Best acoustic guitar microphones: Capture that perfect tone

Looking for the best acoustic guitar microphone? A lot of people think of a small or large-diaphragm condenser as the first choice. They do a great job of capturing the detail and nuances of the instrument. If you’re going with a small-diaphragm, the transient detail they capture makes an acoustic sound great.

But think about this, how is the acoustic guitar contributing to the mix? In a dense band track, the acoustic tends to become more of a percussion instrument. So you want it to cut without taking up too much space – depending what the other instrumentation is doing.

You could use an acoustic amp, but micing provides a more natural sound. We put together some options for you at different price points. Something like a U87 is out of almost everyone’s budget, so we kept the list under or around $1,000.

Best acoustic guitar microphone overall: AKG C414 XLII

What can’t the C414 do? As the premier microphone in AKG’s impressive lineup you’ll hear countless engineers, producers, and musicians singing its praises. Yes, it’s that good.

To change up your sound you can switch between a staggering nine different polar patterns. With three different pads at -6dB, -12dB, and -18dB it can take some serious SPL for a LDC. Three high-pass filters cut low end at 40Hz, 60Hz, and 80Hz.

It offers a feature that almost no other microphone does – a peak LED meter that gives a readout of even the slightest overload. This is a great feature that helps you set up your signal chain perfectly.

It comes with all the necessary accessories including carrying case, pop filter, windscreen, and spider shockmount that reduces movement.

Yes, it’s expensive. But it sounds amazing on any source you can throw at it. Lead vocals? Check. Drum overheads? You bet! Electric guitars? No sweat. It’s an all-time classic and comes from good stock. It’s based on AKG’s highly coveted C12 – another all time classic.

Best acoustic guitar large-diaphragm condenser microphone: Audio-Technica AT 4050

Technically, AKG’s 414 would take this spot too. But since they won the best overall category we went with a different selection. The AT series offers a lot of models. They’re all great. The 4050 is especially great on acoustic guitar.

The dual-diaphragm capsule ensures the highest fidelity of the polar patterns. Transformerless circuitry gives it a better transient response than other LDCs. It has a crazy wide frequency range of 80Hz-18kHz.

You can choose between cardioid, omni, and figure-8 polar patterns, and it has a flat, rolloff, or 10dB pad. It comes with a shockmount, dust cover, and protective case for protection.

At $700 it’s fairly affordable. But it’s useful on multiple sources. If your budget is lower, the AT 4040 and 2040 are great choices under $300.

Best acoustic guitar small-diaphragm condenser microphone: sE Electronics sE8

Affordable, detailed, and a full frequency range. That’s what the sE8 brings. It’s a cardioid small-diaphragm that picks up the transient detail of acoustic guitar really well.

This is especially due to the handcrafted capsule is an Ultra-thin 3 design. An advanced backplate gives it a smooth and natural sound and a reliable off-axis response.

There are two pads at -10dB and -20dB and high-pass filters at 80Hz and 160Hz. To keep cost down it doesn’t come with a shockmount, but does come with the clip and case.

A small-diaphragm condenser is a great microphone type to have in your locker. The sE8 has great build quality at a price that even hobbyists can afford.

Best acoustic guitar dynamic microphone: Audix i5

Did you know that dynamic mics sound great on acoustic guitars? It’s a well-known fact that the Shure SM57 is one of the most well-rounded, workhorse microphones in the industry. But it definitely has contenders, and the i5 is one of the best.

It’s as rugged as microphones come, with a cardioid polar pattern. The frequency response ranges from 50Hz-16kHz, making it great for acoustic guitar. And don’t be shy about using it on stage. Dynamics are renowned for their ability to handle higher SPL and having great off-axis rejection.

At just $100, why not?

Best ribbon microphone for acoustic guitar: Royer Labs R121

The days of delicate ribbon microphones are gone, thanks to Royer. Unless you’re working with a vintage ribbon like the AEA R44 the considerations you had to take when engineering with these unique dynamic microphones are no more.

They’re not nearly as delicate as they used to be, can take high levels of sound pressure, and they sound better than ever.

Royer’s R121 model is a warm ribbon mic with figure-8 polar pattern. The frequency response is unique at 30Hz-15kHz.

It’s definitely not inexpensive. But if you have the spend it’s a no-brainer, and once your hear it will live in your mic locker forever.

Best acoustic guitar microphone/pickup system: LR Baggs Anthem Tru-Mic

For decades guitarists and engineers have struggled to find the balance of a microphone with the convenience of a sound hole pickup. And the pickups maestros at LR Baggs seem to have done just that.

Tru-Mic is built on a proprietary noise-cancelling sound hole microphone and piezo pickup system that offers the best of both worlds. The on-board microphone provides a natural sound – especially in the low and low-mid range – that a piezo pickup just can’t reproduce.

It’s best for live work, but is great in the context of a loud band mix in the studio. Installation is easy, no aftermarket lutherie magic needed and is great for guitarists on the go.

If you’re looking to bring a fuller sound to your acoustic guitar without having to worry about external mic placement or room reflections the Tru-Mic system is it.

Best budget acoustic guitar microphone: Sennheiser e614

Small-diaphragm condenser microphones are a great match for acoustic guitars for a lot of reasons. Specifically, their transient response capture. If you’re looking to add one to your microphone locker but want to spend less than $200, the e614 is a top choice.

It has a wide frequency response that ranges from 40Hz to 20,000kHz, and it does a great job of capturing the bass range of an acoustic guitar and has solid top end air.

The supercardioid polar pattern offers a level of off-axis rejection that’s perfect for playing live or tracking with a full band. It handles high SPL for a condenser, and at $200 new it can go toe-to-toe with microphones that cost five times the price.

What to look for in an acoustic guitar microphone

Choosing the right acoustic guitar microphone is crucial to capturing the full tonal richness and dynamics of the instrument. Here are some key factors to consider.

Microphone type

There are three main types of microphones – condenser, dynamic, and ribbon, which is a type of dynamic. Condensers, especially small-diaphragm models, are the most popular for acoustic guitar due to how well they pick up transients and capture detail in the higher frequencies.

Dynamic mics are more durable and handle higher sound pressure levels well but generally don’t offer the same level of detail. Ribbon mics have a warm, vintage tone but can be delicate and expensive.

Polar pattern

Microphones come with different polar patterns, like cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8.

Cardioid patterns have good off-axis rejection, which makes them ideal for playing live or tracking with a band instead of each member laying down their parts one at a time.

Omnidirectional mics capture sound from all directions, which can be useful for capturing room ambiance. Figure-8 mics pick up sound from the front and rear of the capsule, which is useful for stereo recording techniques.

Frequency response

Frequency response determines how it captures the different tonal characteristics of your guitar.

A flat response reproduces a balanced sound, but might need some EQ moves to get the most out of it. Mics with a lift in the midrange and high frequencies add presence and definition.

It’s important to choose a mic that complements your guitar’s natural tone rather than one that overemphasizes certain frequencies. Either way you’ll likely be adding processing like EQ and compression.

Knowing the tonal profile to the mic(s) you use is an important step toward getting the best sound.

FAQ

Can you mic an acoustic guitar?

Absolutely! A lot of acoustics don’t have a pickup, so micing it is the only way to amplify it. You can get a soundhole pickup, and they generally sound pretty good. But there’s no denying they sound the best when they’re mic’ed up. Especially through a good preamp and compressor.

Why is the Shure SM57 good for acoustic guitar?

It’s not necessarily the best choice. But since it’s focused in the midrange, where the acoustic guitar is, it can pick up all the primary frequencies of the instrument. It’s also really affordable and durable so you can use it in a live situation if you have to. Having one on deck comes in handy.

What kind of mic is best for recording acoustic guitar?

The best type of microphone for recording an acoustic guitar to use is a condenser, especially a small-diaphragm. They have great transient detail and a rich frequency response. You can use any mic. But if you have a choice, a condenser is the best.

What type of mic is best for acoustic guitar?

In the recording studio condenser microphones are usually the ideal choice. Small-diaphragm condensers (SDCs) have the transient capture perfect for acoustic guitar, but it’s not uncommon for a large-diaphragm model to be used.