Austrian Audio OC818 Dual Set Plus

Two OC818s, factory-matched, with shockmounts, windshields and the case: the full stereo rig from the top of Austrian Audio's range. Each mic has dual outputs — the rear capsule records to its own channel — so the polar pattern isn't a decision you make at setup, it's a fader you ride in the mix.

This is for rooms, orchestras, drum kits, and engineers who want to audition XY against Blumlein after everyone has gone home.

Budget four preamp channels with 48 V phantom to use the dual-output trick on both mics, and add the OCR8 remote if the stands live where a ladder has to reach.