If you’re looking for the best microphones for acoustic guitar recording, you’ve come to the right place!
In this insider guide, you will learn the following:
- Do acoustic guitars need special microphones to record?
- How to place your mic to record the best sound from your acoustic guitar?
- What are the different types of mics for acoustic guitar recording?
- What are my favorite mics for acoustic guitars?
- And much more!
Below is a quick list of all my top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use the best acoustic recording microphone.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
My Top Pick  | My Top Pick | Rode NT1-A-MP Stereo Studio Vocal Cardioid Condenser Microphones Matched Pair Package
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| View on Amazon |
Best High-End  | Best High-End | Aston Microphones Origin Large Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | AKG Perception 170 Professional Instrumental Microphone
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| View on Amazon |
 | Shure SM57-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Shure MV51 Digital Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
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| View on Amazon |
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated 4/9/2020
After carefully considering all of the microphones on review here, I chose the legendary Rode NT1-A Matched Pair as my number one pick.
Why?
Because it’s a pair of large-diaphragm condenser microphone that is priced for a home studio, yet perform well enough for professional studios. When properly set up they boast a beautifully bright and clear sound that makes them ideal for acoustic guitars.
Also, for microphones of this caliber, they’re incredibly simple and straight forward to use – there are no switches or buttons to cause confusion, and the front of the mics are clearly marked to make sure they’re always pointing the right way.
It has phenomenal sensitivity (-31.9 dB), and a huge maximum SPL of 137 dB. This means you can use the same mics to record both delicate picking and aggressive strumming without losing quiet nuances, and without distortion at the top end.
Top 5 Best Microphones For Acoustic Guitar Recording
In a hurry? Check out my top 5 picks below! Keep reading to learn more about these best microphones for acoustic guitar recording.
What Are Recording Microphones For Acoustic Guitars? (Are They Any Different?)
Microphones for recording acoustic guitars are essentially transducers that convert sound from your instrument into an electrical current.
This current can then be passed through an amplifier to be played in real-time (as in a live performance), or it can be interpreted by an EQ desk or software to modify how it sounds before being played through a speaker/PA.
Also Read: What are the top acoustic guitars for kids?
Generally speaking, acoustic guitar mics are the same as regular microphones used for recording other instruments or vocals. Some are just better suited to the task than others.
If you’re looking to record, though, using a live performance mic like a dynamic microphone is probably not a great idea. Dynamic mics sound amazing on stage, but if you’re looking for true fidelity in a recording of your acoustic guitar you should really use something more specialized.
What Are The Various Types of Acoustic Guitars Mics?
Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are what most people imagine when they think of a microphone. These mics are very well suited to live performance, but with few exceptions, they aren’t the best for recording.
Much like a guitar pickup, dynamic microphones work by using a coil of wire and a magnet that reacts to vibration.
Also Read: Which bridge pins should you buy for acoustic guitars?
As microphones don’t have strings, the vibration in this case comes from a diaphragm that is attached to the coil. As the diaphragm vibrates, it moves up and down past the magnet, creating the necessary electrical current.
Dynamic mics are passive, meaning they require no external voltage in order to work – a convenient feature for those with simple setups.
Condenser Microphones
Condenser microphones are a bit more complex in design and operation than dynamic mics in that they require a capacitor in order to work.
The capacitor is made up of two plates with a voltage in between. Condenser mics use one of the capacitor plates as a diaphragm which vibrates when sound hits it.
As the diaphragm plate vibrates, the distance between it and the other plate decreases and increases rapidly, causing a change in the capacitance and generation of current.
These mics are active and do require external power, which either comes from a battery, or ‘phantom power’ through an XLR lead.
There are two types of condenser mic in mainstream use; large diaphragm, and small diaphragm. Generally speaking, a large-diaphragm condenser has a diaphragm of over 1 inch in diameter, and a small diaphragm condenser uses anything smaller than half an inch.
USB Microphones
USB Microphones are starting to become a lot more popular thanks to their ability to plug straight into a computer, tablet or cell phone.
While you’re not likely to see these in a professional studio, they are absolutely ideal for home applications or quick recordings of song ideas for pros on the road.
Also Read: What are the top guitar picks for acoustic guitars?
USB Mics can be dynamic or condenser, and in the case of the latter, take their phantom power directly through the USB cable.
Ribbon Microphones
Ribbon Microphones are similar to dynamic mics, but instead of a coil, they rely on a piece of thin, corrugated metal placed between a pair of magnetic poles. As the ribbon of metal vibrates, it disturbs the magnetic field of the poles, thus creating a current.
Ribbon mics are an extremely old design, but thanks to their ability to capture sound in an incredibly natural way they are making something of a comeback.
Are Microphones For Acoustic Guitars More Expensive/Costly?
While there are budget microphone options out there, they almost certainly won’t be cut out for a high-quality acoustic guitar recording. So, to answer the question directly, yes, they can be more expensive than basic microphones.
However, as I mentioned right at the beginning of this review, there are pro studio-quality mics that can be had for extremely reasonable prices.
To put some numbers on this question, a high-quality microphone for recording acoustic guitars can start as low as $75, but as far as the top end of the pricing scale goes.
What To Look For When Buying A Microphone For Your Acoustic Guitar?
There are a few key items to look for when considering the purchase of a recording mic for your acoustic instruments:
Diaphragm
Diaphragm size plays a huge role in the overall sound of your recording. Because of their big surface area, large-diaphragm mics do a great job of capturing low frequencies. The diaphragm itself moves more slowly, which results in a warm, natural sound that captures the ambiance of the room.
On the other hand, small diaphragms respond more quickly and vibrate faster, and that’s what gives them their characteristic bright sound. When used in a close-miking setup, small diaphragm microphones capture extraordinary amounts of detail.
Polar Pattern
All microphones have a polar pattern, or pickup pattern which in simple terms, is the mic’s ability to pick up sounds from any given direction.
Also Read: Which amp should you buy for you acoustic guitar?
Cardioid is probably the most common that you’ll find, so named for its heart-shaped pattern. Other types that you’ll find include Super and Hyper Cardioid, and Omni-directional.
Cardioid pattern mics are very directional, meaning that they excel at picking up sounds coming straight at them while rejecting any sound sources coming from the sides and rear.
Super and Hyper Cardioid mics are even more directional than a standard Cardioid, however, they do have a small lobe at the rear that is capable of picking up sound.
Omni-directional mics pick up sound evenly from all directions. This makes them perfect for capturing the sound of the room as well as the guitar itself.
Durability And Reliability
Think about the applications you plan to use your mic for before purchasing. The needs of a guitarist buying a mic for gigging and home recording will differ greatly from somebody who is looking for a true studio setup.
Also Read: What are the top pedalboards for acoustic guitars?
Even the slightest damage to a diaphragm can render a microphone almost useless, so if it’s going to be carried around and potentially exposed to rough handling, you want something with as few parts to break as possible.
Dynamic mics, being passive, don’t have the same number of components as something like a condenser and are a bit more tolerable of mishandling, but of course, this comes at the cost of recording clarity.
My Reviews Of The Best Microphones For Recording Acoustic Guitars
This mic has incredibly low self-noise at just 5dBa, a feature you’d normally only find on studio mics costing thousands of Dollars. Because this is a matched pair (at an unbelievable price point, I might add) you can set up for amazing stereo recordings right out of the box.
Pros
- Strong low and mid-range presence
- High sensitivity is great for fingerstyle recording
- Virtually noise-free
Cons
- Quite heavy
- Requires phantom power
Aston Microphones Origin Large Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
The Origin boasts a built-in pop shield and internal capsule suspension, meaning it can be put straight on to your mic stand with no further setup required, although there’s nothing stopping you from putting it in a shock mount if that’s what you prefer.
This large-diaphragm cardioid condenser operates on standard 48v phantom power and boasts a full audible spectrum frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz. It produces a particularly warm, woody sound, while still managing to retain clarity.
Pros
- Handmade in the UK
- High SPL (138dB)
- Pretty sturdy for a condenser
Cons
- No included shock mount
- The low cut filter can sound harsh
- Self-noise quite high at 18dBa
On the negative side this mic doesn’t do the best job of rejecting background noise, so give this some consideration if you’re recording in a home studio setting.
Pros
- Flat frequency response
- Very affordable
Cons
- No option for batteries (requires XLR phantom power)
- Requires precise positioning
- Not well suited to large rooms
Walk into any recording studio in the country and I guarantee you’ll find a Shure SM57.
Why? Because it works!
The SM57 is a cardioid pattern dynamic mic with nice flat frequency response, and the ability to handle huge sound pressure levels for minimum distortion.
It works well on stage, but just as well in the recording studio. It provides attenuation for sub-bass frequencies, preventing rumble – this is great for anybody playing a big ol’ dreadnought!
You do need to make sure to keep this mic positioned a good 6-12 inches from the guitar to prevent a muddy sound, though.
Pros
- Simplest possible operation
- Rock-solid build quality
Cons
- Prone to proximity effect
- Would benefit from an onboard on/off switch
This mic may look old-school, but believe me when I say there’s nothing old about it.
This is a USB cardioid condenser that can plug straight into the computer, Android or iOS device, and record via lightning or USB cable.
It has a guitar-specific digital signal processing mode and offers onboard gain controls.
This mic makes high-quality recordings accessible to anybody with a smartphone or tablet, and for that, I call it a game-changer.
If you’re looking to start uploading your music to YouTube but can’t afford, or don’t want the hassle of a big studio setup at home, this is a great option.
Pros
- ShurePlus Motiv App provides plenty of EQ options
- Full 24-bit/48kHz digital resolution
- Incredibly portable
Cons
- Difficult to position at mouth level with provided kickstand
- Sound is muddy compared with true large-diaphragm condensers
My Top Pick: Rode NT1-A-MP Stereo Studio Vocal Cardioid Condenser Microphones Matched Pair Package
If you’re looking for a true reproduction of the sound that leaves your acoustic guitar, without spending thousands of dollars, in my opinion, there’s no other choice than the Rode NT1-A Matched pair.
Recording in stereo with high-quality large-diaphragm condensers like these will yield a beautifully natural sound quality, giving any listeners the impression that they’re in the room with you. This sounds especially good with acoustic guitars.
Final Thoughts On The Best Microphones For Recording Acoustic Guitar
Recording acoustic guitars is a mesh of art and science. While some microphones are objectively better than others on paper, the way they capture sound, and the way that sound makes people feel is completely subjective.
If you get the chance, it’s always best to experiment with different mics, and if you don’t have access to different microphones, work on different miking techniques. Both will produce notably different sounds, and that’s how you’ll find a setup that works well for you and your specific guitar.
