As a musician, I know how important it is to have the right equipment when recording acoustic guitar. A high-quality microphone is essential to capture the nuances and subtle details of the instrument. In this article, I will share with you my top 15 picks for the best mic for recording acoustic guitar in 2022.
1. Shure SM81-LC
The Shure SM81-LC is a versatile condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a flat response and a high SPL handling, which means it can handle loud sound sources without distortion. I've used this mic on numerous occasions and have always been impressed with its clarity and accuracy.
2. Neumann KM184
The Neumann KM184 is a small diaphragm condenser microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has a smooth and natural sound that captures the full range of the instrument. I've used this mic in both live and studio settings and have always been impressed with its performance.
3. Audio-Technica AT4053B
The Audio-Technica AT4053B is a hypercardioid condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a wide frequency response and a high SPL handling, which means it can capture the full range of the guitar without distortion. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been blown away by its clarity and detail.
4. AKG C414 XLS
The AKG C414 XLS is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has nine polar patterns, which means you can choose the perfect setting for your recording environment. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its versatility and clarity.
5. Royer R-121
The Royer R-121 is a ribbon microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a warm and natural sound that captures the full range of the instrument. I've used this mic on numerous recordings and have always been impressed with its rich and full-bodied sound.
6. Sennheiser MD 421 II
The Sennheiser MD 421 II is a dynamic microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a wide frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its warmth and clarity.
7. Rode NT5
The Rode NT5 is a small diaphragm condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a flat frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its clarity and detail.
8. Electro-Voice RE20
The Electro-Voice RE20 is a dynamic microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a smooth and natural sound that captures the full range of the instrument. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its warmth and detail.
9. Audio-Technica AT4050
The Audio-Technica AT4050 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a wide frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its clarity and detail.
10. AKG C214
The AKG C214 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a flat frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its clarity and warmth.
11. Beyerdynamic M160
The Beyerdynamic M160 is a ribbon microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a hypercardioid polar pattern and a warm and natural sound that captures the full range of the instrument. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its richness and fullness.
12. Shure SM7B
The Shure SM7B is a dynamic microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a smooth and natural sound that captures the full range of the instrument. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its warmth and detail.
13. Audio-Technica AT4040
The Audio-Technica AT4040 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a flat frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its clarity and detail.
14. AKG C3000
The AKG C3000 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a wide frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its warmth and detail.
15. Shure KSM32
The Shure KSM32 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a flat frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. I've used this mic on many recordings and have always been impressed with its clarity and detail.
When it comes to recording acoustic guitar, the microphone you choose can make all the difference in the world. The right microphone will capture the full range and timbre of the instrument, while the wrong one can make your recordings sound dull and lifeless. That's why it's so important to choose the best mic for your specific needs.
So, without further ado, let's dive into my top 15 picks for the best mic for recording acoustic guitar in 2022.
1. Shure SM81-LC
The Shure SM81-LC is a versatile condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a flat response and a high SPL handling, which means it can handle loud sound sources without distortion. This mic is a go-to for many professional recording engineers, and for good reason. It consistently delivers clear, accurate recordings.
2. Neumann KM184
The Neumann KM184 is a small diaphragm condenser microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has a smooth and natural sound that captures the full range of the instrument. This mic is perfect for capturing the subtle nuances and details of your playing. Whether you're recording in a studio or live setting, the KM184 is a great choice.
3. Audio-Technica AT4053B
The Audio-Technica AT4053B is a hypercardioid condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a wide frequency response and a high SPL handling, which means it can capture the full range of the guitar without distortion. This mic delivers clear, detailed sound that's perfect for capturing the full range of your guitar playing.
4. AKG C414 XLS
The AKG C414 XLS is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has nine polar patterns, which means you can choose the perfect setting for your recording environment. This mic is a versatile choice that can capture a wide range of sounds. Whether you're recording fingerpicking or strumming, the C414 XLS can handle it all.
5. Royer R-121
The Royer R-121 is a ribbon microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a warm and natural sound that captures the full range of the instrument. Ribbon mics like the R-121 are known for their ability to capture the full-bodied sound of acoustic guitars. If you're looking for a mic that delivers a warm, natural sound, the R-121 is an excellent choice.
6. Sennheiser MD 421 II
The Sennheiser MD 421 II is a dynamic microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a wide frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument. This mic delivers a warm, detailed sound that's perfect for capturing the full range of your guitar playing.
7. Rode NT5
The Rode NT5 is a small diaphragm condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a flat frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. This mic is perfect for capturing the subtle nuances and details of your playing.
8. Electro-Voice RE20
The Electro-Voice RE20 is a dynamic microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a smooth and natural sound that captures the full range of the instrument. This mic is perfect for capturing the warmth and detail of your guitar playing.
9. Audio-Technica AT4050
The Audio-Technica AT4050 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a wide frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. This mic delivers clear, detailed sound that's perfect for capturing the full range of your guitar playing.
10. AKG C214
The AKG C214 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a flat frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. This mic delivers clear, warm sound that's perfect for capturing the full range of your guitar playing.
11. Beyerdynamic M160
The Beyerdynamic M160 is a ribbon microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a hypercardioid polar pattern and a warm and natural sound that captures the full range of the instrument. This mic is perfect for capturing the full-bodied sound of your guitar and delivering a warm, natural sound.
12. Shure SM7B
The Shure SM7B is a dynamic microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a smooth and natural sound that captures the full range of the instrument. This mic is perfect for capturing the warmth and detail of your guitar playing.
13. Audio-Technica AT4040
The Audio-Technica AT4040 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a flat frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. This mic delivers clear, detailed sound that's perfect for capturing the full range of your guitar playing.
14. AKG C3000
The AKG C3000 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a wide frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. This mic delivers warm, detailed sound that's perfect for capturing the full range of your guitar playing.
15. Shure KSM32
The Shure KSM32 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that is perfect for recording acoustic guitar. It has a cardioid polar pattern and a flat frequency response, which means it can capture the full range of the instrument with accuracy. This mic delivers clear, detailed sound that's perfect for capturing the full range of your guitar playing.
In conclusion, choosing the right microphone for recording acoustic guitar is crucial to capture the full range and timbre of the instrument. Each of the 15 microphones listed above has its own unique characteristics and can be used in a variety of recording settings. Ultimately, the best microphone for your recording will depend on your personal preferences and the specific sound you are looking