Best Mic For Acoustic Guitar For Recordings

No matter what music it is that you play, if you want to share your music online, start a podcast or use a microphone for vlogging and you wish not to use the absolutely horrible mic that smartphones have, I have got something for you on my list.

best mic for acoustic guitar

The following list will include a whole range of microphones that we have narrowed down, you can choose the Mic which suits your needs the best. Okay, now, let us start the list. Here are the best mic for acoustic guitar:

10 BEST MIC FOR ACOUSTIC GUITAR REVIEW

1) SHURE MV88 - BEST PHONE MIC FOR RECORDING ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Shure MV88 - best mic for acoustic guitar

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Frequency response: 20 to 20 kHz.
  • Powered via the Lightning connector.
  • Condenser microphone.
  • Five built-in preset modes.
  • Offers 2 free apps.
  • Adjustable output gain from 0 to +32dB (controlled in the app).

The Shure MV88 is a small, portable microphone that is built primarily for iOS devices like the iPhone, iPad, etc and is compatible with those devices with a Lightning connector. This mic does not specialize at anything and I would say it is very versatile and is a jack of all trades sorta deal.

You use the microphone in conjunction with the ShurePlus MOTIV Audio & ShurePlus MOTIV Video apps which, though are free and accessible to all, unlock many more features when used with this microphone.

However, you can explore the app yourself and I recommend you do, this list is all about the microphone. So, as I said earlier, this mic is very travel friendly. It is very small and is made up of metal and strong plastic, which means carrying it along is not a hassle and it can handle the abuse that travel might bring. It has a rotating head which allows you to adjust the position exactly how you want which is a neat feature.

Coming to the quality of this best mic for acoustic guitar, I am very much impressed by how well this mic performed. It was able to capture the lows, the highs were clear and the mids were also captured with clarity.

People who own music studio at home, and often record their guitar and play around with the idea of podcasting, can find this microphone the ideal pick. It covers all ground decently, and again, as I said before, it is a jack of all trades.

Pros

  • Easy to carry.
  • 90-degree hinge with built-in rotation.
  • Built well.
  • Rich bass with clear highs and mids.

Cons

  • Compatible with Apple devices with lightning input ONLY.



2) THE BLUE YETI PRO (USB) - BEST MULTIPATTERN MIC FOR ACOUSTIC GUITAR

BLUE YETI  - best mic for acoustic guitar

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Condenser microphone.
  • Built-in headphone amplifier.
  • Supports USB and XLR.
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz.
  • Built-in Stand.
  • Recording Resolution: Up to 24-bit, 192kHz.

The Blue Yeti Pro is one of the most versatile USB microphones out there. Being one of the flagship products of Blue, a lot is expected from it; it is delivered. Now, the key feature is, you probably guessed it, the fact that it supports USB connection. This feature adds a lot to the convenience factor making this a perfect go-to for beginners that wish to have a mic however lack the setup that a traditional mic requires.

It also supports the traditional XLR cables for any purists out there. The quality at which the Blue Yeti Pro is able to record is 24-bit/192 kHz with analog XLR output. This best mic for acoustic guitar furthers boasts features like having an inbuilt headphone amplifier, mute, pattern selection, microphone gain and headphone volume. Making this a perfect studio partner. The Blue Yeti can change the way it picks up sound using what is called Switchable Pickup Pattern. 

There are 4 in-built patterns on this mic, namely: bidirectional, unidirectional, cardioid, and stereo. I will not go into those here as that would take up a lot of time but just know, whatever you want out of this microphone, it will deliver. On top of everything, it is also sturdy and solid with an in-built stand for some more convenience. Obviously, all of those features are coming at a price, so it is expensive but if that isn’t a major factor for you, go with this bad boy for complete satisfaction.

Pros

  • Very versatile.
  • Build well.
  • Great for recording music and podcasting.

Cons

  • Costly.



3) AUDIO-TECHNICA AT2035 - BEST LARGE DIAPHRAGM MIC FOR ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Audio-Technica - best mic for acoustic guitar

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz.
  • Requires +48V phantom power.
  • High SPL handling and wide dynamic range.
  • Condenser XLR microphone.
  • Cardioid polar pattern.
  • Features switchable 80 Hertz high pass filter and 10 dB pad.

Audio-Technica has been in the game for a long time and I expect big things from this microphone. The AT2035 is the successor of the very famous AT2020. Designed to be the perfect addition to a professional studio as well as a home studio and it’s mid-range, almost budget-friendly price tag reflects that very fact (can also be used for live performances).

The AT2035 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern along with a switchable 80Hz high pass filter and a 10dB pad switch. This best mic for acoustic guitar is able to handle sound levels up to 148 dB and with the with 10 dB pad switched on, it can reach a whopping 158 dB!

Okay, now all of this technical knowledge aside, how does it perform? Well, if all that technical information did not give it away, this microphone is amazing! It is very versatile as the company claimed with a specialization at recording clean, clear vocals.

There is a considerably low disturbance when compared to other microphones at this price point and compared to its processors. In conclusion, this is a very versatile microphone capable of handling anything that you through at it. It captures sound with warmth and clarity. For anyone looking for a microphone for a home studio, I would definitely recommend this.

If you are going for a studio microphone, I would say look around more. It can absolutely serve as a studio microphone also, however, the low ends on this microphone do tend to be exaggerated. Other than that, I found no flaw in this microphone. Go for it!

Pros

  • Built sturdy, hard plastic and metal.
  • Great value for money.
  • The sound is warm and clear.

Cons

  • Exaggerated low ends.



4) SAMSON C01UCW (USB) - BEST STUDIO USB MIC FOR ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Samson - best mic for acoustic guitar

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • USB supported.
  • Condenser Microphone.
  • Large 19mm diaphragm.
  • The analog-digital converter of 16 bits and 48khz.
  • Cardioid pickup pattern.

Some people cannot bear the hassle that setting up a studio brings. All the cables, all the complications, I understand the plight. In short, some of you what the ability to just plug-and-play and I can respect that.

Making a major commitment like setting up a home studio is not something everyone can make; here’s a solution. The Samson C01UCW is a straight-forward, no-brainer condenser microphone which plugs right into the USB port of your PC and voila, it provides you with the ability to record without any additional equipment.

The Samson C01UCW despite being a budget USB microphone records sound quite well. Needless to say, it isn’t at the mark of other microphones as most traditional XLR microphones deliver an output of 24 bit,  C01U here offers an output of 16-bit resolution at up to 45KHz.

Now, that is not bad, this best mic for acoustic guitar provide great sound quality if you record vocals and guitar from a distance of 6-7 inches, expecting good results from a budget microphone is the fault of the one with that expectation.  You can also use other guitar essentials like effect pedals and amps to get an amazing performance. This mic is an entry-level microphone and it is one of the best ones out there.

Pros

  • Easy to use.
  • Sound is decent, especially for the price.
  • Built well.

Cons

  • No 24-bit conversion.



5) AKG PRO AUDIO C214

AKG - best mic for acoustic guitar

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Larger Diaphram Condenser microphone.
  • Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 Hz.
  • 12V to 52V phantom power.
  • 156dB max SPL, (136 dB without pad).
  • Switchable 20dB attenuator and bass-cut filter.
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid.

Easily one of the best microphone out there under 500 bucks. AKG is one of the bigger names when it comes to microphones and they have certainly earned their place as one of the best mic for acoustic guitar. The construction on this thing is beastly.

An all-metal die-cast body which is shock and scratch-resistant finish and it comes in a nice, metal box making it not just sturdy but also road-tough.

This condenser microphone has a large-diaphragm and Integrated suspension which reduces mechanical noise and delivers detailed sound. It has a time response of 20Hz to 20kHz and a 156dB max SPL.

It has one pick up pattern, cardioid, which takes a point away from it as customizability is hindered because of that. However, the performance this beast offers makes up for that 10 fold.

This is a very versatile microphone and is able to handle everything from vocals to drums. Thanks to its high SPL, it can handle almost anything you throw at it. The sound you get is rich, layer with detail and warm.

It further boasts features like a switchable 20dB attenuator and bass-cut filter for close-up recording and reduction of proximity effect and reducing any unwanted noise. In conclusion, I would say this is easily one of the best mid to upper range microphones out there and you will not be disappointed with it.

Pros

  • Built tough, road-worthy.
  • High-quality microphone.
  • Well suited for vocals.

Cons

  • Not much.



6) STELLAR X2

Stellar X2 - best mic for acoustic guitar

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Condenser microphone.
  • Frequency response: 20Hz - 18kHz.
  • Requires 48V Phantom Power ±4.
  • Polar PatternCardioid.

This best mic for acoustic guitar is focused more on podcasts than other instruments, so right from the gate, there is specialization thing going on here. Another thing that the company claims is that it is a Neumann killer. Well, we must understand the difference between marketing tactics and reality. A 200 dollar microphone simply cannot compete with a 1000 dollar one; you get what you pay for.

Here, what you get is a condenser microphone with tuned towards neutrality, making it proper for vocals and podcasting as voices of both men and women will not stand up, rather mix easily. Setting this mic up is very easy and did not take very long. Vocals sound very balanced and required only a little bit of processing to get them just right.

These can also perform well with acoustic guitars with the right setting and a bit of processing. By no means is this a Neumann killer, not even close. However, this is an alright microphone for those wanting a mic for starting out a podcast or hobby musicians.

Pros

  • Good for podcasters.
  • Provides a neutral tone.

Cons

  • Not as versatile as one would hope.


7) CAD AUDIO EQUITEK E300S

CAD - best mic for acoustic guitar

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Cardioid, Omni & Figure 8 Patterns.
  • Condenser mic.
  • Flat or -20dB Pad Switch.
  • Runs on 9V NiMH Hydride & Phantom Power.
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz to 18KHz.

The CAD Audio Equitek E300S is a very neatly made microphone. I really like the way it looks, simple and elegant. This microphone features, are you ready? 1.1-inch gold-vapor deposited externally biased multi-pattern (cardioid, Omni, figure-of-eight) dual-diaphragm.

Okay, that had a lot of big words there. Let’s break that down. This microphone is a classic vocal studio microphone, though, that isn’t to say it cannot be used for recording other things.

I tried recording a 12-string guitar on it and the sound was crisp and clear, I was honestly very surprised by how well this thing performed in my test. The company claims that the microphone offers transparent, airy upper and mids, coupled with a rich, silky smooth low end and an enormous up-front presence making it their finest vocal mic and I certainly was not disappointed by the performance this thing offered in terms of vocals.

This best micfor acoustic guitar offer a frequency response of 20Hz to 18KHz, hi-pass filter 6dB pad/octave @135Hz, a 20dB pad and three polar patterns allow you to balance tone and space.

This microphone has some unique and practical features which I am a fan of. It boasts an auto on-off feature and, this one if my favorite, it not only runs on 48V of phantom power. But can run on Rechargeable 9V hydride batteries with an operation time of 6 hours! That feature alone makes it worthy of taking it along with you on the road.

Pros

  • Looks cool.
  • Offer some unique features.
  • The sound created is warm and detailed.

Cons

  • Heavy.



8) MXL R144 HERITAGE EDITION RIBBON

MXL R144

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Type: Ribbon Velocity Microphone.
  • Frequency Range: 20Hz -17kHz.
  • Figure-8 polar pattern.
  • Max SPL for 0.1% THD: >130 dB @1 kHz.

The MXL R144 HE is one of the only Ribbon microphones that you can get on a budget. Well, at least the only ones I found that are worth getting. A ribbon microphone, which also is known as a ribbon velocity microphone, is a different type of microphone than the condenser microphones we have discussed so far.

The ribbon microphone is a type of dynamic mic that has a slim piece of aluminum (usually) which is suspended in a strong magnetic field and is what we would call a passive device.

Ribbon microphones are amazing for capturing detailed sound without being so sensitive that they pick up unnecessary noise, only the sound intended. Only those that do not know about a ribbon microphone do not want one. Coming to the ribbon microphone at hand, the MXL R144 HE incorporates a figure-8 polar pattern and a 1.8-micron aluminum ribbon.

This best mic for acoustic guitar figure-8 polar pattern allows the microphone to pick up sound from the front and back while ignoring the sound coming from the sides.

This feature is extremely useful as when you record vocals or guitar sitting in front of the microphone, it is able to capture the sound and the echo from the back. This microphone is able to handle a high SPL, 130 dB provided there is no distortion and has a frequency response of 20 Hz - 17 kHz providing Mellow sound with a rich midrange and rolled-off top end.

This microphone is also built well. It has a metal finish with a sliver frost body and a chrome grille which gives it a nice look. I would recommend this for recording guitar amps and maybe vocals if you have mic amp. This seems more of an addition to your microphone collection than a stand-alone piece IMO.

Pros

  • Great for recording guitar or bass amps.
  • One of the best ribbon microphones on a budget.

Cons

  • Not a stand-alone piece.                                                                                                                                     

9) ASTON ORIGIN - BEST MIC FOR RECORDING ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Aston

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Condenser Microphone.
  • The frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz.
  • 1" gold-evaporated capsule.
  • 48-volt phantom power.
  • Built-in Pop filter.
  • Shock-resistant and wave-form mesh head.

Okay, This is the most metal looking microphone I have seen. I know I said that before but I give that title to the Aston Origin. It looks simple to some but I don’t know, I think its that simplicity mixed with their logo, mix of the colors black and grey, etched body and 2-millimeter solid stainless steel laser-cut chassis. Okay, guess it is not that simple but it is cool looking.

The body isn’t just unique-looking, it offers a lot of practical features. Not only is it shock-resistant but it also houses a built-in pop-filter. Aston was able to make this bad boy have an in-built pop filter using the stainless steel mesh knit technology and very wave-form design makes this microphone shock-resistant, protecting the capsule.

The fit and finish are also impressive and as you would expect, otherwise all of that would be just a gimmick.

Coming to specs, this is a large-diaphragm, side-address, cardioid-pattern, condenser microphone with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz and maximum SPL it can handle is 138dB without the pad switched in (148 with). Coming to performance, I am a fan. I like the performance of this best mic for acoustic guitar almost as much as I like its design.

The mic was able to perform well in almost all tests. The sound that is created is clear and quality and is able to handle processing which, weirdly enough, some microphones cannot. This mic is indeed very versatile, it excels at recording vocals and acoustic instruments which makes it perfectly suited for our list.

Pros

  • Clear, rich sound.
  • Quality builds, built-in pop-filter.
  • Environmentally friendly packaging.

Cons

  • Not much.



10) AMAZONBASICS CONDENSER MICROPHONE

AmazonBasics

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • USB condenser microphone.
  • 4 recording patterns.
  • OLED screen.
  • Mic frequency response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz.
  • Integrated headphone amplifier.
  • Headphone frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz.

I was a bit skeptical about this one as it is a microphone by Amazon, not some music company. I must admit, I am rather surprised. First of all, being an AmazonBasics product means on a good sale, this thing can be a steal! Speaking of steal, this thing is all steel (nice one)

The beast is almost entirely metal and feels solid, it’s not gonna break but it might break something if it falls. Okay, do not try that.

This best mic for acoustic guitar features some surprisingly good features, well the fact that it is a USB microphone, meaning you can simply plug this thing into your pc and start recording.

Coming to other features, it boasts things like a built-in mute button, an OLED screen that displays vital info (this was very surprising!), an integrated headphone amplifier for zero-latency monitoring and the usuals like pattern selection, gain, volume control, etc.

This microphone has 3 condenser capsules for 4 different types of recording patterns namely cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo so it is extremely versatile in this record, covering all grounds. Coming to the elephant in the room, how does it perform? Surprisingly good I would say. Vocals sound clear and instruments also sound fairly decent.

I would not call this a microphone for professionals by any means but it does seem like a viable option for beginners and intermediates players. I am impressed.

Pros

  • Built like a rock!
  • Works fairly well for beginners.
  • Some very practical features.
  • Ease of use.

Cons

  • Not exactly a professional’s choice.




CONCLUSION

This was all about the best mic for acoustic guitars. Choose the one which suits your expectation and budget. I hope you found what you were looking for!

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