Shure / Beta

Shure Beta series — the hotter, brighter SM cousins

The Beta line takes the Shure SM family of live mics and upgrades them: neodymium magnets for hotter output, tighter polar patterns for better feedback rejection, brighter top-end for cutting through a mix.

IncludesBeta 58A, 87A, 52A, 91A, 56A, 98A, 181

Best forLive performance

Price range$160–$280

What they are

The hotter, brighter, tighter cousins of the SM line

The Beta series is Shure’s line of upgraded dynamic mics for live work. Compared to the SM line, the Beta mics use neodymium magnets (hotter output, less preamp gain needed), supercardioid polar patterns (tighter pickup, better feedback rejection), and brighter top-end tuning.

The lineup

Beta 58A — vocal handheld. The hotter, brighter SM58. Often picked over the SM58 for loud rock vocalists.
Beta 87A / 87C — handheld vocal condenser. Even more detail than the Beta 58A. 87A is supercardioid, 87C is cardioid.
Beta 52A — kick drum mic. Egg-shaped. Often paired with a SM57 on the beater.
Beta 91A — half-cardioid boundary mic for inside the kick drum.
Beta 56A — supercardioid dynamic for snare and toms.
Beta 98A — clip-on tom and brass mic.
Beta 181 — small-diaphragm condenser, swappable capsule. For drum overheads and acoustic guitar.