Best Microphones for Recording:
ACOUSTIC GUITAR [2021]

Let’s begin our list with a really famous mic: the Shure SM57 is a dynamic microphone that has been very popular around the world for years now…

It comes with a cardioid polar pattern that records the sound source in front of it.

You just have to place it close to your right hand when you play the guitar, and it will do the job!

Sadly, if you also want to record the acoustics of the room you are in (for example if you are in a large room with lots of reverb), it is not recommended to use a dynamic microphone such as the SM57.

Now, let’s move to what makes this microphone so popular!

The SM57 is famous for its robust build quality. It is really hard to do any harm to this mic, that lasts for many years.

Plus, it is very easy to use: you just plug it into an audio interface or a mixing board and it works!

Finally, its price is really low, so it is affordable for everyone!

Our next option on this list comes again from Shure, but this time it is a condenser microphone.

The Shure SM81 is a mid-priced, small-diaphragm condenser microphone that performs really well at recording acoustic instruments.

But what is the best feature of this mic?

Well, the SM81 comes with a flat frequency response, which means that it will provide you with very natural and realistic recordings of your guitar!

Plus it has some extra features onboard: there is an attenuation pad to protect it from potentially loud sound sources, as well as a high-pass filter!

The latter can help you avoid unwanted low-end sounds in your recordings! It also features two different settings to choose from.

As you would probably expect from a Shure product, this one has a solid build quality that adds to the durability.

Everything has its downside though, and the problem with this mic is that it is quite an old mic, and it is true that you might even find better (and newer) mics at this price.

In case you haven’t heard of them, Neumann is a reputable brand that makes some of the most famous and most expensive mics on the market.

The KM184 is one of their most popular mics, as it is based on an older model (the KM84) that both musicians and sound engineers have loved for years.

The Neumann KM 184 mt is a small-diaphragm condenser mic that provides you with very detailed and precise sound performance.

Many guitarists have praised the ability of this mic to capture the sound of the acoustic guitar with exceptional warmth and fullness.

A swivel mount and a foam windscreen are included in the package.

The Neumann KM184 is also widely used in stereo recordings: that’s why the company also sells a matched stereo pair of these mics that ships with a wooden box!

Sadly, this mic falls heavily on the expensive side, especially if you choose to buy the stereo pair.

So, what about large-diaphragm condenser microphones?

If you are a fan of the sound quality of this type of mics, you’ll certainly want to check out the Audio-Technica AT4050.

This mic offers a very rich sound quality, that will accurately capture every tiny sound you make with your acoustic guitar.

Is that enough for you? Because if the answer is no, there’s more!

A great advantage of this mic is the ability to change polar patterns. It incorporates cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure 8 polar patterns that you can interchange depending on how many guitars you want to record.

The AT4050 ships with a shockmount and a carrying case for better portability.

It also incorporates a high-pass filter, along with a 10 dB attenuation pad.

As you have probably guessed, all these features increase the price of this mic, making it hard to afford if you are not a professional in the audio field.

In case you are looking for a large-diaphragm condenser mic, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on it, I would highly recommend the AKG P420.

This inexpensive microphone comes with three different polar patterns. You can use the cardioid one to record a single guitar, the bi-directional mode for duets, and the omnidirectional to record multiple guitars around the microphone.

Astonishing, isn’t it?

It also comes with useful onboard features, such as a -20dB pad and a high-pass filter, that lets you reduce -12dB at 300Hz.

The AKG P420 ships in a hard case that you can use to carry it around without worrying about damaging it.

A shock mount along with extra shock mount bands is included in the package.

So, is there any drawback?

Well, this mic falls a bit to the bright side, so you might need some EQ to make it sound fuller.

I can understand that for most of you who are familiar with Sennheiser products, you would expect an expensive mic when you hear the words “Sennheiser E609”...

Isn’t it true?

Well, you’re wrong!

The Sennheiser E609 is actually one of the cheapest mics on this list!

This mic is a dynamic one, that can be used for multiple instruments, so if you want to record other things except for your acoustic guitar, this is a good mic to buy.

Plus, it is also a good mic for live situations, as it comes with a hypercardioid polar pattern that rejects sounds from instruments that are behind it.

Its metal body adds to the overall robust build quality.

On the other hand, it lacks some detail in sound quality that can be found in other mics.

The Rode NT4 is one of the best options if you consider buying a stereo mic.

Stereo mics are particularly easy to use, as you only have to place one mic in a single stand, to capture one or more guitars as well as the acoustic space.

The Rode NT4 is a condenser mic, so it needs phantom power to work, but that can also be provided by a battery, adding to portability.

You can easily carry it around thanks to its compact size and the plastic case it ships with. The case also protects it from any damage.

In general, this mic’s materials ensure robust build quality. You can be sure that it will last for years to come.

The package also includes useful adapters that let you connect it to different devices. Plus, this mic makes it easy for you to split the signal into the left and right channels, allowing you to edit them separately.

Sadly, the Rode NT4 is quite expensive.

Are you looking for an inexpensive versatile mic for your guitar?

Then the Blue Microphones Yeti is the right pick for you!

This is actually a USB condenser mic, that makes using it and connecting it to your computer particularly easy! Note that it is compatible with both Windows and iOs operating systems.

I have recommended this mic for a stereo setup, but it is capable of recording in different modes! You can switch between a cardioid, a stereo, an omnidirectional and a bidirectional polar pattern.

Do you want to know the feature makes this mic unique on this list?

Well, it comes with a built-in tripod: anytime you need it, you just extend the legs of the mic!

As I mentioned earlier, this is a very affordable mic and consequently, you shouldn’t expect it to provide you with the sound accuracy of much more expensive models. But it is still OK for simple tasks