Tips To Find The Best Mic For Recording Acoustic Guitar
Are you working on building a fan base for your YouTube channel? Most guitarists are turning to this social media platform to access the virtual world. It is one of the best online outlets available to all musicians. But, before you start building your online fan base, you need to ensure you have the right equipment and tools. Of course, an acoustic guitar is always going to be your most important piece of musical equipment. Besides your acoustic guitar, you will need a decent microphone. Fortunately, there are endless options to choose from. But, not all of these options have what it takes to deliver consistency, clean sounds, and that true acoustic tone.
Below, you will discover a list of tips to help you find the best mic for recording acoustic guitar.
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Omnidirectional Capability
When it comes to recording an acoustic guitar, capturing every tiny detail is crucial to the outcome. Your best option is always a microphone with omnidirectional capability. This capability allows the microphone to capture and record sounds from all directions. The greatest benefit of the omnidirectional microphone is its ability to capture frequencies as low as 82 Hz. This is the lowest note on the frequency produced by an acoustic guitar that is in tune.
Condenser Microphone
Condenser microphones work great for recording acoustic guitars. These microphones are designed with a set of metal plates. One of the plats is movable while the other is fixed, creating what is known as a capacitor. This design allows acoustical energy to be converted into electrical energy, resulting in a better range of frequency.
If you ask most professional and/or veteran acoustic guitarists which microphone they prefer most will say the condenser because it leaves nothing to be desired.
Portable Design
Another capability that is crucial for on-the-go guitarists is portability. It is rare for a guitarist to remain in one play for too long. In fact, these musicians can perform in almost every place imaginable, including a garage, outdoor amphitheater, sports arena, small pub, and private venue.
With that said, it is common for YouTube sensations to record their acoustic guitars right in the comfort of their homes. No professional recording studio for these musicians. In this case, the key to success is the right acoustic guitar microphone. This device must be lightweight and compact, so it can be transported inside a backpack, guitar case, or shoulder bag with ease.
Power Options
Another feature that must be considered is the external power. The best mic for recording acoustic guitar will offer diversity when it comes to powering up. Recording music can be a lot of fun but only if you have a microphone with all the much-needed necessities. For a condenser microphone to be functional in all settings, it must operate on battery or phantom power. The battery-power option is great for the on-the-go guitarists who know their time limits. Phantom power is also a great option because it does not involve bulky electrical cables. However, this design has some potential to fail at some point, especially when there is a loss of power.
These have been the microphone I have been using:
Aston Microphones Origin Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone
- Unique waveform spring head design provides shock absorption to protect capsule with elastic memory
- Voiced in conjunction with the ‘Aston 33’ panel of renowned artists, engineers and producers
- Unique dual layer textured paint finish
- 2 mm solid stainless, laser-cut and etched steel chassis
- Bundle includes Aston’s best-in-class Swiftshield, combining a solid stainless steel, ‘Hextec’ pop shield with an innovative quick release shock mount
Neumann KM 184 MT Stereo Set Condenser Microphone
- Omni Directional
- Based on the famed KM series
- Versatile applications
- The Package Dimensions of the Product is 6.3″H x 9.84″L x 2.6″W
In my blog you can find more information about the equipment I use to record my videos. What mic setup you have for recording your acoustic guitar?
