Austrian Audio has announced MiCreator Studio, an ultra-flexible pocket recording system that combines a condenser microphone and a USB-C audio interface in a compact, rugged design that lets you record what you want, where you want, and when you want.

First and foremost, MiCreator’s microphone maintains the top-notch audio quality that Austrian Audio has become known for. Add to this an audio interface with an additional input for quick-and-easy multi-tracking and optional stereo recording, higher SPL handling than other USB mics on the market, intuitive on-board controls and you have an eye-catching, compact and plug-and-play recording studio in your pocket.

“Many times a quick riff, a scratch vocal, or unplanned content creation is the best performance, so why not capture everything with studio quality sound,” says Martin Seidl, CEO of Austrian Audio. “​Whether you’re at home or on the go, MiCreator Studio always keeps Austrian Audio recording quality within reach.”

Bryan Bradley, President of Group One Limited, Austrian Audio’s US distributor, adds: “This is an exciting new direction for Austrian Audio and we’re excited to put this high-quality mic into the hands of musicians, songwriters, and content creators, making it easier for them to record premium audio whenever and wherever they feel inspired.”

Key Features:

• Plug-and-play USB-C microphone and audio interface
• Condenser capsule for top-notch audio quality
• Max SPL: 130 dB
• Input for connecting a second device (MiCreator Satellite, Y-LAV mic, Instrument) – great for interview situations
• Two headphone outputs: Easily collaborate with fellow musician
• Two gain settings and one knob jogwheel for easy volume control
• ‘FlexTilt’ vertical adjustment of the mic head for ideal positioning
• Latency-free direct monitoring of the mic and input while recording
• Rugged metal housing with changeable faceplates for a variety of colour combinations and customisation
• Austrian Audio Open Acoustic Technology
• Designed and engineered in Vienna, Austria

PRICES, ACCESSORIES & BUNDLES

MiCreator Studio:
MSRP US$199

MiCreator System Set:
The ultimate recording toolkit for music and content creation. Record high-quality audio with MiCreator Studio and Satellite microphones. Achieve perfect stereo recordings with the MiniBar stereo bar. Even customise your look with swappable faceplates. And when it’s time to hit the road, keep your set protected with the custom case.

• MiCreator Studio
• MiCreator Satellite
• All cables
• 2x face plates for each mic
• MiCreator MiniBar stereo bar
• Custom MiCreator Case

MSRP US$299

Both MiCreator Studio and MiCreator System Set come with Steinberg Cubase LE digital audio workstation or Wavelab Cast for podcasts and social media. Plus, Cubase LE is unlocked as soon as the MiCreator Studio is connected to an iOS device.

MiCreator Satellite:
Satellite is a powerful microphone that pairs seamlessly with MiCreator Studio to expand your creative possibilities. Link Satellite and MiCreator Studio via the in/out ports to track two sound sources. Achieve true stereo recordings and capture the energy of the moment.
MSRP US$99

MiCreator Y-Lav:
Lavalier Microphone with an additional headphone jack. Y-Lav turns your MiCreator Studio into a mobile content creation powerhouse. Record two speakers simultaneously by tethering Y-Lav to your Studio. Hear your audio in realtime thanks to the additional headphone output.
US$49

Austrian Audio’s first series of microphones and headphones immediately put the Vienna-based manufacturer on the radar for many pro audio professionals around the world. Turning their attention to the live audio market, Austrian Audio continue to innovate, offering a new live vocal condenser mic, the OC707, as well as a compelling pencil condenser, the CC8. Never one to rest on their laurels, the manufacturer has also added a new flagship headphone design, the Hi-X60, a professional reference system for recording and FOH.

OC707 — True Condenser Vocal Microphone
Designed to capture the dynamics and subtleties of the human voice, the OC707 blocks unwanted noise from the outset, while providing the performer a great depth of volume. The OC707 lets the vocal cut through the mix, clear, detailed and natural. Developed and built in Vienna, the heart of the OC707 is Austrian Audio’s cutting edge OCC7 small-diaphragm capsule with True Condenser technology. Austrian Audio’s proprietary Open Acoustics design ensures that the signal source is reproduced as resonance-free as possible. This design also serves to reduce the microphone’s sensitivity to handling noise and shocks. 

The switchable 2nd order high-pass filter further enhances these features and can be used for sound-shaping — an effective tool against excessive proximity effects. Austrian Audio has created a vocal handheld microphone that has all the important characteristics of a studio microphone yet can withstand the rigours of everyday stage use.

Key features:

• Handmade OCC7 Condenser Capsule
• Cardioid Directivity
• Switchable Low Cut Filter
• Rugged Die-cast Body

Hi-X60 — Professional Closed-Back Over-Ear Headphones
Featuring the clear sonic signature of the Hi-X6 series, the Hi-X60 is a professional reference headphone system for recording, mixing and mastering. 

Ideally-suited for use in loud environments such as the studio or front-of-house, the Hi-X60’s closed-back isolation prevents sound from escaping out into the recording environment and interfering with the microphone capture. At FOH the high passive noise suppression ensures an optimum signal-to-noise ratio creating an accurate sonic environment. For instrument or vocal tracking, both features work together to provide the artist with a coherent, healthy signal without leakage.

The Hi-X60 offers remarkable comfort even for long sessions, leaving the user fatigue-free and able to focus on workflow. All touch points are made from soft, durable memory-foam. The ear pads feature a new design with plenty of internal space and the ear pads can be replaced with ease. In addition the headband has a smart cut-out to relieve pressure on the head. All moving and load-bearing parts are metal for stability, reliability, and robustness. This ensures the foldable design is good for years of everyday use.

Key features:

• High Excursion Driver Technology
• Metal Hinges and Bow
• 2x Detachable Cables (1x 3m + 1x 1.2m)
• 3.5mm to 6.3mm Adaptor
• Foldable Construction
• Soft Slow Retention Memory Foam Earpads

CC8 — Cardioid True Condenser Microphone
The CC8 is a high-precision cardioid pencil condenser microphone hand-built in Vienna. Perfect for instrument recording, the CC8 is based around Austrian Audio’s state-of-the-art OCC7 condenser capsule. The capsule’s 3 micron-thick, gold-coated, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) diaphragm is much more robust than conventional Mylar alternatives. The fabric filter ensures constant broadband cancellation, resulting in outstanding cardioid characteristics. The OCC7 capsule and transformer-less output give the CC8 a remarkably linear frequency response, handling extremely high sound pressure levels (SPL) of up to 156 dB without distortion.

The CC8 is ideal for the detailed recording of various acoustic instruments, such as strings, woodwinds, brass, orchestral percussion as well as instruments like acoustic guitar, piano, snares, hi-hats, and entire drum sets. Before leaving the factory, each microphone is measured and tuned to an extremely tight tolerance (max +/-0.5 dB sensitivity at 1 kHz), meaning that any CC8 can be match-paired with any other, regardless of production date.

Key features:

• Handmade OCC7 Condenser Capsule
• Cardioid Directivity
• Switchable High Pass Filter (60Hz, 120Hz)
• Integrated analogue pads (-10dB, -20dB)
• Rugged Die-cast Body

Winners in 21 technical and seven creative excellence categories were announced at the 37th Annual NAMM TEC AWARDS, Saturday, June 4, from the global NAMM Show in Anaheim. Presented annually by NAMM, the event recognises the exemplary achievements and innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games and multi-media. Comedian, actor and musician Fred Armisen returned as host for the evening event.

For only the second time in TEC history, three companies won two awards each in Outstanding Technical Achievement. They were Genelec (Loudspeaker Manager – GLM V4.0 in Production Essentials and FM Design in Studio Design Project); PreSonus (Sphere in Audio Education Technology and ATOM SQ in DJ Production Technology); and Universal Audio (UAFX Golden Reverberator in Musical Instrument Amplification and Effects and LUNA Recording System v1.1.8 in Workstation Technology).

The Outstanding Creative Achievement category winners for 2021 projects reflected a year filled with a slew of top-ranking entertainment. Disney+ took home top honours in Film Sound Production and Television Sound production for its animated movie, “Soul” and the second season of “The Mandalorian,” respectively. In the category of Record Production – Single or Track, “Lost Cause” from Billie Eilish (Darkroom/Interscope) took the top spot, while “McCartney III” (Capitol) won for Record Production – Album. In Interactive Entertainment Sound Production, Ubisoft was honoured for its work on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

The evening recognised the timeless work and artistic innovation of Peter Asher, who was inducted and presented with the TEC Hall of Fame award. Throughout his decades-long career in the music industry, Asher has earned the reputation of being one of the industry’s most sought-after producers and performers. His career began in the ‘60s as the other half of the pop group Peter & Gordon. After the group disbanded, Asher was named Director of A&R at the Beatles’ Apple Records label, where he signed a then-unknown James Taylor. Asher would go on to work with the likes of Cher, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Ringo Starr, and many others, earning him three GRAMMY Awards for his talents.

Upon receipt of the award, Asher shared, “The 21st of January, 1964 was a Tuesday, and the first time I ever went into a real recording studio. I went into EMI studios on Abbey Road… By the end of that day, a few important things had happened. I decided I wanted to be a record producer because I saw what a producer could do, in terms of shaping the sounds…So I have to thank for this award, not only the TEC Committee, but NAMM as a whole. And all the brilliant people who attend NAMM, and what they give us — all the great technology, the amazing instruments, the incredible inventions which sonically flourish in the hands of brilliant engineers.”

After accepting the award, Asher performed “A World Without Love,” a song from Asher’s days in the duo, Peter and Gordon. With the TEC Hall of Fame Award, Asher joins the likes of Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick (2020), Leslie Ann Jones (2019), The Section (2018), Jack Douglas (2017), and many others who have received the award since its founding in 1991.

Pioneer and bassist extraordinaire Carol Kaye was honoured with this year’s Les Paul Innovation Award, one of the night’s most anticipated honours from The Les Paul Foundation. The Foundation’s Executive Director Michael Braunstein introduced the award and noted Kaye’s impact on the musical landscape, “Carol, like Les [Paul], built a legacy that will continue to encourage all people to create incredible sounds.”

Several artists took to the stage in tribute to Kaye in a musical celebration worthy of her long and revered career. The Les Paul Innovation Award has been presented annually to remarkably-distinguished individuals from the music industry, such as Jackson Browne, Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Peter Frampton and 2020’s recipient, Joni Mitchell.

A notable moment in the evening came from Sequential, the winner of the category of Musical Instrument Hardware for its Prophet 5. At the acceptance speech, David Gibbons of Sequential/Oberheim shared, “Life is a series of wins and losses. And the world of MI spent a huge loss this week. Dave Smith, founder of Sequential, creator of the Prophet 5, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday. He was more than just the founder, he was an innovator, a mentor, and friend. His passing broke our hearts. And in so many ways, his life’s work broke the mould for synthesizer design. The Prophet 5 is a recreation of a 40-year synth design. And many people say the appeal comes from how alive it sounds. Did you ever think that perhaps, inventors breed some of their own lifeforce into their best designs? If that’s the case, then Dave’s spirit lives on in his remarkable body of work.”

Congratulations to the 37th Annual TEC Award recipients:

Audio Apps & Hardware/Peripherals for Smartphones & Tablets
Shure – Wireless Workbench 6.14.1

Audio Education Technology
PreSonus Audio – Electronics Sphere

Computer Audio Hardware
Rupert Neve Designs MBC: Dual Path A-D Converter & Limiter

DJ Production Technology (Hardware/Software)
PreSonus Audio Electronics – ATOM SQ

Headphone/Earpiece Technology
Austrian Audio – Hi-X65 Professional Open-Back Over-Ear Headphones

Large Format Console Technology
Neve – 8424

Microphone Preamplifiers
Audient – iD4 MKII

Microphones – Recording
TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik – TF11 FET

Microphones – Sound Reinforcement
sE Electronics – V7 VE

Musical Instrument Amplification & Effects
Universal Audio – UAFX Golden Reverberator

Musical Instrument Hardware
Sequential – Prophet-5/10

Musical Instrument Software
EastWest Sounds – Hollywood Orchestra Opus Edition

Production Essentials
Genelec – Loudspeaker Manager – GLM V4.0

Signal Processing Hardware
Rupert Neve Designs – 5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor

Signal Processing Software (Dynamics/EQ/Utilities)
iZotope – RX 8

Signal Processing Software (Effects)
FabFilter – Timeless 3

Small Format Console Technology
Solid State Logic – UF8 Advanced DAW Controller

Sound Reinforcement Loudspeakers
Meyer Sound – ULTRA-X20 Compact Wide Coverage Loudspeaker

Studio Monitors
EVE Audio – SC4070

Wireless Technology
Sennheiser – Evolution Wireless Digital

Workstation Technology/Recording Devices
Universal Audio – LUNA Recording System v1.1.8

Film/Sound Production
Soul – Disney+

Interactive Entertainment Sound Production
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Ubisoft

Remote Production – Recording or Broadcast
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert – CBS

Record Production – Album
McCartney III, Paul McCartney – Capitol

Record Production – Single or Track
Lost Cause, Billie Eilish – Darkroom/Interscope

Television Sound Production
The Mandalorian, Season 2 – Disney+

Studio Design Project
Genelec Immersive Experience Center, Natick, MA FM Design

Austrian Audio has announced its OD303, a new dynamic vocal microphone that allows singers and performers to get Austrian Audio quality at an affordable price. The OD303 focuses on what’s important: the best possible sound for your vocal performance. It is well-balanced and open, but at the same time its powerful sound is unparalleled in this price range.

With its rugged construction, the OD303 will withstand daily use in the rehearsal room and also the wear and tear of the road. The die-cast housing is virtually indestructible and the microphone fits comfortably in the hand.

The OD303 also incorporates the legendary Open Acoustic technology of Austrian Audio which delivers an optimally-shaped super-cardioid polar pattern across a wide frequency band and with excellent feedback stability.

Sound engineers will greatly appreciate minimum changes in the sound and without increased feedback. Due to the open design, there are only minimal changes in sound and feedback behaviour when holding the mic close to the head grille. In addition, the proprietary 3D Pop Noise Diffuser, developed by Austrian Audio, reduces noise caused by explosive sounds such as “T” and “P”.

The OD303 is a great option for artists who want Austrian Audio quality sound without breaking the bank.

Pricing:
Europe: €99 inc. VAT
UK: £89 inc. VAT
USA: $119

Austrian Audio has announced the launch of the OC16, a new large-diaphragm condenser microphone designed with high-end features at a manageable price point. Just like the critically acclaimed OC18 and the OC818 models, the new OC16 boasts a transparent and natural sound thanks to a combination of the handmade in Vienna CKR capsule and Austrian Audio’s “Open Acoustics Technology” approach.

The OC16 is an extremely robust microphone equipped with a patented CKR6 ceramic capsule. The design is inspired by the legendary CK12 capsule which was made out of brass. Austrian Audio opted for industrial ceramics instead as it is a highly insulating material that has the same mass and acoustic properties as brass, but is far less error-prone in production and can be manufactured much more consistently. Each capsule is made by hand in Vienna, tested and measured in-house before it leaves the factory.

Austrian Audio’s unique Open Acoustics technology reduces acoustic problems such as unwanted reflections and standing waves within the microphone. The result is the familiar, open and natural Austrian Audio OC (open condenser) sound. Thanks to the elastic capsule suspension, the mic can be positioned very close to even the loudest sound source, reducing unwanted noises, bass boosts and distortion.

The new OC16 is the ideal all-around microphone for anyone who wants to take a step up into Austrian Audio’s high-quality sound world. Its price to performance ratio is unbeatable, putting it within the reach of home studios, gigging musicians, school music programs, podcasters, live streamers, rental companies, and professional studios looking to fill out their mic locker with an affordable workhorse.

Low Cut / High Pass Filter
40Hz to eliminate the lowest interference frequencies.
160Hz to counteract the so-called proximity effect, a bass boost that occurs when the microphone is positioned very close to the sound source.

Design and weight
The flat design of the microphone in combination with its low weight (335g) allows miking and precise alignment even in hard-to-reach places.

Elastic capsule suspension
The CKR capsule is hung inside the microphone at three elastic points. This reduces interference from structure-borne noise to a minimum, so that the mic can also be used without a microphone spider. Ideal for hanging the OC16 on the cable in front of a guitar amplifier, for example.

High sound pressure tolerance
Ideal for use in front of very loud sources without running the risk of distortion. The OC16 can withstand a sound pressure level of up to 148 dB SPL. It doesn’t matter whether it’s used on brass, loud percussion instruments or directly on the guitar amp, the OC16 will always transmit the signal cleanly and without distortion.

The OC16’s feature set makes it an extremely flexible mic for a variety of instruments: from drums to electric and acoustic guitars, pianos, wind and string instruments, to vocals and more.

The OC16 also suits desktop use in podcast recordings, dubbing of video content or online conferences, the OC16 records everything with good speech intelligibility and quality. The precise cardioid polar pattern helps eliminate background noise such as fan noise from the computer.

Pricing
The OC16 is available for US$399 (EU349, and GBP319), and ships in a soft case and includes an elastic microphone spider and a mic clip.