Designed and engineered in Vienna, the City of Music, the Austrian Audio OC16 Condenser Microphone + Free Headphones is a versatile large-diaphragm condenser microphone for instruments and vocals. With its versatile cardioid polar pattern, svelte profile, and low weight. The OC16 is easy to position in tight quarters, making it eminently useful for capturing snare drums and other hard-to-reach sources. You’ll notice it doesn’t have a pad — and that’s because it doesn’t need one. It can handle punishing SPLs of up to 148dB, so you can even close mic a cranked electric guitar amp without fear of capsule damage. The OC16 features Austrian Audio’s proprietary handmade CKR6 capsule and Open Acoustics technology. This neutralizes acoustical interference such as standing waves and reflections within the microphone. This advanced engineering delivers the acclaimed, natural and open-sounding OC sound. Factor in the OC16’s robust build quality and reasonable price tag, and you have another value-packed winner from Austrian Audio.