Investing in a matched pair of microphones for studio or stage recording is always a mandatory investment for commercial facilities, private studios and freelance audio engineers. But with Austrian Audio's OC818 condenser microphones, which can be controlled wirelessly, the creative possibilities become extremely appealing, and having a ready-available stereo kit makes complete sense.
"We have seen a huge increase in demand for stereo configurations, especially from studio users," says Martin Seidl, CEO of Austrian Audio, "so we decided to offer the complete package that meets all the recording needs of artists, producers and engineers, whether they record at home or in a studio."
The new OC818 Dual Set Plus comes in a stylish carrying case and contains two OC818 large diaphragm condenser microphones with switchable polar patterns - cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8, supercardioid and custom programmable - complete with two OCS8 microphone shock mounts, two OCW8 windscreens, OCH8 mic clips, OCC8 Mini XLR cables and one SB1 Stereo bar, all in a large, elegant carrying case with cut-outs for 2x (optionally available) OCR8 remote controls/Bluetooth dongles.
Engineered and manufactured in Austria, the OC818 is Austrian Audio’s premier, professional, large diaphragm microphone. Its high sensitivity, low self-noise and ability to handle everything from a whisper to extreme SPLs make it the most advanced microphone for studio, broadcast and live applications. As the unique ceramic capsule design is so consistent, any OC818 is match-paired with any other OC818, and when in cardioid mode, it can also be match-paired with any OC18, its affordable, smaller sibling.
While the OC818 Dual Set Plus is designed to make stereo recording set-up fast and easy, the company's free PolarPilot app (Android and iOS) adds an extra level of creativity by allowing real-time wireless control over the microphone's polar patterns, high-pass filter settings, and attenuation pads in realtime via Bluetooth. With this combination, particularly valuable for stereo setups, users will be able to explore different ways to capture a performance, as well as save, recall, and share favorite settings.
With its customizable control of polar patterns, it becomes possible to fine tune the capsule(s) response in 255 discrete combinations, and the ideal settings may be stored in the OC818 for use without the PolarPilot app. The OC818 microphones are always pure analog in operations with the remote control only affecting the analog bias voltages and switching. Plus, the app also features a 60 second clipping monitor/logger, allowing to detect variations in performance dynamics, all with wireless control from a monitoring position.
The Austrian Audio OC818 Dual Set Plus is available for 1,999 Euros (RRP inc. VAT) in Europe, and for $2,199 USD (MSRP, excl. VAT) in the USA. To introduce the new kit, Austrian Audio is offering a free OCR8 Bluetooth dongle (RRP €149 / $149) with every Dual Set Plus purchase, while supplies last.
Austrian Audio opened its doors in 2017 following the closure of the AKG offices in Vienna. The new company started with a core team of previous AKG personnel from management, acoustics, electronics, test and measurement, mechanical design, RF/wireless and software/firmware, and they are determined to create a complete catalog of products that bring something new to the market, while being respectful of its heritage.
www.austrian.audio
