What Microphone Is Best for Recording Acoustic Guitars?

Are you a musician recording acoustic guitars? If so, finding the perfect microphone for capturing your instrument’s sound is essential. But with so many mics in the market, it can be hard to know which mic will work best for your setup and give you the clearest, most accurate recordings. Fortunately, in this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at microphones specifically designed for recording acoustic guitars and discuss their features and benefits! 

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The Shure SM81

This microphone is the most famous and widely used. The microphone has been used for many hit albums for acoustic guitars, hi-hats and other instruments. This microphone stands out because, despite having a cardioid pattern, it produces unusually uniform frequency responses from its sides, meaning that its off-axis coloration is highly minimized. If your acoustic guitar is a three-position bass roll-off, this microphone will offer a simple way to compensate for the natural proximity effect from close miking.

The Beyerdynamic M160 

A few years ago, ribbon mics were everywhere. However, with the change in recording technology, these mics started to fall out of favor. However, the ribbon mics sound tremendous when recording acoustic guitar, and for that reason, Beyerdynamic M160 is a great ribbon mic. It is a hyper-cardioid which is a significant difference from the usual Figure 8 mics, and it’s easy to use while playing the acoustic guitar while sounding incredible.

Neumann KM184 stereo set

The set comprises two mics, but the KM184 is available as a single mic. If you have become tired of recording in mono, try this adventurous microphone as a pair because it will save you money. This cardioid KM184 forms part of Neumann’s 180 series, which also has the KM183, and a hyper-cardioid, the KM185. All these microphones are well known for their natural and transparent sound with an almost imperceptible self-noise.

This microphone does not display sound coloration over the entire cardioid pickup pattern, which makes it reject rearward sounds. With no coloration across the entire pickup pattern, these microphones will sound consistent even when one is slightly off-axis. Moreover, these microphones have a flat frequency response curve with a slight lift at the treble end, but in the end, it captures a faithful rendition of your acoustic playing. Finally, the mic is more desirable than fixing a poorly colored sound with EQ.

SHURE KSM44A large dual-diaphragm microphone

The Shure KSM44A Large Dual-Diaphragm Microphone is an excellent choice for optimum sound quality and clarity. It is an exceptional dual-diaphragm microphone perfect for capturing intimate sound details and a wide range of sonic qualities. It features advanced preamplifier technology to eliminate audio distortion and has a switchable three-polar pattern setting that allows you to capture sound from close or farther distances. This sleek microphone has a selectable bidirectional cardioid and an Omnidirectional polar pattern, enabling you to get top-notch open mic performances no matter the audience size. With its crisp sound and superior features, this high-end microphone will provide you with the ultimate audio experience.

With its two 1″ condenser elements and low-mass gold-layered Mylar diaphragms, you’ll feel as if you were listening to a professional recording in the studio. This microphone’s built-in pop filter also reduces common plosive and breath noises for improved sound capture – ideal for acoustic guitar and vocals! Attention to detail is key when creating beautiful recordings, so consider investing in this premium microphone if you want stellar results every time. You won’t regret it!

NEUMANN TLM 102 condenser

The Neumann TLM 102 is an excellent condenser microphone, well-renowned for its ability to accurately capture acoustic guitars and vocals. If you’re also looking for an affordable condenser mic with all the features you need without worrying about getting an upgrade, the Neumann TLM 102 is a great choice. It provides a frequency response of 20 Hz – 20kHz, essential for your acoustic guitar recording needs, and it also features a built-in transformer less circuit to guarantee total silence and an elastically suspended capsule for reduced self-noise. Plus, no shock mount is needed when recording with this mic – making it perfect if you’re on a tight budget!

 It’s easily one of the best mics out there for these types of recordings. You can easily pick up sound pressure levels to 144dB without sacrificing quality. This makes it especially ideal for those who might be a little heavy-handed in their playing styles and ensures that you get the perfect studio sound no matter what your style is. Whether you’re a professional audio engineer or just someone hoping to make your recordings as great as possible, the Neumann TLM 102 is a mic worth considering.

The AKG C451 B Microphone

Looking for an excellent microphone to record your acoustic guitar? Consider the AKG C451 B — a small-diaphragm condenser microphone with a frequency response of 20Hz–20kHz. It has long been a tried-and-true favorite amongst drummers and might just surprise you when it comes to acoustic guitar recording. It excels in capturing the quick transients and shimmer of high-ringing percussions, making it suited perfectly for guitars. In addition, this mic also offers some great helpful features like a boost of around 5kHz to help your acoustic stand out and two hi-pass filters that cut off your bass at either 75 Hz or 150 Hz. With this option, you can rest assured that your acoustic scores are in good hands!

Final Thoughts

Choosing a great microphone depends on what you need in terms of price and quality. If you’re starting, the Shure SM81 is a great option that won’t break the bank. The Beyerdynamic M160 or Neumann KM184 stereo set will be great choices if you’re looking for very good quality. When you want to go all out, the SHURE KSM44A large dual-diaphragm microphone is your best bet. Whichever microphone you choose, experiment with these options until you find what sounds best for your particular guitar and playing style. Happy recording!