A
ustrian Audio announces the first of a new line of instrumental microphones for use in the studio and on stage: the brand-new CC8. What makes this new small diaphragm microphone remarkable is Austrian Audio’s OCC7 condenser capsule. Inspired by the legendary CK1, this newly developed capsule delivers all the benefits of that classic design updated to meet the demands of today, the company says.
The capsule’s three-micron-thick gold-coated polyethylene napthalate (PEN) diaphragm is much more robust than conventional mylar alternatives. The OCC7’s filter fabric guarantees a constant broadband cancellation, resulting in outstanding cardioid characteristics with exceptional attenuation of sound coming from the sides and rear.
The capsule and transformerless output give the CC8 an outstanding linear frequency response. It can handle extremely high sound pressure levels of up to 156dB SPL without distorting. Combined with a very low self-noise of only 16dB SPL (A), this results in an exceptional dynamic range. The CC8 sounds natural and open and never becomes harsh or spiky, even at extreme volumes. The mids and highs are silky smooth, never exaggerated.
The CC8 is billed as excellent for recordings in which fast transients and spatial information needs to be captured as accurately as possible, for example for the detailed recording of acoustic instruments like in jazz ensembles, orchestras, acoustic guitars, pianos, and more.
Thanks to the built-in switchable attenuation of 0dB, -10dB, and -20dB, the microphone can be positioned very close to loud sound sources such as trumpets without fear of distortion. Rumble and impact noise are effectively eliminated with the switchable high-pass filter (60Hz 2nd order, 120Hz 2nd order).
When things get quiet and the finest nuances of, for example, a soft stringed instrument or a voice are recorded, the CC8’s low self-noise comes into its own. The CC8’s small dimensions allow targeted positioning even in tight and difficult places, both in the studio and on stage.
The Austrian Audio CC8 is hand-built in Vienna. Before leaving the factory, each microphone is measured and tuned (in our special in-house anechoic chamber) to a maximum tolerance of only +/- 0.5dB sensitivity at 1kHz. This means that any CC8 can be match-paired with any other, regardless of their production dates, the company says.
www.austrian.audio
Australian Distributor: Group Technologies www.grouptechnologies.com.au
