Mic Archive
Shure Beta 56A
Photo: Shure, from its spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.

Shure

Shure Beta 56A

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

Type
Dynamic
Pattern
Supercardioid
Sensitivity
−51 dBV/Pa
Impedance
290 Ω
Rated range
50 – 16k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 1. Titled "Frequency Response"; relative dB. Room and smoothing not stated.

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

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the spec sheet, p. 1. Titled "Polar Pattern"; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, and 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring, innermost ring -20 dB.

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All specs

From the user guide
Sensitivity−51 dBV/Pa (2.8 mV/Pa), 1 kHz, open circuit. "-51 dBV/Pa (2.8 mV)".p. 6
Output impedance290 ohm, actual; rated 150 ohm. The guide gives "290 Ω"; the 2015 spec sheet gives "150 Ω"; the older guide: "Rated impedance is 150 Ω (290 Ω actual)".
Rated frequency range50 Hz to 16 kHzp. 5
ConnectorXLR-3 male, built into the stand adapter. "Three-pin professional audio (XLR), male, balanced".p. 6
Weight468 g. "0.468 kg (1.6 lbs)"; 0.468 kg is 1.03 lb, so "1.6 lbs" is wrong. The older guide gives "468 grams (16.7 oz)" (16.5 oz). The spec sheet prints "0.468 lg".
Supplied accessories95A2050 5/8" to 3/8" (Euro) threaded adapter; 95A2314 zippered carrying bag. "Furnished Accessories" (page 7). The older guide lists storage bag 26A21.p. 7
HousingSilver blue enamel-painted die-cast metal with hardened, matte-finished steel mesh grillep. 6
Shock mountPneumatic shock mount systemp. 3
MagnetNeodymium
Replacement partsCartridge R174; grille RK320; plug (connector) assembly 90J1984p. 7
Placement (Shure)Toms and snare: 2.5 to 7.5 cm above the head (or the rim), aimed at the head. Greatest rejection at 120° from the front: put monitors there, not directly behind.p. 4
From the user guide (Recording Hacks copy)
Stand adapterIntegral, dynamic locking, adjustable through 180°, standard 5/8"-27 threadp. 2
From the spec sheet
Optional accessoriesA1WS foam windscreen; A56D drum microphone mountp. 1

Documents

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

Product page on shure.comRecording Hacks

Recommended for

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

Other mics