Rich Sound from the Best Guitar Microphones

The benefits to using the Shure SM57 for recording guitar are numerous. For one (like all Shure microphones) it's built like a tank so you don’t have to worry about putting it in danger wherever you use it. The SM57 also comes equipped with a high maximum SPL so this unit easily handles the loud volume of a cranked up amplifier without distorting the actual signal itself. The tight cardioid pattern of this microphone offers a direct, in-your-face signal of whatever you point it in front of. The SM57 is also able to be easily paired up with other microphones, giving users the ability to customize and experiment with their recording sounds.

Audix’s i5 dynamic cardioid microphone provides a superior, accurate sound reproduction that is great for live guitar amplification signal. Its pickup pattern ensures great isolation, so you won’t have to worry about unwanted bleed-through from other instruments onstage. The mic’s SPL handling of 140dB allows you to really crank up your sound without driving the signal into distorted territory. The i5 was built to last on the road, so you’ll never have to worry about being too delicate with its rugged design while the flat cap build allows you to place the microphone very close to the speaker cabinet. In addition to being a great tool for electric guitar amps, the i5 is also a good choice for vocals, percussion, acoustic instruments, and more.

The Sennheiser e 609 silver is a dynamic supercardioid microphone that was built specifically to be set up in front of guitar cabinets. This mic takes much of its spec and design from the Evolution 609 and MD 409 dynamic microphones. Both of the aforementioned microphones were revered for their low-mid frequency growl and punchy, clarity-favoring sound. The e 609’s pick-up pattern allows for optimal isolation from other nearby audio signals, making it an ideal tool for use onstage as well as in the studio. The microphone also is built from metal, making it a reliably rugged road component.

The Shure SM58 holds the distinction of being one of the most popular handheld dynamic microphones in the world, but it also can be very useful for recording guitar amplifier signal both onstage and in the studio. The SM58’s cardioid pickup pattern eliminates unwanted background noise and provides a direct signal. This mic also is equipped with an internal pneumatic shock mount system that cuts down on any handling noise, so your signal should be clear and precise. Because the mic was made with vocalists in mind, it has a built-in spherical wind and pop filter to reduce unwanted noise, which can often be useful to the aggressive, pointed sound of the electric guitar. Like all Shure microphones, the SM58 is built like a tank, which is always an advantage for those recording rock bands and in other scenarios where you don’t want to be walking around on eggshells while creating/playing music.

Sennheiser’s e 906 dynamic microphone can be used to capture the sound of many different types of instruments, including guitar coming through an amplifier. This mic produces a full sound with a very fast attack response. A switchable presence filter gives users the ability to tweak the mic’s sound to best fit the scenario in which the unit is being used. Choose from three settings: a presence-boosting range setting for louder, more aggressive rhythm guitars, a normal position that works well with classic rock sounds, and a third setting with a mid-frequency of 4 kHz that sounds great with warmer, smoother tones found in jazz and blues. The 906’s flat front design also makes it very easy to position in front of amps. And its durable reinforced metal body ensures that you can use this mic in a variety of settings without having to worry about doing any damage to the device.

It’s almost unfair to compare the Neumann U87 to other microphones used to record electric guitar. To put it simply, this device is a classic staple of almost every professional recording studio. The U87’s large diaphragm design captures a wider and more encompassing sound from the instrument that it records, which results in a fuller sounding tone. The mic can be switched between omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure-8 settings, making it great for those who want to experiment with placement in their recording techniques. The U87 also provides a switchable 10dB pre-attenuation pad, which helps to protect the delicate nature of the condenser microphone from being blown out by the type of loud and unruly signal that we typically associate with the electric guitar. In addition to being a great option for recording amplifiers, this mic can also be used to capture vocals, room noise, and more.

AKG’s C414 XLS offers a balanced, accurate, and neutral sound that has made it a top choice for those trying to tackle the beast of recording great-sounding electric guitar. The mic’s 9-pattern design ensures that you’re getting way more than you might figure from a single unit. Find the appropriate setting for each room, instrument, and project by switching between omnidirectional, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure eight, and four intermediate settings in the pickup pattern. The unit’s maximum SPL clocks in at 140dB (158dB with its 18dB pad), so you can turn your amplifier up to a volume loud enough to truly convey the natural sound of the instrument without walking on eggshells about overloading the microphone that is recording the performance. And just in case things do get overloaded, a handy “peak hold” LED display gives notice of even the most minuscule peaks.

The Beyerdynamic M160 holds the distinction of actually using two ribbons in its build. This mic offers a hypercardioid polar pattern, which gives it an extended frequency response and direct, clear sound. While many are quick to point out that nearly every ribbon microphone available on the market will produce a solid-sounding guitar sound, the M160 holds the distinction of being favored by legendary recording engineer Eddie Kramer, the man who recorded classic records by Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Suffice it to say, there’s a lot of legacy that comes attached to this little microphone, particularly if you’re using it for rock music. The M160 also offers a non-glare black surface, which grants it something of an invisibility factor. Due to its unobtrusive nature, this is a great microphone for use in film and television studios.

The Royer R-121 ribbon microphone provides its owner with a great-sounding, detailed response that also excels in areas that other mics of a similar build simply can’t handle. Part of that is due to the 121’s maximum SPL rating which exceeds 135dB; feel free to crank up your amplifier as loud as you’d like without fear of overdriving and ruining the signal (and doing damage to the microphone itself). This mic has equal sensitivity from its front and back, with its back offering a slightly brighter sound than the front; this gives users more options to play with finding the perfect sound. The mics price definitely makes it something that excludes it from some of the smaller, more low-budget home studios. However, its warm and balanced sound instantly shows why it is such a beloved and essential tool for those looking to get a great performance when recording electric guitar.

The Audio-Technica AT4060 is a large dual-diaphragm tube condenser microphone that packs a warm and accurate sound that you would expect from any tube-driven technology. Its larger size allows it to extend its frequency response, giving its recordings a wider-sound which is especially great for recording guitar amplifiers. The mic itself also offers a wide dynamic range and high SPL capability, so you can really capture the nuance (both quiets and loads) of a performance without being concerned about overloading the device itself. The tubes in this microphone have been hand-selected, aged, and individually tested to ensure that it provides a warm and vintage sound, which certainly speaks to the level of care and attention that Audio-Technica puts into this product. Honestly accurate, this is a microphone for those want to really deliver a warm guitar sound to their audience.