Austrian Audio OC818 Dual Set Plus

Full Description

The session begins

You've started recording but would like to make minor adjustments to the microphones. Traditionally to avoid compromising the performance you'd simply have to wait until the musicians were finished and go out into the live room to make changes. No more.

Thanks to the PolarPilot application you can now make changes from the comfort of your Apple or Android device. Adjust the polar pattern, change the position of the highpass filters and add pads. The application even allows you to see if there's a risk of bias voltage or clipping so you can easily engage the pad or turn down the preamp to ensure your signal is optimised at all times.

The finest capsule

Custom handmade Ceramic capsule from Vienna. At the heart of the OC818 is the handmade CKR12 Ceramic Capsule. This high-end, handcrafted capsule is truly unique. It combines a classic edge-terminated capsule design with modern innovation to deliver the best possible acoustic performance.

Bringing passion and years of expertise to the design, the CKR-12 is sure to impress even the most demanding of microphone connoisseurs. It provides you with multiple polar patterns, meaning it is suitable for a range of recording applications. It captures every nuance from instrument or vocal recordings for high-end audio fidelity.

Post processing

The OC818 features a second output on the rear of the microphone's body that provides a feed of the signal from the rear capsule membrane. Use the included OCC8 mini XLR cable to connect to your OC818 and set the microphone to cardioid setting. This will allow you to record in dual mode, offering separate feeds of both channels which can be enhanced with the PolarDesigner plug-in. Thanks to this, you'll be able to manipulate the polar patterns during the post production process to suit your wants and needs.

If somehow that doesn't impress you then this definitely will. You can even take control and determine the polar pattern for up to a total of five different frequency bands. Just imagine how great the supercardioid pattern would be for low-frequencies, figure-8 for the mids and omnidirectional for the top-end when recording drums. It doesn't get much better than the OC818.

Which polar pattern should I use?

Boasting four polar patterns, the OC818 is a real work-horse;

Cardioid is excellent for delivering a tight-focused sound, whilst providing excellent off-axis rejection of around -6dB of unwanted noise and ambience. This is a great polar pattern to rely on when recording live performances, either on-stage, or, in-the-studio.

Supercardioid is perfect for live stage and studio recordings. Whilst cardioid has an acceptable angle of around 180 degrees, supercardioid provides an even tighter pick-up range of 150 degrees. The rear lobe of sensitivity that the supercardioid polar pattern has, has been purposely attenuated to ensure the OC818 does not over-emphasise any sounds being picked up from the rear. Although it's worth noting if you're performing whilst using monitors or speakers then you should position the microphone carefully to make sure the rear lobe doesn't point towards them. This will introduce feedback!

Figure-8 picks up sound from the front and the back of the capsule whilst rejecting all sound coming from the side. This pattern has been a go-to trick for many producers recording two background vocals. When paired with another fig.8 microphone and carefully positioned it can also work wonders on capturing vocals and guitar from a single performer simultaneously. However, beware. Utilising this positioning enhances close proximity effect which can lead to an unnatural amount of low-end being reproduced by the microphone. There's good reason why many radio broadcasters opt for this pattern!

When you want to capture natural recordings it doesn't get much better than omni. Omnidirectional means that sound is picked up by the capsule within a 360 degree radius. Selecting this pattern allows you to get up-close on sources without the risk of proximity effect being introduced. This is a favoured pattern for many Grammy award winning engineers and producers when recording multiple string and brass players. It can also make the "Levee Break" when used for drum room microphones!

What's included?

• 2x OC818 large diaphragm condenser microphones with switchable polar patterns
• 2x OCS8 microphone shock mounts
• 2x OCW8 windscreen
• 2x OCH8 mic clip
• 2x OCC8 Mini XLR cable
• 1x SB1 Stereo bar

Features

• Microprocessor control of polarization voltages
• Includes choice of three analog highpass filters: 40Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz
• Protect your signal via the 10dB and 20dB analog pads
• Wireless control via optional OCR8 Bluetooth module (available separately)
• Incorporates Austrian Audio's Open Acoustics Technology

Specifications

• Microphone Type: Condenser
• Mono/Stereo: Dual Out
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Figure-8, Supercardioid, Omnidirectional
• Diaphragm Size: Large
• Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
• Max SPL: 148dB SPL
• Output Impedance: 275 ohms
• Sensitivity: 13mV/Pa
• Self Noise: 9dB SPL (A weighted)
• Low Cut Filter: 40Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz
• Pads: -10dB, -20dB
• Colour: Black
• Wireless: Bluetooth control (OCR8 required)
• Connector: XLR, Mini-XLR (dual out)
• Power Source: 48V phantom power
• Software: PolarPilot App (iOS, Bluetooth)
• Dimensions: 6.18" x 2.48"
• Product Code: AUA0016