Austrian Audio OC818 Variable Polar Pattern Microphone at AES 2019

Following the company's first public presentation at Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt, Germany, in April 2019, Austrian Audio's first product, the OC818 large diaphragm microphone, was displayed for the first time at the AES NY show courtesy of Cranborne Audio. The new OC818 not only features multiple polar patterns, but also offers innovative remote control possibilities, using the same CKR12 ceramic capsule as the OC18 microphone, which is a fixed cardioid version.
Handmade in Vienna, the OC818 is a multi-pattern dual-output condenser microphone equipped with a world-first: optional wireless control. Its unique design with Open Acoustics Technology (OAT) combines with new wireless control technologies offering highly optimized workflows. The OC818 also features a second output that allows the recordist, engineer, musician and forward-thinking artist to record the rear-facing capsule independently of the forward-facing capsule. If both capsules are recorded to a stereo or dual-mono track, the company's free and open source PolarDesigner plug-in (Mac/Win: VST, AU & AAX) allows unprecedented control and tailoring of polar patterns between 1 and 5 bands with selectable crossover points.

At the heart of the OC818 is the patent-pending, handmade CKR12 ceramic capsule, made to the same critical dimensions as the best legacy CK12 capsules but with far more stability which means every OC818 is inherently paired with any other OC818, or even the OC18, its smaller and more affordable sibling.
 
The multiple polar pattern switching is implemented via microprocessor control of polarization voltages, allowing its activation wirelessly, as well as choosing between two different analogue high-pass filters with 3 settings and two different types of analogue pads. Dual outputs allow users to record each diaphragm separately.
 
“The OC818 and OC18 microphones have been received incredibly well,” says Martin Seidl, CEO of Austrian Audio. “We designed them with ultimate quality, ease of use and improved workflows in mind, leaving more time for the users’ creativity, whether it is in the recording or broadcast studio, or live out on the road. Our reviews have been amazing, as have those of Cranborne Audio’s 500ADAT and 500R8. Both companies share the same vision: we fuse classic design and new technologies to create great products.”

Cranborne Audio is a UK company, founded in 2017 by four former Soundcraft employees, currently offering a range of affordable and British sound analog preamps and 500 series modules, which include the 500R8 rack unit, a 28 in/30 out USB audio interface, monitor controller, and discrete analogue summing mixer, with space for up to eight 500 series modules.

Austrian audio products are distributed in the USA through Momentum Audio Sales.
https://austrian.audio