Shure
Shure Beta 57A
Best dynamic microphone for capturing loud instruments and vocals on stage.
The Shure BETA 57A is a professional-grade dynamic microphone designed for demanding live sound and studio recording. It captures amplified instruments, drums, and vocals with exceptional clarity. Its supercardioid pattern offers superior noise rejection and high gain before feedback, perfect for loud stages. Built with a durable die-cast metal body and hardened-steel grille, this microphone minimizes handling noise through an advanced pneumatic shock mount system, ensuring reliable performance in any setting.
$119.00
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Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
55
/ 1735
#55 in Microphones
Price vs Category Average
-77%
Below average
Type
Dynamic (Moving Coil)
/ Dynamic (Moving Coil)
Who it's for
- Live performers working in loud, feedback-prone stage environments
- Instrumentalists needing a hotter signal and crisp, detailed articulation
- Touring musicians requiring gear that survives constant physical abuse
Who should skip it
- Beginners who struggle with precise microphone positioning
- Engineers who prefer a flat, natural bass response
- Budget-conscious buyers satisfied with the standard SM57 performance
Performance breakdown
Feedback rejection
Supercardioid polar pattern keeps loud stage environments under complete control.
Build durability
Hardened-steel grille and die-cast body survive years of heavy touring.
Handling noise
Advanced pneumatic shock mount effectively isolates unwanted vibrations and bumps.
Instrument versatility
Captures everything from crisp snare hits to punchy guitar cabinets effortlessly.
Signal clarity
Neodymium magnet provides a high-output signal with impressive transient response.
SPL handling
Easily manages extreme sound pressure levels without introducing unwanted distortion.
Key Specs
Type
Dynamic (Moving Coil)
Polar Pattern
Supercardioid
Frequency Response
50 Hz - 16 kHz
Maximum SPL
174 dB (at 1% THD)
Output Impedance
150 ohms
Sensitivity
-51 dBV/Pa
Dimensions
1.676" diameter, 6.342" length
Weight
9.8 ounces
Features
- Tailored for instruments and vocals
- Supercardioid pattern rejects stage noise
- High output for clear signal
- Minimizes vibration with shock mount
- Durable metal construction
- Hardened-steel mesh grille
- Excellent gain before feedback
- Neodymium magnet for better signal
What customers say
Professionals highly regard the Shure Beta 57A as a premium, reliable workhorse microphone. Its core strength lies in exceptional sonic performance, particularly its tailored frequency response that delivers superior clarity, allowing instruments to cut through dense mixes easily. Users consistently celebrate the supercardioid pattern for offering excellent off-axis rejection, which is vital for controlling stage bleed and achieving high gain before feedback in loud environments. Furthermore, the microphone’s legendary build quality ensures it is rugged and road ready for demanding use. While priced above entry models, the consensus is that its studio quality sound and dependable performance provide tremendous professional value, making it a staple for live sound and recording.
Know before you buy
The supercardioid pattern focuses tightly on the sound source directly in front of the mic while rejecting noise from the sides. This design provides excellent gain before feedback, making it ideal for loud stages where you need to isolate an instrument or vocal from other monitors and amplifiers.
It is highly versatile and tailored for both. While it is a staple for miking snare drums, guitar cabinets, and brass, its frequency response is also tuned to capture vocals with clarity and presence.
No, the Beta 57A is a dynamic microphone and does not require phantom power to function. You can plug it directly into any standard XLR input on an audio interface or mixing console.
The internal pneumatic shock mount is designed to isolate the microphone capsule from the body. This significantly reduces the low-frequency thumps and vibrations that occur when handling the mic or moving the stand during a performance.
Yes, the Beta 57A is built to handle extremely high sound pressure levels up to 174 dB. It will capture loud sources like snare drums and guitar amps without distorting the signal.
The Beta 57A features a supercardioid polar pattern, which offers tighter isolation and higher gain before feedback compared to the cardioid pattern of the standard SM57. It also utilizes a neodymium magnet for a higher output level and a more refined frequency response.
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