The Best Microphones for Recording Classical Guitar: A Complete Buying Guide

best microphone for recording classical guitar

Classical guitars are one of the most popular musical instruments because they are easy to take along with you on any trip or holiday and are relatively easy to learn how to play.

Recording your music can be rewarding, whether you simply want to document your personal improvements as you learn how to play or share your music with the world. If you want to start making your own recordings, then this is the right guide for you. We’ll cover exactly how to find the best microphone for recording classical guitars.  

The Best Microphones for Recording Classical Guitars

There are many different types of microphones available on the internet and in electronics stores. But for recordings, you shouldn’t go for a cheap microphone that’s designed just for communication purposes during gaming or Zoom meetings. 

For quality musical recordings, you will need a quality piece of equipment that is specifically designed to capture direct sound and block out background noise. 

We took some time to shortlist the best microphones for beginners who want to record guitar tracks. Here is a quick look at our top picks if you want great audio quality for home recordings. 

1. Blue Yeti Recording and Streaming Microphone – The Overall Best Classical Guitar Microphone 

The Blue Yeti is the best microphone on our list. This microphone is ideal for complete beginners but many sound engineers also love this durable and functional device.

One of the main reasons this is our top pick is because of its functionality. This microphone has a multipattern polar pattern, which enables you to make a wider range of recording types. 

The stereo pickup pattern is ideal for recording multiple instruments. The omnidirectional pattern picks up equal audio sounds all around the microphone, which is great for conference calls. The cardioid pattern is great for picking up a single voice directly in front of the microphone or for recording your guitar while blocking out background noises. And the bi-directional pattern allows you to record two guitars at once because it picks up audio from the front and the back but blocks out noises from the sides. 

The Blue Yeti has quite a few attractive features. This microphone has a stylish design and comes in 7 different colors. It is ideal for complete beginners because it connects to a computer or other devices via a USB connector, and its compatibility software automatically installs when you start using the mic.

This microphone is headphone compatible, so you can listen to your recording while you play or sing. It has a mute button and volume control directly on the microphone, which gives more control to solo sound engineers. 

The Blue Yeti includes a standing desk mount, but some people prefer to invest in an additional mount with greater axis response and flexibility.  

Specifications:

  • Weight: 3.51 Pounds
  • Main materials: Metal
  • Color options: 7 Different colors
  • Connector type: USB
  • Power source: Electric corded (1 lithium battery required)
  • Audio sensitivity: 120 dB
  • Compatibility: Desktop computer and headphone
  • Frequency range: 48kHz
  • Polar pattern: Multipattern
  • Controllers: Mute, volume control, pickup pattern switch, and microphone grain
  • Headphone output: Compatible
  • Mount type: Standing desk mount

Pros

  • Available in a wide range of colors
  • Extremely easy to set up with the USB connector
  • Automatic software installation
  • Ideal beginner microphone for YouTube streamers
  • Great sound quality
  • Four different audio pickup patterns are very convenient
  • You can connect a headphone directly to the microphone
  • Mute button and volume control dials also enhance functionality

Cons

  • Can be a bit bulky on a desk
  • Some might prefer a mount that offers more adjustability or a wider range of microphone positioning

2. Audio-Technica AT2020 Studio Microphone – The Runner-Up Microphone for Classical Music Recordings 

In second place, we have the Audio-Technica AT2020 microphone. This is a great microphone for those who want to make crisp, clear recordings with a warm undertone. Its pristine sound quality is probably the most outstanding feature of this device, and it should be perfect for recording all sorts of musical instruments as well as for voice recordings. 

This unidirectional microphone only records sounds from the front of the microphone, which can be great for blocking out additional sound if your studio isn’t acoustically treated. 

The wired microphone comes with a storage pocket and a pivoting mount that can be used on most stand types, and it connects to a computer or audio device via an XLR connector.

It is a simple-looking microphone that becomes a lot more stylish once it is turned on because of a small blue light inside the microphone that signals when the device is active.  

Specifications:

  • Weight: 1.32 Pounds
  • Main materials: Metal
  • Color options: Black
  • Connector type: XLR connector
  • Power source: Electric wired
  • Audio sensitivity: 37dB
  • Compatibility: All recording programs and audio devices with XLR cable input
  • Frequency range: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Polar pattern: Unidirectional
  • Controllers: None
  • Headphone output: None
  • Mount type: Pivoting stand mount

Pros

  • Good sound quality for the price range
  • Ideal for a home studio setup
  • Quality design
  • The unidirectional polar pattern can be good for blocking out other studio sounds
  • Good voice microphone for those who like to sing along with their guitar
  • USB connectivity makes it easy to set up in your recording studio
  • A good product for beginners
  • The recording process offers warm tones

Cons

  • You need to be mindful of the singing direction since it can affect the sound quality
  • No physical mute button on the mic

3. Shure SM7B Vocal Recording Microphone – The Best Studio Microphone for Classical Guitar Recordings

The Shure SM7B is a terrific microphone to consider for a home studio. This unidirectional microphone can be mounted on an overhanging rod so you can get it nice and close to your guitar for clear recordings.

The unidirectional design of this microphone captures quality sounds from the front of the device while blocking out background noises from the sides or floor. A pop filter also eliminates annoying popping noises while you’re trying to create quality recordings.

This microphone isn’t the easiest to set up since it isn’t a plug-and-play device. Its XLR connector does make it easy to connect to most audio devices, but you will need a cloud filter booster or some form of noise cancellation app if you use it in average rooms that are not sound treated. 

Plenty of buyers love the overall sleek design of this simple microphone and many find it very helpful for making classical guitar recordings.  

Specifications:

  • Weight: 20.3 Pounds
  • Color options: Black
  • Connector type: XLR connector
  • Power source: Electric wired
  • Audio sensitivity: 60dB
  • Compatibility: PC
  • Polar pattern: Unidirectional
  • Controllers: None
  • Headphone output: None
  • Mount type: Pivot fixed mount included but no stand 

Pros

  • The unidirectional microphone is good for recording a single acoustic instrument
  • The microphone offers a crisp sound quality
  • With an additional preamp or activator like the cloud lifter booster, you hardly ever have to do any noise cancellation
  • Nice and clean output
  • Made from high-quality materials
  • Great overall look
  • Can be mounted on the desk but is light enough for overhead mounting

Cons

  • You need to sit close to the microphone to get quality recordings
  • Not a plug-and-play device

4. AKG P120 Recording Microphone – The Best Portable Microphone for Classical Guitar Audio Recordings

If you need a portable microphone, then this one by AKG P120 is a good option. The microphone has a compact size that is easy to transport and won’t take up too much space on a desk. 

This unidirectional cardioid microphone is ideal for focusing on specific sounds in a room since it will only record sounds from the front while blocking out additional room noises. It does, however, have different frequency response settings, so you can record a bit more sound from your surroundings if you choose to.

A lot of users love the volume switch on the microphone because it instantly reduces the microphone volume. This allows you to record louder musical instruments like a drum set. 

Several reviews stated that it isn’t the easiest microphone to set up on new audio devices because you might need adapters and a 48V power interface to get it in good working condition. But, once set up, it is a functional tool for making all sorts of track recordings.  

Specifications:

  • Weight: 0.66 Pounds
  • Color options: Black
  • Connector type: Wired technology
  • Power source: Electric
  • Audio sensitivity: 26 dB
  • Frequency range: 20hz-20khz
  • Polar pattern: Unidirectional cardioid
  • Controllers: Small flip switches in the middle
  • Headphone output: None
  • Mount type: Mount bracket 

Pros

  • Good value for money
  • Records well in small to medium-sized rooms or studios
  • Good quality sound
  • A -20 switch lowers the volume so you can use loud instruments like drums
  • A good directional microphone for guitar recordings
  • Onboard switch options can ease recording sessions
  • Stylish overall design
  • Compares well to higher quality studio microphones

Cons

  • Might not be sensitive enough for good vocals
  • A bit challenging to set up since you need a 48v power audio interface

5. Marantz Professional MPM-1000 Studio Microphone – The Best Budget Microphone For Classical Guitar Recordings

The Marantz MPM-1000 is an ideal microphone for those who are shopping on a tight budget. This affordable microphone offers lots of functionality considering its cheap price.

The microphone is perfect for office or desktop use because it is nice and compact and the shock mount included isn’t too high. We also love the classic look of this stylish little microphone.

The recording device connects to audio systems via an XLR connection. It is fairly easy to set up, and you can also connect it to an amplifier to enhance the sound quality of your recordings.

This microphone is unidirectional, which means you will need to sit pretty close to the front to get good audio recordings. But this design also means it won’t pick up as many room sounds, which makes it ideal for making average sound recordings for social media posts or podcasting.

This microphone is a good investment for beginners who are looking for something that can enhance sound quality. It compares well with pro microphones, although you won’t get recordings that are perfectly clear.  

Specifications:

  • Weight: 0.66 Pounds
  • Color options: Black/gray
  • Connector type: XLR Connector
  • Power source: Corded electric
  • Audio sensitivity: 38dB
  • Compatibility: PC, gaming console, and amplifier
  • Frequency range: 20 Hz-20 kHz
  • Polar pattern: Unidirectional
  • Controllers: None
  • Mount type: Shockmount 

Pros

  • The retro design is beautiful
  • Affordable price range
  • The microphone has a nice and warm sound
  • Compact size is fairly portable
  • Ideal for a desktop setup or office
  • A unidirectional microphone eliminates background noises
  • A shock mount stand is included
  • Automatically reduces popping sounds
  • The XLR connector cable is very long

Cons

  • You will need a USB audio interface
  • You have to sit close to the microphone for recordings

Final Thoughts

All the microphones on our list are ideal for recording the natural sound of your classical guitar, and many are also functional for vocal recordings. We hope that this guide has helped you to find the best microphone for recording classical guitar, so you can make great audio recordings for YouTube or streaming. 

If you are also in the market for other quality gear that is specifically developed for classical music, then you should take a look at some of the other guides we have on must-have classical music. Our articles can help you to find all the best acoustic gear and products to match these types of musical instruments and enjoy your love for classical music to the fullest.

About the Author Classical Music Pro