Finding the best USB microphone for guitar to make your recording sound great can be a challenge. Not all guitar USB mics are that great. Some sound cheap and don’t really have any features the change the EQ or recording settings. Also, some aren’t that convenient to record with.
That’s why we made this comparison. We reviewed the most popular USB mics for guitar to see how they recorded, what they sounded like, and what kind of features they had. That way you can decide on which one is right for your guitar recording computer setup.
Let’s check out the top-rated USB microphones for guitar recording that you should add to your studio.
Compare the Top USB Mics for Recording Guitar in 2020 Below
Contents
Here is a list of the best USB mics for recording acoustic guitars and electric guitars that have good tone and high fidelity.
- Rode NT-USB Guitar Mic
- Blue Yeti USB Blackout
- Shure MV51 USB Mic for Guitar
- Marantz Pod USB Guitar Microphone
- Behringer C-1U USB Guitar Mic
- CAD Audio U9 USB Guitar Recording Mic
Rode NT-USB Guitar Mic
Specs, features, and benefits
The Rode NT-USB is a Mono Condenser USB microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. It is compatible with PC, MAC, and IOS devices. The microphone comes in a package with a pop filter, six-meter USB cable, a microphone tripod stand, a microphone stand mount, a protective carrying case, a user manual, and a two-year warranty.
The body of the microphone is fully made out of metal, and it has a 1/8 Headphones output and two onboard control knobs, one is for setting the mix of the sources (Computer/Microphone), and the other for controlling the Headphones Volume. With the Headphones output on the microphone, you can monitor your recording with zero latency. The Rode NT-USB has a frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz, and Maximum Sound Pressure Level of 110dB. It has a built-in Analog to Digital converter. It can capture audio up to 16-bit/48kHz resolution.
Pros and Highlights
- Record in seconds – The Rode NT-USB microphone allows you to start recording in seconds after you have started your computer!
- Zero latency – With using the headphones out you can monitor with zero latency both your track coming from the computer and the audio that you are feeding your microphone with. Also, you can control the mix of the sources, and the volume of your headphones with the onboard control knobs.
- Affordable – The Rode NT-USB is very wallet-friendly!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- 16-bit/48kHz – This might not be a great deal if you are doing a podcast, and posting on youtube or on some other site that compresses the audio. However, if you want to record high-grade audio music tracks, like vocals, guitars, or other instruments, we suggest using a microphone that is capable of capturing 24-bit/48kHz audio resolution.
- Also, if you want to record music, it would be nice to have different polar patterns, than just the polar pattern.
Bottom line
If you plan to do a podcast and post on YouTube, or something similar to that, or you are just a newbie in recording music, the Rode NT-USB might be a good place to start.
It allows you to start recording immediately as the ideas come flowing, it is affordable, it has everything that you need to record, and it offers zero-latency monitoring. However, if you want to record professional-sounding music tracks, we suggest looking at microphones that can record audio at a 24-bit resolution.
Blue Yeti USB Blackout
Specs, features, and benefits
The Blue Yeti Blackout USB microphone is a top-seller when it comes to USB microphones.
It is a condenser microphone. It is compatible with both MAC and PC devices. It has three 14mm condenser capsules, and four different polar patterns: Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Bidirectional, and Stereo, which you can set with the onboard rotary switch on the microphone.
The Blue Yeti USB also has onboard Mic Gain control knob, and Headphones Volume control knob, and a mute button. On the bottom of the microphone, you can find the USB port and the Headphones output for zero-latency monitoring. It records 16-bit audio with a sample rate of 48 kHz, and it has a 20Hz – 20kHz frequency response. It has a Maximum Sound Pressure Level of 120dB. The Blue Yeti USB Blackout comes with a desktop stand, a USB cable, and a user manual.
Pros and Highlights
- Affordable – The Blue Yeti Blackout USB microphone won’t break the bank!
- Four polar patterns! – With this situation, you can record any kind of a situation, podcast, vocals, instruments, large meeting halls, interviews, bands… You can record pretty much everything with this microphone, and get a good result!
- Just plug & record! – With the Blue Yeti USB microphone, you don’t need a lot of time to set-up a recording session. The Blue Yeti doesn’t even need driver installation… Just plug in the USB cable in the mic, connect it with your computer, and you are good to go.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- 16-bit resolution – Well, yeah, if you plan to record music instruments and vocals, you should probably record with a 24-bit resolution microphone. But, if you record podcasts, interviews, and stuff like that, the Blue Yeti Blackout USB mic is a perfect fit for you.
Bottom line
Affordable, flexible, and easy-to-use, the Blue Yeti is truly a bang for the buck. With just a little higher than $100 you get a microphone with four switchable polar patterns. How cool is that? Still, if you are planning to record musical instruments, you should look for a microphone that can deliver a higher resolution of recordings.
Shure MV51 USB Mic for Guitar
Specs, features, and benefits
The MV51 by Shure is a Digital Condenser microphone that connects through USB cable.
It is developed for use with IOS devices, but it can also be used with PC, MAC, and Android devices. The MV51 can capture audio in 24-bit/48kHz resolution, it has a maximum SPL of 130dB and frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz.
It has onboard capacitive touch panel, with which you can set your microphone for speech, singing, acoustic instrument, loud mode, and flat mode; adjust the Gain of the microphone, adjust the Headphones volume level, and mute the mic. On the back of the microphone, you can find the USB port and the Headphones output. With using the ShurePlus MOTIV app in your IOS device, you can find even more features for tweaking the microphone, like adjusting the gain structure, compression, limiting, etc.
In the box with the microphone, you also get one-meter long micro-USB/USB cable, one-meter long micro-USB/lightning cable, a 5/8. to 3/8 microphone stand adapter, a user guide, and a two-year warranty.
Pros and Highlights
- Great for many situations – With the Shure MV51 you can record any situation – just set the right mode, place the microphone, and you are good to go.
- High Definition – The Shure MV51 can capture audio with 24-bit/48kHz resolution!
- Record anywhere and anytime – You can record in the bus, in the woods, in the field…
Just connect it with your iPhone, and you are ready to record. Your ideas will never vanish again!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons! – It is a great microphone for taking it on the road with you. It won’t replace the professional studio-quality microphones, but it will definitely make your “on-the-go” recordings better.
Bottom line
The Shure MV51 is a vintage-looking microphone, with which you can record anywhere you want. Connect it to your IOS/Android device with the USB cable, and start recording your ideas immediately with the Shure MV51. The modes on the microphone let you set it depending on the source you want to record. It captures a recording of 24-bit/48kHZ resolution!
Marantz Pod USB Guitar Microphone
Specs, features, and benefits
The Marantz Pod Pack 1 is a USB microphone, specially designed to satisfy the needs of podcasters. In the box, along with the microphone, you will find a USB cable, a microphone mount, a boom arm, and warranty documentation.
The Microphone sports a cardioid polar pattern, great for podcasts, and voice-overs. It records in 16-bit/48kHz resolution, it has a 20Hz-17kHz frequency response and
maximum SPL of 132 dB. The boom arm attaches to your desk with its clamp, and it feels pretty sturdy for the price.
Pros and Highlights
- Affordable – Great for those who want to start recording, but they have a tight budget.
- Great for podcasting – The mic is doing its job flawlessly. With a maximum SPL of 132 dB, you won’t have any problems with your audio.
- Boom arm – You get a boom arm for the price! Your podcast show is now ready to go!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No cons! – This is not a microphone with which you can record music professionally. However, it is great for podcasters and musicians who are just starting out in the recording world.
Bottom line
If you are a newbie in the world of recording, or you are a podcaster, you should definitely check out the Marantz POD Pack 1. It has everything that you need to start recording right away, including a boom arm – which is great, considering the price, of course. It can’t compete with professional studio microphones, but for the price – it delivers a good performance.
Behringer C-1U USB Guitar Mic
Specs, features, and benefits
The Behringer C-1U is a condenser microphone that connects with your PC/MAC through USB cable. It has a cardioid polar pattern, a 40Hz-20kHz frequency response, and Maximum SPL of 136dB. It captures audio in 16-bit rate resolution. On the bottom of the microphone, you can find the USB port for connecting with your device.
With the microphone, comes a USB cable, a stand adapter, and Podifier, Juice, PodNova, Golden Ear, and Audacity software.
Pros and Highlights
- Sturdy – The microphone feels very stiff!
- Easy-to-use – just plug & record!
- Affordable – Of course, it is a Behringer!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Don’t expect studio quality! – The Behringer C-1U is a great condenser microphone for recording a podcast, a voice-over and stuff like that. However, it is not a microphone that will perfectly capture your guitar sound or your singing.
Bottom line
Affordable, sturdy, and easy-to-use – the Behringer C-1U microphone is a good fit for you if you are a podcaster or voice-over artist. It might be great for songwriters too – we all need to record our ideas in order to remember them. However, this mic can’t deliver a studio quality track of your guitar or your singing. If you want to professionally capture music tracks, you should look for a condenser microphone that can record in a 24-bit resolution and multiple polar patterns.
CAD Audio U9 USB Guitar Recording Mic
Specs, features, and benefits
The CAD Audio U9 is a small USB microphone with a fixed omnidirectional polar pattern. It has a frequency response of 50Hz to 18kHz, and it tracks audio in 16-bit/44.1kHz resolution.
Unlike the other USB microphones in this list, the CAD Audio U9 doesn’t need a USB cable – the microphone is attached to the USB jack, and you plug it directly in your computer’s USB port.
It has 180 degrees swivel, so you can place it according to your needs. Also, there is a 1/8 headphones port, so you can directly monitor your sound, with zero latency.
Pros and Highlights
- Cheap! – The CAD Audio U9 comes for the price of a large pizza!
- Compact – very small-sized, you can put it in your pocket, and you are good to go.
- Set in seconds – Just plug it in your USB port on your computer, and you are good to go.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Not sturdy at all; peaky; bad quality recording; – It might be better than the microphone that is built-in in your laptop, but it is far from good. It is not clean. Also, it doesn’t feel sturdy.
Bottom line
If you are looking for a microphone, that will replace the built-in mic in your laptop, the CAD Audio U9 might work for you. If you want to use it for Skype calls, and similar, it might do the job. However, if you are looking for a microphone for instrument recording or even a professional recording of podcast/voice-over, stay away from this mic.
What We Recommend and Why
We recommend the Shure MV51 USB microphone. It is the most flexible and versatile USB microphone in its price range. It is very compact, sturdy, and beautiful looking microphone.
Of course, the most important thing when considering a microphone is the audio quality – with the Shure MV51 you’ll get a quality that you can’t get with any of the other microphones in this list.