We've been busy researching acoustic guitar recording mics to help you figure out what you need to make your best audio and video content and stay on budget.
Links to all the products in the review are included and are regionalised to your local Amazon store wherever possible.
Let's get into it!
Here are the top five best acoustic guitar recording mics.
Samson C02 Pencil Condenser Microphones.
The Samson C02 Pencil Condenser Microphones come as an affordable pair. They have great audio quality that is perfect for dual placement. They capture the sound of cymbals, percussion, or guitar accurately, keeping the texture and detail of your music.
The C02 has a low mass element with a cardioid polar pattern. This lets it record the signals coming from the front while rejecting the signals from the sides and back. This feature is great in minimizing your environment’s ambient noise or signals from other instruments or devices that may cause feedback.
If you’re looking to minimize low-frequency noise, the Samson C02 has your back. It features a frequency response of 40 hertz to 20 kilohertz that reproduces accurate audio complete with detail.
These condenser microphones have a solid construction and are hefty and durable. They come with high-quality wind covers, microphone stands with different thread options and a dedicated hard-shell carrying case.
The Samson C02 has a sensitive sound pick up that helps record richer detail. You might be worried about sound quality in untreated rooms, but the enhanced directional pick up of these condenser microphones provide great isolation for any undesirable background noise there is.
Overall, if you’re looking for cost-effective but high-quality microphones for recording your music the Samson C02 pencil condenser microphones give you two great mics for the price of one. These are perfect for working in a studio or in your room.
Buy the Samson C02 - https://geni.us/dBBqlUc
AKG Perception 170.
The AKG P170 is an instrumental cardioid pencil condenser microphone. Instrumental microphones are made for capturing instruments rather than voices, which makes the AKG P170 a perfect companion when recording your acoustic guitar.
This microphone has a cardioid polar pattern, meaning it is most sensitive to signal input from the front than the sides and the back. It is unidirectional, which means you won’t have any trouble when positioning it around speakers or other instruments. Ambient noise isn’t an issue as it filters it out and leaves you with the beautiful sound of your instrument.
The AKG P170 was constructed with an all-metal body for durability. This mic can handle a few knocks now and then, making it the perfect microphone for live shows or when you’re recording on the road. A ½-inch diaphragm picks up sound and plays it back with clarity and transient response.
It has a wide audio frequency, ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz allowing you to record and capture both low- and high-pitched sound. This feature makes it fun to add subtle textures to your acoustic guitar recording.
The AKG P170 is perfect for recording stringed instruments, especially the guitar. It is lightweight and compact which makes it easy to bring during live shows but durable enough that you don’t have to worry about breaking them. The AKG P170 is affordable and doesn’t cut corners with the sound quality.
Buy the AKG Perception 170 - https://geni.us/0Ls0
MXL770.
The MXL 770 is an affordable mic that delivers a versatile performance, whether it be on vocals, acoustic stringed instruments or piano. It has a well balanced low-frequency response that lets you get a warm and crunch-free recording.
The most famous feature of the MXL 770 is its solid bass, which is perfect for acoustic guitars and vocals. It has a balanced output and a wide dynamic range, allowing it to pick up a richer and clear sound.
This microphone features a bass roll-off which allows you to decrease the bass response and a 10-decibel pad that lets you lower the gain when you’re recording very loud sounds.
The MXL 770 is reliable with a full metal body and two color options. It comes in a standard black with gold accents and midnight which is fully blacked out.
This mic is lightweight, weighing only 1 pound or half a kilogram. To ensure the safety of your device when travelling, it comes with a hard-shell plastic case with soft padding.
The MXL 770 comes with a sturdy spider shock mount which helps in eliminating unwanted background noise. You can easily achieve a rich and clear sound for your acoustic guitar on this microphone.
The MXL 770 is easy to set up and use. The features are straightforward and easy to understand, making it perfect for beginners or people looking for an affordable but high-quality condenser microphone.
Buy the MXL 770 - https://geni.us/zcX3pO
Audio-Technica AT4040.
The Audio-Technica AT4040 is part of the established 40-series of the brand. It is a fixed cardioid mic with a large-diaphragm capacitor. This allows it to record the smooth and natural quality of your acoustic guitar.
The sensitive signal pickup produces a clean sound that is incredible to work with.
The AT4040 has no proximity effect, which means that you get great sound even when up close. It has a built-in high pass filter and a 10-decibel pad which tames the low end if your bass is boomy. It has a signal-to-noise ratio of 12 decibels that helps to eliminate room noise when recording at high gain levels.
Condenser mics are known to be extremely sensitive to small noises, but the AT4040 does a great job of blocking out external audio and picking up your sound.
The AT4040 has a durable solid metal body with a thick grille for protecting the capsule. Constant use of a microphone can take a toll on its body, but the AT4040 ensures that a few dents or scratches won’t affect the microphone.
The AT4040 comes with a great soft touch carrying case, an AT8449a shock mount and a microphone dust cover.
The AT4040 is a multipurpose microphone that comes with great features and accessories for its price. It’s perfect for recording acoustic guitars, other instruments and even vocals. If you’re looking for a top-notch microphone that can fit all your needs, then the AT4040 is perfect for you.
Buy the Audio-Technica AT4040 - https://geni.us/TgtQR
Shure SM81-LC
This is a cardioid condenser microphone that works best in a studio, broadcast, or live recording setting. The Shure SM81-LC is an instrument microphone that boasts a flat frequency response ranging between 20 hertz and 20 kilohertz. It has a switchable low pass feature that gives you the option of either 6 decibels or 18 decibels per octave.
It also has a 10-decibel pad that can handle up to 146 decibels. This feature makes the microphone a versatile companion for all sorts of situations.
The cardioid polar feature allows you to record a high level of gain without worrying about induced feedback, making it perfect for live shows. The Shure SM81-LC has a great off-axis sound rejection that lets it hone in on your audio without picking up environmental noise.
Crystal clear recordings are a necessity for acoustic guitars. The texture and clarity of the sound aren’t lost on the SM81-LC. The long and slim design of this microphone makes positioning a breeze to get the best audio quality.
The body of the SM81-LC is durable and built to withstand time and use. It performs well in-home or commercial studios and even during live performances. Overall, the Shure SM81-LC is an industry favorite for a reason. If you want to upgrade your setup with a reliable microphone that can suit your needs, then the Shure SM81-LC is the way to go.
Buy the Shure SM81-LC - https://geni.us/yMAn
You say you want comments, but you don't seem to respond to those on Hive. Doing so might get you more engagement.
I have an MXL 990, but I use that mainly for vocals. When I record my acoustic it's mostly through the pickup. I know that's a compromise.
This is a very important topic for me. I'd like a mic to pic up vocals and guitar but for less than 300 dollars and preferably something that I can fit in a usb jack. Also I was wondering if there is some kind of adapter I can buy to change from the stereo mic I use to a usb port?