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Acoustic guitars can be tricky to capture, especially if you are dealing with a less-than-ideal room. Mic placement, room ambiance, and note attack are just a few things to consider when recording an acoustic guitar.
It’s always a challenge to capture the authentic reverberant sound of an acoustic guitar. You want to keep the clarity intact, but also avoid getting those annoying high-frequency scratches and spikes. And, if you’re on a budget, you want to get the most out of your mic.
With that in mind, take a look at some of the best budget mic for recording acoustic guitar. These all fall below the $350 threshold.
Our Recommendations of Best Budget Mic for Recording Acoustic Guitar
| Image | Product | Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
TOP Pick
 
|
Audio-Technica 2035
|
A responsive cardioid condenser mic that has low self noise. Best bang for your buck. | Check Price |
|
Trending
 
|
Shure SM81
|
A cardioid condenser mic offers 3 positions high pass filters. | Check Price |
|
TRENDING
 
|
Sennheiser MD 421 II
|
A dynamic mic that is good in capturing the percussiveness of instruments, it also features bass roll-off switch that allows flexible bass attenuation. | Check Price |
|
TRENDING
 
|
Shure SM57 Beta
|
This supercardioid dynamic mic is the beta version of the classic SM57, less hiss and sibilance. | Check Price |
|
TRENDING
 
|
Warm Audio 47JR FET
|
A warm, natural sounding large diaphragm condenser mic that features a three-polar pattern switch. Great for recording acoustic guitar. | Check Price |
1. Audio-Technica 2035
The AT 2035 by Audio-Technica is a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser mic that delivers high-quality performance at a phenomenal price point. It comes with a shock mount, an absolute necessity for any condenser mic and boasts a frequency range of 20-20KHz.
The Cardioid pattern has an excellent off-axis capture, and the mic is impressively responsive without generating a great deal of self noise. A roll-off at 80Hz helps keep muffled rumbles at bay, and a handy -10db switch is convenient if you want to get a close mic capture for things like fingerpicking or if your room isn’t optimal for acoustics.
This mic can also be a good effect for vocals or as a far room mic for drums. All in all, it’s probably the best bang for your buck on the list—an excellent budget mic for recording acoustic guitar and for beginners who are just getting into studio recording.
2. Shure SM81
Long hailed as an industry standard for recording acoustic instruments, the Shure SM81 can deliver the kind of acoustic track you’ve heard on countless records without breaking the bank.
It is a small diaphragm cardioid condenser mic with a 20-20KHz frequency range. It offers a three-position high-pass filter and a -10bd pad to smooth out any unwanted peaks. It is surprisingly rugged for a condenser mic, known for its delicate nature, so it’s a great option if you plan to travel with it.
The SM81 can be super sensitive or cut for louder applications and handles SPL well, keeping its capture even and true.
In addition to acoustic guitar, you can also use these mics in pairs as drum or orchestral overheads for their low RF susceptibility and wide frequency response. They are at the upper end of the budget price range but well worth the money and a valuable addition to any home studio.
3. Sennheiser MD 421 II
The Sennheiser MD 421 II is a dynamic mic initially designed to capture the percussiveness of instruments. However, because of the smooth sound, this mic can elegantly bring out the rich bass strings on an acoustic guitar. Coming in as one of the most popular dynamic mics for over 35 years, the Sennheiser MD 421 is a great option for performers or beginners alike.
The Sennheiser has a large diaphragm that is perfect for levelling out high sound pressure levels, while the effective feedback rejection and cardioid polar pattern allows you to position the mic within close proximity without too much concern of feedback or humming from nearby monitors or instruments.
The mic records and reproduces a clean and clear sound for your acoustic guitar, and it’s versatility allows musicians to use it with a number of other instruments or vocals. With the 5-position bass roll-off switch that allows flexible bass attenuation, you can use this microphone in various situations and spaces.
Coming in at just 200 grams, The Sennheiser MD 421 II is easily transportable. If you’re traveling for gigs, or just shuffling your gear from place to place, the Sennheiser is a durable model that won’t crack under some light bangs and bruises. With a glass composite housing and hardened stainless steel basket, you can rest assured that this mic will stand the test of time.
With a 2 year guarantee and a renowned company that has over 70 years of experience, you can’t go wrong with the Sennheiser MD 421 II.
4. Shure SM57 Beta
The SM57 is probably the single most famous and ubiquitous mic in history. Its applications range from live stage to close miking in-studio to recording vocals and acoustic instruments. Every studio has at least a couple of these in their arsenal, and for good reason: They can do anything.
The Beta version of the SM57 is a supercardioid dynamic microphone that anyone with a studio of any kind should have. It has the all-around usefulness of its SM57 sibling, but with a couple of differences that make it more ideal for a smooth sound when recording acoustic instruments.
The Grill design is more encapsulated, so you get less interference from the sides. This will direct the sound capture more immediately to the instrument projection, meaning less hiss and sibilance.
The supercardioid pattern also aids in this, providing more rejection from the sides and more capture from the back than the cardioid SM57. It also has a wider frequency range than the SM57 for a more open natural sound.
It is not the fanciest mic on the list and does not provide the high pass filters or pattern switching of some other mics, but it doesn’t need that. The SM57 Beta is an absolute workhorse. It’s capable of doing anything you need it to do. If you don’t already have one of these, get one. Along with everything else, it is one of the best budget mics for recording acoustic guitar.
5. Warm Audio 47JR FET
If you want a quality large diaphragm condenser mic at a bargain price point, take a look at the Warm Audio 47JR FET.
Modeled after the famous (and much higher priced) Neumann FET 47, the WA 47JR is a warm, natural-sounding, and surprisingly resilient large diaphragm condenser mic. Warm Audio is a brand popular for offering exceptional sounding gear at a fraction of what you’d expect to pay, and the 47JR FET is no exception.
This mic features a three-polar pattern switch, a -10db pad and a 70Hz high pass filter. It gives the 47JR an excellent body characteristic without the harsh top-end pokiness that some condensers have. This excellent buttery-smooth response is what makes this ideal for recording acoustic guitar. You get a great natural body and shimmer without being overwhelmed with harsh pick attacks or high-frequency pokes.
This one is just a classy mic with a classic studio vibe that is sure to serve you well.
What’s Next?
Finding the best budget mic for recording acoustic guitar is a very personal and subjective endeavor. Each of these mics offers something unique and helpful in getting the sound right for your recording. No matter what kind of vibe you want to capture, any of these mics would be a great addition to your home studio.
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