OC-S10 Reference Recording Microphone
User Manual
Introduction and Safety Instructions
This user manual will guide you through setup, operation and maintenance of your OC-S10. Please read this manual thoroughly before using the microphone to ensure proper and safe usage. We ask you to follow a few restrictions to guarantee trouble-free workflow, and to keep the product in perfect working condition:
- The OC-S10 is a professional studio microphone. Please do not operate this product other than as intended.
- Do not use the microphone or its accessories if defective.
- Always store and operate the microphone in a dry and safe place.
- Do not expose to excessive heat (for example, do not leave it in a car parked in the sun).
- In case of a sudden temperature change from cold to warm, please give the microphone time to reach adequate temperature before use. (Allowed storage temperature range: -25°C to 60°C).
- Do not operate outside the intended temperature range: 0°C to 55°C
- Do not use this product in a wet or humid environment.
- Do not drop the OC-S10.
- When used inverted (mounted in the OCSM10 shock mount) make sure that a tight fit is achieved, and do not operate the OC-S10 above personnel.
- This product requires a phantom power source with 48 V (+/-4 V). The maximum idle current draw is < 3 mA.
- Please keep this product away from small children.
- To clean the product, use a soft dry cloth.
- Please do not use any third-party accessories.
- Do not disassemble the product, as there are no user-serviceable parts inside.
- The length of the XLR cable must not exceed 30 m.
- Do not remove any stickers (if applicable).
- The metal mesh pop filter is made from nickel chromium please do not ingest.
- Both the OCSM10 shock mount as well as the OCPF10 pop filter contain Neodymium magnets.
- Please do not eat the silica gel packs, which are included for moisture protection.
Thank you for reading the instructions so far and thank you for choosing Austrian Audio.
How to operate the OC-S10:
The OC-S10 requires phantom power, so please make sure that you are supplying it according to the IEC 61938 technical standard P48 (48V +/- 4V). The idle current consumption is below 3 mA. 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 provide adequate power!
Setting up the OC-S10:
For optimum performance, do not cover the grille of the OC-S10, and always ensure a secure fit within the OCSM10 shock mount. Hold the microphone tightly in one hand and turn the shock mount thread with the other hand. If needed, use the frameless OCPF10 metal mesh pop filter with magnetic mounts. The frameless design eliminates plosive sounds without any physical obstruction.
Plug in XLR cable(s):
For normal operation you only need to connect an XLR cable to the main (front) output. The second XLR output can be used to record the rear capsule signal separately.
Note: An XLR cable must be physically connected to the main XLR output before plugging in a cable to the rear output. If no cable is plugged into the main output, the Sequential Lockout will block the rear output.
To quickly find the main output on the bottom side by feel there is an orientation protrusion close to the main socket.
- Main (Front) XLR Output
- Sequential Lockout
- Rear XLR Output (for Dual Mode)
- Factory Calibration
- Orientation Mark for Main Output
Polar Pattern Selection:
The OC-S10 is a multi-pattern microphone, providing 5 different directional characteristics: omnidirectional, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid and figure of 8. Please select your desired polar pattern by adjusting the pattern ring.
Our logo marks the front side of the microphone. Please arrange the microphone so that your sound source faces the logo.
- Omnidirectional
- Wide Cardioid
- (Dual-) Cardioid
- Hypercardioid
- Figure of 8
Dual Mode:
The second output on the bottom side of the microphone delivers the signal of the rear membrane, while the front capsule signal is delivered on the main XLR connector. Plug in a second 3pin XLR cable and set the polar pattern switch to the position showing the 2 cardioids.
- Main Connector (Front)
- (Back)
The OC-S10 will now work in dual mode, with the signal from both of the capsule membranes being transmitted independently. In dual mode, you may record the two signals to two tracks and use our PolarDesigner (or StereoCreator) plugins to modify the polar pattern in post-production.
Low Cut Filter:
The low-cut filter is a powerful tool to reduce unwanted low frequency material, such as stage and handling noise.
”0” means inactive
”40” inserts a 2nd order low cut filter at 40 Hz
”80” inserts a 2nd order low cut filter at 80 Hz
”160” inserts a 1st order low cut filter from 160 Hz to 80 Hz, and a 2nd order low cut filter below 80 Hz.
Switchable Pad:
The Pad reduces the sensitivity of the microphone and prevents overloading the signal in loud environments.
”0” means not active
”-10” reduces the sensitivity by -10 dB
”-20” reduces the sensitivity by -20 dB
How to replace the suspension pads on your OCSM10 shock mount:
1. Start by removing the top suspension on one side of the shock mount. Remove it from the two outer, smaller mount points first, from the larger mount point last.
2. Remove the bottom suspension on the same side. Start at the larger mount point and slip the suspension pad over the rod and larger top mount point. Remove completely via the two outer, smaller mount points.
3. Repeat steps 1-2 on the other side.
4. To install the replacement suspension pads, start on one side. First place the new pad’s larger hole over the larger top mount point and slip it onto the rod to properly position it at the bottom. Then slip it over the two smaller, outer mount points.
Please note the direction of the pads. The flat side of the bottom pads needs to face downwards!
5. Press the top pad over the bigger top mount point first, then slip it over the two smaller, outer mount points.
Please note the direction of the pads. The flat side of the top pads needs to face upwards.
6. Repeat steps 4-5 on the other side.
Product Specifications
| Directional characteristics | Omnidirectional, Wide cardioid, Cardioid, Hypercardioid, Figure-of-Eight, Individual (with Dual Output) |
| Frequency range | 20 Hz – 22 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 14 mV/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level | 8 dB SPL (A) |
| Max. SPL | 147 (157) dB SPL |
| Low Cut filter | 40 Hz (2nd order), 80 Hz (2nd order), 160 Hz (1st order down to 80 Hz, 2nd order below) |
| Switchable pad | -10 dB, -20 dB |
| Impedance | 108 Ω (symmetrical) |
| Load impedance | > 1 kΩ |
| Supply voltage | 48 V (< 3 mA) |
| Connectors | 2x XLR 3pin |
| Dimensions | 205 x 63 x 63 mm |
| Weight | 710 g |
OC-S10 Omnidirectional
OC-S10 Wide cardioid
OC-S10 Cardioid
OC-S10 Hypercardioid
OC-S10 Figure eight
Made in Austria
This product conforms to the standards listed in the Declaration of Conformity and can be found at https://austrian.audio/OC-S10
Copyright Austrian Audio 2025.
All rights reserved by
Austrian Audio GmbH
Eitnergasse 15
1230 Vienna
support@austrianaudio.com
OC-S10_Manual_v01 – 25.06.2025
Documents / Resources
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AUSTRIAN AUDIO OC-S10 Reference Recording Microphone [pdf] User Manual OC-S10 Reference Recording Microphone, OC-S10, Reference Recording Microphone, Recording Microphone, Microphone |