Austrian Audio has introduces two new instrument microphones: the OD5, an active-dynamic microphone, and the OC7, a true condenser microphone.
The OC7 features the OCC7 small diaphragm capsule, handmade in Vienna. Among its notable features is the swivel joint mechanism, addressing the problem of microphone stands that are screwed on too tightly and can hardly be reached in the forest of stands on stage. The swivel system allows a 220° rotation of the field allowing the microphone to be aligned precisely to the sound source or according to personal sound preferences.
The OC7 and the OD5 use Austrian Audio’s Open Acoustics technology: the ‘linear cardioid’ polar pattern captures sound not only from the front, but also from the rear or side. This ensures that even the, sometimes unavoidable, crosstalk from other instruments sounds good.
In addition to their shared attributes, the OC7 and the OD5 each have unique features. The OC7’s true condenser capsule is perfectly protected by the microphone basket and can therefore be positioned without hesitation even in places where the microphone might be subjected to knocks. The OC7 is equipped with a second-order high-pass filter with an operating frequency of 40Hz or 80Hz. A -10dB pad, which results in lower sensitivity by reducing the capsule voltage, allows it to be used in front of the loudest sound sources. With an outstanding 154dB SPL (>160dB SPL with pad), the OC7 is extremely resistant to overload.
The OD5 features the active-dynamic circuit; the same one featured in the OD505 vocal microphone. This ensures that even long cable runs have no negative effect on the signal. In addition, the active-dynamic design allows the integration of a proper high-pass filter. In the OD5, a CAB (Cut & Boost) filter is applied at 80Hz, which is particularly well suited for use with guitar amplifiers, for example. This filter removes the unusable low frequency sound and at the same time increases pressure in the bass range. The second position at 120Hz is a common second-order high-pass filter.
Another feature of the OD5 instrument microphone is the pad switch. In the zero position, the active dynamic microphone has a sensitivity usually found in condenser microphones, and at the same time, it’s claimed to be ‘almost impossible’ to get the OD5 to overdrive. The -10dB pad is for protecting downstream mic preamps from clipping when they have no pad capability themselves.
More: https://austrian.audio
