Mic Archive
Shure Beta 57A
Photo: Shure, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Shure

Shure Beta 57A

Dynamic (moving coil), supercardioid, instrument mic with neodymium magnet

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

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 1. "Frequency Response"; relative dB. The 2003 user guide: "on-axis response at a distance of 2 feet from a uniform sound source". 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. "Polar Pattern"; two plots (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring, the outer ring 0 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the user guide
Supplied accessoriesA25D microphone clip; 95A2050 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapter; 95A2314 zippered carrying bag. "Furnished Accessories". The 2003 guide lists the storage bag as 26A21.p. 7
HousingSilver blue enamel-painted die-cast metal with hardened, matte-finished steel mesh grillep. 5
Greatest rejectionAt 120° toward the rear; place monitors there, not directly behindp. 4
Proximity effect6 to 10 dB bass boost below 100 Hz at about 6 mm (1/4 in.); the bass gradually rolls off to prevent explosive low frequency sound close upp. 5
Replacement partsCartridge R174 (also for BETA56, BETA56A); grille RK320; plug (connector) assembly 90J1984p. 7
Optional accessoriesA57AWS locking foam windscreen; A55HM Shock Stopper isolation mount; C25E 7.5 m XLR cable
Placement (Shure)Guitar and bass amps: 2.5 cm from the speaker on the cone axis for sharp attack and emphasised bass, 15-30 cm for a full, balanced sound; snare and toms 2.5-7.5 cm above the headp. 4
From the spec sheet
Sensitivity−51 dBV/Pa (2.8 mV/Pa), 1 kHz, open circuit voltage. "−51 dBV/Pa (2.8 mV)"; the same in both user guides.p. 1
Rated frequency range50 Hz to 16 kHz
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "Three-pin professional audio (XLR), male".
Weight275 g, net. "Net: 0.275 kg (0.6 lbs)".
Shock mountAdvanced pneumatic shock mount system
MagnetNeodymium
From the user guide (Recording Hacks copy)
Output impedance150 ohm, rated; 290 ohm actual. "Rated impedance is 150 Ω (290 Ω actual)". The 2015 sheet gives "150 Ω"; the 2023 guide gives "290 Ω" as the output impedance.p. 2
Stand adapterSlip-in, adjustable through 180°, standard 5/8"-27 thread
PhasingPositive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3

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