At Pendulum, we've had the opportunity to try pretty much
every type of mini-mic inside an acoustic guitar, including all
the ones currently on the market. The one we like best is the
AKG C416, which we modify for easier mounting, and change the
capsule venting to reduce low-end boominess. Why do we like it
best?
- The C416 has a hypercardioid pattern, which means it's
less susceptible to feedback when pointed out of the soundhole.
The tighter pattern also means you can be much more selective
about finding the sweet spot inside your guitar.
- It's much less boomy than most internal mics, so you don't
have to EQ the living daylights out of it to get it to sound
like your guitar.
- It has a very high overload margin, so it won't distort
when you play hard.
- Its low self-noise makes it a lot less 'hissy' than most
small mics.
- Unlike many mics we've tried, it seems to sound equally
good regardless of the type or size of the instrument we put
it in.
All this adds up to the modified AKG C416 mini-mic our choice
for the best-sounding mic for your guitar (or mandolin...or fiddle...or
upright bass...or cello...or dulcimer...or whatever.)
