Austrian Audio CC8 SC

A supercardioid variant designed for demanding situations

Handcrafted in Vienna, the CC8-SC follows an approach where capsule precision and electronic quality take precedence above all else. Its calibrated OCC7 capsule and transformerless balanced output aim for maximum transparency, with fast transients and appreciable tonal coherence both in studio and live broadcast.

This supercardioid variant of the CC8 family was designed to maintain a stable image when the environment becomes challenging: proximity to stage monitors, tight setups, acoustic ensembles, or close miking where off-axis rejection makes all the difference.

A precise recording microphone for studio, stage, and capture

The CC8-SC is intended for sound engineers, musicians, and creators seeking a pencil microphone capable of "locking" onto a source without losing the naturalness of the reproduction. It excels particularly on percussion and drums (overheads, hi-hat), acoustic guitar, piano, strings, winds, and ensembles whenever detail, definition, and bleed control must be balanced.

In stereo, two units facilitate reliable configurations such as "XY/ORTF," with a precise image and good compatibility in mixing contexts. On stage, its tight directivity secures close-range captures and improves clarity, even near wedges.

Key features to control the source, dynamics, and low end

The CC8-SC's supercardioid directivity emphasizes focus while maintaining a musical sound. The discrete transformerless electronics are designed to preserve transient speed and limit distortion, even when acoustic pressure rises significantly.

Low-cut filters: clean bass without muddying the mix

Two low-cut positions (60 Hz and 120 Hz, 2nd order slope) allow reduction of rumbles, mic stand vibrations, stage noise, or unwanted proximity effects. In practice, you gain headroom in the low spectrum and a clearer foundation without sacrificing the overall balance of the recording.

-10/-20 dB pads: headroom before saturation

The -10 dB and -20 dB attenuators expand the usable range on highly dynamic sources: snappy snare, deep toms, close brass, or powerful amplifiers. Combined with a maximum SPL of 155 dB, they help maintain clean downstream conversion with less risk of clipping on the preamp side.

• Instant adaptation: 60/120 Hz filters and -10/-20 dB pads to quickly adjust the microphone to the source and acoustics.
• Clean signal from the start: 18 mV/Pa sensitivity and 13 dB SPL(A) residual noise for detailed recordings, easy to EQ and compress.
• Universal integration: low-consumption 48 V phantom power and 3-pin XLR connectivity to fit most consoles, preamps, and interfaces.

With a sensitivity of 18 mV/Pa, the CC8-SC offers a comfortable level without excessively pushing gain, helping to maintain a controlled signal-to-noise ratio. Its consumption below 3 mA on 48 V phantom power facilitates integration into heterogeneous setups, both in studio and live, while keeping a consistent response across the 20 Hz - 20 kHz range.

Technical specifications

Frequency response - start	20 Hz	Directivity	supercardioid
Frequency response - end	20 kHz	Connection	XLR
Category	studio microphone	Color	Black

Capsule	OCC7, calibrated	Output impedance	275 ohms (balanced)
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	Recommended load impedance	at least 1 kOhm
Sensitivity	18 mV/Pa	Power supply	48 V (consumption < 3 mA)
Residual noise	13 dB SPL (A)	Connector	3-pin XLR
Max SPL level	155 dB SPL	Dimensions	140 x 23 x 23 mm
Low-cut filters	60 Hz (2nd order), 120 Hz (2nd order)	Weight	160 g
Switchable pad	-10 dB, -20 dB