Austrian Audio OC16 Studio Set

The OC16 uses the same handmade-in-Vienna CKR6 capsule as the pricier OC18, but with a simplified mechanical build — a less open basket, no pad, and no middle filter position — cutting the price roughly in half while keeping the OC series' signature open sound. A 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range, 11 mV/Pa sensitivity, and a maximum SPL of 148 dB give real dynamic headroom, and Open Acoustics technology, with the capsule elastically suspended at three points, damps structure-borne vibration.

High SPL handling without needing a pad

Many budget condenser mics overload on very loud sources like a kick drum or an overdriven guitar amp if they lack a built-in pad. The OC16 takes a different approach — the CKR6 capsule itself tolerates up to 148 dB SPL, which in practice removes the need for a pad on most instrumental sources found in a studio, from drum cymbals to a guitar combo placed close to the diaphragm.

A suspension that removes the need for a separate shockmount

Recording in a room without full acoustic isolation, floor and stand vibrations easily transfer to the capsule, degrading the cleanliness of the take. The CKR6 capsule in the OC16 is already suspended inside the mic at three elastic points, addressing this issue at the source — the included OSC6 shockmount adds a further layer of isolation, but the mic keeps low structure-borne noise even without it, useful when working in tight, improvised recording setups.

KEY FEATURES

• Large-diaphragm condenser microphone with ceramic CKR6 capsule
• Open Acoustics technology with a three-point elastically suspended capsule
• Cardioid pattern with a linear frequency response
• Switchable high-pass filter: 40 Hz or 160 Hz
• High SPL handling without needing a pad
• Flat, lightweight design for positioning in hard-to-reach spots
• OSC6 shockmount and OCH8 clip included
• MSC6 carrying case

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Polar pattern: cardioid
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 11 mV/Pa
• Equivalent noise level: 14 dB SPL(A)
• Maximum SPL: 148 dB SPL
• Low cut filter: 40 Hz or 160 Hz
• Impedance: 275 Ω (symmetrical)
• Load impedance: >1 kΩ
• Supply voltage: 48V (<2.2mA)
• Connector: 3-pin XLR