity of the sensor.

Recordings with the Roccat Torch sound audibly different than with the Blue Yeti, which I am used to. While the Yeti is very sensitive and therefore has a high background noise, it scores with a very warm sound. If you take some time for a provisional decoupling and tuning, fine recordings will quickly succeed. In my opinion, the Torch, on the other hand, offers less noise and inherently picks up fewer vibrations and background noises, but sounds much thinner. A pop filter should also be used, because sharp plosive sounds are much more noticeable here.

The “mute” status is also clearly signalled.

Neither the Blue Yeti nor the Roccat Torch are placed on the desk with their base decoupled from the factory – logically. As condenser microphones, they are generally more susceptible to background noise. It’s enough to put your hand on the desk and the recording is ruined. If you just want to try it out a little first and don’t want to buy a microphone arm right away, the “do-it-yourself solution” is enough, e.g. B. to put a pillow and some books under the microphone. That alone reduces vibrations significantly.

You want to get a short sound impression? Here are three MP3 recordings: one was made with the Roccat Torch, the second with the Blue Yeti, and the third with the Epos H6 Pro. The free program Audacity was used as software. The distance to the microphone was about 5 cm in each case. I deliberately did not use a pop filter and only slightly decoupled it with the book pad described above.

According to Roccat, further fine adjustments will be possible later using the downloadable software Neon, which is still in the beta stage. Currently, however, only one thing can be set there: whether the RGB lighting should be synchronized – a bit meager.

Conclusion

The Roccat Torch costs 99 euros and is therefore on par with the Blue Yeti, which is also often available at this price. Personally, I still prefer the warm, fuller sound of the Yeti – despite the higher background noise and the limitation to 16-bit. However, the torch convinces when it comes to operation, which should certainly also convince newcomers. Unfortunately, the design of the Torch also ensures that decoupling via a spider is not possible, even on a microphone arm. However, the Torch inherently picks up less noise and vibration than the more sensitive Yeti.

Overall, I see the Torch as a good solution for streamers in particular, while I would personally prefer the Blue Yeti for other recordings, such as podcasts. The Torch is also a good solution for this, but currently does not come close to the all-round top cane at the high price. Especially since Roccat should also push its neon software out of the beta stage.

However, if you are looking for a microphone that is easy to use for live streaming, the Roccat Torch is the right choice for you.