Austrian Audio OC818 Black

An Austrian Audio Flagship, a Modern Heir to the CK12 Approach

The first professional large diaphragm microphone from the brand, the Austrian Audio OC818 was designed as a cornerstone of the range: a highly versatile studio mic with a defined yet controllable character, and above all, reproducible from unit to unit. Its ceramic CKR12 capsule, designed and assembled in Vienna, follows a "modernized classic" philosophy: a precise signature, remarkable stability, and the ability to achieve coherent pairs without complications during stereo recordings.
Within the Austrian Audio ecosystem, the OC818 sits at the top for sound engineers who want more than just a selection of polar patterns: the ability to fine-tune the polar behavior and adapt the capture to the room, source, and mix. Where a cardioid mic like the OC18 aims for efficiency and straightforwardness, the OC818 adds a layer of advanced control without sacrificing the reliability of a workhorse microphone.

A Reference Microphone for Studio, Broadcast, and Live Capture

Lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, guitar amp, overheads, piano, strings, room mics, or ambience: the OC818 excels wherever definition, a stable image, and fine reflection management are expected. Its sensitivity and low self-noise favor detailed takes, particularly useful in home studios when seeking a "close" and clean sound, even at high gain.
In professional environments, its pads and high-pass filters secure sessions: plosives, vibrations, proximity resonances, and high levels are more easily managed while preserving source clarity. In broadcast and live settings, this ability to handle and quickly filter signals, combined with robust construction, makes it a reassuring choice for situations where speed and consistency are essential.

Creative Control and Modern Workflow: Polar Patterns, Dual Outputs, and Post-Production

Four Analog Polar Patterns, and Much More with "PolarDesigner"

On the microphone, you have four analog polar patterns (omnidirectional, cardioid, supercardioid, figure-8) to immediately choose the amount of room, side rejection level, or proximity-air balance. The real workflow innovation comes when using the secondary output: the OC818 can then record separately the information needed to allow free polar pattern configuration after the take via the "PolarDesigner" plugin (Windows and Mac).
Practically, this opens very useful production options: tightening the capture if the room is brighter than expected, adjusting rejection toward an unwanted source, or fine-tuning a stereo pair in the mix without redoing the session. Compared to a traditional fixed-pattern large diaphragm mic, or even a model with classic polar patterns, this approach provides extra flexibility when the acoustics or placement are not perfectly controlled at the time of recording.

Wide Dynamic Range, Pads, and High-Pass Filters: A More Confident Recording

The OC818 is designed to remain clean and usable in very varied contexts. Its very low self-noise and high signal-to-noise ratio serve delicate and nuanced takes, while its ability to handle high SPL, reinforced by pads, secures loud sources such as brass, certain percussion, or a driven amp. The three high-pass filter positions facilitate control of vibrations, foot noise, proximity effect, and room resonances, speeding up work from the recording stage and reducing the need for heavy corrections in the mix.

Technical specifications

Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	Capsule	Large Diaphragm
Category	studio microphone	Connection	XLR
Directivity	stereo, cardioid, figure-8, super-cardioid, Omni	Color	Black

Switchable polar patterns	omnidirectional, cardioid, supercardioid, figure-8	Attenuator pad	-10 dB and -20 dB
Pairing	all OC818 units pairable; in cardioid mode, pairable with OC18	Output impedance	2x 275 Ohm (balanced)
Sensitivity	13 mV/Pa	Input impedance	1 kOhm
Self-noise level	below 10 dB SPL	Included	elastic suspension, microphone clip, windscreen, Mini-XLR adapter, and case
Signal-to-noise ratio	above 84 dB	Dimensions	157 x 63 x 35 mm
Max SPL	148 dB and 158 dB (with pad)	Weight	0.36 kg
High-pass filters	40, 80, and 160 Hz