Shure Beta 57A — Supercardioid Dynamic Instrument Microphone

The Shure Beta 57A is the supercardioid instrument microphone for engineers who want a hotter, brighter, more focused sound than the SM57 — the alternative "go-to" for snare drum, guitar amps, and brass when the SM57 isn't cutting through enough.

What sets the Beta 57A apart from the SM57:

• Hotter output — about 4 dB higher sensitivity, so preamps work less hard
• Brighter presence peak — cuts through dense mixes where the SM57 might get buried
• Tighter supercardioid pattern — rejects more off-axis sound, higher gain before feedback on loud stages
• Better low-frequency response — captures more body on toms and lower-tuned drums
• Same legendary durability as the SM57 — outlasts most touring gear

Specifications:

• Polar pattern: Supercardioid
• Element: Dynamic with neodymium magnet
• Frequency response: 50 Hz – 16 kHz
• Sensitivity: -51 dBV/Pa (4 dB hotter than SM57)
• Maximum SPL: well above what any drum or guitar amp can produce
• Hardened steel mesh grille
• Pneumatic shock isolation

Ideal for: Snare drum (especially for engineers wanting brighter snare sound), toms, guitar amps in dense mixes, brass and saxophone, and any source where the SM57's slightly darker tone isn't cutting through. Drummers and live engineers often own both SM57s and Beta 57As for different situations.