a very decent first microphone


The German brand Cherry is entering the microphone market with a first model stamped UM 6.0 Advanced that we invite you to discover in this complete test.

Source: Edouard Patout for Frandroid

It is no longer necessary to present Cherry, the German brand that provides the overwhelming majority of mechanical switches for keyboards. gaming. The brand has also been building its own peripherals for many years and is now moving into the microphone segment.

The Cherry UM 6.0 Advanced microphone is positioned as an entry-level USB model that does not require a dedicated driver and goes to the essentials. It benefits from 24-bit/96 kHz sampling, like the MSI GV60 that has already passed through our hands.

It is factory fitted to a shockmount and can logically be installed on a more efficient microphone arm than the discreet tripod on which it sits out of the box. Offered at the recommended price of 110 euros, the UM 6.0 Advanced faces competition that is already well established and will logically have to have strong arguments to convince us.

Convincing industrial design

Visually, the Cherry UM 6.0 Advanced takes the form of a cylinder and sports a well-felt industrial design. The pickup device is housed behind a black metal grille that covers the entire upper part of the microphone. The rest of the body of the device is adorned with a rather chic anthracite metal and hosts the brand logo in its center.

Cherry UM 6.0 Advanced
Source: Edouard Patout for Frandroid

The various remaining elements are made of plastic, starting with the top cover. The latter incorporates, like some competitors, a touch zone that allows you to cut the capture with a simple touch. LEDs are also present to indicate whether the capture is activated in cardioid or omnidirectional mode. The latter, illuminated by default, in white, turn red when the microphone is muted.

On the front, there is a gain control dial. This proves to be of poor quality and there are some concerns about its lifespan. It is also clickable to precisely modify the capture mode. Only two choices are therefore offered here: cardioid or omnidirectional. The connection is relegated to the base of the microphone and logically consists of a USB-C port, accompanied by a jack port for monitoring, the volume of which can be adjusted using a second wheel located at the back.

Cherry UM 6.0 Advanced
Source: Edouard Patout for Frandroid

The shock mount installed on the microphone brings a touch of color with its red rubber band. Its presence is rather welcome and it integrates perfectly with the microphone. The latter is also mounted on a very well integrated joint which allows the microphone to be oriented upwards in order to optimize its placement.

Finally, the set rests on a metal tripod which provides very good stability. All this gives the microphone a nice look that will fit easily on any desk. If the various metal parts that make up the microphone exude quality, the plastics would have deserved a little more careful assembly.

Cherry UM 6.0 Advanced
Source: Edouard Patout for Frandroid

The supplied braided USB cable would have benefited from being a little longer, but also a little more qualitative. If its thinness allows it an appreciable flexibility, we have some reservations about its durability over time.

Finally, the Cherry UM 6.0 Advanced can be installed on any microphone arm thanks to its two standard screw threads. One is installed at the base of the shockmount and the second at the base of the microphone. It will thus be possible to install it with or without the latter.

A very good capture

In order to judge the overall performance of the UM 6.0, we first used it with the stand provided in the box. Installed on our desk, the shock mount manages well to attenuate the various vibrations and other impacts. On this point, it does better than some competitors like HyperX.

Cherry UM 6.0 Advanced
Source: Edouard Patout for Frandroid

The rest of our tests were carried out with the microphone installed on the MA 3.0 Uni arm provided by the brand. The latter resembles the very famous Blue Compass and allows easier use of the microphone while having a very well integrated cable passage. It is offered at the recommended price of 80 euros.

In classic use, the 6.0 UM is not very sensitive to hiss and plosives. However, the grid and the filter it incorporates cannot perform miracles and the microphone should be equipped with a real filter to attenuate them as much as possible. The brand also offers one for around twenty euros.

Cherry UM 6.0 Advanced
Source: Edouard Patout for Frandroid

The sound recording is very convincing and allows a very clear recording of the voice. Nevertheless, the rendering is a little less pleasant to the ear than the Bumblebee II with a slightly more metallic and less “soft” sound. The whole remains nevertheless very convincing, although we regret a certain lack of warmth in the voice.

The overall sensitivity of the microphone is also average and, therefore, keystrokes on a mechanical keyboard located about thirty centimeters away will logically be picked up. However, their sound level remains relatively contained and will not interfere unduly with recordings or streaming.

As always, we let you judge the sound performance of the microphone with some sound clips captured with it.

?️ Basic recording, 75% gain, normalized to 0 dB

?️ Basic recording with keystrokes, 75% gain, normalized to 0 dB

Price and availability

The Cherry UM 6.0 Advanced microphone is available at the recommended price of 110 euros.



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