Introduction
The Shure BETA 52A is a dynamic microphone designed to capture deep bass and deliver a punchy sound ideal for kick drums, bass amps, and other low-frequency instruments. Let’s dive into its performance, features, and overall usability.
Performance
- Outstanding Low-Frequency Response: Captures rich, deep bass tones with exceptional clarity and precision.
- Durable Build: Robust construction ensures longevity, making it suitable for live performances and studio recordings.
- Excellent Sound Isolation: Reduces unwanted background noise, focusing solely on the intended sound source.
- High SPL Handling: Handles high sound pressure levels without distortion, retaining quality even in loud environments.
Features
- Custom Tailored Frequency Response: Specifically optimized for low-end frequencies, ensuring accurate reproduction.
- Integrated Swivel Stand Mount: Offers flexibility in positioning and placement for optimal sound capture.
- Supercardioid Pickup Pattern: Provides focused sound capture while minimizing feedback and ambient noise.
- Built-in Cartridge Shock Mount: Minimizes handling noise for a cleaner audio output.
Usability
- Plug-and-Play Convenience: Simple setup without requiring additional accessories or complex configurations.
- Versatile Application: Perfect for both professional audio setups and home studio recordings.
- Easy Maintenance: Simple to clean and maintain, ensuring consistent performance over time.
- Compact and Portable: Easy to transport and set up for various recording environments.
Pros
- Exceptional low-frequency response
- Durable build for prolonged use
- Great sound isolation
- Handles high SPL without distortion
- Tailored frequency response for accuracy
- Versatile and easy to set up
Cons
- May require careful handling due to its sensitivity
- Slightly bulky design might limit placement options in tight spaces
Conclusion
The Shure BETA 52A stands out as a reliable and versatile microphone, excelling in capturing deep bass frequencies with remarkable precision. Its robust build, exceptional sound isolation, and tailored frequency response make it a go-to choice for musicians, audio engineers, and producers seeking top-notch low-frequency reproduction.
Tim –
Tried a few other kick drum mics, but this mic just sounds great ! Nice a punchy frequencies !
Alonso –
Micro dynamique que j’utilise sur des grosses caisses de batteries avec un preampli Neve. Un Micro de bonne qualité. Je conseille d’ouvrir l’avant de la batterie pour récupérer le haut du spectre. Ce qui évite le placement d’un deuxième micro. Super simple et efficace sur du rock.
Thomas E Washington –
Great product. My only complaint is that whoever shipped it, didn’t pack it in a box. Most sure microphones come in a sleeved box. The person who delivered it didn’t know and the box fell out of the sleeve and onto the floor. Thankfully there was no damage but it could have damaged the microphone.
Felipe Bibiana –
Pone que incluye un cable pero no es así.
John –
This is one of those mics that if it ever breaks, I would need a replacement immediately – on my old 8+ year old Beta 52A, the XLR male end kept coming loose – this was after hundreds of uses though – the reverse-thread screw on the *genuine* mics that holds the connector in place kept loosening which happens with most transported gear and, while easily being tightened back up, I finally ripped the whole connector out while taking a cable out. Once again, that’s after 8 continuous years of use and travel. I can re-solder it (and have done in the past) but I just don’t have time or patience right now with the amount of gigs I am doing so I bought a nice, shiny new one…and I’ll repair the old one and have two!
I’ve used a variety of mics on a kick in the past (AKG, Shure PG series, Sennheiser) and this is **the one**. This is the only mic that I’ve ever used that actually provides a balance of “woof” and “slap”, even on a kick drum with NO sound hole in front! With the right amount of EQ/Compression, you can make a kick drum sound stadium-like on any sound system.
T. Smyth –
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!
Thomas E Washington –
If you want your kick drum to sound great, this is the mic. Sounds clear and punchy and needs minimal eq. That being said, I would still like to have the original packaging. As another reviewer mentioned, this did not arrive in the original Shure packaging, but rather it appears they removed the Shure branded outer sleeve, slapped an address label on the interior box and sent it out the door. In fact, it wasn’t even taped shut. Also having the original packaging helps if I sell it someday.
T. Smyth –
I use this mike to mike my upright bass. it really sounds great! worth every dime! I play in a Bluegrass band. The last thing you want is and electric sound. so, after talking to many professionals, I connect my upright bass to the Fishman© preamp to a Marshall© Bass amplifier. I then mike the bass amp with the Shure© Beta 52A and into the sound system….GREAT sound!!! live sound bass. I can control MY EQ. and can hear myself….
HLN –
Todo exelente muy buen producto
Charlie –
Deep rich bass good sound needs no compression, this is the best kick mic you can buy.
Pedro C. C. Tavares –
My DW kick drum sounds 1000 times better with this mic. It produces the deep deep round kick drum sound that you only hear in night clubs that you can feel in your chest. Years ago I went to *NSYNC concert and loved loved the kick sound from the band and just now I am able to replicate the in your gut deep dancing kick drum sound with this BETA 52A mic. The low end on this mic is just insane.
Before I used a Subkick with a Shure BETA 91 mic mounted inside my DW with Kelly Shu flat and the sound was fine but I was never truly happy. I now got rid of the subkick and the BETA 52 brought my kick drum to that *NSYNC level. I would pay $2000 dollars for this mic had I known what a huge difference it would made. I am speechless and love love love love this mic.
Danny –
O produto é original Shure, acompanha Bag para transporte. Excelente. Recomendo!!
Laura Hanson-Keller –
Great kick drum mic. There are maybe better mics, but not for this price.