Austrian Audio OC-B6

The OC-B6 solves a problem no condenser mic had addressed before: the extreme sound pressure a kick drum generates at close range. The CKR6-B capsule, evolved from Austrian Audio's ceramic capsule technology, has a doubled diaphragm-to-electrode distance and a lowered resonance frequency, giving near-unlimited headroom without losing signal stability. Fully discrete electronics, with no integrated chips, deliver lightning-fast transient response, and a fixed subsonic filter removes rumble below 18 Hz, preserving headroom where it actually matters.

The same tone regardless of mic position

A common problem when miking a kick with a dynamic mic: strong proximity effect means the tone shifts dramatically depending on whether the mic sits right at the beater, at the port, or outside the head, forcing an engineer to re-test every time the position changes. The OC-B6 keeps a consistent, undistorted tone regardless of placement — inside the shell, at the port, or outside — giving the engineer freedom to choose position based on tonal character rather than the mic's limitations.

Clip-free mounting as a fast-setup solution

Kick drum mic clips can be unreliable with the frequent rigging and de-rigging that comes with touring — they loosen or get lost under a tight show schedule. The OC-B6 has a mounting thread built directly into the body, removing the clip as a separate part and cutting setup time at every soundcheck. A 220° rotating head adds precise angling in tight spaces without repositioning the whole stand.

KEY FEATURES

• First large-diaphragm condenser microphone on the market purpose-built for kick drum
• 1" CKR6-B capsule with doubled diaphragm-to-electrode distance
• Maximum SPL beyond 170 dB
• Fixed subsonic filter removing content below 18 Hz
• Fully discrete electronics with no integrated chips
• 220° rotating head for precise positioning
• Built-in stand thread — no clip required
• Compact, rugged design for stage and studio use

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: condenser, large-diaphragm
• Polar pattern: cardioid
• Frequency range: 18 Hz - 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 0.8 mV/Pa
• Maximum SPL: 170 dB SPL
• Output impedance: 108 Ω
• Minimum load impedance: >1 kΩ
• Supply voltage: 48V (<2.2mA)
• Connector: 3-pin XLR