DTS Sound Unbound vs RØDE UNIFY
DTS Sound Unbound
consumer.dts.com
RØDE UNIFY
rode.comSide by side
| Figure | DTS Sound Unbound | RØDE UNIFY |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3.78/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Spec score · Audio Enhancement Software | 8.9 (#1) | 8.5 (#3) |
| Company founding | DTS states that it has been dedicated to audio technology since 1993. | LinkedIn lists RØDE as founded in 1967. |
| Company ownership | DTS, Inc. is described as a wholly owned subsidiary of Tessera Holding Corporation in a DTS 2017 press release. | LinkedIn describes RØDE as wholly Australian-owned, with product design and most manufacturing in Sydney. |
| Founded | 2019 | 1990 |
| Purpose | DTS Sound Unbound is an app that provides access to DTS audio solutions including DTS Headphone:X. | UNIFY is virtual mixing software for streamers and content creators that routes, mixes, processes and records audio. |
| Support | DTS directs Windows and Xbox Sound Unbound support requests to [email protected] and sends refund requests to Microsoft Store. | RØDE provides a UNIFY support section with setup, routing, sub-mix, recording and troubleshooting articles and a contact option. |
| What it does | DTS Sound Unbound is a Windows/Xbox application that unlocks DTS Headphone:X and DTS:X spatial-audio technologies. | UNIFY is desktop virtual mixing software that combines microphones and application audio, then routes, processes and records the resulting mixes for streaming or gaming. |
Plans
DTS Sound Unbound
- DTS Sound Unbound appFree
- DTS Sound Unbound appFree
- DTS Headphone:X$19.99, paid once
RØDE UNIFY
- FreeFree
- Free with RØDE X microphoneFree
- Monthly subscription$5.17 a month
- Annual subscription$45.31 a year
In their own words
DTS Sound Unbound
DTS Sound Unbound is a Windows app that provides DTS audio solutions, including DTS Headphone:X and a DTS:X decoder. Headphone:X uses Microsoft Spatial Sound to place game audio cues around, above and below the listener. It works with any headphones and offers custom tuning for more than 500 headphones. The decoder plays DTS-encoded content stored locally or streamed to a device, and can be purchased separately or bundled with Headphone:X. The app is available through the Microsoft Store with a free plan priced at free, plus a free trial; audio technologies may require in-app purchases. It supports Windows 10 version 10.0.18362.380 or higher and can be installed on up to 10 devices. Xbox availability includes DTS:X for Home Theater, described as a free upgrade on listed Xbox consoles. Current content focus is headphones and multichannel speakers connected directly to a PC sound card.
RØDE UNIFY
RØDE UNIFY is free virtual mixing software for streamers and content creators on Windows and macOS. It routes, mixes, processes, and records audio, combining up to four microphones with six virtual audio devices such as Spotify, Discord, and gameplay. Independent sub-mixes support different outputs, and UNIFY can send audio directly to OBS. It records each track as a separate file for multichannel post-production. Processing options include a compressor, noise gate, high-pass filters, equalization, and APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom processing. Advanced DSP processing is available only with RØDE USB-C microphones. With compatible RØDE microphones, processing can run on a microphone DSP chip to reduce CPU load and provide zero-latency headphone monitoring. The app requires Windows 10 or later or macOS 12 Monterey or later. RØDE lists compatibility with products including NT-USB Mini, NT-USB+, NT1 5th Gen, VideoMic NTG, Wireless PRO, PodMic USB, and XCM-50. Its support section covers setup, routing, sub-mixes, recording, troubleshooting, and contact options.