Choosing the Best Microphone for Acoustic Guitar – 32 Mic Shootout

When Don Carr and I went into the studio back in 2017 to record sound clips for the article “Best Small-diaphragm Condenser Mics for Acoustic Guitar,” we honestly didn’t think of auditioning a broader range of mics, even though we had both used lots of mics other than just small diaphragms to record acoustic guitar. We decided then that we needed to have another go at it and, next time, collect a huge assortment of microphones and head into Sweetwater Studios, listening to everything from dynamic mics to ribbons to small- and large-diaphragm condensers.

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That was our original intent — Plan A. Then, there was a global pandemic, and we got locked out of the studio. Therefore — Plan B.

We grabbed a bunch of mics (Did I say a bunch? It was 30 mics in all!!) and headed to a makeshift home studio (packing blankets and all) with an armload of really nice gear — my Millennia HV-3D mic preamp and an RME Fireface UFX+ interface for I/O and conversion. (You can read more of the “how we did it” details in my section of the “Behind the Scenes: Sweetwater’s Content Creators at Home” article.) We collected all the acoustic guitar mics we had ever used before and then some we hadn’t heard. Here’s the list of microphones, grouped by type and in alphabetical order.

The Microphones

Small-diaphragm Condensers

AKGC 451 BAudio-TechnicaATM450Audio-TechnicaAT4041DPA4011ADPA4099 CORENeumann KMS 105Neumann KM 184RodeNT5-SSchoepsCMC 6 + MK 4ShureSM81ShureKSM141ShureBeta 181/CTelefunkenM60 FETWarm AudioWA-84

Dynamics

SennheiserMD 421-IIShureSM57

Large-diaphragm Condensers

AKGC214AKGC314AKGC414 XLSAudio-TechnicaAT4047/SVAudio-TechnicaAT4050Austrian AudioOC18Neumann U 87 AiRodeNT1ShureKSM44ATelefunkenELA M 251EWarm AudioWA-87

 

Ribbons

AEAR44CEBeyerdynamicM 160RoyerR-121

The Recording Setup

We set up and calibrated all the mics, making sure to confirm polarity was uniform using my trusty Galaxy Audio CPTS Cricket. Then we started recording, stopping occasionally for passing trains and a carpet-cleaning truck next door. Shawn Dealey capably handled the engineering duties. We positioned all the mics at the 12th fret, right at eight inches away from the guitar. For multi-pattern mics, we chose the cardioid setting.

Don Carr played his Martin D-28 Authentic 1931 with an Adirondack spruce top and Madagascar rosewood back and sides. Martin’s current offering, the D-28 Authentic, is based on a 1937 D-28.

What to Listen For

Listen for the tone of the guitar. Listen for the warmth and the body. Does the guitar sound full? Or does it sound smaller and focused (frequently a good thing when you’re trying to fit an acoustic guitar into limited room in a busy track)? Listen for the brilliance and the definition of the strings. Which microphone captures your idea of what an acoustic guitar should sound like?

(Granted, the only way for you to know which mic did the best job of interpreting and communicating the actual sound of the guitar is for you to have been here as we recorded so you could hear the original guitar. That can be arranged — just book some studio time at Sweetwater Studios, and you can bring a guitar or choose one of ours and then hear it through whichever mics you like.)

Let’s Listen

Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphones

AKG C 451 B

A perennial favorite on acoustic guitar, the AKG C 451 B was used on countless hit recordings from the 1970s forward.

StyleTypePatternPencilSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Audio-Technica ATM450

The compact, side-address ATM450 mic will fit in tight spaces and offers a highpass filter and a 10dB pad.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Audio-Technica AT4041

The Audio-Technica AT4041 offers neutral, uncolored response in a very affordable package.

StyleTypePatternPencilSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

DPA 4011A

If you’re looking for an ultra-quiet, ultra-accurate pencil mic that is true to the source, look no further than the DPA 4011A.

StyleTypePatternPencilSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

DPA 4099 CORE

The DPA 4099 CORE is designed to mount directly on an acoustic guitar and provides a unique solution for players that need to move around.

StyleTypePatternLavalierSmall-diaphragm condenserSupercardioid

Neumann KMS 105

Taking the classic Neumann condenser-mic sound and putting it in a handheld mic is what makes the KMS 105 so special.

StyleTypePatternHandheldSmall-diaphragm condenserSupercardioid

Neumann KM 184

The Neumann KM 184 is the worthy successor to the KM 84, a mic considered by many to be one of the finest acoustic-instrument mics ever made.

StyleTypePatternPencilSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Rode NT5-S

The Rode NT5-S is a pencil mic with a clear, distinctive sound that works great in stereo.

StyleTypePatternPencilSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Schoeps CMC 6 + MK 4

Schoeps CMC 6 microphone amplifier combined with the MK 4 microphone capsule is the first choice of classical engineers all over the world.

StyleTypePatternPencilSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Shure SM81

A studio standard for decades, the Shure SM81 is many live engineers’ first choice for an acoustic-guitar mic.

StyleTypePatternPencilSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Shure KSM141

The versatile Shure KSM141 not only includes dual patterns but also has dual-level pads and dual highpass filters right on the mic.

StyleTypePatternPencilSmall-diaphragm condenserMulti-pattern

Shure Beta 181/C

The Shure Beta 181/C is unique not only for its lollipop styling but also its distinctive sound.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Telefunken M60 FET

The beautiful, vintage-styled Telefunken M60 FET mic sounds just as good as it looks.

StyleTypePatternPencilSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Warm Audio WA-84

Warm Audio’s WA-84 is their interpretation of one of the most popular small-diaphragm German condenser mics ever made.

StyleTypePatternPencilSmall-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Dynamic Microphones

Sennheiser MD 421-II

The Sennheiser MD 421-II is a studio standard, and for good reason. You’ll recognize its sound from hundreds of hit records over the last several decades.

StyleTypePatternHandheldDynamicCardioid

Shure SM57

The universally recognized Shure SM57 is one of the best-selling mics in history. It sounds good on everything, including acoustic guitar.

StyleTypePatternHandheldDynamicCardioid

Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphones

AKG C214

The AKG C214 brings the heritage of its sibling 414 microphone into an affordable, cardioid-only package.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressLarge-diaphragm condenserCardioid

AKG C314

AKG’s C314 large-diaphragm, multi-pattern mic offers four switchable patterns and comes with a shockmount and a pop filter.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressLarge-diaphragm condenserMulti-pattern

AKG C414 XLS

With a lineage that includes the classic C12 and the original C414, the AKG C414 XLS continues to be a favorite among engineers around the globe.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressLarge-diaphragm condenserMulti-pattern

Audio-Technica AT4047/SV

Audio-Technica’s AT4047/SV is an amazing mic for a bargain price that excels in recording not only acoustic guitar but vocals, electric guitar, and more.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressLarge-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Audio-Technica AT4050

Long a favorite for vocal recording, the Audio-Technica AT4050 does a fabulous job of capturing a full guitar tone.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressLarge-diaphragm condenserMulti-pattern

Austrian Audio OC18

The Austrian Audio OC18 is the culmination of years of expertise by some of the finest Austrian microphone designers and deserves to be heard.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressLarge-diaphragm condenserCardioid

Neumann U 87 Ai

This mic needs no introduction. It’s recognized globally as an industry standard: the Neumann U 87 Ai.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressLarge-diaphragm condenserMulti-pattern

Shure KSM44A

Since its introduction, the Shure KSM44A has gained quite a following for its excellent sound and broad range of applications.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressLarge-diaphragm condenserMulti-pattern

Telefunken ELA M 251E

Considered by many to be the finest vocal mic ever made, the Telefunken ELA M 251E also shines on acoustic guitar.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressLarge-diaphragm condenserMulti-pattern

Ribbon Microphones

AEA R44CE

The AEA R44CE is a re-creation of the world-famous RCA 44 and proves why that mic has been a studio staple since its introduction in the 1930s.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressRibbonFigure-8

Royer R-121

Heard here using the rear of the mic (the brighter side), the Royer R-121 is a studio standard for a good reason.

StyleTypePatternSide-addressRibbonFigure-8

In Conclusion

So, which ones were your favorites? I hope you found this as enlightening as I did. Maybe you heard a guitar sound that you recognize and you’d always wondered, “How did they get that sound?” I’m a big believer that you can never have too many mics, and this listening exercise definitely widened my horizons. If you heard a microphone that you need to add to your mic collection, then give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700. We can get you one (or two or three) right away.

Additional Resources

Acoustic Guitar Recording Techniques of the Pros

6 Tips for Getting Great Acoustic Guitar Sounds by Sweetwater

3 Ways to Make Your Acoustic Guitar Sound Better

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