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Before exploring the unique features of the OC818, let’s break down the foundation of what makes this microphone special. At its heart is Austrian Audio’s handmade CKR12 ceramic capsule, inspired by the legendary CK12 design. The OC818's capsule captures exceptional detail and natural tone while handling extremely high SPL sources with ease. This FET microphone features cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8, and hypercardioid polar patterns, along with additional presets and the ability to create custom patterns.
That's where PolarDesigner comes in. This post-production plug-in gives you complete control over the microphone's dual-output design. Instead of being limited to fixed polar patterns, you can reshape the microphone's directionality across five frequency bands after recording is complete. You can also adjust the proximity effect, reduce spill, pan each capsule independently, or let the Terminator function automatically optimize your settings.
Beyond PolarDesigner, Austrian also offers software for stereo and ambisonic recording applications. StereoCreator lets you create convincing pseudo-stereo recordings from a single OC818. With two OC818s, you can adjust mic placements to be XY, Mid-Side, and Blumlein in post while also fine-tuning stereo width and spatiality. AmbiCreator takes things a step further by converting recordings from two OC818s into an ambisonic B-format signal.
As if that weren't enough, an optional wireless transmitter/receiver lets you control the analog microphone directly from your phone. From the PolarPilot app, you can adjust polar patterns, pads, and high-pass filters without even touching the microphone.
To hear what the Austrian Audio OC818 is capable of in a real-world recording studio, we handed the mic over to Vintage King’s in-house engineer, Bryan Reilly. Recording at The Scramble Shack, Bryan captured six different sources using a variety of polar patterns and PolarDesigner, highlighting both the OC818’s performance and its unique workflow-enhancing features.
For tracking all of the sources featured below, Bryan utilized the Austrian OC818 with the API 3124V and BURL Audio BAD4 analog-to-digital converter daughter card. No EQ or compression was used on the way in.
When tracking drum overheads, Bryan positioned the OC818 6' above the ground, centered between the kick and snare. The Dual Output Mode examples below feature the front capsule panned 50% to the left and the rear capsule panned 80% to the right. For the Polar Designer example, please refer to the plug-in screenshot below the sound samples.
The drum room examples were captured with the OC818 positioned approximately 10' in front of the kit and 10' above the ground, aimed toward the drums. The Dual Cardioid and Omni examples showcase the microphone’s different polar patterns, while the Dual Output Mode examples feature the front capsule panned 50% left and the rear capsule panned 80% right. The Polar Designer example utilizes the settings shown in the plug-in screenshot below the sound samples.
Bryan’s setup for these two different clean guitar examples features a Les Paul Traditional Pro played through a Fender Twin, with the OC818 positioned approximately 3' in front of the cabinet and the front capsule aimed between the two speakers. In Dual Output Mode, the front capsule is panned 67% left and the rear capsule is panned 56% right. See the plug-in screenshot below the samples for the Polar Designer settings.
For this acoustic guitar example, Bryan recorded a Martin 000-16 in the live room with the OC818 positioned approximately 3' from the guitar and 8" above the body, aimed between the sound hole and neck joint. In Dual Output Mode, the front capsule is panned 59% left and the rear capsule is panned 57% right.
With Olivia Dear handling vocals, Bryan placed her in the studio’s vocal booth with the OC818 for each of the following examples. In Dual Output Mode, both capsules are panned center, while the Hyper Cardioid example uses an 80Hz high-pass filter.
The OC818 was positioned in the center of the piano around Middle C, with the front capsule aimed toward the higher frequencies and the rear capsule facing the lower frequencies.
