Are you searching for budget microphones for recording acoustic guitar and vocals? Not sure which one is the best choice? This article gives you some good ideas.
First, here are the criteria to consider when choosing a microphone for singing and acoustic guitar recording:
#1. Price: For beginners, I typically recommend a microphone that has priced in the around the $100 range. With under $50, it is hard to find a good mic for recording.
#2. Build quality: You will want to have a beautiful microphone design that inspires you. The poor products with poor sound would damage your emotions and may destroy your passion soon.
#3. Reliable brand: Here are some good product brands with reasonable prices that are highly recommended for beginners: Stellar, Audio-Technica, Shure, Rode, Elgato Wave, Samson, Blue Yeti, and AKG. You will never get wrong with those brands.
#4. Sound quality: The quality microphones for guitar, vocals, and singing have clear sound and don’t capture background noise that will be prior choices. See the list of high-quality microphones for vocal and guitar recording below
#1. Audio-Technica AT2021 – Best mic to record acoustic guitar and vocals for under $100
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If you are considering buying a mic for home studio and live applications, why don’t you try Audio-Technica AT2021?
This microphone will catch your attention from first sight with the flashy black color and the suitable size conveniently designed for holding. The microphone is ideal for home studio, and live applications and works perfectly for recording acoustic guitar and vocals, overheads, piano, and group vocals.
For one single purchase, you will own a good-looking microphone, a case for maintenance, and a monopod to hold the microphone when recording.
It is such a bargain at an affordable price with the outstanding ability for group vocal and multi-instrument applications in any studio and the well-designed appearance.
Reasons to buy:
- Ideal for studio recording
- Compatible with a wide range of instruments
- Rugged design and strong construction
- High maximum SPL and wide dynamic range
- Superb transient frequency response
- Affordable price
#2. Blue Ember Small Diaphragm Studio – Best microphone for recording vocals and guitar
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If you are brooding on buying a microphone with the premium sound quality for recording music, podcasting, and streaming, Ember will meet your demand.
With the compact side-address design, the mic enables precise mic placement even in tight and limited spaces. In addition to that, it features a proprietary hand-tuned custom condenser capsule – a No.1 factor you will notice when buying a microphone for sound purposes.
Outstanding sound quality is a keyword for this brand. The ability to support a powerful and commanding vocal sound will help you deliver professional and impressively clear results in music applications such as YouTube and SoundCloud.
Especially; at an affordable price, Ember proves to be an untempting choice.
Reasons to buy:
- Well-designed to minimize room noise for a clean record and streaming
- Affordable price for a high-quality product
- Firm stand supporting great placement
#3. AKG Perception 170 Microphone – Best budget microphone for recording guitar
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At first sight, you will notice the small but elegant and sophisticated design of the AKG 170. What’s more, thanks to its rugged and all-metal body design, the microphone is durable and capable of resisting high temperature and humidity.
The appliance is a well-rounded microphone with a wide range of applications.
Firstly, its superb voice clarity enables perfect recording, and live podcasting.
Secondly, it is also ideal for many instrument applications such as drum, guitar, or other string instruments to produce each instrument’s cleanest, unique sound.
Last but not least, AKG 170, with supreme sound quality, can support both studio and stage, giving you great performance in any situation. So if you are finding the best acoustic guitar mic for recording, you can put this appliance on the top of the agenda.
Reasons to buy:
- Versatile functions like podcasting, recording, instruments
- Good sound quality
- Lightweight design but durable construction
#4. Stellar X2 XLR Microphone – Good microphone for guitar recording
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Stellar XRL is highlighted with the ability to deliver a clean, like-origin sound result. Especially, different from other condenser microphones, this microphone’s sound is not rough and will keep your voice in harmony all the time.
With the construction specialized for the best mic for recording acoustic guitar and vocals, Stella XLR is meticulously equipped with a highly optimized gold traces circuit for conductivity and pure brass hand-tuned capsules for accurate sound production when performing.
Reasons to buy:
- High-strength iron body and high-end components constructed
- Clean sound or voice without any distortion
- Long time utilization
#5. Samson C01 Large Diaphragm – Best cheap mic to record acoustic guitar for under 100
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Though Samson C01 doesn’t seem to catch your eyes, at first sight, its technology and smart diaphragm will strike you as surprised.
The C01 can produce a smooth and frequent response thanks to its featured cardioid pattern. However, its most highlighted factor comes from its two ultra-thin sensor membranes picking up far more detailed sounds like singers’ breath or resonance.
You will own a Samson C01 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, a mic stand, a mic pop filter combo, and a 20 ft. XLR bulk mic cable with each purchase.
Reasons to buy:
- Crystal clear sound is ideal for recording vocals, acoustic instruments
- Also serves as an overhead drum mic
- Many high-tech components are built-in for a smart product
- Various thoughtful accessories
#6. AKG Pro Audio C1000S – Best Mic For Recording Acoustic Guitar And Vocals
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The innovative version of the C1000S is famous for its multifunctions. This appliance works amazingly in any situation like recording for videos or on-stage applications. So if you are looking for a multipurpose microphone, this recommendation will be a No.1 choice.
Firstly, the mic’s condenser has a strong structure and suitable clip to firmly attach the units to stands. What’s more, its humidity-proof gold capsule and XLR plugs really stand out when it comes to the required durability.
Secondly, in case there is no phantom power, the appliance can be assisted by AA batteries lasting up to 120 hours.
Lastly but most importantly, the new versatile C1000S has two gain control, three additional frequency settings for many sound sources, and two microphone polar patterns systems to allow other functions, such as broadcast recording and live interviews.
The reason why this appliance is the best for recording acoustic guitar and vocals lies in its versatility and sound quality the close and far distances. Thanks to its natural sound and well-balanced audible spectrum, the mic excels for stringed acoustic instruments or recording.
Reasons to buy:
- Versatile in use: vocal recording, live podcast, interviewing, etc
- Indestructible with rugged design, humidity-proof
- Low sound distortion and a high dynamic range
#7. Blue Spark Blackout SL XLR – Best for multipurpose
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Looking like an alien aiming to attack you but not by a weapon; instead, by detailed, transparent, and harmonic sound is Blue Spark Blackout.
Its capacity of XLR Connection is perfect for computer audio interfaces and mixers. Blue Spark Blackout also features class-A JFET electronics, premium shock mount, high-pass filter, etc., which ensure crystal clear sound, free from bumps and vibration for your videos or podcasts.
Reasons to buy:
- Clear, detailed, focused, and harmonic sound
- XRL Connection for computer interfaces and mixers
- Affordable
Conclusion
At the end of the day, what kind of microphone you choose depends on your demand and budget availability.
With the information on the best mic for recording acoustic guitar under $100, we hope you have found for yourself a suitable mic that meets all the criteria you are considering. Hope you have a perfect performance with this product.
FAQs
Below here is common questions and answers about the best mic to record acoustic guitar and vocals.
#1. Is an SM57 good for recording acoustic guitar?
Shure SM57 is one of the good cheap mics for recording acoustic guitar and vocals because:
- Wide frequency response at 40 to 15,000 Hz
- Extremely durable for the heaviest use.
- A uniform cardioid pickup pattern and reducing background noise
#2. Is it better to record acoustic guitar with a mic or direct?
Verdict, recording acoustic guitar direct is quick and easy but the sounds quality is thin and unnatural when compared to the sound when recording by a microphone.