If you love to play guitar, the guitar amp mic is an essential device you should think about buying.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a professional or amateur guitar player; you can use this type of mic to enjoy the best possible experience.
In addition, you can also refine your skills by using the guitar amp mic.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Mic For Guitar Amps
- OUR TOP PICK: Shure SM57-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
- Sennheiser MD 421 II
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: MXL R144 Ribbon Mic
Table of Contents
Can Any Mic Be Used With a Guitar Amp?
No, it is not possible to use any kind of mic with your guitar amp. This is because most of these instruments are designed specifically for each other. In other words, they are designed to go together. When you don’t pay attention to this aspect, you may damage either your mic or guitar amp.
Although it isn’t likely to happen every time you plug in the non-compatible mic with the amp, you need to be careful while making such a move. A guitar amp is usually designed in a way to produce the loud sound, and if your mic doesn’t perform well over high sounds, make sure to avoid using it with your amp.
Why Did These Mics Make Our List?
Microphones play a key role when playing an instrument or recording a song. With a good quality mic, you can improve the sound of your recording and learn the art of producing some amazing instrumentals. There are numerous reasons why we have selected these mics, yet a few of the essential aspects are mentioned below.
Build Quality
First of all, the best part of the mic’s reviewed below is their sturdy and durable construction. These products are made of reliable and strong materials, which makes them long-lasting.
Cardioid Pattern
Most of these mics have a cardioid pattern. It is a heart-shaped pattern commonly used for vocals or speech.
Sound Pressure Level
This is the most important factor that you should consider when buying a mic, and it is the feature that we have paid attention to when making this list. This level is measured in decibels, which is the level of sound your mic can handle without any disturbance.
Frequency Response
This is another feature that we have considered when choosing these products. Most of the mics reviewed below are capable of detecting low and high sound. The frequency of these mics ranges between 20hz to 20Khz.
Comparison Chart of the Best Guitar Amp Mics
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Review of the Best Guitar Amp Mics
In this section, we'll explore the most prominent features of the best guitar amp mics. Let’s dig into these reviews and help you find the perfect guitar amp mic.
Best Overall:
Shure SM57-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
In the words of recent buyers, this is a rugged and performance-oriented mic. It not only serves the purpose well during a live performance, but also offers the best sound while recording. The majority of recent consumers loved the sound quality of this mic and demonstrated great satisfaction over this product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The performance of this mic is overwhelming. The quality of sound is impressive, as it can dissipate the unnecessary sounds with its cardioid condenser pattern. It’s a great feature if you don’t have a recording room. The microphone is made of durable materials that allow the user to continue using it without any issue.
Who Will Use This Most
When it comes to the prospective audience or buyers of this mic, it is a great option for both amateurs as well as professionals. Notably, a beginner would find it easy to use this mic while performing live. Among some other reasons, the affordability of this product makes it a perfect choice for most guitarists.
Bottom Line
This particular mic by Shure stands out among the rest as it offers a mix of quality and options to its customers. It produces excellent sound and is durable enough to be used for a long time. If you need an all-around mic, the Shure SM57-LC is a viable choice to think about.
Runner-up:
Sennheiser MD 421 II
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are quite happy with this product, as it is a robust, versatile, and durable guitar amp mic. Although some consider it overpriced, the overall performance of this mic makes it a suitable option for professionals. The 5-position roll-off switch is the most talked about feature of this mic and helps to produce different sounds.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Sennheiser MD 421 II is a perfect option for professional guitarists. The cardioid pickup pattern and large diaphragm of this microphone make it highly responsive. The element is fitted with a humbucking coil, which reduces the noise. It is a suitable option for recording both the vocals and instruments.
Who Will Use This Most
When taking a look at its price, this product seems to be quite expensive. Hence, the price tag of this product makes it somewhat less ideal for amateurs. That said, numerous unique features compensate for the hefty price and should persuade professional musicians to go for this mic.
Bottom Line
This guitar amp mic by Sennheiser is a quality product, capable of producing great sound. Its large diaphragm is capable of handling high-pressure sounds. It is expensive, yet tends to draw the attention of the users with its strong construction and handy features. If you can afford to buy this mic, it is capable of serving your purposes very well.
Best for the Money:
MXL R144 Ribbon Mic
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
No doubt, the price of this mic makes it a good bargain, which is the most attractive factor for consumers. Some consumers have reported the issue of dull response during high frequencies. The overall performance and sound quality of this mic are impressive. It fits perfectly well with almost any type of stand.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are numerous features that make this mic stand out among similar options. One of these features includes mellow sound along with rolled-off top end and rich midrange. Moreover, its figure-8 polar pattern is a perfect layout for capturing vocal and instrument sounds.
Who Will Use This Most
The MXL R144 Ribbon mic is perfect for those musicians who need a ribbon mic. Furthermore, its bargain price is another aspect, which attracts the attention of a wide range of consumers. Ideally, this mic is more suitable for practice sessions. Hence, beginners may prefer this kind of mic.
Bottom Line
To conclude, this particular mic is a viable option when you need a reasonably priced mic that is capable of producing incredible sound. It has all the necessary features like figure-8 polar pattern, high SPL capability, and compact design for easy placement.
4. Beyerdynamic M160 Double Ribbon Mic
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This quality product comes from the house of Beyerdynamic, which is a renowned name in the field of mics and speakers. Consumers are satisfied with the build quality and purity of the sound produced. Professional guitarists and musicians applaud its unique features and sound quality.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The most prominent features of this amp mic include its double ribbon transducer and extended transparency response. In addition, we are also impressed by its rugged and compact design. The frequency response ranges between 40 - 18,000 Hz, which appears to be promising. Another incredible feature of this versatile amp mic is its handmade construction.
Who Will Use This Most
This amp mic by Beyerdynamic is way beyond the reach of beginners and amateurs. Hence, the most probable buyers or customers of this mic are professional musicians and guitarists. With its durable construction and excellent sound quality, it is a viable option for studio recordings.
Bottom Line
This product is reliable, versatile, and durable, making it an exquisite option for professional musicians. Although it is expensive, the fantastic features of this amp mic do compensate for the high price. It comes with a double ribbon microphone for excellent sound quality.
5. Sennheiser E609 Silver Super Cardioid Instrument Mic
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
While reading the reviews written by recent buyers, one can quickly ascertain that this product is popular among them due to its consistent performance and low price. Most were happy with the performance of this particular amp mic. Additionally, consumers also applaud the ease of use associated with this product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Sennheiser is one of the most popular instrument microphones, which is an ideal option for both studio recordings and live performances. The most promising feature of this mic is its ability to produce great sound when used with electric guitars. This mic has a vintage and elegant style, which is what grabbed our attention in the first place.
Who Will Use This Most
Since this mic is reasonably priced, the most common users of this product would be the beginners. Additionally, it may also serve as a viable option for professionals, but in a limited manner. Furthermore, if you love to record your instrument, this would offer the best possible sound.
Bottom Line
This vintage style mic has a durable construction. The super-cardioid polar pattern of this mic can work with a sound exceeding up to 150db SPL. Moreover, the sensitivity reading of this mic is relatively higher. Its specifically customized frequency response allows this mic to perform well with different types of instruments.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying a Mic?
There are several different types of mics available on the market, which means you have to be specific when making a purchase. Here are some of the essential aspects that you should keep in mind before buying a mic.
Cardioid Pattern
This is a heart-shaped pattern that is commonly used for vocals or speech. If you want to record or play your instrument, it won’t serve as a good choice.
Bi-Directional
Bi-directional microphones are capable of picking up the sound from the back and front. It is more popular with podcasters.
Omnidirectional
This mic can pick the sound from almost any direction. It is a great option when recording group performances.
Sound Pressure Level
When buying a mic, make sure to know the sound pressure level mentioned in decibels. It is the level of sound that your mic can handle without any disturbance.
How to Plug a Mic Into Your Guitar Amp
When dealing with professional audio equipment, you need to be careful. This is because these products are quite expensive. For instance, plugging your mic into a guitar amp requires great care.
The following are the steps that you should follow when making such a move.
- First, take a look at the plug of your microphone. If it resembles the plug of your guitar, you can plug it directly into the amp
- If both the plugs are different, use a converter
- Use the converter to plug the 1/4 inch jack into the guitar amp
- Turn off the mic before turning on the amp
Before plugging in your mic with a guitar amp, verify the type of microphone you are using. It is important to know what type of microphone would work flawlessly with your amp. If you have a mic for high sound recording, you can attach it with some good quality amp.
Conclusion
By taking a look at the reviews provided above, it would be much easier for you to purchase a suitable mic for your guitar amp. We have tried to put before you all the essential features that a good quality mic can offer. So it is up to you to make an informed decision in pursuit of a suitable microphone.
