De Shure Beta 52A Is een dynamische microfoon met een hoog uitgangsvermogen en een speciaal voor maximale Bass Drum Punch en de opname van andere laag-frequentie instrumenten geoptimaliseerd transmissiebereik.
De microfoon biedt een zeer goede respons, uitstekende Punch en levert studiokwaliteit ook bij extreme volumes. De super-cardioïde directionele karakteristiek van de Beta 52A waarborgt naast een hoge feedback-resistentie een maximale isolatie van de geluidsbron en verhinderd een hoog niveau van bij-ruis.
De verstelbare statiefadapter met geïntegreerde XLR-aansluiting vereenvoudigd de positionering van de microfoon, in het bijzonder bij gebruik in de binnenzijde van de Bass Drum. Daarbij houdt de snap-in statiefadapter van de Beta 52A ook bij harde slagen en sterke vibraties zich stevig op zijn plaats. De korf van gehard staal biedt bescherming voor de belastingen van het ruige podiumgebruik.
With the Beta 52A, Shure delivers a truly classic microphone that excels in bass drum applications and features both a dynamic design and a supercardioid polar pattern which effectively suppresses unwanted background noise. Built with a solid metal housing, it is rugged enough for the road, making the Shure Beta 52A a reliable choice often found on technical riders, and the shaft is already fitted to accept a reducing screw thread, eliminating the need for an additional microphone clamp. A screw clamp in turn allows for flexible alignment with the sound source, ensuring precise placement with minimal hassle.
Equally suited for studio and stage use, the Beta 52A is highly valued by professionals for its rugged construction and impressive ability to handle extreme sound pressure levels - up to 174 dB SPL - without breaking a sweat, making this microphone a dependable choice even for close-miking an Ampeg 8x10 at full blast. While its primary strength remains in capturing the powerful thump of a bass drum, its frequency response - which emphasises the 50Hz to 4kHz range - brings out the punch and presence of any bass drum with precision. An air-suspended shock mount effectively minimises interference from impact noise and vibrations, and seasoned sound engineers know they can count on the Shure Beta 52A to deliver consistently reliable results in any setting, reinforcing its status as a true classic in professional audio.
The Shure Beta 52A is ideal for drum kits and percussion setups where professional low-frequency reproduction is essential, and thanks to its rich, engaging sound, the microphone will suit a wide range of musical styles both live and in the studio. Beyond drums, it is also a popular choice for capturing bass amplifiers or even instruments like the tuba; however, its substantial weight does call for a stable microphone stand. On large stages and at festivals, the combination of the Beta 52A with the Beta 91A boundary microphone is especially favoured, with the 52A typically handling the low-end while the 91A captures the attack, resulting in a full and balanced bass drum sound.
The American company Shure began developing microphones during the early 1930s and is one of the pioneers of the audio engineering sector. Models such as the 55 Unidyne – known to many as the "Elvis microphone" – and the SM57 and SM58 which appeared in the mid-1960s are still ubiquitous in live sound production today. They enjoy cult status among musicians and technicians alike. In the 1990s, Shure introduced the first wireless microphones and in-ear monitoring systems and became a market leader in this field. In addition to microphones, Shure offers a wide range of earphones and headphones for studio and live use, as well as various accessories.
The Shure Beta 52A offers maximum versatility with a built-in pre-equalisation that emphasises both the low-frequency range and the crucial 3 to 4kHz attack zone of a bass drum, while remaining moderate enough to perform well in more subtle musical styles like Jazz. In Rock and Metal, the microphone will shine even more when paired with dynamic processing such as gating and compression, along with EQ adjustments like a boost at 8kHz and a cut at 300Hz. This microphone will also deliver impressive results when recording instruments like the tuba or bass saxophone, provided a sturdy microphone stand is used to support its weight. Thanks to its very powerful neodymium magnet, the Beta 52A requires minimal gain from the microphone preamp, making this classic both powerful and efficient across a wide range of applications.