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Avantone Pro CK-6 Classic Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Large-diaphragm Cardioid FET Condenser Microphone with Transformerless Class A Circuitry, Highpass Filter, and 10dB Pad
2 Write review Item ID: CK6Classic
$119.00

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Avantone Pro CK-6 Classic Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone
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Amazing Value in a Large-diaphragm FET Condenser

Sweetwater's seasoned pro audio experts may have seen (and heard) it all, but every once in a while a product comes along that shatters the conventional price-to-performance paradigm. Enter the Avantone CK-6. It's a large-diaphragm cardioid FET condenser microphone that looks and sounds expensive, but it's not. That's the idea behind Avantone's Cabernet Series mics, that, performance-wise, go toe-to-toe with microphones costing much more. If you only saw its price, you might assume that Avantone cut corners somewhere. You'd be mistaken. First off, the CK-6 is built for the long haul, with a body and capsule assembly of precision-machined brass.

Related Videos: CK-6 Classic Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Quality components throughout

Under the hood, the CK-6 is equally impressive, featuring discreet, transformerless Class A FET circuitry and a thin gold-sputtered Mylar capsule. Avantone has even used high-grade polystyrene and metalized-polypropylene capacitors in the audio path — normally the kind of "upgrade" components installed by extreme hot-modders. The CK-6 is an all-around studio workhorse, ideal for clearly capturing the sonic character of just about any vocal or instrument. Did we mention how gorgeous the CK-6 is? Its elegant wine-red finish and polished-nickel trim will certainly attract attention whenever anyone sets foot in your studio.

Fully featured, and ready to record

Aside from not having multiple polar patterns (and who in their right mind would expect that in a microphone at this price?), Avantone didn't skimp on the features, either. The CK-6 boasts a 10dB pad, so you can use it on drums, guitar cabinets, and other boisterous sources. It also has an 80Hz highpass filter to attenuate rumble and other unwanted low frequencies. The Avantone CK-6 is an amazing value. At this price, you can easily afford a stereo pair. How about five of them for your toms and overheads?

Avantone CK-6 Large-diaphragm Condenser Mic Features:

  • Fixed cardioid polar pattern
  • Discreet, transformerless Class A FET circuitry
  • Single-sided 32mm center-terminated gold-sputtered Mylar (6 micron) capsule
  • Ideal for studio vocals, acoustic guitar, drum overheads, piano, and more
  • Frequency response: 35Hz-20kHz ±3.5dB
  • Output impedance: <=200 ohms
  • Maximum SPL: 136dB (0.5% THD @1000Hz)
  • Equivalent noise level: <17dB
  • Highpass filter: 80Hz (6dB/octave)
  • 10dB attenuation switch
  • Power: 48 Volt phantom / 5mA
  • Body and capsule assembly made of precision-machined brass
  • Elegant Cabernet Red finish with polished-nickel trim
  • Includes custom retro shockmount

Additional Media

Studio Microphone Buying Guide

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Transformerless Condenser
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Diaphragm Size: 1.25" (32mm) gold-sputtered Mylar Capsule
  • Frequency Response: 32Hz-20kHz (±3.5dB)
  • Max SPL: 136 dB SPL
  • Output Impedance: 200 ohms
  • Self Noise: 17dB
  • Low Cut Filter: 80Hz
  • Pads: -10dB
  • Connector: XLR
  • Color: Metallic Cabernet Red Body, Polished Nickel Trim
  • Power Source: 48V phantom power
  • Dimensions: 6.1" x 1.8"
  • Weight: 0.9 lbs.
  • Included Accessories: Shockmount, Carrying Pouch
  • Manufacturer Part Number: CK6CLASSIC

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Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5

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UNDERRATED

All right let's just start by saying or pointing out the almost non-existing relevant information about this microphone or short-undetailed reviews and as a way to revitalize this mic reputation and throw some love on this thing because this would probably be one of the most underrated microphones out there and actually deserves some love. I'll take that responsibility and make this my contribution for the independent artist, singer, audio engineer or anybody who wants to record him or herself on a "BUDGET".

Because let's be real if you're seeing this, you're not planning on spending too much on a microphone maybe not as little like in a MXL or an AT2020 but you're not going up to the big brother the cv-12 or idk a sm7b and obviously not a Neumann or Telefunken or whatever legendary boutique microphone is out there. So, coming back to this microphone and I'm gonna try to keep it as the main focus on this review from now on.

This is actually fire.

It's not perfect, but It's not bad or trashy or anything. It's a flat asf- microphone with really nice highs and mids but almost and literally no bass response and for some people or genres that might be good!

Of course, you want a microphone to sound balanced all the way across the spectrum but let's be real again, expensive microphones do that and more expensive sometimes more natural... is just like that so in terms of sound for the balance and the lack of bass this would still being a 4/5. The reason why I kept the 5 stars it's because is not a bad thing for me at 100% of course if this would be my main microphone for live that would be kinda sad and I need to boost or find ways to add low-end to the recordings, but I'm working with a singer who vocals are reaaally low and sometimes the amount of eq you need to do and all the processing just makes it sound unnatural, I have a dynamic before this one so, the condenser approach, make it more natural, this was a life and time saver, so if you managed to deal with the low end response or is not a big turn off. Then I recommended to you.

Next thing, and something you SHOULD KNOW. This is a pretty hot mic, comes with pad and hi-pass filter when I first got it, I was like "why the pad? Maybe people recording drums?" and btw as a room mic, this kills it (And for acoustic piano tho)

So BACK ON THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW, yeah hot mic, turn the pad or lower the gain on your interface or preamp because you can tell that sweet distortion, that's why it is a FET haha, now, you definitively MUST have acoustic treatment and a good room / environment for this mic as for many condensers and most of mics, if you don't have that then your problems would be this thing picking up EVERYTHING a literally EVERYTHING if there's an ant on the room this will pick it. and probably vocals resulting being weak not as present and bla bla blah. Get yourself on acoustic treatment or a good room and this thing will rock! Now, I've been using it on untreated rooms because we (me and my artists) always write or have demo / fun / recording sessions to get our ideas while having a good time, chillin' and just vibing with songs on the living room, or on a park or wherever and then work the ideas and record them properly on studio. This is a pretty god mic for that too, you can go, throw it on your backpack with the carry bag that comes with it (but put some padding there of course) and just go and record, probably you won't have the studio perfect recordings, but good demos, yes, now if you have a room, maybe with some good pre-amp or if you know whatcha doing most people wouldn't know that this is a "budget/inexpensive" microphone

Having said that, since we are talking about features, sound profile and some accessories, we are going to finish with the presentation, look etc.

The color and pictures are really misleading, it's not a glossy, polished red (like taylor swift's lips in many performances) or so most photos make it out to be, it's more of a matte and going color more like a red wine.

The box is ok, a bit weird or unconventional for a microphone I think, but I like the design, I had a hard time accepting it, but I liked it, and it only comes with the bag/soft case (Really soft, get a good protection case if moving this out a lot), a shock-mount that is well built and metal, although It has its details (at least mine) and two extra rubber bands in case one is lost or broken.

So making a summary of everything

SOUND: 4/5 (GOD MIDS AND HIGHS ALMOST NO BASS). Excellent for not so deep-low vocals (female vocals mostly) and great on acoustic guitar, piano, room mic, and guitar amps (some of them)
FEATURES: 5/5 Pad and Hi-pass nice to have, what else do you want?
ACCESORIES: 3/5 The bag is not that protective, and the shock mount has a few cosmetic details on the plastic part but again maybe is just mine.
BUILT QUALITY: Feels good, open it and the work with the circuitry looks pretty nice. It's as nice as a good mic should be. No complaints.
PRICE: No-brainer since you can buy this for $119 when the regular price is $169 at Sweetwater it's crazy

I can't say that there are better options because this is not a comparison, it's an objective review of this microphone and only this microphone, but surely there are options and worse, the point is that this is a good microphone that can stand alone without absurd comparisons by itself and demonstrate excellent results.

Now if with the final part of this review my recommendations.

Besides the room and all that there are a few things I would like to mention, the CK-6+ resolves the problem with the bass response and makes it sound better overall maybe wanna check that is just $199 and the presentation it's better, hard aluminum case, nice wooden box, same shock-mount and rubber bands and just better, that's why is the plus version I highly recommend getting that one if you can, get rid of the bass response "problem" and better goodies and accessories overall.

Now, should I get something nicer? Yeah, you should IF YOU CAN GET SOMETHING NICER. Everybody should, now you're on a budget this is as high as you can get, course man, you can get better, learn do your stuff and change it and evolve later and get something nicer, maybe "your dream mic" but as a work-horse and a tool, this will keep you rocking and working!

Again, who I think this mic is the best for? Vocalist, guitarist, pianist, producers that need a quality room mic maybe not THE DRUM MIC for drums, I'm talking more like a mic to have your production or writing sessions recorded while you work and not lose the ideas. I literally leave this thing on the background on every time we're making a demo and then go back to the recording, do some quality pro takes and bang, you got the song haha

That is all I can contribute, I hope I have given enough information about this microphone with this long and medium review, connoisseurs or people who like details will appreciate it, I leave photos of my purchase and microphone so that there is evidence that I have. used, and I have tested in depth also XD

Thank you, guys for reading me and Sweetwater just best music store for musicians ever! (Also, shoutout to my guy Jake Davis for having helped and advised me to get this microphone, the best microphone I could choose for my particular case, thanks Jake!!).

Now it's done, it's all bye.
by Carlos Cordova from Doral, FL. on
Music background: Music Producer, Songwriter

Not bad

Bought it on a whim. It has a lot of midrange, the upper registers aren't as prominent. It's a bit rough and unrefined but it's not a bad mic.
by David from OH on
Music background: pro symphony musician
See also: Condenser Mics, Avantone Pro, Avantone Pro Condenser Microphones
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