Hey there all. As some of you may be aware of, I purchased a set of Avantone CK-1s through a buyer on Craigslist. They have very mismatched responses.
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=186706.0Anyway, here’s the message I posted on Team Avantone, though that thread seems pretty dead. Here’s a slightly adjusted version of what I posted there:
I recently bought a pair of CK-1s on the secondary market that are quite mismatched. To get comparable levels between the two mics requires me to put one channel at low gain and one at mid gain on my DR-60d. This results in an audible hum from only one mic during quiet portions.
After nothing this issue, I removed the circuitry from the mic body to inspect, and as part of that process I tweaked the connection of the bass roll-off switch to the circuit board. This mic is the one that has the higher response, but given that was the case prior to me taking it apart I don’t think this changed anything. After finding no other obvious issues, I reinserted the circuitry to the body. As part of this process the plastic pieces that allow for the changing of the switches’ positions also popped off.
I also peeped through the mesh near the point of connection between the mic body and the capsule. The pin that the capsule connects to appears to not be exactly perpendicular to the surface of the capsule’s hex shaped connector as I can see light coming through when I shine a flashlight from behind, though I notice this on both mics. I’ve tried switching capsules between mic bodies, changing XLR cables, and switching between L/R channels on the recorder. The issue seems to be in the mic body itself.
1) Is the connector between mic body pin and capsule supposed to be totally flush? Can someone check on their own mic/capsule to see?
2) Do you think the mics can be adjusted to be more tightly matched?
3) Do you have any advice on returning the plastic switch caps to their place?
If anyone has any clarifying questions or wants pictures to help understand let me know.
Thanks tapers!