Shure BETA 57A Instrument Microphone

by Shure

Product Features

• Tailored frequency response provides drums, guitars, vocals, and horns with studio quality sound.
• Uniform supercardioid pattern for high gain before feedback and superior rejection off axis sound
• Hardened steel mesh grille that facilitates use of proximity effect and resist wear and abuse
• Neodymium magnet for high signal to noise ratio output
• Minimally affected by varying load impedance

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.7 x 1.7 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0002BACAK
• Item model number: BETA57A
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,334 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #7 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Microphones > Dynamic Microphones > Instrument

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Consistently excellent performance has made Beta microphones the choice of top performers worldwide. Renowned for their warmth, presence and sensitivity to fine detail, Beta cartridge configurations and carefully tailored response curves are as distinctive as the artists who prefer them. All models feature maximum isolation and minimum off-axis coloration.

The Shure Beta 57A® is a high output supercardioid dynamic microphone designed for professional sound reinforcement and project studio recording. It maintains a true supercardioid pattern throughout its frequency range. This insures high gain-before-feedback, maximum isolation from other sound sources, and minimum off–axis tone coloration.

Excellent for acoustic and electric instruments as well as for vocals, the extremely versatile Beta 57A dynamic microphone provides optimal warmth and presence. Typical applications include drums, guitar amplifiers, brass, woodwinds and vocals.

Features

• Tailored frequency response provides drums, guitars, vocals, and horns with studio quality sound
• Uniform supercardioid pattern for high gain-before-feedback and superior rejection of off–axis sound
• Hardened steel mesh grille that facilitates use of proximity effect and resists wear and abuse
• Neodymium magnet for high signal–to–noise ratio output
• Minimally affected by varying load impedance
• Advanced pneumatic shock mount system that minimizes transmission of mechanical noise and vibration
• Legendary Shure quality and reliability

NOTE: The curve above shows on-axis response at a distance of 2 feet from a uniform sound source. Your response may vary, depending on microphone position.

 

Polar Pattern

Supercardioid, rotationally symmetrical about microphone axis, uniform with frequency.

 

Output Level (at 1,000 Hz)

Open Circuit Voltage -51 dBV/Pa* (2.8 mV)

*1 Pa = 94 dB SPL

 

Impedance

Rated impedance is 150 ohms (290 ohms actual) for connection to microphone inputs rated low Z.

 

Phasing

Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3.

 

Connector

Three-pin professional audio connector (male XLR type).

 

Case

Silver blue enamel-painted die cast metal with hardened, matte-finished steel mesh grille.

 

Adjustable Stand Adapter

Slip-in, adjustable through 180 degrees, with standard 5/8"-27 thread.

 

Net Weight

275 grams (9.6 oz)

Product Description

The Shure Beta 57A is a high output supercardioid dynamic microphone designed for professional sound reinforcement and project studio recording. It maintains a true supercardioid pattern throughout its frequency range. This insures high gain-before-feedback, maximum isolation from other sound sources, and minimum off-axis tone coloration. Excellent for acoustic and electric instruments as well as for vocals, the extremely versatile Beta 57A dynamic microphone provides optimal warmth and presence. Typical applications include drums, guitar amplifiers, brass, woodwinds and vocals.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent dynamic mic, live or in the studio, October 30, 2007

By 

Chad Phillips (atlanta, ga) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shure BETA 57A Instrument Microphone (Electronics)

The Beta series is the step above the incredibly popular SM series by Shure. The 57s are typically used to mic instruments and the 58s mainly for vocals. It is a dynamic microphone, so it's rugged enough for any situation, but is built to a much higher standard than typical dynamics so you get a lot more range and detail than you might expect.
I have used the 57 for a wide variety of instruments and vocals with great success both live and in the studio.
The Beta57 is excellent on snare, acoustic guitar, electic guitar, horns and wind instruments in addition to being a great vocal microphone. The supercardioid pattern ensures much more flexibility on stage with less chance of feeding back.
Overly loud bands with demanding vocalists who need as much as you can give them in the monitors, this is a life saver. Snare top and bottom. High hats when I don't want the bleed that a condenser would give. This is my go to mic for live applications.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great mic, a fabulous value., March 19, 2010

By 

David A. Delarosa (Hendersonville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shure BETA 57A Instrument Microphone (Electronics)

I have a lot of mics, and all of them are more expensive than this one. This is the mic that works the best for my vocals. I have a soft voice, predominately lower midrange, and always need to bump the higher frequencies to be heard in a band mix. This mic does the work for me so I spend less time trying to get it just right.
I would recommend trying this mic first, then, if you are not happy, try the more expensive ones.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great studio/performance mic., September 26, 2010

By 

David W. Larsen (Cottage Grove, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shure BETA 57A Instrument Microphone (Electronics)

As a horn player and recording engineer it is really hard to find mics that will give you enough gain without feedback to mic a horn soloist or section. The Shure Beta 57a gives you a great marriage of high quality and good price. I use this mic a lot in the studio to record horns since it gives you an excellent punch with a lot of bright nice colors. I have used other mics like the SM 57 or the Sennheiser MD421Mk2, but the Beta 57a blows them out of the water. It works great for saxes and clarinets since they both need a more broad pick up of sound. I would highly recommend this mic to anyone who likes the SM57 sound, but is tired of the low sensitivity. The extra $60 bucks you pay over the SM57 is well worth it.