Austrian Audio cc8 - A future classic?

[Random Guitarist]

I've had one of these mics for a few days now and been using it a lot.

I have a pair of the Beyer MC930, which are very nice, but I am loving the CC8 more. It's such a nice sound and the high end seems beautifully smooth, even with occasional strong eq boosts. For my ears it just sounds right so much of the time. Maybe not a 'character' mic, unless a clean accurate capture is a character.

Combined with the really nice aesthetic / build quality /origin story I feel like if anything made now could become a future classic this is one.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I think it could well be. I've been very impressed with everything AA have made so far. The OC818 is a new classic too.

I know the cc8 capsule design was supposed to be inspired by the old ck1, but it sounds so much smoother and more refined to my ears.

[SoundAbound]

I've been using a pair of cc8s as workhorse mics and find that they've done well in every role that I've thrown at them so far. They've been all over drum sets, acoustic instruments and in different stereo arrays. Clean, detailed sound, very smooth, takes EQ well. Subtle character that's not too obtrusive. A definite future classic. I'd like to pick up another set before the price goes up.

[Sam Inglis]

I know the cc8 capsule design was supposed to be inspired by the old ck1, but it sounds so much smoother and more refined to my ears.

Mine too. I'd love it if they made an omni capsule...

[progger]

I've had a pair of their OC818 for a little over a year and I've used them extensively. Whenever any of my musician buddies asks about an upgrade for the home studio, it's usually my top suggestion. AA is getting a lot right at the moment, clearly.

I haven't had the chance to try the CC8 in person yet, although I've been impressed with clips I've heard (as unreliable as those are vs firsthand experience, admittedly). I've been hearing generally very favorable reviews, and read only a few mild concerns over weird frequency behavior (odd peaks or dips, maybe?) that I wouldn't be surprised might have been isolated to individual experiences and affected by environmental factors (as everything always is).

In terms of modern all-purpose SDCs, it seems like these and the venerable Beyer MC930 are the ones to beat in this price bracket. I quite like the Beyers and I'm eager to try the CC8s if they ever appear in my particular scene, and I hope they do...

[Aled Hughes]

I'm a big fan of my OC818 pair too, and would like to try the CC8.

I have a pair of Beyer MC930 and they see a lot of use. It would something special for the CC8 to be a clear winner against them!

Bear in mind though that the MC930 price seems to have taken a hike with the new cosmetic relaunch - they are now pretty much the same price as a pair of Neumann KM184. The CC8 is a fair bit cheaper - more like what the MC930 used to be - but still not that far off the Neumanns, I don't think.

[Random Guitarist]

The MC930s have got more expensive now. I snagged a bargain new pair for £600, but just realised that was five years ago!

The CC8s don't replace the 930s in my mind at this stage, I expect to have uses for both, but I have not A/B'd them. Right now I feel like the 930s remain my classic sounding drum overheads etc, and the cc8s are for the brighter more detailed elements like acoustic guitars.

Two very good pairs of SDCs makes me a truly lucky boy.

In the UK Scan computers have the individual CC8 at £339 delivered, a good value by any measure.

[Zukan]

Missus: 'why do you feel the need to own an MC930?'
Me: 'I'm not sure.'
Missus: 'and why do you now feel you need to own the CC8?'
Me: 'I still don't know.'
Missus packing my bag: 'do you really think you need another mic on top of the other multitude of mics you own?'
Me: 'it's all Hugh's fault.'
Missus handing bag to me: 'I see.'

[Hugh Robjohns]

I reckon that gets said a lot.....

[Aled Hughes]

Yup. Every time I see a Neumann TLM170 at a bargain price, I have to work very hard to resist, simply because Hugh once said that they’re great.

One day I’ll succumb, and stare at all the OC818s, C414s, U87s, C48s etc. we have at the studio and think “I can finally do some work now I have a TLM170…”

And I don’t even use large-diaphragm condensers all that much…

[Random Guitarist]

Missus: 'why do you feel the need to own an MC930?'
. . .

Very fair, having gone through a lot of ok gear in the past now I plan to be settled on a smaller set of good tools and no more acquisitions.

[rggillespie]

Couldn't agree more 'having gone through a lot of ok gear in the past now I plan to be settled on a smaller set of good tools and no more acquisitions.' I've finally got my head round this idea too. Selling what isn't used and keeping what is needed is liberating. Less choice makes it easier to see the wood for the trees. My OC818 is a keeper, super versatile and dare I say it, it inspires me to record more. That being said, room treatment was still the best investment I ever made!

[Arpangel]

Missus: 'why do you feel the need to own an MC930?'
Me: 'I'm not sure.'
Missus: 'and why do you now feel you need to own the CC8?'
Me: 'I still don't know.'
Missus packing my bag: 'do you really think you need another mic on top of the other multitude of mics you own?'
Me: 'it's all Hugh's fault.'
Missus handing bag to me: 'I see.'

Missus: why do you need all this stuff, what’s wrong with the piano?

[shufflebeat]

Missus: 'why do you feel the need to own an MC930?'
Me: 'I'm not sure.'
Inner voice: ‘you’ve lived on your own before, you know’
Me: ‘I’ll get the kettle on’.