Does the BETA 91A work without a second mic?

It works, but the sound stays clicky and thin. We recommend combining it with a BETA 52A, Nexadyne 2 or e902. If you can take only one, take one of those rather than the BETA 91A.

Does the drum need a hole in the front head?

Yes, the mic and cable have to get inside somehow, normally through the port hole. If the front head is solid, place the mic on the floor in front of the drum and talk to us about how to improve the result.

Does the BETA 91A work without a second mic?

It works, but the sound stays clicky and thin. We recommend combining it with a BETA 52A, Nexadyne 2 or e902. If you can take only one, take one of those rather than the BETA 91A.

Does the drum need a hole in the front head?

Yes, the mic and cable have to get inside somehow, normally through the port hole. If the front head is solid, place the mic on the floor in front of the drum and talk to us about how to improve the result.

Microphones

Shure BETA 91A

Name: Shure BETA 91A
Brand: Shure
Price: 10 EUR
Availability: InStock

MIC

Kick Drum Microphone, supercardioid, 20-20,000 Hz

Price per 24 h rental

10 €/ 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 91A is a boundary microphone, a flat condenser that goes inside the kick drum on a pillow or blanket. It picks up the beater's impact on the head very clearly and gives the drum the modern click that rock, metal and electronic acts want. It is rented for bigger stages, festivals and recording, usually together with a second kick mic. It also works under a piano lid and on cajon. Requires phantom power.

The BETA 91A is rarely used alone; the classic pair is a BETA 91A inside the drum and a Shure BETA 52A, Nexadyne 2, Sennheiser e902 or AKG D112 MKII at the port hole. The first provides attack, the second body, and the engineer blends them at the desk. If the stage has only one channel for kick, take the BETA 52A instead. A contour switch on the body sets the midrange flat or scooped. A larger drum setup calls for a console like the Yamaha QL1.

What to consider when renting

The channel must have 48 V phantom power switched on. Lay the mic inside the drum on a pillow or folded blanket so it rests on the bottom without touching the heads, flat side down, capsule facing the beater. Route the cable out through the port hole and tape it so it cannot rattle. No stand is needed. Try both positions of the contour switch. Placement is simple, but balancing it with the second mic needs an engineer.