Austrian Audio OC818 Studio Set
- Signal-to-noise ratio:> 84 dB
- Requires 48 V phantom power
- Dimensions: 157 x 63 x 35 mm
- Weight: 0.36 kg
Austrian Audio OC818 Review
Former AKG employees decided to take matters into their own hands and start a new brand. They called it Austrian Audio and set out to recreate and improve a line of microphones that would stand out with innovative features and, most importantly, fair prices. One of the best microphones in their lineup is the OC818 large diaphragm microphone, which we’ll be reviewing here.
This mic offers excellent frequency response and impressive performance both on and off-axis, thanks to its brass-ring CK12 capsule—a design originally created for AKG microphones. Because manufacturing this brass ring was so challenging, AKG eventually stopped producing it and switched to a simpler, easier-to-make design.
Since then, this famous capsule design has been recreated by other brands and is found in many other microphones, but all of these are simply clones.
OC818 Features and Design
The microphone features a flat, rectangular body that strongly resembles the iconic C414—even down to the capsule design inside—making it easy to draw comparisons to what is likely AKG’s best-known large diaphragm microphone.
In terms of features, this mic offers multiple polar patterns. You get the standard cardioid, along with omnidirectional, figure-8, and hypercardioid options. Additionally, it includes two levels of pad or attenuation, allowing you to reduce the input by -10 or -20 decibels. Another handy feature is the high-pass filter, which lets you cut frequencies at 40, 80, or 160 hertz directly from the body.
One major difference between these microphones is the ceramic capsule, which houses two diaphragms. Ceramic is used because it has very low resonance, is less sensitive to temperature changes, and is notably stable when it comes to consistent quality.
The OC818 microphone from Austrian Audio delivers outstanding sound quality and really shines when used as a matched pair for stereo recording. In cardioid mode, it pairs perfectly with the OC18—often referred to as its “little brother” by Austrian Audio.
When it comes to build quality, this microphone is made with premium materials and advanced electronics, including dual outputs, wireless control, and flexible post-production options—all of which are major advantages.
There are also several thoughtful design features. You’ll find a mini XLR output, giving you the choice to use a compatible cable if needed. Another interesting aspect is the ability to record both diaphragms separately and then blend them later to create a custom polar pattern—a feature available exclusively in cardioid mode.
OC818 Unique Software
When using the OCR8 Bluetooth LE dongle along with the PolarPilot app, available for both Android and iOS, you can remotely control the pad settings, filter options, and—perhaps most importantly—the diaphragm polarization voltages and polar patterns of your microphone.
The software also includes several additional features, such as adjustable proximity, a couple of preset EQs (free field and diffuse field), and a variety of polar pattern choices that you can switch depending on your recording source. These options help you minimize spill and focus the microphone’s attention on your desired signal. Another key advantage is that you can save your settings as presets and easily recall them for future projects.
The OC818 microphone from Austrian Audio allows you to record the two capsules separately and later blend them with the Polar Designer plugin to achieve the ideal sound for your needs. As mentioned earlier, this is a unique feature not found in other microphones. Remarkably, when using the OCR8 Bluetooth dongle, you can choose from 255 discrete polar patterns in real time.
Another standout feature of the Polar Designer is its ability to split the microphone signal into five different frequency bands, each with its own independent level and polar pattern. It also includes an automatic Terminator control that eliminates microphone bleed from other sources nearby. With these capabilities, the Polar Designer becomes an exceptionally powerful tool for shaping your sound exactly as you want it.
Austrian Audio OC818 Sound and Accessories
The OC818 from Austrian Audio delivers excellent sound quality. If you check out the frequency charts, you’ll notice a slight boost around 5 kilohertz in every pattern except the Omni directional setting. There’s also a bit of “air” up at about 12,000 hertz.
Meanwhile, the midrange frequencies stay pretty flat, with no added coloration. Of course, using the microphone’s proximity effect can change how the low end responds, but that’s due to the effect itself, not the microphone’s design.
Thanks to the included shield, plosives are hardly an issue, and any that do get through are minimal. With the OC818’s flexibility, you can record a variety of sources and still get fantastic results that are easy to process further for industry-standard sound.
- Frequency range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 13 mV / Pa
- Output impedance: 2 x 275 ohms (balanced)
- Input impedance: 1 kOhm
- Max. SPL: 148 dB / 158 dB (with pad)
- Noise: <10 dB SPL
- Low Cut Filter: 40, 80 and 160 Hz
- Pad: -10 dB and -20 dB
Why You Need the OC818
This part of our review is made easy by the microphone itself. With all its features, sound quality, included accessories, and software plugins, you’re getting a microphone that will likely become the centerpiece of all your recordings—and all for a very reasonable price. We truly can’t recommend this microphone enough, so at this point, the decision is really up to you.
If you have the chance, try it out at your local store—you’ll probably know right away if it’s the right fit for you. If you’ve already made up your mind, we’ve provided several purchasing links above so you can order the microphone online right now.
This microphone sounds amazing on a wide variety of sources, but we primarily tested it with vocals and acoustic guitars. It excels in both areas. What truly sets this microphone apart is its versatility and innovative design.
Conclusion
Here’s an interesting fact: Austrian Audio has developed a microphone with such exceptional sound quality that it’s likely to become the successor to the legendary CK12 capsule. Unlike many other large diaphragm condenser microphones, this mic produces high frequencies that are organic and natural, rather than sounding artificially enhanced.
If you have any questions about this microphone, please let us know in the comment section below. You can also reach out to the manufacturer directly—they’ll be happy to provide you with more information and explain the product in greater detail.
