Universal Audio: FREE Pro Plugins with A

Austrian Audio OC16 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone with 40Hz/160Hz Highpass Filter, 148dB SPL Handling, Mic Clip, Spider Suspension, and Soft Case
Share
Item ID: OC16
Austrian Audio OC16 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Price:$449 and 00 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $13/month with 36 month financing*

In Stock!

Add to Cart
Sales engineer photo
Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

What is a Sales Engineer?
Sweetwater Gear Exchange

Have one to sell?
Check out Sweetwater's Gear Exchange!
Learn More

Austrian Audio OC16 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone
In Stock!
Price:$449 and 00 cents
Add to Cart
Add to list
Skip to Description
Most Popular Accessories & Related Items
Back to navigation

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

High-performance, Value-packed Large-diaphragm Condenser

Designed and engineered in Vienna, the City of Music, the Austrian Audio OC16 is a versatile large-diaphragm condenser microphone that captures instruments and vocals with sparkling fidelity and shimmering transparency. With its versatile cardioid polar pattern, svelte profile, and low weight, the OC16 is easy to position in tight quarters, making it eminently useful for capturing snare drums and other hard-to-reach sources. You’ll notice it doesn’t have a pad — and that’s because it doesn’t need one. It can handle punishing SPLs of up to 148dB, so you can even close mic a cranked electric guitar amp without fear of capsule damage. The OC16 features Austrian Audio’s proprietary handmade CKR6 capsule and Open Acoustics technology, which neutralizes acoustical interference such as standing waves and reflections within the microphone. This advanced engineering delivers the acclaimed, natural and open-sounding OC sound. Factor in the OC16’s robust build quality and reasonable price tag, and you have another value-packed winner from Austrian Audio.

Outstanding results on any source

The heart of any classic mic is a superior handmade capsule, and this wisdom is borne out in the Austrian Audio’s proprietary CKR6 ceramic capsule. The CKR6 capsule, in concert with the microphone’s custom electronic circuitry, delivers excellent results when used for vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, drums, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, drum overheads, room capture, and more. An onboard 40Hz/160Hz low-cut/highpass filter lets you eliminate rumble and proximity effect to tailor the mic’s low-end response to the specific task at hand. The capsule is suspended elastically at three points within its cage, which keeps structure-borne noise to a minimum, making it feasible to use the mic even without a suspension mount (although one is included).

High tech meets tradition

The OC16’s sonic profile is inspired by a coveted classic microphone, but under the bonnet it’s a marvel of modern engineering. Employing highly insulating industrial ceramics that mimic the acoustic properties and mass of traditional brass along with other high-tech materials allows for a level of precision in manufacturing that was unimaginable even a few years ago. Each CKR6 capsule and assembled microphone is tested to ensure adherence to exacting tolerances before leaving Austrian Audio’s Vienna factory. Whether deployed in music recording, broadcast, voiceover, podcasting, or streaming applications, the OC 16 provides you with consistent, reliable performance, session after session, year after year.

Austrian Audio: the new Vienna classics

Carrying on the rich legacy of high-end Viennese transducer and microphone design into the modern era, Austrian Audio is driven by an engineering team with over 300 years of combined experience. Their motto: "Making Passion Heard." Their mission: to design and manufacture a new generation of recording tools that embrace cutting-edge technologies and sonic excellence while honoring Vienna’s rich musical heritage. That vision is realized in Austrian Audio’s proprietary handcrafted capsules and the superior build quality of their products. Sweetwater is proud to bring you Austrian Audio’s distinguished lineup of fine microphones.

Austrian Audio OC16 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone Features:

  • CKR6 ceramic capsule, handmade in Vienna
  • Incorporates Austrian Audio’s Open Acoustics technology
  • 40Hz/160Hz low-cut/highpass filter negates rumble and proximity effect
  • Handles up to 148dB SPL
  • Includes OCH8 mic clip, OCS6 elastic “spider” suspension, and MSC6 soft case
  • Designed and engineered in Vienna

Resources

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Open Condenser
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Max SPL: 148dB SPL
  • Output Impedance: 275 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 11mV/Pa
  • Self Noise: 14dB A weighted
  • Low Cut Filter: 40 Hz, 160 Hz
  • Connector: XLR
  • Color: Black
  • Power Source: 48V phantom power
  • Dimensions: 6.18" x 2.59"
  • Weight: 11.81 oz
  • Manufacturer Part Number: OC16-D-S

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

Back to navigation

Reviews

Super smooth and can handle super loud
I could record anything with this microphone. When I was newer to recording I got the Slate ML1 for all the software emulation options. After it broke, I reluctantly bought this one as a cheap alternative to upgrading to the OC818. The OC16 has simply become my go-to microphone and I have no desire to upgrade anymore.

Some of the descriptions other reviews give this microphone are pretty funny and accurate. One of them said it sounds like there's a "protective barrier" around the bass and it's totally true. No matter what volume your source is, this microphone will give you a rounded and smooth sound. I would even describe it as "dark" due to the strong and even bass, and the quality of S's. Another reviewer on YouTube said it sounds exactly like what you're recording. So he just throws the microphone in front of any instrument and doesn't check what it sounds like because it'll always sound good. If there's one takeaway here, it's really hard to make this thing sound bad. Where other microphones capture the sibilance in a singer's voice, this one eliminates it and it becomes more of a whistle or chirp sound that's more reminiscent of real life. When it comes to mixing, I much prefer this as I'm not fighting any harsh sounds. I can record vocals and all instruments alike with this microphone and easily mix it from there.
Music background: Musician/Engineer
Excellent tone!
I made a complete review and shootout of the austrian audio oc16. Check the video links.
Music background: Professional audio engineer with over 20 years experience.
Exquisite!
Love this microphone! Super sensitive to even the lowest of sound. High end is superb and I get NO muffled sound coming from it. I use the UA 6176LA for my preamp so I get a beautiful sound on my vocals. Haven't tried it with live instrumentation yet but so far so good! I'd recommend it to any vocalist looking for a clean precise sound any day!
Music background: Multi-Platinum Songwriter and Music Producer for Flo Rida
Should Have Bought it Sooner!
Been on the fence about upgrading my mic as my Rode NT1 has been loyal but man.. the full range tones you get out of this thing are amazing! it made me like my vocal chain even more and thats after less editing. Can wait to get everything dialed in but i'm already so pleased with the dry signal its only up from here!
Music background: Artist
Amazing microphone, very detailed sound in and attractive looking
I was a little hesitant at first, comparing this to my AT2020.. but I could tell this was such an upgrade. This is much fuller sounding and detailed. The packaging is nice and it's great it comes with a shock mount and a softcase. The only thing potentially worth noting is that I found it's a little more prone to picking up background noise, probably because of the detail and clarity it can pick up.