Shure Beta 56A
Best dynamic microphone for professional drum and instrument close-miking.
This is the definitive workhorse for capturing tight, punchy drum sounds without the bleed of a chaotic stage. Its compact, rugged design fits into the cramped spaces other mics can't reach, though you sacrifice the versatility of a general-purpose vocal mic for this specialized, high-gain precision.
$189.00
at
Alto Music
Who it's for
- Drummers working with cramped, multi-mic kits
- Sound engineers seeking punchy, isolated snare and tom tones
- Touring musicians needing gear that survives heavy daily use
Who should skip it
- Novice sound techs struggling with complex monitor placement
- Budget-conscious buyers preferring more affordable industry standards
- Engineers recording in environments with high mechanical vibration
Performance breakdown
Build Durability
Die-cast metal construction survives the toughest touring and stage conditions.
Feedback Rejection
Supercardioid pattern excels at isolating sound in high-volume live environments.
SPL Handling
Handles extreme sound pressure levels without distortion during aggressive drum miking.
Vibration Isolation
Pneumatic shock mount effectively eliminates unwanted mechanical noise from drum hardware.
Positioning Versatility
Integrated locking stand adapter allows for precise placement in tight spaces.
Sensitivity
Neodymium magnet provides a hot signal output for clean, detailed capture.
Key Specs
Type
Dynamic (Moving Coil)
Frequency Response
50 Hz - 16 kHz
Polar Pattern
Supercardioid
Output Impedance
150 Ohms
Maximum SPL
174 dB (at 1% THD)
Sensitivity
-51 dBV/Pa
Dimensions
1.670" diameter, 3.955" length
Weight
25.6 oz.
Connectivity Technology
XLR
Included Accessories
Carry Case
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