Austrian Audio OC18-LIVE is a pair of cardioid studio microphones with an ‘instant classic’ sound.

Each microphone is exactly what you’d find inside the box of an OC18 Studio – just without the extra ‘studio-vibe’ accesories – ie, this pair does not include the suspension, gooseneck popfilter or hardcase. It’s simply a pair of the wonderful OC18 microphones, with foam windsocks and ‘standard’ stand mounts – ready for your touring rig as drum overheads, guitar microphones, or all kinds of orchestral applications.

OC18 uses the same CKR12 capsule as found in the multipattern OC818 (but being cardioid, it’s just the single diaphragm). The handcrafted CKR12 capsule has years of experience crammed in to its design and construction. Manufactured to strict tolerances in Vienna, each microphone has been meticulously prepared for stunning results in your session.

The sound

As a ‘cardioid-only’ version of the fabulous OC818, the stealth-black OC18 offers a great option for vocals, instruments or stereo room. The sound is full, but open. Rich, without being ‘toppy’. Make sense? It’s probably easier to just come in and have a listen for yourself.

What we wrote about the OC818 still holds true for this OC18:

“The engineers at Austrian Audio have mixed large lashings of truth, with a swirl of taste, to create a classic microphone that will be comfortable as your go-to vocal microphone, and equally happy for orchestral applications”