Austrian Audio OC616 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

The Austrian Audio OC616 is a professional multi-pattern large-diaphragm condenser microphone handcrafted in Vienna, Austria, built around the CKR12 capsule — Austrian Audio’s evolution of the legendary CK12 brass capsule, featuring a patented ceramic isolator and edge-terminated 1″ diaphragm assembled entirely by hand. Open Acoustic Technology eliminates acoustic interference inside the body before it can reach the capsule, allowing the microphone’s five polar patterns — omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure eight — to deliver clean, assertive, and precisely defined audio across a full range of recording applications. With a self-noise of 13 dB(A), a maximum SPL of 157 dB with pad engaged, and 134 dB of dynamic range, the OC616 performs confidently across studio vocals, acoustic instruments, drum overheads, amplifiers, and stereo or Mid/Side arrays. A purpose-built professional tool for tracking engineers, producers, and recording facilities in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, and studios worldwide requiring a versatile, high-headroom large-diaphragm condenser.

Key Features

• CKR12 capsule — 1″ large-diaphragm, edge-terminated; handmade in Vienna — Austrian Audio’s proprietary evolution of the legendary CK12 brass capsule; features a patented Austrian Audio ceramic isolator for precise acoustic coupling; each capsule is edge-terminated and assembled entirely by hand at Austrian Audio’s Vienna facility for consistent, quality-controlled performance
• Open Acoustic Technology — purpose-built acoustic chamber design that eliminates internal reflections before they can reach the capsule; ensures the microphone captures the source directly without acoustic interference or coloration artifacts introduced by the microphone body itself
• Five switchable polar patterns — omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure eight; covers mono and stereo source capture, Mid/Side arrays, room miking, directional source isolation, and rejection-critical applications from a single microphone
• Three switchable high-pass filters — 40 Hz (2nd order), 80 Hz (2nd order), and 160 Hz; reduce handling noise, floor rumble, air conditioning, and proximity effect to match the filter to the source and placement; cuts applied at the mic before the signal reaches the chain
• Two switchable pads — –10 dB and –20 dB; extend maximum SPL handling to 157 dB for close-miking loud amplifiers, brass, drum transients, and high-SPL sources without capsule distortion; base maximum SPL without pad is 147 dB
• 13 dB(A) self-noise — 134 dB dynamic range — low noise floor for quiet acoustic sources, soft vocals, and delicate room sounds; 134 dB of total dynamic range handles everything from quiet passages to high-SPL performance sources without requiring a preamp pad; designed for demanding professional tracking environments
• Applications — studio vocals; voice over and spoken word; acoustic instruments; drum overheads; guitar and bass amplifiers; stereo recording; Mid/Side arrays; room miking
• Studio Set included accessories — OCS6 suspension shock mount for vibration isolation; OCH8 mic clamp for stand mounting; MSC616 protective hard-shell carry case for transport and storage
• Handcrafted in Vienna, Austria — every OC616 is built at Austrian Audio’s Vienna facility by engineers with deep roots in the original AKG capsule and microphone development tradition

Specifications

• Type: Multi-pattern large-diaphragm condenser microphone
• Capsule: 1″ CKR12; edge-terminated; Austrian Audio patented ceramic isolator; handmade in Vienna
• Polar Patterns: Omni; Wide Cardioid; Cardioid; Hypercardioid; Figure Eight
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz
• Self-Noise: 13 dB(A)
• Max SPL: 147 dB SPL (157 dB SPL with pad)
• Dynamic Range: 134 dB
• Sensitivity: 13 mV/Pa
• Output Impedance: 108 Ω
• Min. Load Impedance: >1 kΩ
• Supply Voltage: 48V phantom
• High-Pass Filters: 40 Hz (2nd order); 80 Hz (2nd order); 160 Hz
• Pads: –10 dB; –20 dB
• Connector: XLR 3-pin
• Dimensions: 6.18 × 2.60 × 1.34 in. (157 × 66 × 34 mm)
• Weight: 0.76 lbs (345 g)
• Included: OCS6 suspension shock mount; OCH8 mic clamp; MSC616 case
• Manufactured: Handcrafted in Vienna, Austria