Austrian Audio Introduces OC-S10 Dual-Output Studio Microphone

Fresh from the announcement of the DPA acquisition, Austrian Audio celebrated NAMM 2025 with the introduction of its new flagship product, intended to redefine what a studio recording microphone can do in this century. The new OC-S10 Reference Recording Microphone takes the company’s first condenser microphones to a new level, not only allowing complete control over the polar pattern and capture characteristics, but also allowing manipulation of the response via a unique dual output of the front and rear membranes. “The culmination of years of design and engineering in the world of high-end microphone development,” is how Austrian Audio introduced its brand-new flagship product, the OC-S10 Reference Recording Microphone. The name is definitely redundant, but the idea is to reinforce the role that this new studio microphone could have as an inspiring creative tool for artists and engineers with a crisp, modern voice and intuitive feature set.

The new Austrian Audio OC-S10 microphone is above all a new, versatile tool that is ready to capture vocals or instruments, bringing a confident authority to recording sessions. It will definitely challenge all renowned classical studio microphones, most of which are showing their age after decades of service, while daring to step above contemporary studio microphones. Certainly in terms of price, since the OC-S10 will retail for $2999.
  “​The world of legendary studio microphones has crystallized around popular designs from the mid-20th century. Austrian Audio went back to the drawing board to design a thoroughly forward-thinking recording tool that would build upon these legacies, while also speaking to the needs of artists and creators in the now,” says Austrian Audio CEO Martin Seidl. “Austrian Audio was born from a legacy of legendary, high-end recording microphones, so naturally it is a logical step for us to develop something of our own that can move that legacy forward.” 

The new OC-S10 brings a unique, modern voice to this category, which is designed to inspire artists and performers to capture their own personal perfect performance – be it by voice or by instrument. OC-S10 offers incredible clarity and sonic richness, enabling it to capture inspiring, detailed sound from the source without the noise and quirks often inherent in older microphone designs,” Seidl reinforces.

At the heart of the new large-sized microphone is Austrian Audio’s specially selected CKR12 capsule, which is a free-floating design that utilizes the company’s Open Acoustics Technology approach to capture sound with minimal obstructions. The microphone also utilizes a brand-new electronic design for a remarkably low noise floor, which captures all of the nuances of the capsule in a modern production environment. 

But the unique and most distinctive feature of the OC-S10 is the three adjustable rings that allow users to select between omnidirectional, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure-8 polar patterns, or record the individual output of each front and rear membrane, using the dual XLR output, in order to fully adjust the signal after the recording. The upper rings allow users to select a low-cut filter between 40, 80, and 160Hz (all 2nd order), or activate a pad for -10 or -20dB. The multiple pattern settings allow for different variations of the microphone response, while the dual outputs at the bottom of the microphone can be used creatively with further possibilities. Only after connecting the frontal output can a user also connect an XLR onto the rear capsule output, in order to avoid errors during recording sessions.
 
The large ​OC-S10 microphone is housed in a robust metal casing built for high durability, and its customization features accessed via movable rings don’t use any switches that could suffer from wear and tear over time, instead using hall sensors with magnets. The microphone also includes a hardy shockmount featuring a ball-joint connection that makes positioning the microphone simple to do, and a brilliant magnetic attached frame-less metal mesh pop filter, designed to minimize reflections. Clearly a microphone that is designed for long-term reliability, manufactured in Austria from the highest quality materials.
 
“We’re very humbled by how quickly our microphones have found prominent places in the studios of artists and engineers around the world. The OC-S10 is an inspiring, modern take on a classic recording paradigm but with a modern approach to sound and workmanship that pushes us into the future,” Seidl adds.

The OC-S10 will be available in Q2, 2025, and comes in a luxurious solid wood box designed to preserve the microphone during long-term storage.
 
During NAMM 2025, DPA’s CEO Kalle Hvidt Nielsen and Martin Seidl discussed a bit more about the vision for the two companies and brands, following the acquisition announcement by DPA Microphones. DPA now owns the majority share of Austrian Audio, allowing the two companies to expand its product portfolios, with DPA leveraging its expertise in miniature microphones and Austrian Audio in large diaphragm microphones. Both companies will share research and development resources in order to address the high-end of the market with a broader product range tailored to sound engineers in broadcast, musical, theatre, live events, and recording studios. 
 
“Together, we’ll offer a broader range of solutions, with enhanced innovation. With our combined expertise, we’ll accelerate the development of sophisticated, professional audio solutions. By joining forces, we’re also better equipped to serve our customers, ensuring the best tools and support for their work,” stated Kalle Hvidt Nielsen. 

Each company will continue to operate under its own name.
www.austrian.audio