Top Best mics for guitar amps
If you are not new to the world of electric guitars, then you probably know how difficult it can be to pick up all the necessary gadgets. Once you have purchased the right instrument, you still need to buy an amplifier, effects pedal, and so on. However, if you also want to record electric guitar, you will need to purchase one of the best mics for recording guitar amps. However, which one to choose?
Before answering this question, you will also need to pay attention to other points. For example what kind of guitar are you using? Are you using any pedals? What type of amplifier do you have? All of these points will be important when choosing mics to record guitar amps as they can greatly affect the sound. A huge number of people type in Google queries such as mircophones that works with guitar amps, best mic for miking guitar amps live, good mics to use on guitar amps with heavy distortion or condenser microphone good for guitar amps and drums, because they cannot find a model on one’s own. We are here to help!
However, you should know that almost any microphone can handle recording, however, not all microphones are equally reliable and of high quality. Thus, if you want to get the most out of your guitar and amp, you need to look into best microphone for recording guitar amps. Below you can explore the best models that can only be found on the market.
Top Best Mics For Guitar Amps
Looking for the best mics used for guitar amps? Our top 5 is designed to solve your problem. Whether you’re looking for the best mics for guitar amps live or the best professional microphones for recording guitar amps, the models below will meet your every need.
Here are our top picks:
1)Neumann U 87 AI
If you have looked at the tops of best microphone for guitar amps at least once, you have probably seen such a model as Neumann U 87 Ai. A huge number of professional musicians praise this microphone for its excellent sound quality.
The U 87 is a professional microphone that costs thousands of dollars and is an unaffordable luxury for most musicians, while the 87 Ai is a newer model that also did not disappoint fans of the brand with its sound.
Neumann U 87 Ai is a truly phenomenal model that will not leave indifferent either a beginner or a professional musician. Whether you’re trying to record your guitar or anything else, this mic will give you a great neutral response.
This way you can really get exactly the sound you want. So, if you are looking for one of the best microphones for guitar amps, which is as close as possible to its professional counterpart, give preference to Neumann U 87 Ai.
2)Shure SM57
Speaking of mics for recording guitar amps, the Shure SM57 is a model that is truly iconic and one of the most popular on the market.
Almost every recording studio has at least a few of these microphones, as they are relatively inexpensive, fairly reliable and at the same time of high quality.
However, why do people choose this particular mic for recording guitar amps? First of all, we would like to note that the Shure SM57 is useful in almost any audio engineering situations, but it is especially good for recording guitar cabinets.
If you want to know why, the answer is that the SM57 can handle a maximum SPL level of 190 dB (which is loud enough). So no matter what you want to order, the Shure SM57 will be one of the best mics for guitar amps you can find on the market.
Although it may not add anything to your entry, it will definitely be able to capture everything you need.
3) Telefunken M80-SH
Another model that we can safely attribute to one of the best microphones for guitar amps is the Telefunken M80-SH. This is a dynamic microphone with a supercardioid polar pattern and a frequency response of 50 Hz – 18 kHz.
Such microphones for recording guitar amps are specifically designed to handle tight-fit applications, while full-sized microphones can be somewhat overbearing. However, why do we classify this model as the best mics for guitar amps?
First of all, we would like to note that the Telefunken M80-SH is a dynamic microphone, but at the same time it performs like a condenser.
Among other things, it offers a high SPL so you can capture all the variety of sounds. However, if we are talking specifically about an electric guitar, one cannot help but pay attention to the fact that this model is great for a dirty sound.
Thus, if you are a fan of such musical genres as metal, rock, punk, etc., Telefunken M80-SH can be one of the best mics for electric guitar amps.
4)Beyerdynamic M160
If you googled top recording microphones for guitar amps, then most likely you have come across the model we want to tell you about – Beyerdynamic M160.
This is a ribbon microphone with a hypercardioid polar pattern and a frequency response of 40 Hz – 20 kHz. We included this model in our top good mics for recording guitar amps, as it is the Beyerdynamic M160 that offers a warm sound that will sound just phenomenal.
What is the Beyerdynamic M160 best suited for? First of all, this model will do an excellent job of recording more quiet clean guitar tones.
Also noteworthy is its double ribbon design, which boosts its output levels, so you get less noise. The Beyerdynamic M160 is the best mic to use for guitar amps if you want a warm smooth sound.
5) AKG C414XLII
The last model on our list of decent mic for recording guitar amps that we would like to introduce you to is the AKG C414 XLII. This model is one of the best condenser mics for recording guitar amps that you can find on the market.
Moreover, a huge number of different tops call this microphone a workhouse condenser. With the AKG C414 you can record just about anything and be amazed at the sound quality it offers.
The AKG C414 is also one of the best type of mic for guitar amps you can get, thanks to its affordable price (compared to the features it offers).
In particular, we would like to note Nine polar patterns, up to 18 dB of pad, which is great for guitar amplifiers. So, if you are looking for the best condenser on guitar amps, choose the AKG C414 without a doubt.
How Important Is Mic Placement?
If you are a beginner, then this part of the article may be of particular importance to you, so pay attention to it. First of all, it’s important to note that even small changes in microphone placement can make a big difference in guitar recording. It’s important to keep in mind that each location around the speaker will have its own unique sound, and how far you place the microphone from the cone will also directly affect the tone you get. Experts draw your attention to the fact that at the beginning of your journey it will be correct to direct the microphone directly to the center of the speaker cone, and then move it slightly to the left or right. Also remember that it should only be a few inches from the cone, practically touching the grill. In the event that you decide to remove the grill, it is worth positioning the microphone an inch from the speaker.
Conclusion
Finding good mics for guitar amps can take a huge amount of time, especially if you don’t know what factors to look for and what exactly you want to get. What’s more, our top of best mics to record guitar amps is just the beginning, as there are so many different offerings on the market right now. While some people spend tens of thousands of dollars to get the best microphones for guitar amps live, others can get a similar result by purchasing an inexpensive model from a guitar store (just knowing how to use a microphone). Thus, you do not need to spend huge amounts of money in order to get a good sound, as now there are a huge number of inexpensive, but at the same time high-quality models that will not leave you indifferent.
However, when choosing a microphone for guitar recording, it is important to first of all focus on your desires, needs, preferences and budget. Explore the different models and choose the microphone that suits you best. We hope our top of the best microphones for guitar amplifiers was useful for you, good luck!
