Austrian Audio Announces Public Beta Release of PolarDesigner3 Audio Plugin

Participating users entered to win OC818 microphone

02/05/2025

Vienna, Austria, February 5, 2024 — Austrian Audio announces the start of public beta testing on the latest version of PolarDesigner – one of several innovative audio plugins in Austrian Audio’s software suite created by the brand for use with their OC818 and OC-S10 microphones. Beta testing on the open source plugin is open to all users starting now and those participating by providing feedback will be entered to win an OC818 microphone. For more information and to sign up, please click here.

Versatile post-processing tool for cutting-edge hardware technology
Austrian Audio’s software suite is designed to provide users with access to advanced post-processing power that take full advantage of the versatility of the OC818 and OC-S10 microphones. PolarDesigner gives users the ability to morph polar patterns in your DAW during post-production, adjusting the polar pattern of the microphone signal in up to five frequency bands for full flexibility. This empowers the user to push the limits of audio processing of acoustic material for creative ends in an intuitive, easy to understand way. These changes can also be automated in the DAW. PolarDesigner is the first plugin to streamline these techniques into an easy-to-use workflow for immediate, creative use. The Beta of PolarDesigner3 also includes a simplified UI for ease of operation, added Trim slider control, and is compatible with all Windows and Mac DAWs including all versions of Apple Silicon.

“We at Austrian Audio believe that the future of microphone design is the combination of the best practices in high-end physical engineering and having a pioneering spirit towards exploring the versatility of digital post-processing control,” says Austrian Audio CEO Martin Seidl. “With this public beta we are opening the doors to our very active user community and letting them guide us towards the ultimate workflow – using our abilities as engineers and designers to speak to their needs as working creators.”

“It is a very exciting process and we’re eager to see how together, we can explore the next frontier of essential microphone features.”

PolarDesigner3 Specs

Fully optimized for Apple Silicon - M1, M2, M3 and M4 and in Rosetta mode.
Supported platforms and formats: Win/Mac (Apple Silicon, Intel, Rosetta), AAX, VST3, AU
The UI for PolarDesigner has been updated to make it easier to use
- Simpler/lighter/modern graphics
- resizable UI
Overall performance improvements (JUCE Framework update, cross-platform FFT)
PolarDesigner
- trim Slider
  - Enables the user to adjust the frequency dependent polar pattern
- new Terminator control heuristics
  - Redesign of Terminator control for more intuitive and easier usage
  - Modernized interface

For more information about and to sign up for Austrian Audio Plugin Beta Testing for PolarDesigner3, please visit: https://austrian.audio/product/polardesigner/

About Austrian Audio
Austrian Audio opened its doors in 2017 following the closure of the AKG offices in Vienna and set out to create something new, challenging, and respectful to its heritage. The new company started with a core team of previous AKG personnel from management, acoustics, electronics, test and measurement, mechanical design, RF/wireless, and software/firmware, bringing 350 years of cumulative engineering experience to the new company.

For more information, visit austrian.audio.