Can the BETA 57A be used for singing?

Yes, many singers use it, especially in loud bands. Compared with the BETA 58A it has an instrument grille and a slightly different tone. If the mic is only for vocals, take the BETA 58A or SM58.

What does the BETA 57A offer over the SM57?

A tighter pattern and more gain before feedback on a loud stage, plus a more open top end. On a quiet stage or in recording the difference may not matter and the SM57 is cheaper.

Can the BETA 57A be used for singing?

Yes, many singers use it, especially in loud bands. Compared with the BETA 58A it has an instrument grille and a slightly different tone. If the mic is only for vocals, take the BETA 58A or SM58.

What does the BETA 57A offer over the SM57?

A tighter pattern and more gain before feedback on a loud stage, plus a more open top end. On a quiet stage or in recording the difference may not matter and the SM57 is cheaper.

Microphones

Shure BETA 57A

Name: Shure BETA 57A
Brand: Shure
Price: 5 EUR
Availability: InStock

MIC

Instrument Microphone, supercardioid, 50-16,000 Hz

Price per 24 h rental

5 €/ 24 h

Prices are per 24 hours of rental. Longer rentals, delivery and setup are quoted on request.

Ask for a quote

The Shure BETA 57A is a supercardioid dynamic instrument microphone, the tighter and brighter sibling of the SM57. It is rented for snare, guitar amps, brass, accordion and also vocals when a singer wants a dynamic mic that cuts through a loud band. Typical situations are club gigs, festival stages and rehearsal rooms where monitors are loud and every mic needs to hear only its own source.

Choosing between the BETA 57A and SM57: the SM57 is cardioid, warmer and cheaper, while the BETA 57A is supercardioid, so quieter from the sides and more open on top. On a loud stage and against hi-hat bleed into the snare mic, the BETA 57A is better. On a guitar cab it competes with the Sennheiser e906, which hangs without a stand. On brass the closest comparison is the clip-on DPA 4099. Use a K&M 252 stand and a mixer like the Soundcraft Ui24R.

What to consider when renting

Mount the mic in its clip on a stand such as the K&M 252 and aim it at the source. On snare place the capsule above the rim pointing at the head so the hi-hat is behind the mic. On a guitar cab put it between the centre and edge of the speaker, close to the grille. XLR cable to the desk, no phantom power. A supercardioid hears a little from directly behind, so angle the monitor instead. Easy setup.