The Avantone CK-1 is a small-bodied FET pencil microphone which includes 3 interchangeable capsules, making it an incredibly versatile mic which suits a variety of applications. Whether you're recording drums, acoustic guitars, piano or percussion this microphone gives you great results at a very affordable price.

Part of Avantone's Cabernet series, the CK-1 is a clean and transparent sounding mic that has a solid build which belies its relatively low price point. It even includes a sturdy padded wooden case and shock mount, which makes it one of the best ways to enter the world of professional recording.

Capsule 1 - Cardioid

The Cardioid capsule is a great all-rounder, providing a standard pickup profile that is useful in most situations. If you're not sure what will work best, this is the one to go for, and is great for fairly direct sources that are recorded from a small distance away e.g drum overheads.

Capsule 2 - Omni

Omni capsules pick up equally on all sides and are perfect for accentuating the 'room' in a sound. These work brilliantly on pianos and acoustic guitar, providing a more open tone than capsules with more focused patterns. Just make sure the room you're recording in sounds great!

Capsule 3 - Hyper-Cardioid

The Hyper-Cardioid capsule has the narrowest pickup pattern of all included with the CK-1, providing the perfect solution where rear rejection and close proximity to a source is of paramount importance. This option is most suited to recording instruments such as Hi-Hats and acoustic guitars, sounding particularly good at the 12th fret position favoured by many engineers for providing extra attack.