Are you searching for the best acoustic guitar condenser mic? Not sure which one to pick up? This article will give some good-quality condenser mics for you.
First, here are the important criteria to consider when choosing good quality microphones for recording acoustic guitars:
#1. Price: For beginners, I typically recommend products in the around the $100 range. With under $50, it is hard to find good condenser mics.
#2. Build quality: You will want to have a nice microphone that inspires you. The poor quality with poor sound would reduce your inspiration, and emotions, they will destroy your passion soon.
#3. Reliable brand: Here are some good microphone brands with reasonable prices that are highly recommended for beginners: Audio-Technica, Shure, Rode, Elgato Wave, Samson, Blue Yeti, and AKG. You will never get wrong with those brands.
#4. Sound quality: The microphones for guitar recording must have clear sound and don’t capture background noise that will be prior choices. See the list of quality condenser mics below.
>>> Top 6 Best Condenser Mic For Recording Acoustic Guitar – Most Recommended ⇓⇓⇓
Top Best Condenser Microphones For Recording Acoustic Guitar Reviews
Here are the best acoustic guitar condenser mics, we’ve put together to help you narrow down your choices.
#1. Audio-Technica AT2020 – Best For Wide Dynamic Range
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AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone is one of the top-notch products to try if you intend to buy a mic.
With a custom-engineered low diaphragm, AT2020 provides you an extension in frequency response and superior transient response. Together with a competitive price, it’s considered as one of the best condenser mics to record acoustic guitar.
Reasons to buy:
- High SPL handling and wide dynamic range
- The cardioid polar pattern reduces surrounding to improve isolation for recording desire sound
- Top-quality for the price range
- Noise level: 20 dB
#2. Samson C01 Large – Best For Multipurpose
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Samson C01 Large Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone is the next one we want to introduce to you in this article. With specialists in design, it is a great choice for recording vocal and acoustic guitar.
The product scores a place on our top list due to its versatility, being a multipurpose condenser mic, thanks to its 19mm diaphragm.
Reasons to buy:
- 19mm diaphragm for more compatibility
- Rugged mic design with heavy gauge mesh grille to reduce air pressure while recording
- Cardioid pickup pattern with excellent off-axis rejection
- Good quality at a low price
- Gold plated XLR connector
#3. AKG Perception 170 – Best For Durability
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The next micro in this list is AKG Perception 170 Professional Instrumental Microphone. This mic is distinct from the recommendations above.
It has a thin and compact design, weighing just 0.67 pounds. Although, it would be a big mistake to underestimate the mike’s durability for it has such a rugged metal body, promising to last you seasons to come.
Besides, it is integrated with the newest technology for recording that meets customers’ demand for the best acoustic guitar condenser mic.
Reasons to buy:
- Lightweight and small in size (0.67 pounds)
- Withstanding tough day-to-day use with a rugged metal body and robust design
- Having a switchable attenuation pad for high SPL application up to 155 dB
- Small diaphragm condenser-suitable for recording acoustic guitar, percussion, etc
- Not too sensitive, thus delivering high-quality sound
- Decent for the price
#4. Audio-Technica AT2021 – Best For Lightweight Design
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The next one is the newest version of the AT condenser microphone we have introduced above. AT2021 is considered a stepping stone of the AT series in design, with a thin and compact design, weighing just 0.6 pounds – the most impressive lightweight we find on the market.
Moreover, with some upgrades in recording technology, AT2021 seems to challenge all the mikes in the segmentation.
Reasons to buy:
- Compact and lightweight (0.6 pounds)
- Low mass element for superb transient response
- Condenser design for studio-quality apps – best acoustic condenser mic
- Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickups surrounding sounds, delivers high-quality sounds
#5. Lewitt LCT 140 AIR – Best For Advanced Technologies
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The fifth mike we want to introduce you to is a product from Lewitt called LCT 140 AIR Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone.
As a later generation, this mic has a lightweight and ergonomic design (0.85 pounds) and integrates the newest technologies for instrument recording, especially acoustic guitar recording.
These advances include the black electret capsule, off-axis sound suppression, attenuator with a low-cut filter, and two modes of Linear or Airy for appropriate instrument recordings.
Reasons to buy:
- Offering an off-axis sound suppression and pre-attenuation bonus with a low-cut filter
- Small diaphragm condenser microphone
- Delivering high quality sounds thanks to a high-performance black electret capsule
- Lightweight and compact (0.85 pounds)
- Suitable for guitar recording
- Toggling between Linear mode and Airy mode
#6. Shure PGA81 XLR – Best For Noise Filtration
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We will go through the last mike review on this list: Shure PGA81 XLR Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone. With a cardioid polar pattern, this mike picks up sounds yet effectively rejects unwanted, ambient noises.
Being a new generation with the most up-to-date technologies for instrument recording in general and acoustic guitar, in particular, is this mic’s first advantage.
But that’s not all to it! There is no limit to movement when using this item: it functions flawlessly without any cable. If you wish to have a more stable connection, an impressive 15-foot long XLR cable is at hand as well.
However, it is on the slightly heavier side, weighing approximately 1.19 pounds.
Reasons to buy:
- Not too sensitive, thus delivering high-quality sounds
- Able to filter ambient noises
- Versatile: wired or unwired
- Deliver studio-quality sounds
Conclusion
It’s your turn to choose the mic that fulfills your demands of the best condenser mic for recording acoustic guitar.
You can even choose more than one kind of mike from the list above to use and compare their performances.
However, remember some of our notes about the cables or batteries and read the instructions from manufacturers to give yourself the best experience.
FAQs
Below here is common questions and answers about the best condenser mics for recording acoustic guitars.
#1. The best type of mic for recording acoustic guitar
There are 2 main types: dynamic and condenser microphones. Another kind of mic is called “ribbon,” but it’s not common.
Dynamic microphones:
A dynamic microphone is considered sturdy, reliable, and dynamic for many purposes, such as playing live, recording vocals, recording guitar, etc.
Condenser microphones:
A condenser microphone is often accompanied by a conductive diaphragm inside. It is extremely sensitive as it can vibrate with sound pressure and uses capacitances to create audio signals. Due to its extreme sensitivity, it’s not ideal for recording guitar amps up close.
After reading some analysis about the 2 most common mics for recording, you may have a question: So which is better between them?
We would say that it depends on your purpose. If you want to record a pop song or acoustic guitar, condenser mics would be suitable, but it would be dynamic to record a rock song.
However, if you need a mike that proves to be effective and able to record almost every song, it would be condenser microphones.
#2. Are condenser mics good for recording guitar?
Yes. The condenser microphones are the most popular studio microphones. They have been used to record vocals, guitars, and instruments.
The condenser microphones have more sensitive than dynamic mics, and they require 48v phantom power to operate, so they are less popular than dynamic microphones.
