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An introduction to Austrian Audio PolarDesigner, based on information from the maker and distributors: what it does, how to use it and who it may suit. It is not scored.
Stop choosing polar patterns. Start designing them.
— Austrian Audio official site
What is PolarDesigner?
PolarDesigner is a free plugin from Austrian Audio that lets you design a microphone's polar pattern after recording. It works with material from the OC818 and other mics that output the front and rear diaphragm signals separately.
Its key feature is that the signal can be split into up to five frequency bands, each with its own pattern. For instance, wider lows and tighter highs may be worth trying when you want to reduce hi-hat spill or room sound.
It includes the Terminator spill-detection tool, Proximity Control for the proximity effect, Equalization Control to reduce tonal change, a zero-latency mode and a Sync group that links several instances.
It is intended for the OC818, the OC-S10 and other dual-diaphragm, dual-output microphones. It can be downloaded free from the maker's site for Windows and macOS in AAX, AU and VST3.
Polar pattern in up to five bands
The signal can be divided into one to five bands, each with its own pattern. The display shows the pattern shapes and a drag line for each band.
Terminator for spill
Terminate Spill analyses an unwanted sound and sets the pattern that minimises its energy. Maximize Target does the opposite for the wanted sound, and Max Target-to-spill combines both steps.
Proximity Control
This compensates for the bass boost of close sources, or adds it to an omni pattern. The manual says it uses an IIR filter and adds no latency.
Equalization Control
Free-field and diffuse-field filters aim to keep the tone consistent when the pattern changes, using the cardioid sound as reference. They add about 11 ms of latency.
Zero latency mode
For monitoring or live use, processing can be switched to no added latency. Filtering is disabled in this mode, so only broadband patterns can be set.
Sync group and presets
Instances set to the same sync channel follow each other. Settings can be saved as presets and shared as files.
Per-band gain, solo and mute
Each band has gain, solo and mute so that you can audition them one by one.
Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | Free |
| OS | macOS 10.14 or later; Windows 11 64-bit or later |
| Plugin formats | AAX, AU, VST3 |
| Tested DAWs | Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic, Reaper |
| Bands | 1 to 5 |
| Target microphones | OC818, OC-S10 and other dual-diaphragm, dual-output mics |
| Latency with Equalization | about 11 ms (disabled in zero latency mode) |
What is included and system requirements
- Plugin (free download, about 15 MB)
- Manual (PDF)
- Pattern presets and samples (separate file, about 100 MB)
- Formats: AAX, AU, VST3
- Needed separately: OC818 or OC-S10 and the OCC8 mini XLR cable
How to use it
- Download and install PolarDesigner from the maker's site.
- Connect the OC818 front diaphragm (XLR out) to input 1/L of your interface.
- Connect the rear diaphragm (via the OCC8 mini XLR cable) to input 2/R.
- Set the mic's polar pattern switch to the position showing two cardioids.
- Route inputs 1 and 2 to a stereo track and insert PolarDesigner.
- Choose the number of bands (1 to 5) and drag each band's pattern.
- If there is spill, play the unwanted sound and let Terminator analyse it.
- Adjust Proximity and Equalization as needed and save your favourite settings as a preset.
Drum miking
When the hi-hat leaks into the snare mic, narrowing patterns by band may help reduce the spill.
Vocal recording
It may help reduce room sound or manage the low-end build-up as a singer moves closer.
Acoustic instruments
Changing the pattern afterwards may let you adjust the balance of direct and room sound.
Post and narration
On material with noise or reflections, you can try different patterns on the same take.
Who it may suit
- Users of the OC818 or OC-S10 who want to set directivity after recording
- People who want to reduce spill or bleed after the take
- Those who want finer control of the proximity effect
Good to know before you buy
- It is for material from dual-diaphragm, dual-output microphones, not ordinary mic signals.
- Equalization Control adds about 11 ms of latency and is unavailable in zero latency mode.
- The manual advises using either the DAW's A/B function or PolarDesigner's Compare function, not both.
- Requires macOS 10.14 or later or Windows 11 64-bit or later.
How it differs from similar products
We do not pick a winner; the official figures are placed side by side.
StereoCreatorAustrian Audio
PolarDesigner shapes the pattern of one OC818 in up to five bands. StereoCreator chooses a stereo format (XY, M/S, Blumlein) from one or two OC818s. Both are free.
Price
Free to use (Austrian Audio official site, checked 2026-10-27).
Free to download; the microphone is sold separately.
See PolarDesigner on the product page
Sources: austrian.audio (checked 2026-10-27)
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