Austrian Audio OC818

O
C818 is a
multipattern
phantom-powered
large-capsule
condenser mic
from Austrian
Audio. It uses
their own handbuilt CKR12 dual
diaphragm ceramic capsule, heavily
infl uenced by the classic AKG CK12.
The mic has four pattern options
(fi gure 8, supercardioid, cardioid and
omnidirectional) with on-body
high-pass fi lter and level pad. The
Studio Set kit on review included a
foam windshield, shockmount,
regular mic clip, mini XLR cable and
lightweight fl ight case.
The OC818 has a number of
interesting design features. First,
there’s a second mini XLR output.
When in cardioid mode this provides
an output from the rear diaphragm so
you can record both diaphragms
independently and combine them
later to create a tailored pattern. To
facilitate this there’s a plugin called
PolarDesigner. Next up, OC818
incorporates microprocessor control.
Used in conjunction with the OCR8
Bluetooth LE Dongle (£129) and
PolarPilot app (Android and iOS),
this allows remote control of the fi lter
option, pad settings and most
signifi cantly the diaphragm
polarisation voltages and hence polar
pattern. Alas, this device was not
included for review.
OC818 also has some pretty
useful traditional features. First, the
high-pass rumble fi lter has two steep
second order options (40Hz or
80Hz). Meanwhile the third setting
adds a fi rst order fi lter at 160Hz,
great for taming proximity. For level
control, the -10dB pad reduces the
capsule bias, so it can handle higher
levels, while the -20dB option adds
in a 10dB cut to the output stage.
Sonically, OC818 is not super
bright, but clearly has some
additional presence in the upper
mids. The frequency charts reveal a
boost at 5kHz across all except the
omni pattern and some air at around
12kHz. Meanwhile the mid to low
frequencies are pretty fl at. The
directional patterns have a decent,
though not dominant, proximity and
the capsule is tolerant of plosives.
The included windshield allowed us
to get in close and signifi cantly
reduced plosives. The mic sounds
natural across a number of sources.
Understandably the dual capsule
Overall, the OC818 is an
incredibly fl exible mic and if you buy
the Bluetooth controller, it’s very
innovative too. Couple that with the
quality sound, great selection of
accessories and the polar pattern
plugin and you have a pretty
awesome package.
confi guration means the omni pattern
has a curtailed high frequency
response at 90 degrees off axis.
PolarDesigner is a powerful plugin
and in low-latency mode allows you
to change the overall polar pattern
smoothly from fi gure 8 through
cardioid to omni and then reversed
with the rear diaphragm as on axis.
But switch low latency off and you
gain multiband (up to fi ve bands)
pattern adjustment with band solo,
mute and level (+18/-24dB). This is
powerful stuff. Further features
include adjustable proximity, two
preset EQs (free fi eld and diffuse
fi eld) and two source dependent
algorithms – terminate spill and
maximise target – that automatically
change the polar patterns to provide
different types of focus. Rounding
things off is save and recall of presets
and also settings sync across
multiple plugin instances.
THE PROS & CONS
+
Multipattern mic
with four patterns
Extensive
on-body fi lter and
pad settings
Additional output for
recording rear
diaphragm
independently
Optional Bluetooth
LE pack for remote
control of settings
Plugin for adjusting
polar pattern
from dual
diaphragm output
-
You’ll want the
optional extras to get
the most out of it
FM VERDICT
9.6
Flexible, innovative and
stylish, you get pristine
Austrian sound and build
quality, accessories and a
case – all for under a grand
Austrian Audio OC818 | Reviews
81
FMU369.rev_austrian.indd 81 16/03/2021 16:55