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Austrian Audio OC18 a Worthy Career Voice Over Microphone
In this week’s episode we review the Austrian Audio OC18 large diaphragm condenser microphone. My main use case for microphones like this is for recording voice over, so we’ll evaluate it from that perspective. Now, the OC18 is NOT a budget microphone. It is the type of microphone upon which you could build a voice acting career! Let’s have a closer look and a listen compared to the AKG C414 XLR and the Neumann U87 Ai.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. See https://school.learnlightandsound.com for more info!
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com: http://ko-fi.com/curtisjudd
Gear used or mentioned in this episode (the links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases):
- Austrian Audio OC18 — https://geni.us/QPKUBM
- Austrian Audio OC818 (the bigger sibling) — https://geni.us/FBk6H
- Austrian Audio OC16 (the little sibling) — https://geni.us/gR0dRw
- Sound Devices MixPre audio field recorder — https://geni.us/O8e0
- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford channel — https://geni.us/9ZfE77
- Universal Audio x6 audio interface — https://geni.us/9ZfE77
- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — https://geni.us/8a8tt
- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — https://geni.us/AVHU1p
- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — https://geni.us/GWKt
- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — https://geni.us/ABYB
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — https://geni.us/qwsEs
- Panasonic GH5 camera — https://geni.us/InspOl
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — https://geni.us/gr47
Copyright 2026, Curtis Judd
#AustrianAudio
#OC18
#VoiceOver
Index
00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Samples compared to C414 XLS and Neumann U87 Ai
01:30 - Specs, High-Pass Filter, and Noise Floor
03:25 - Plosives Test
04:16 - Sibilance Sample
04:42 - RF Interference Sample
05:08 - Off-Axis Coloration Sample
06:28 - Austrian Audio History & Capsule Design
08:53 - How the OC-18 Compares to the OC-818 and OC-16
11:01 - Final Thoughts: Is it Good for Voiceover?
