Mic Archive
Shure Beta 52A
Photo: Shure, from its spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.

Shure

Shure Beta 52A

Dynamic (moving coil), supercardioid, kick-drum mic with built-in locking stand adapter

Type
Dynamic
Pattern
Supercardioid
Sensitivity
−64 dBV/Pa
Max SPL
174 dB SPL
Impedance
150 Ω
Rated range
20 – 10k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2. Figure 1, "on-axis response at a distance of 2 feet from a uniform sound source"; relative dB. Room and smoothing not stated.

Independent measurement: also drawn, from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (Juan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey) (CC BY 4.0): one unit, measured at 1.25 m and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz, from 136 Hz up. Not the manufacturer's curve.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2. Figure 2, "Polar Pattern"; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, and 2500 Hz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the manual (Recording Hacks copy)
Sensitivity−64 dBV/Pa, 1 kHz, open circuit. "–64 dBV/Pa (0.6 mV)".p. 2
Max SPL174 dB SPL, 1 kHz, calculated. The 2010 sheet adds "1% THD, 1k ohms load".
Output impedance150 ohm, rated; 45 ohm actual
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 10 kHz
ConnectorXLR-3 male, built into the stand adapter
Weight605 g, net
Supplied accessories26A25 storage bag; 95A2050 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapter. The 2010 sheet lists the storage bag as 95A2398.
Stand adapterIntegral, dynamic locking, adjustable through 180°, 5/8"-27 thread
CaseSilver blue enamel-painted die-cast metal, hardened matte steel mesh grille
Shock mountPneumatic shock mount systemp. 1
Replacement partsCartridge R175; screen and grille RK321; connector 90F1984p. 2
Placement (Shure)Kick drum: 5-7.5 cm from the beater head slightly off-centre for the sharpest attack and most bass; 20-30 cm for a balanced soundp. 1

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.

Recording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

Other mics