THE AUSTRIAN AUDIO OC SERIES OF MICS - OC818/OC18/OC16

[@TheVelvetRoom-ul7gx]

I picked up a second hand OC818. Overkill for voiceover? Most definitely. Do I care? Absolutely not. This mic is AMAZING! Honestly, if you offered me a swap with a U87. I would turn it down. It’s just so smooth and detailed.

[@joibjalla]

I went for the OC18 as my premium home studio mic and I looove it.

[@danielgaudet6114]

I love these mics and own multiples of both the OC18 and OC818 and my main workhorse mics. I think they are very underrated for what they offer. I think it would be great if you created some additional videos on the OC818 features (maybe mixed in with the OC16/18 like you did today).

[@aether962]

I was extremely fortunate to get the dual set plus on a Black Friday sale and absolutely love them!

[@sanxulian7714]

Although Same capsule, i feel like the oc18 Sounds more Transparent and high end to my ears compared to the oc16 🤔 switched back and forth a couple times now

[@travisshaw3866]

The acoustic guitar sounded great with the OC818 in M/S recording!

[@bruizer3183]

The comparison I've been looking for. Thank you!

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Slipsch]

Still waiting for Austrian Audio to launch an end address microphone for podcasts. Their stage mics are okay, but nothing like the OC series.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

like dynamic or condenser?

[@Slipsch]

@@DarkCornerStudios You mean their stage mic or do you mean what I would like to see? I would like to see their OC818/18/16 capsule on a end address podcast style microphone with off axis rejection like the LS-208.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@@Slipsch yeah...kinda what I meant. That would be interesting

[@ShaneT5S]

Oh snap, if I would've known they were the exact same capsule with extremely minimal tunings then I would've chosen the 16. But I'm super happy with my OC18 especially since it was really discounted when I bought it so it was only $75 more than the 16 in my Canadian currency at the time

[@_YoungKD]

I want the 818 , but ill go for the oc16

[@rkdtodns]

Looks like the mic is the OC16, not the OC18. 5:11

[@danasdas6683]

I’m so disappointed you didn’t show off the Bluetooth dongle! Kidding. Though people might want to see it even if they don’t have a use themselves. It’s a cool accessory that I bought to complete the OC818 “package” (basically I’m tired of waiting too long to buy the accessories until they’re no longer offered)

[@DarkCornerStudios]

They didn't send one...otherwise I totally would have. Again though...no idea the instance that would be helpful for though...lol

[@danielgaudet6114]

@@DarkCornerStudios Other than using the OCR8 dongle and the Austrian Audio PolarPilot mobile app for making changes in real time to the polar pattern, HP filter and pad, and 60 seconds of clipping logging, you can save a custom polar pattern (255 different patterns) that can be stored for the last polar pattern switch option on the mic without using the dongle.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@danielgaudet6114 oh I get it...there is a tonne of stuff you can do...it's just way outside of my use case. Dylan however would probably love it

[@seanwebb605]

I never add the kidding part. I like to dead pan my material.

[@photo-markus]

Could you compare with the lewitt lct 441 flex or the 640?

[@meistudiony]

Wow. You spoke to someone at austrian audio?! I made multiple requests for information when i reviewed their mic and they didnt reply for over 6 months. Btw did a video on how to use a single dual element mic to do mid side recording. Its pretty awesome. You turn the mic sideways and record. Then you copy the track you recorded. One of them you set omni the other in figure 8. Its the most perfect midside you can get since the positioning of the mic is exactly the same for both.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

I just called them That said I am not looking forward to my phone bill

[@seanwebb605]

This why a company like Consumer Reports is the standard for reviews. They purchase the products and have very established procedures and metrics for evaluating the products. In addition they don't have the risk that the manufacturer will give them a unit which isn't representative of what the typical consumer will receive. They're just as likely to get a faulty unit as anyone else rather than one from a batch with confirmed low levels of defects or additional testing or examination before being sent out. You also have to try to present yourself like a mystery shopper to increase the chances that the customer service aspect best reflects what a consumer would receive. Aiden is far better than many and makes his best effort in terms of honesty and integrity, but KZbin platforms will not duplicate or improve on the journalism and consumer protection that did and should exist in legacy media and reasonable government regulation and consumer protection. Google isn't creating a better world for all of us.

[@meistudiony]

@@seanwebb605 like Bandrew from podcastsge does, I purchase most of the mics i review to try and avoid that very thing. A few times ive gotten mics that were completely unusable out of the box. The first video i was going to do was the telefunken m82. They didnt finish the metalwork by the xlr jack and you couldnt plug a cable into it. Sad.

[@meistudiony]

@@DarkCornerStudios i guess ill have to try that next time. Lol. Their crew were a little off putting at the AES show as well. One guy was just walking around with a real pissed off attitude the whole time and being kind of a jerk to the guys that were trying to show the products off. I decided to stay away. Cant stand that.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@@meistudiony oh dear. I do know the Austrian temperament can be misconstrued

[@Everyonesvoice2024]

Please, Professor, please advise me scientifically and professionally, which is better for my home studio because I cannot judge which of these microphones to buy, bearing in mind that I bought Universal Audio 2 as an audio interface and wires from Mogami. Should I buy the Rode Signature Series or the Lewitt LCT 240 Pro?

[@seanwebb605]

Nobody can give an entirely specific and objective recommendation on which gear to use for your particular use case in your available space. But if you want real nuts and bolts type stuff Julian Krause is the guy ready to open up a sucker and provide you with charts and diagrams and diagnostic evaluations. Where I think the Wolf is better for the home studio guy is his experience in both radio broadcasting and music. The man has practical experience working in less than pristine working conditions. He is mindful of limited budgets. Although he has Jim Jones a bit for Rode.

[@teadat]

if youre a beginner buying your first mic, id say get the Lewitt. The Rode and the Lewitt sound very similar but the Lewitt is cheaper. It doesn't matter what the mic is, the important thing is that you're recording stuff and learning. Nobody can tell what mic you're using by just listening to the recording and no microphone sounds perfect by itself anyway. The performance, the preamp, the compression and EQ all change the sound of the end result. Just buy something and I'm sure it'll work out.

[@seanwebb605]

@@teadat Most of that is simply wrong.

[@teadat]

@@seanwebb605 Why is that?

[@seanwebb605]

@@teadat There are various levels of quality in microphones. They have different pickup patterns. There are dark and bright microphones. The use case and the environment that they are used in matter. The handling and sounds created by handling them matters. And if you're going to spend money on a microphone you need to consider if it is something that will meet your needs in the future. Spending less money on a microphone now if it means only spending more on one better suited to your needs in the near future isn't a savings at all.

[@strabb52]

Oc 18 or lewitt lct 540 subzero which best?

[@carriefingsolomon]

How exactly do the OC16 and OC18 compare strictly as far as sound for vocals? Really torn between the two. I’m a singer/songwriter wanting to upgrade from an AT2020 (so either will be a step up!). I’ve read the OC16 has a few dbs more self-noise but wondering if they sound very different as far as clarity/frequency.

[@conceptSde]

I own an OC18 as another happy user for my home recording. I have a really loud voice, so the pads come in quite handy. Same for the low cuts recording acoustic guitars while stepping the rhythm on the floor. If your voice is not too loud and you do not need all low cut filters, the OC16 is a bargain. Don‘t worry about the noise floor. It‘s still well below many highly praised classic condensers.

[@carriefingsolomon]

@@conceptSde Thanks for that info! I can be a quite loud singer with certain styles/songs… I’m pretty dynamic (which is totally not great singing technique but it is what it is 🤣). But so the low cut filters are mainly helpful for lp is sound sources? (I’m a bit of a newb with recording in general if you can’t tell 🙃😬) That may be worth considering for me

[@conceptSde]

@@carriefingsolomon The low cut filters are really helpful if you want to eliminate low frequency impact sound e.g. from your feet on wooden floors or bassy instruments in a band context. My suggestion: Go with the OC16 when you are on a budget. You will be happy, not only in comparison to your AT. Go with the OC18 when the additional cost is not a big issue. More switches are nice to have and convenient. A little bit more happiness, but not indispensable. Soundwise both mics share the same capsule and similar electronics, so they are very close.

[@carriefingsolomon]

@@conceptSde Thank you so much; that’s very helpful! I’ve been worrying I’ll miss out on better sound quality…but the oc16 definitely feels more comfortable budget wise😊🙏

[@conceptSde]

@@carriefingsolomonOne is glad to be of service. You won‘t regret buying the OC16. I have bought an AT4035 some 25 years back when studio condensers were far less affordable. It was a stripped down version of the far more expensive AT4050. I have used it for more than 10 years as my only condenser mic, and it still sits in my locker as a secret weapon for certain singers and acoustic instruments. I must admit I was a bit frustrated that my dad who owned four Neumann U87s and two U67s at that time never let me use them for my projects. But finally I had better vocal recording results with my AT just by the need of practice. He always only relied on the mics, I became more profecient with preamps, EQs and subtle compression. All analog. I have learned almost everything back then. Legendary or expensive mics are great, but they don‘t do magic on their own.

[@fangsoffuego]

Would the freq response of the mic be good for voices with sibilance? i see the curve rises around 5~6k and drops at 7~8k

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Well...I am the most sibilant person I know...you can be the judge. A healthy de-esser will also be your friend

[@fangsoffuego]

@@DarkCornerStudios thanks, you and curtis judd are my points of comparison for sibilance

[@magia8930]

Hi guys, do you believe that i can feed the OC18 with a UAD Apollo Twin USB?

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Of course...why do you think you wouldn't be able to?

[@seanwebb605]

Orange cable? I can't take this seriously.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

I really should swap it out for my pink one

[@seanwebb605]

@@DarkCornerStudios How dark can you be if you have orange and pink cables? Emo Audio Reviews!

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@seanwebb605 it's the only light and happiness in my life.

[@seanwebb605]

@@DarkCornerStudios That's not the wife and kids? Ha! We need to get a cat.

[@soundknight]

You need real guitar lessons. You're producing a BAD source sound when you finger pick. No point in demoing a BAD sound.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

You need lessons on humility and frankly...perhaps some personality. Who says stuff like that? Who insults people like that? You need to just work on yourself