Markus Sauschlager
I tested the OC818 in various rooms, on various sources and through various signal chains against historic C414 models and other quality LDC microphones.
I am truly impressed with the very useful tonal balance and off-axis behaviour of the OC818. The sound of the new CKR12 capsule also has more depth and is more powerful and articulate compared to any Nylon-CK12 incarnation. Its sonic signature is a bit different from the classic ‘brass’ CK12 capsule too, almost heading slightly towards the smooth Neumann M7 midrange character. Very nice!
Austrian Audio did an excellent job to continue the line of innovation and quality that once made AKG microphones world famous. It´s a pleasure to see that the great legacy of Viennese microphone design has come alive again without being choked off by some greedy corporation.
Markus says about himself: “Excellent sound is my mainspring. Challenges that seem impossible at first I find attractive. I enjoy sharing knowledge and experiences with junior colleagues.”
With his own developement of a microphone R&D program, Markus researched the techniques used for producing the legendary CK12 capsule, by also consulting Ing. Konrad Wolf, one of the masterminds of the original CK12 capsule design.