Internal mic

What is it? A small microphone that is mounted inside the guitar. It’s unusual to find them on their own, as they’re more commonly paired up with a second sound source such as an under-saddle, under-bridge or soundhole pickup. Advocates of internal mics tend to like them for the sense of body resonance and ‘reality’ they can impart to the overall amplified tone. What preamp and power does it need? It’s common to find an internal mic system with its own preamp, or at least designed to be connected into specific, dual-source preamps from the same manufacturer, for example Fishman’s Ellipse Matrix Blend. Small condenser mics are usually powered by batteries in the guitar or direct from the internal preamp.You can plug them into anything you’d plug any other mic into; an acoustic amp’s mic or guitar channel, a mixing desk or an external preamp. How to fit it Internal mics are commonly attached to another amplification component, such as a soundhole pickup or preamp housing. There are those that clamp on to a brace inside the guitar while the unique LR Baggs Lyric attaches under the bridge, similar to an under-bridge transducer. Chances are, you’ll be installing an internal mic along with something else. It’s worth paying for a professional’s skill and experience, in our opinion. Upsides: Gives a more natural mic’d sound; enhances body dynamics for percussive styles; works well in dualsource systems Downsides: Highly susceptible to feedback; can sound boomy; rarely sound good used alone Our top three picks BB Band AG-MIC LR Baggs Lyric Highlander Internal Mic