recordinghacks

Search Microphones


Share This Page

Share

Mods for the CK-6

  • Microphone PartsMicrophone Parts
    The sharp high-frequency peak of the Avant CK-6 can be revoiced with a flatter, broader presence peak by swapping the stock 32mm capsule with a 34mm RK-47, a copy of the Neumann K-47.

    Another option is the RK-12, which provides a full low frequency response, and a mild presence peak in the 8-10kHz, without the sharp 11-12kHz peak found in the original CK6 capsule.


CardioidAvantone Pro CK-6

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The CK-6 is an inexpensive large-diaphragm FET condenser microphone. It has a fixed-cardioid, 32mm capsule (27mm active diaphragm diameter).

It has upgraded packaging from many comparable microphones on the market, but its capsule and circuit are standards found on mics ranging in price from $50 to $300, from a variety of manufacturers — notably the CAD GXL2200 and GXL2400, which use identical circuits and capsules, although they lack the two external switches found on the CK6.

The CK6 capsule is a standard 32mm K67 type, with only the front diaphragm metallized (as is common on Cardioid microphones).

Switches on the mic body provide a -10dB pad and a high-pass filter (a 6dB/octave roll-off below 80Hz).

The stated frequency range is 35 - 20,000 Hz, but the included frequency plot shows a -3dB point around 45Hz.

CK-6 CircuitThe output circuit is transformerless. It is a common Chinese copy of the Schoeps transformerless design.

The CK6 is a strong DIY modification candidate. The two most useful modifications would be to raise the capsule polarization voltage, which on the sample mic we inspected was 47VDC, and to change the capsule — the latter being the most significant, and most audible opportunity. See the sidebar for replacement capsule options.

Avant CK-6 KitThe mic ships with an elastic shockmount, a padded wooden storage box, and an aluminum flight case.

The Avantone Pro CK-6 is also known as: CK6.

The mic was released in 2006.

Specifications

Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!
CK-6 Cardioid Frequency Response Chart
Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (45 - 20,000 Hz)
  • Pad: -10dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF: -6dB/octave @ 80Hz (Via Switch)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 27mm
Capsule diameter: 32mm
 200 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 136 dB
Self-noise: 17.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
400g (14.11oz) 155mm (6.10'') 46mm (1.81'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 48v

Did we get anything wrong on this page? Please let us know!