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Austrian Audio OC818

Pricing & Availability

  • MSRP: $999

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OC818 Documentation

continuously variable pattern selectionAustrian Audio OC818

Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone

The OC818 is Austrian Audio’s flagship large diaphragm condenser microphone with microprocessor-controlled analog technology to remotely control the pad and high-pass filter, and to finely tune the directionality of the pickup pattern. Designed and built completely in Austria, the OC818 ships as a ‘studio set’ that includes one OC818, a custom OCS shock mount, a mic clip, a foam windscreen and a mini 5-pin xlr cable (more on this later). A ‘live set’ is also available that includes two OC818s, and skips the shock mounts.

OC818 CapsuleAt the heart of this microphone is the edge-terminated CKR12 capsule, newly engineered and hand-built by Austrian Audio but modelled after the famous CK12 capsules manufactured by AKG in Vienna through the 1950s and 1960s.

Austrian Audio

… the unique ceramic capsule design is so consistent, ANY OC818 is match-paired with ANY other OC818, and when in cardioid mode, it can also be match-paired with ANY OC18, its affordable smaller brother.

On the back of the OC818 is a mini 5-pin XLR connector that serves two purposes. When partnered with the optional OCR8 Bluetooth dongle (USD $149) the polar patterns, pads and high pass filters can be remotely controlled using the open-source Polar-Pilot app available for iOS and Android.

OC818Alternatively, by using the supplied OCC8 mini 5-pin XLR to 3-pin XLR connector, the signal from both the front and back of the capsule can be recorded separately to a stereo track in a DAW. This allows for post-recording manipulation of the polar pattern, proximity and other attributes of the captured audio using AA’s PolarDesigner plugin.

The Austrian Audio OC818 is also known as: OC 818, OC-818.

The mic was released in 2019.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (13 mV/Pa; 20-20000 Hz)
Cardioid (13 mV/Pa; 20-20000 Hz)
Bidirectional (13 mV/Pa; 20-20000 Hz)
Supercardioid (13 mV/Pa; 20-20000 Hz)
  • Pad: -10 dB (Via Switch)
  • Pad: -20 dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: 40 Hz (Via Switch)
  • Filter: 80 Hz (Via Switch)
  • Filter: 160 Hz (Via Switch)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Capsule diameter: 34mm
275 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 148 dB
Self-noise: 9.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
335g (11.82oz) 35mm (1.38'') n/a
  • 3-pin XLR male (2)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 48v

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