9 Best Mics for Recording Acoustic Guitar [Complete Buying Guide]

(Last Updated On: November 23, 2022)

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With so many instrument microphones on the market, each claiming to be the best for recording acoustic guitars, how do you know how to pick the right one? A microphone can either make or break capturing your guitar’s smooth harmonics, and to avoid the latter, we’re here to tell you which microphones are la crème de la crème in the acoustic recording world.

9 Best Mics for Recording Acoustic Guitar

The top nine microphone options available today come from the best audio equipment manufacturers in the world, all explicitly designed to provide you with the best sound and perfectly transfer your guitar sound from the analog to the digital world without sacrificing clarity and quality. We will highlight microphones from brands like Shure, Neumann, AKG, and more, go through the features that make them excellent options for recording acoustic guitars, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing each mic. However, all nine listed microphones are guaranteed to deliver the best possible results and leave you satisfied with your recording.

We will also provide you with the best tips and tricks on how to go on about buying your instrument microphone and the factors that are crucial to consider before spending your hard-earned cash on a new piece of equipment.

But first, let’s have a look at the Shure SM81, which claimed the top spot in today’s ranking.

(Is anyone actually surprised that a Shure microphone took the lead?)

9 Best Mics for Recording Acoustic Guitar

1. Shure SM81

The Shure SM81 condenser instrument microphone takes the lead today for being an incredibly versatile, clean-sounding, accurate, and rugged microphone that has become an industry standard. As one of the best instrument microphones available today, this small-diaphragm cardioid microphone is excellent for recording acoustic guitars, other string instruments, and even drums, as it offers a flat and natural response giving you extraordinary results.

Main features/specifications:

  • Cardioid pickup pattern, meaning it picks up sound perfectly from the front and sides but not so well from the back, cutting down handling noise.
  • 20 Hz – 20 000 Hz frequency range, making it ideal as that is the human hearing range.
  • Output Impedance of 150 ohms.
  • Flat response that provides accurate and natural-sounding reproduction of the instrument.
  • An industry standard for acoustic guitars that could be used on other acoustic instruments such as violins, pianos, and even drums.
  • Low noise and high output clipping level preventing distortion.
  • Low RF susceptibility.
  • Low-frequency response switch with three options: flat, 6dB, or 18dB/octave roll-off.
  • 0dB/10bB lockable attenuator switch for recording loud sound sources.
  • Phantom power ranging from 12V to 48V.
  • Robust steel construction preventing damage and ensuring durability.
  • Can be used in extremely humid and hot environments.
  • Can be used anywhere from home studios to live on stage.
  • Connectivity: XLR.
  • Weight: 0.5 lbs.

Pros:

  • Delivers a flat and accurate response.
  • Pristine, crystal-clear, and high-quality sound.
  • Highly versatile.
  • Perfect for recording acoustic instruments and an industry standard for recording acoustic guitars.
  • Rugged and durable build quality.

Cons:

  • Somewhat expensive.

Shure is a company that has been providing customers with premium audio products for nearly a century. And the SM81 condenser instrument microphone is a perfect example of what the company has to offer in terms of exceptional microphones with amazing features, making the SM81, over the past decades, an industry standard for recording acoustic guitars.

2. Neumann KM 184

Another exceptional acoustic guitar microphone is the KM 184, made by the reputable German company Neumann. The KM 184 is one of three microphones from the Neumann Series 180, and it is a fantastic microphone that delivers accurate response and can easily handle high sound pressure levels while being extremely quiet.

Main features/specifications:

  • Cardioid pickup pattern, meaning it picks up sound perfectly from the front and sides but not so well from the back, cutting down handling noise.
  • No off-axis coloration.
  • 20 Hz – 20 000 Hz frequency range, making it ideal as that is the human hearing range.
  • Output Impedance of 50 ohms.
  • Flat response with a slight treble lift.
  • Great microphone for acoustic guitars that could be used on other acoustic instruments such as violins, cellos, woodwinds, pianos, and drums.
  • Low noise and high SPL capability preventing distortion.
  • Transformer-less circuitry.
  • Low inherent self-noise (13 dB-A) and high overload capacity ((up to 138dB SPL before overload.)
  • Requires +44V to +52V of phantom power.
  • Not specially built for the human voice.
  • Connectivity: XLR.
  • Weight: 0.18 lbs.

Pros:

  • Delivers a flat and accurate response.
  • Pristine, crystal-clear, and high-quality sound.
  • Perfect for recording acoustic guitars and instruments.

Cons:

  • Expensive.
  • Not very versatile.

Even though the Neumann KM 184 comes with a hefty price tag, it is definitely a microphone that is made to last while giving you immaculate sound quality and clarity. It is guaranteed to do an amazing job recording acoustic guitars and deliver outstanding results. You can use it to record numerous acoustic instruments as well. Just try to avoid using it as a vocal microphone since that is not what the KM 184 was designed for.

3. AKG C451B

The AKG C451B small-diaphragm condenser microphone is the remake of the legendary AKG C451EB microphone, which was an AKG bestseller back in the 1970s. AKG successfully replicated the exact same sound using the CK1 capsule from 1969. It delivers stunning results and is perfect for use with acoustic guitars and drums (especially cymbals.) It is very compact, lightweight, and durable, making it ideal for touring and daily use.

Main features/specifications:

  • Cardioid pickup pattern, meaning it picks up sound perfectly from the front and sides but not so well from the back, cutting down handling noise.
  • 20 Hz – 20 000 Hz frequency range, making it ideal as that is the human hearing range.
  • Output Impedance of 200 ohms.
  • Sound of the original C451 EB microphone + the 1969 CK-1 cardioid capsule.
  • Great microphone for recording acoustic guitars, drums, and sounds rich in transients.
  • Low noise and high SPL capability of 155dB preventing distortion.
  • Transformer-less circuitry.
  • Bass cut filter at 75Hz and 150Hz that prevents low-end distortion.
  • All-metal body for great protection from RF interference and damage.
  • Requires +9V to +52V of phantom power.
  • Connectivity: XLR.
  • Weight: 0.27 lbs.

Pros:

  • Sound of the original 1969 C451 EB microphone.
  • Delivers a flat and accurate response.
  • Pristine, crystal-clear, and high-quality sound.
  • Perfect for recording acoustic guitars and drums.
  • Highly versatile.

Cons:

  • Expensive.

This exceptional microphone can be used to record acoustic guitars, other string instruments, drums, and other percussions. It can also be used as an overhead mic to pick up any needed transients and ambient sounds. So it’s safe to say that the AKG C451B is pretty versatile and worth every penny.

4. Royer Labs R-122 MKII

Royer Labs is an American Grammy award-winning company solely dedicated to handcrafting high-quality ribbon microphones. The R-122 MKII microphone is an upgrade to the original R-122, the world’s first phantom-powered, active ribbon™ microphone. It sounds absolutely incredible, with a few additional features that will help make your recording experience much more enjoyable.

Main features/specifications:

  • Bidirectional (or figure 8) pickup pattern, meaning it picks up sound perfectly from the front and back but rejects sound from the sides.
  • Flat response that provides accurate and natural-sounding reproduction of the instrument.
  • 30 Hz – 15 000 Hz frequency range with consistent frequency response.
  • Output Impedance of 200 ohms.
  • Great microphone for recording acoustic and electric guitars, brass and woodwinds, horns, drums, percussion instruments, and many more.
  • Low noise and high SPL capability for loud sound sources.
  • Bass cut filter at 100Hz that prevents low-end distortion.
  • Switchable 15dB pad.
  • Pure aluminum ribbon.
  • Phantom power of 48V.
  • Connectivity: XLR.
  • Weight: 0.68 lbs.

Pros:

  • Delivers a flat and accurate response.
  • Capable of handling loud sound sources.
  • Warm, crystal-clear, and high-quality sound.
  • Perfect for recording acoustic guitars along with many other instruments.
  • Robust build quality.
  • Highly versatile.

Cons:

  • Very expensive.

The Royer Labs R-122 MKII is definitely the most expensive microphone on our list. But if budget is no issue, the R-122 MKII will make a fine addition to your collection.

5. Neumann TLM 102

The TLM 102 is another bestseller by Neumann explicitly designed for recording vocals and instruments. It’s a small, large-diaphragm condenser microphone that delivers the legendary Neumann sound despite its compact design. It’s a great acoustic guitar/vocal microphone that won’t disappoint and can easily handle whatever you throw at it.

Main features/specifications:

  • Cardioid pickup pattern, meaning it picks up sound perfectly from the front and sides but not so well from the back, cutting down handling noise.
  • 20 Hz – 20 000 Hz frequency range, making it ideal as that is the human hearing range.
  • Output Impedance of 50 ohms.
  • Great microphone for recording acoustic guitars, vocals, drums, and wind instruments.
  • Low noise and high SPL capability of 144dB for loud sound sources
  • Transformer-less circuitry.
  • Phantom power of 48V.
  • Connectivity: XLR.
  • Weight: 0.57 lbs.

Pros:

  • Nice treble boost around 8-12 kHz.
  • Capable of handling loud sound sources.
  • Warm, crystal-clear, and high-quality sound.
  • Perfect for recording acoustic guitars and vocals.
  • Robust build quality.
  • Highly versatile.

Cons:

  • Expensive. But affordable for a Neumann.

This little Neumann microphone will blow your mind in terms of quality, sound, features, and accuracy regarding frequency reproduction. It’s a sonic giant in compact form, and you will be pleasantly surprised by what this little guy has to offer. After all, it is a Neumann microphone, so we promise you won’t be disappointed.

6. Aston Starlight

Aston Microphones is a British company that manufactures boutique microphones and accessories. One microphone that really stood out to us is the Starlight small-diaphragm condenser microphone, the world’s first Laser-targeting pencil mic that was built with the help of more than 70 talented producers, resulting in an award-winning microphone that performs admirably. You can use it to record acoustic drums, strings, vocals, and various other instruments.

Main features/specifications:

  • Cardioid pickup pattern, meaning it picks up sound perfectly from the front and sides but not so well from the back, cutting down handling noise.
  • 20 Hz – 20 000 Hz frequency range, making it ideal as that is the human hearing range.
  • Great microphone for recording acoustic guitars, vocals, drums and wind instruments.
  • Low noise and high SPL capability for loud sound sources.
  • Transformer-less circuitry.
  • Built-in switchable class 2 laser targeting.
  • Three unique voices: Vintage, Modern, and Hybrid.
  • Rugged build of stainless steel.
  • Connectivity: XLR.
  • Weight: 0.55 lbs.

Pros:

  • Switchable class 2 laser targeting for remarkable mic-positioning recall accuracy.
  • Capable of handling loud sound sources.
  • Three unique voices that provide different sounds and effects.
  • Accurate, crystal-clear, and high-quality sound.
  • Perfect for recording acoustic guitars and vocals.
  • Robust build quality.
  • Highly versatile.

Cons:

  • Somewhat expensive.

The Aston Starlight is truly a unique microphone that will take your recordings to another level. It is jam-packed with features, sounds stunning, and will give you a glimpse of what laser targeting is all about. If you have never owned an Aston microphone before, Starlight is a good place to start.

7. sE Electronics Voodoo VR2

The sE Electronics Voodoo VR2 is an active ribbon microphone designed for vocals and instruments such as acoustic guitars, strings, and drums. It produces accurate and high-quality sound with a bit of added top-end that helps slightly light up the sound while keeping its natural vibe.

Main features/specifications:

  • Bidirectional (or figure 8) pickup pattern, meaning it picks up sound perfectly from the front and back but rejects sound from the sides.
  • Handcrafted 2.5 µm Aluminum ribbon.
  • 20 Hz – 18 000 Hz frequency range.
  • Output Impedance of 200 ohms.
  • Great microphone for recording acoustic and electric guitars, vocals, drums, strings, and many other instruments.
  • Low noise and high SPL capability of 135dB for loud sound sources
  • Requires 48V of phantom power.
  • All-metal body for great protection from RF interference and damage and a gold-plated XLR connector.
  • Connectivity: XLR.
  • Weight: 0.87 lbs.

Pros:

  • Compact and lightweight.
  • Capable of handling loud sound sources.
  • Accurate, crystal-clear, and natural sound.
  • Perfect for recording acoustic guitars and vocals.
  • Robust build quality.
  • Sleek, unique design.
  • Highly versatile.

Cons:

  • Somewhat expensive.

The Voodoo VR2 is a highly versatile microphone on our list that surely deserves your attention. It’s a very distinctive-looking piece of equipment that operates just as well as it looks, coming from a company that offers true craftsmanship and award-winning products. Be sure to check it out.

8. Audio-Technica ATM350GL

The Audio-Technica ATM350GL is a cardioid condenser instrument microphone specifically designed for guitars. It includes a UniMount® guitar mount that you can securely attach to any string instrument and a UniMount® 9″ gooseneck for precise microphone positioning. It’s a very versatile microphone and well worth a look.

Main features/specifications:

  • Cardioid pickup pattern, meaning it picks up sound perfectly from the front and sides but not so well from the back, cutting down handling noise.
  • 40 Hz – 20 000 Hz frequency range.
  • Made exclusively for recording acoustic guitars and other string instruments.
  • Low noise and high SPL capability of 159dB for loud sound sources.
  • UniMount® guitar mounting system with a UniMount® 9″ gooseneck.
  • Switchable 80Hz high-pass filter for less ambient noise.
  • Connectivity: XLR.
  • Weight: 0.19 lbs.

Pros:

  • Affordable.
  • Can handle loud sound sources very well.
  • Lightweight and compact.
  • Accurate, high-quality sound.
  • Perfect for recording acoustic guitars and other string instruments.
  • Comes with a guitar mounting system and gooseneck.
  • Offers a high-pass filter.

Cons:

  • Could cause some vibrations in the low-frequency range.

Overall, the Audio-Technica ATM350GL is one of the best acoustic guitar microphones you can find on the market. It’s affordable, very practical, and produces pristine and accurate sound. Additionally, it includes essential, high-quality accessories that will make recording a breeze.

9. Shure PGA81

The PGA81 is a small-diaphragm condenser microphone made by Shure, one of the top audio equipment manufacturers in the world that has been producing high-quality gear since 1925. The PGA81 is ideal for recording instruments like acoustic guitars and drums. It is highly durable, delivers an accurate frequency response, and is overall a top-tier microphone.

Main features/specifications:

  • Cardioid pickup pattern, meaning it picks up sound perfectly from the front and sides but not so well from the back, cutting down handling noise.
  • 40 Hz – 18 000 Hz frequency range.
  • Output Impedance of 600 ohms.
  • Made exclusively for recording acoustic guitars and instruments.
  • Low noise and high SPL capability of 129.5dB for loud sound sources.
  • Requires 48V of phantom power.
  • It includes a stand adapter, a zipper pouch, and an XLR cable.
  • Black industrial design and rugged build quality.
  • Connectivity: XLR.
  • Weight: 0.41 lbs.

Pros:

  • Affordable.
  • Capable of handling loud sound sources.
  • Accurate, high-quality sound.
  • Perfect for recording acoustic guitars and other string instruments.
  • Versatile.
  • Can be used in harsh environments.

Cons:

  • No cons.

You almost won’t believe how wonderfully the PGA81 works, particularly for being so reasonably priced. What surprised us is that you will receive the legendary Shure sound quality and durability, even at a low price point. It truly is a fantastic condenser microphone that has been used for years to record acoustic guitars and other instruments with remarkable detail and accuracy while also being incredibly versatile.

Also Read: Best Acoustic Guitars with Thin Necks

Things you should consider before buying the Best Mics for Recording Acoustic Guitar

Before you get too excited and buy the first acoustic guitar microphone that catches your eye, there are several crucial factors to consider in order to ensure that you get the optimum sound quality from your guitar. The first factor to consider is the “polar pattern”.

Polar pattern

Before purchasing an instrument microphone, the most crucial feature to consider is the microphone’s polar pattern.

A polar pattern determines in which direction your microphone is most sensitive to picking up sounds. The cardioid pickup pattern, whose job is to pick up sounds from the front and almost none from the back, is the most common polar pattern in instrument microphones. This is the best polar pattern to look for when purchasing an acoustic guitar mic.

Polar pattern

Another good pickup pattern for acoustic guitar is the bidirectional pickup pattern that perfectly captures sound from the front and back but rejects it from the sides, creating a more “natural” sound, if you don’t mind the added ambient noise.

Pattern

Frequency response

The human auditory range is 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz. Most microphones will cover that range, and you might find that some also span the 40Hz to 18 000Hz range.

Given that the frequency range of an acoustic guitar is around 100Hz to 18 000Hz, you should be fine with the majority of the frequency ranges offered by those microphones.

However, if you want the most accurate sound from your guitar, you should look for an instrument microphone with a flat response that offers no dips or peaks in certain frequency ranges.

Dynamic vs. Condenser vs. Ribbon Microphones

These microphones all operate in unique ways. Both dynamic and ribbon microphones use electromagnetism to convert sound into an electrical signal. But because ribbon microphones are built differently and are far more delicate than dynamic microphones, they produce more accurate results.

Condenser mics use the electrostatic principle to convert sound into an electrical signal resulting in an extended high-frequency and transient response.

So which type of microphone should you get?

Condenser or ribbon microphones are used most often with acoustic instruments. And that is because these two types have an extended frequency response and vibrate more accurately to sound waves than dynamic microphones, especially ribbon microphones. So if you’re looking for a great acoustic guitar microphone, it’s best to choose a high-quality condenser or a ribbon mic.

Sensitivity

When recording an acoustic guitar, you might want to look for a microphone with low sensitivity, as it will capture accurate and very detailed sound while rejecting background noise and unwanted distortion.

A high-sensitivity mic is best for quiet and distant sound sources as it is sometimes considered “too hot” and will do a better job capturing ambient sounds.

FAQs

How Many Mics does it take to record an acoustic guitar?

Two microphones are great for getting all sound characteristics and tones from your guitar. Place two microphones—one around the 13th fret and the other at the bridge—facing the body or the sound hole from 7 to 13 inches. Set up each microphone so that it sounds good on its own.

How do you attach a microphone to an acoustic guitar?

This process is relatively easy. If your microphone comes with a mount, simply attach your mic to the mount and place it on the guitar while adjusting the release tab to fit the guitar’s body. You can change the mount’s location if you want to achieve different sounds from your guitar.

How do I record my acoustic guitar with one mic?

If you want to use just one mic to record your acoustic guitar, place it towards the 12th- 13th fret, about 12 inches away, and not directly at the sound hole, which is a very common beginner mistake that gives your sound a boomy and muddy sound since this is where all the low frequencies come out of.

Conclusion

Even though the Shure SM81 condenser instrument microphone took the win today, primarily due to its incredible sound quality and clarity, the notorious and robust Shure build quality, and overall flat response, all microphones on today’s list are sure to provide you with excellent sound that’ll preserve the beautiful harmonics and transients of you acoustic guitar without overpowering them.

We highlighted microphones from various price ranges, so all you have to do is choose the microphone that works best for you and your recording needs. Hopefully, we made your “acoustic guitar microphone-picking” journey a little easier and a lot more fun.

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