Austrian Audio
Austrian Audio OC818
Large-diaphragm multi-pattern condenser with ceramic capsule; a second output carries the rear diaphragm for setting the pattern after recording, and the pattern, pad and low cut can be set remotely
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 48 V (P48, 48 V ± 4 V).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 5
- Sensitivity
- −37.7 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 49%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 65%
- Self-noise
- 9 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 86%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 87%
- Max SPL
- 148 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 88%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 87%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2019
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 34% of 75 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 69% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 88% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the graph response cardioid, p. 1.
Titled "OC 818 Cardioid". Distance, room and smoothing not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the graph polar cardioid, p. 1. Approximate
Full circle, 0° at the top, 5 dB per ring from +5 to -25 dB; 125 Hz to 1 kHz drawn on the left half (solid), 2 to 16 kHz on the right (dashed). Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1.5 dB; some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | large dual diaphragm, ceramic capsule"the unique ceramic capsule design"; front and back diaphragms (manual p. 2). | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −37.7 dBV/Pa (13 mV/Pa)all patterns. "Sensitivity (all directions): 13mV/Pa"; converted: 20·log10(0.013) = -37.7. | |
| Self-noise | 9 dB(A)"Equivalent noise level: 9 dB SPL (A)". | |
| Max SPL | 148 dB SPLalso 158 dB SPL, in brackets on the sheet; presumably with the pad. "Max SPL: 148 dB SPL (158 dB SPL)"; the bracketed figure is not explained. The manual (p. 2): the -10 dB pad position "reduces the bias voltage of the capsule, so the microphone can take 10 dB more input". | |
| Output impedance | 275 ohmbalanced. "Impedance: 275 Ω (symmetrical)". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmmore than. "Load impedance: > 1 kΩ". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz"; tolerance not stated. | |
| Current draw | 2.1 mAtypical; below 4 mA with the OCR8 remote. "Supply voltage: 48 V (< 4mA, typical 2.1mA)". | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male (main) and mini XLR-5 (rear diaphragm or remote)"Main Connector: XLR 3 pin"; "Connector for back membrane or remote: Mini XLR 5 pin". | |
| Weight | 360 g"Weight: 360 g"; the product page says the same. | |
| Dimensions | 157 × 63 × 35 mm"Dimensions: 157 x 63 x 35 mm"; the product page says 157 x 63 x 36 mm. Which dimension is which is not stated (presumably height × width × depth). | |
| Supplied accessories | OCS spider mount suspension; OCW8 foam windshield; OCH8 mic clip; OCC8 mini XLR cable with cable clip; protective carry caseThe "OC818 Studio Set". The "Live Set" is two OC818 with two OCW8 windshields, two OCH8 clips and two OCC8 cables. | |
| Remote control | Optional OCR8 Bluetooth dongle on the mini XLR socket, with the PolarPilot app (iOS, Android): 255 discrete patterns, low cut, pad and a 60-second overload log | p. 2 |
| Plug-in | PolarDesigner (VST, AAX, AU): sets the pattern after recording from the dual outputs, in 1 to 5 frequency bands | |
| Matching | Any OC818 can be paired with any other OC818, and in cardioid with any OC18 | p. 1 |
| From the manual | ||
| Powering | phantom 48 V (P48, 48 V ± 4 V)"This product requires a phantom power source of 48V (+/-4V), max draw is 4mA (with OCR8 connected)." | p. 1 |
| Low cut | off, 40 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz; high-passPositions "0", "40", "80", "160": "40" and "80" are 2nd-order high-pass filters; "160 is a high pass 1st order filter from 160 Hz to 80 Hz, and a high pass 2nd order filter below 80 Hz". The spec sheet says the same ("Analog Low Cut filter"). | p. 2 |
| Pad | −10 dBalso −20 dB. Positions "0", "-10", "-20". "The -10 dB position reduces the bias voltage of the capsule ... whereas the -20 dB Setting reduces the gain by another 10 dB to protect your mixer preamp from overload." | |
| Pattern change | Takes a few seconds, longest between figure-8 and omni | |
| Front | The side with the logo faces the source | |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 55 °C (storage -25 to 60 °C) | p. 1 |
| Cable length | XLR cable no longer than 30 m | |
| Made in | Austria | p. 5 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2019 | |
| From the quick guide | ||
| Calibration | Factory calibrated, ±0.5 dB at 1 kHz | p. 2 |
Documents
- OC818 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone with Multiple Polar Patternsspec sheet
- OC818 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone with Multiple Polar Patterns, Owner's Manualv04
- OC818 Quick Start Guide17002R00520_E
- OC818product page
- OC818 Cardioid frequency chartimage on the product page
- OC818 Figure eight frequency chartimage on the product page
- OC818 Hypercardioid frequency chartimage on the product page
- OC818 Omnidirectional frequency chartimage on the product page
- OC818 Preset Mode Default frequency chartimage on the product page
- OC818 Cardioid polar plotimage on the product page
- OC818 Figure eight polar plotimage on the product page
- OC818 Hypercardioid polar plotimage on the product page
- OC818 Omnidirectional polar plotimage on the product page
- OC818 Preset Mode Defaultwide cardioid) polar plot (image on the product page
- Austrian Audio OC818 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Austrian Audio, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.