SHURE Beta Supercardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone User Manual

: June 10, 2024
: Shure

Table of Contents

SHURE Beta Supercardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone
Product Information
GENERAL
FEATURES
APPLICATION AND PLACEMENT
Documents / Resources

SHURE Beta Supercardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone

SHURE-Beta-Supercardioid-Dynamic-Vocal-Microphone-
PRODUCT

Product Information

The Shure BETA 58A is a supercardioid dynamic vocal microphone designed for close-up vocals. Its frequency response is tailored for vocals with a brightened midrange and bass rolloff to control proximity effect. The microphone has a hardened steel mesh grille that resists wear and abuse, an advanced pneumatic shock mount system that minimizes transmission of mechanical noise and vibration, and is minimally affected by varying load impedance. The BETA 58A is known for its legendary Shure quality and reliability.

Features

Supercardioid polar pattern
Tailored frequency response for vocals
Hardened steel mesh grille
Advanced pneumatic shock mount system
Minimally affected by varying load impedance
Legendary Shure quality and reliability

Product Usage Instructions

The BETA 58A is designed for close-up vocals and can be
hand-held or mounted on a stand. It is important to note that
microphone technique is largely a matter of personal taste, so there is no one correct microphone position. However, the following are some common applications and placement techniques:

When using the BETA 58A, follow these general rules for microphone use:

Aim the microphone toward the desired sound source and away from unwanted sources.
Place the microphone as close as practical to the desired sound source. Refer to the table above for suggested distances.
Work close to the microphone for extra bass response.
Use only one microphone to pick up one sound source.
Keep the distance between microphones at least three times the distance from each source to its microphone.
Use the fewest number of microphones as is practical.
Place microphones as far as possible from reflective surfaces.
Add a windscreen when using the microphone outdoors.
Avoid excessive handling to minimize pickup of mechanical noise and vibration.
Do not cover any part of the grille with your hand.

The BETA 58A has a super cardioid polar pattern, which means it is most sensitive to sound coming from directly in front of the microphone and least sensitive to sound from the sides and rear.
This helps to minimize the pickup of unwanted sounds and feedback.
When using the microphone with a stage monitor or P.A. loudspeaker, ensure that the monitor loudspeaker(s) are placed in front of the microphone and not directly behind it. The P.A. system loudspeaker should be placed at least three times the distance from the microphone as the monitor loudspeaker(s).
Overall, the Shure BETA 58A is a high-quality vocal microphone that provides excellent sound and durability for live performances and recording.

MODEL BETA 58A SUPERCARDIOID DYNAMIC VOCAL MICROPHONE

GENERAL

The Shure BETA 58A is a high-output supercardioid dynamic vocal microphone designed for professional sound reinforcement and project studio recording. It maintains a true super cardioid pattern throughout its frequency range. This insures high gain before feedback, maximum isolation from other sound sources, and minimum off–axis tone coloration. The BETA 58A has a shaped frequency response that is ideal for close–up vocals. The superb performance of this microphone is not affected by rough handling because of its rugged construction, proven shock mount system, and hardened steel mesh grille. Typical applications for the BETA 58A include lead vocals, backup vocals, and speech.

FEATURES

Frequency response tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass roll off to control proximity effect
Uniform super cardioid pattern for high gain before feedback and superior rejection of off-axis sound
Neodymium magnet for high signal–to–noise output
Hardened steel mesh grille that resists wear and abuse
Advanced pneumatic shock mount system that minimizes the transmission of mechanical noise and vibration
Minimally affected by varying load impedance
Legendary Shure quality and reliability

APPLICATION AND PLACEMENT

The BETA 58A is designed for close-up vocals and can be hand-held or mounted on a stand. Some of the most common applications and placement techniques are listed in the following table. Keep in mind that microphone technique is largely a matter of personal taste—there is no one “correct” microphone position.

Suggested Microphone Placement	Tone Quality

Lips less than 15 cm (6 in.) away or touching the windscreen,
on axis of the microphone.| Robust sound, emphasized bass, maximum isolation from other
sources.
15 to 60 cm (6 in. to 2 ft.) away from the mouth, just above the nose
height.| Natural sound, reduced bass.
20 to 60 cm (8 in. to 2 ft.) away from the mouth, slightly off to
one side and minimal s sound.| Natural sound, reduced bass.
90 cm to 1.8 m (3 to 6 ft.) away.| Thinner, distant sound; noticeable levels of ambient
noise.

GENERAL RULES FOR MICROPHONE USE

Aim the microphone toward the desired sound source and away from unwanted sources. Since supercardioid micro-phones such as the BETA 58A have narrow pickup pat-terns and can pick up sounds from the rear, this may not be obvious or intuitive.
Place the microphone as close as practical to the desired sound source. Refer to the table above.
Work close to the microphone for extra bass response.
Use only one microphone to pick up one sound source.
Keep the distance between microphones at least three times the distance from each source to its microphone.
Use the fewest number of microphones as is practical.
Place microphones as far as possible from reflective sur-faces.
Add a windscreen when using the microphone outdoors.
Avoid excessive handling to minimize pickup of mechani-cal noise and vibration.
Do not cover any part of the grille with your hand.

PROXIMITY EFFECT
Unidirectional microphones such as the BETA 58A progres-sively boost bass frequencies by 6 to 10 dB at 100 Hz when the microphone is at a distance of about 6 mm (1/4 in.) from the sound source. This phenomenon, known as proximity ef-fect, can be used to create a warmer, more powerful sound. To prevent explosive low frequency sound during close–up use, the BETA 58A bass response gradually rolls off. This pro-vides greater control and helps the user take advantage of proximity effect.
STAGE MONITOR & P.A. LOUDSPEAKER PLACEMENT
For maximum rejection of unwanted sound, place the stage monitor(s) or P.A. system loudspeaker at a 60° angle from the rear of the BETA 58A, not directly behind it. See Figure 1. Always check out the stage setup before a perfor- mance to ensure that microphone and monitor placement is optimum.

SPECIFICATIONS Type
Dynamic (moving coil)

Frequency Response

50 to 16,000 Hz (see Figure 2)
NOTE: The curve below shows an on-axis response at a distance of 2 feet from a uniform sound source. Your response may vary, depending on the microphone position.

Polar Pattern

Supercardioid, rotationally symmetrical about the microphone axis, uniform with frequency (see Figure 3)

Output Level (at 1,000 Hz)
Open Circuit Voltage: –51.5 dBV/Pa (2.6 mV) 1 Pa = 94 dB SPL

Impedance

The rated impedance is 150 (290 actual) for connection to microphone inputs rated low Z

Phasing

Positive pressure on the diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3. See Figure 4.

Case

Silver blue enamel-painted die-cast metal with a hardened, matte-finished, spherical steel mesh grille

Adjustable, Stand Adapter

Slip-in microphone mounting, unbreakable, adjustable through 180° with standard 5/8”-27 thread, black finish

Net Weight
278 grams (9.92 oz)
Certification

Eligible to bear CE Marking. Conforms to European EMC Directive 89/336/EEC. Meets applicable tests and performance criteria in European Standard EN55103 (1996) parts 1 and 2, for residential (E1) and light industrial (E2) environments.

FURNISHED ACCESSORIES

Adjustable Stand Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A25D
5/8” to 3/8” (Euro) Thread Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . 95A2050
Storage Bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26A21

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Windscreen . . . . . . . . . . A58WS Series (8 colors available)
Isolation Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A55M, A55HM
7.6 m (25 ft.) Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C25E, C25F

REPLACEMENT PARTS

Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R176
Grille Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RK265G
Plug (Connector) Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90F1984
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Documents / Resources

| SHURE Beta Supercardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone [pdf] User Manual
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