BETA 57A Instrument Microphone - Supercardioid Dynamic Mic for Vocal and Instrumental Applications with High Output Neodymium Element, Durable Steel Mesh Grille and Shock Mount

I bought this mic for it's reputation as a workhorse both in the studio and in a live gig setting. So far I've put it through some use in both contexts and it's performed wonderfully. In a live application, I've used it as a vocal mic- there seems to be some debate over whether this or the Beta 58 is a better choice for live vocals, and I'd say that having heard both used onstage, I like the 57A because it cuts through the muddiness of most small venues a lot better. If you're playing a killer sounding room like, I don't know... the Ryman, it likely won't matter, but in the brewery barroom that resembled a really crowded hallway that we played the other night it made all the difference in the world over even an SM58- it was nice to hear myself sounding more like myself in the monitor. I've also noticed a few musicians that I respect a lot using it, and even Obama had one in his hand the other night while giving a speech. In my home studio, I've used the 57A to mic a snare (sounds killer, tons of snap and body), acoustic guitar (not bad at all, although I prefer an SDC mic here), and a guitar cabinet (sounds great.) Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with this mic. I'd like to add a Beta 58 to the collection as well, but after a lot of research I think the 57A is the most versatile of the two so if you're on a limited budget as most musicians are, I'd go with this. You won't be disappointed, and I'd be surprised if I find a dynamic mic that replaces it in my every-day, go-to gear case anytime soon.

Great Shure quality as always.

I get less feedback with this BETA 57 mic. It’s very clear and for a female like myself it gives me a little more bass & less feedback. Use it for all my pro gigs.

This is one of two commonly used kick drum mics. I expect it to outlive me. It has a frequency response that helps the kick drum sound good in typical pop and dance band settings.

I like this as a top snare mic! I like it but I don’t love it. I am growing to love it as my personal vocal mic as a learn a little hypercardioid mic technique. I like that this is like a regular 57 in the way that you can get closer to the capsule than you can on a 58 or beta58. Super versatile, I love it!

The Shure Beta 52A is a specialty mic. If you want a microphone for voice do NOT buy this mic. If you want to mic the kick (bass) drum of a drumset then this is for you. The unit has a spring loaded thread mount so it will stay pointed forward at the end of a boom stand placed inside the kick drum. (Kinda handy since fitting your hand inside to adjust isn’t easy). If you are using it outside the drum you can easily change angles and tighten the screw to save whatever angle you wish. The sound quality is excellent for this price point. It’s somewhat subjective as well but if this is your first jump into this market of live and recorded sound it’s a good place to start. Does better than this exist? Of course from Shure and others but you’ll definitely pay for it. The fact that this has a preset on Yamaha TF series mixers makes it easy to get started setting up. (You can use the preset as is or as a jumping off point for your fine tuning of EQ, compression, etc). Special note: this mic is heavy! Not bad at all but don’t go cheap on the kick drum boom stand. The onstage MS9411TB is a very heavy stable boom stand. That will handle a mic like this well. Last thing you will want is a good mic on a cheap stand. Mic + impact = bad news!

I bought the Shure BETA 57A Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone to use at trade shows and conventions with my mobile podcast setup. Even though I like many things about this microphone, there are a few things I don't like about it. On the plus side, this microphone's supercardioid polar pattern helps to isolate the sound source and cut down on background noise, which is a big plus at trade shows and conventions where there is a lot of noise. The microphone is also strong and well-made, which makes it great for use on the go. Also, the sound quality is very good. It has a warm, natural tone and is clear and detailed. But there are a few things to watch out for. First of all, this microphone is a bit heavy, which can be a problem if you have to hold it for a long time or put it on a boom arm. Second, it isn't as flexible as some other microphones in its price range, so it might not be the best choice for recording multiple instruments or voices at the same time. Overall, I would still recommend the Shure BETA 57A Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone to anyone who needs a high-quality microphone for podcasting, live performances, or other similar uses. Even though there are some bad things about this microphone, the good things outweigh the bad ones, and it is a good choice for anyone who needs a durable and clear-sounding microphone.

Es excelente el microfono para grabar voces siempre y cuando se use una interfaz de audio de buena calidad. Es un microfono para instrumentos pero tambien ofrece un gran desempeño en voces y lugares no tratados acusticamente.