More Than Expected

The Avantone CK-40 is one clean machine. It presents a balanced tone with a hint of "sparkle" that I just love. Clear lows, smooth mids, and dreamy highs that are not tinny or brittle. It is very musical and pleasing. It's also an attractive piece of gear. It's sure to turn heads when you set it up.

This is a GREAT microphone for stereo applications. This mic is quiet, accurate, and dynamically appealing for critical applications. In an X/Y cardioid configuration, the stereo separation achieved with this microphone is nothing short of stellar. It makes creating a stereo image during mix-down extremely easy since the mic has already done all of the hard work for you during tracking!

My only gripe is that it seems to require a bit more gain than would be expected to achieve a usable level. This is not really an issue since the mic is so quiet, however, those with noisy mic-pres should take note.

Overall, I could not be more pleased with the CK-40.

Great Stereo Mic!

I had been using a matched pair of Rode NT-5 mics for drum overheads for about 5 years. Although great, they seemed a little brittle to me and I was never sure if I had the correct mic positioning for an XY configuration.
Well this mic solved all my problems.
The sound is warmer and I am able to 'position' the drums in the mix much better now. The XY configuration is easy and just plain great.
I also tried the mic as a room mic using the M/S method and was impressed. Then I set it up in front of an acoustic guitar and this is now my goto Acoustic guitar mic.
I am extremely happy I got this mic and will continue to use it on every session I do!

Avantone Audio CK-40

Great Great microphone! this is a fantastic room mic with great sound! i was very impressed with its abilities. Take the LSD2 and make it modern with a crisper better sound and you have this.