Austrian Audio CC8-SC: a supercardioid pencil condenser for $599

Austrian Audio used the AES Show in Long Beach, California, to present a second small-diaphragm condenser. Announced on 23 October 2025, the CC8-SC is a pencil-style microphone with a supercardioid polar pattern, which narrows its pickup towards the front and reduces what reaches the capsule from the sides. It joins the company's first pencil model, the CC8, which uses a cardioid pattern. The two microphones share the same small-diaphragm format, so the choice between them comes down to the pickup pattern: cardioid for the CC8 and supercardioid for the new CC8-SC.

Capsule and specifications

At the heart of the CC8-SC sits the OCC7, a true condenser capsule whose design draws on the AKG CK 1. Austrian Audio gives the following headline figures for it:

• maximum sound pressure level of up to 155 dB SPL;
• self-noise of 13 dB(A);
• switchable high-pass filter at 60 Hz or 120 Hz;
• switchable attenuation pad with 0, -10 dB and -20 dB positions.

According to the manufacturer, the pad settings are what let the microphone stay free of distortion all the way to the 155 dB limit. The company describes the sound as naturally open and says it does not turn harsh or sharp even with very loud sources.

Intended use, price and contents

As a small-diaphragm design, the CC8-SC is positioned as a spot microphone, for example for picking out sections or individual players when recording ensembles.

In the United States the CC8-SC is listed at $599. The package includes an OCH8 18 mm microphone clip, a CCW8 windscreen and a carry case.