How to Operate the OC818:
The OC818 requires phantom power, so please make sure that you are supplying it according to P48
(48V +/- 4V). Peak current consumption is below 4 mA (OC818 with OCR8 connected). Almost all
state-of-the-art professional mixing consoles, preamps and audio interfaces provide enough power,
however some battery driven, or older devices may fail to do so!
Setting up the OC818:
For optimum performance, do not cover the grill of the OC818, and always ensure a secure fit in the
OCH8 (holder) or OCS8 (suspension).
Always place your sound source to face our beautiful logo!
If you record in figure-8, then you can also use the rear side. Or if you record in Omnidirectional, then
it does not matter at all. Or if you pick up a Leslie cabinet and are experimenting with the phase-
shifting-effects. But otherwise: Please face the logo!
Adjusting the Polar Pattern:
The OC818 provides 4 default directional characteristics: figure-8, supercardioid, cardioid and
omnidirectional. The 5
th
setting (
•
)
is called “
Preset Mode
”. If you own an OCR8 Bluetooth dongle
you can program your custom pattern to this position. Factory setting (before you change the
pattern by an OCR8) for this position is broad-cardioid without High Pass Filter and Pad Switch
–
those are inactive in Preset Mode.
Switch the polar pattern selector to the desired pattern. Please note that the microphone needs a
few seconds to adapt to the new pattern, especially if you switch all the way from figure-8 (left) to
omni (right) or vice versa (this gives any sluggish electrons time to catch up).
High Pass Filter:
The high pass filter is a powerful tool to reduce unwanted low frequencies, like stage noise, handling,
or your Uncle Albert’s singing.
''0'' means not active
''40'' is a high pass 2
nd
order filter at 40 Hz
''80'' is a high pass 2
nd
order filter at 80 Hz
''160'' is a high pass 1
st
order filter from 160 Hz to 80 Hz, and a high pass 2
nd
order filter below 80 Hz.
Pad Switch:
The Pad switch reduces the sensitivity of the microphone and prevents overloading the microphone
in loud environments.
''0'' means not active
''-10'' means that the microphone is 10 dB less sensitive
''-20'' means that the microphone is 20 dB less sensitive
''-30''
means you may need to see an optician, as there is no “
-
30” position.
Note: The -10dB position reduces the bias voltage of the capsule, so the microphone can take 10dB
more input (I am looking at you there, trombone jockey), whereas the -20db Setting reduces the gain
by another 10 dB to protect your mixer preamp from overload.
