Shure Beta 57

This mic is a dynamic cardioid mic that finds it home in a studio as well as live. I like to think of this mic as an upgraded version of the classic SM57. It is a standard XLR connection and doesn't need phantom power. It's about the same size and weight of the original SM57, but it has a better grille on it. Sound is rejected from the sides and back because of the cardioid pattern. When you mic something up close, you will get enhanced bass because of the proximity effect on these kinds of mics.

OVERALL OPINION

I have had this one for a few years. I got it on recommendation that is kind of like a brighter, clearer SM57. I borrowed one to try it out, and used it on a snare drum and a guitar cabinet. It definitely beat out the SM57 in both categories, and sounded almost more like a Sennheiser 421. The transients are more crisp which is great for the snare drum, and the guitar distortion seemed to have more bite on it and sounded more alive. I pretty much never use the SM57 anymore after buying my own beta 57 - this one sounds better almost every single time. It's also just as rugged as the SM57, you could probably throw this mic against the wall and it would work fine. You can also twist off the grille cap if you need to clean it out. If you use this for vocals of any kind, you're bound to get a lot of dried up gunk stuck in the foam part under the metal grille which can worsen the sound, so it's worth giving it a good cleaning once in a while. It's really not that much more expensive than the SM57, so it's definitely worth the upgrade if you can afford it, it's a great value. I would definitely get it again.

Super cardioid dynamic microphone. I use it mainly for my voice but I have happily used on electric guitars and percussion, with less success on acoustic guitar. Some do not find enough "Burn". Aaahh 'conversations musicos ... a poem!

OVERALL OPINION

It has been 14 years since I sang in on various scenes, bar (formerly) smoky, but I am only the chorus. He does his work without flinching. Its sound is very suitable to my voice (and for example not to that of my singer), this micro lightens. The highs are very present.

Another advantage for me that was taken by my hand instrument, it almost never HOOK feedback. Yet the investment is rarely seen optimized tight places in which we came to play.

I followed the advice of the seller at the time because I had absolutely no idea what I needed. With hindsight I will ever choose to trust him ... and how!

Advised to record the snare, but used for lead vocals. An excellent compromise and value for money, equivalent to Sennheiser E855, unfortunately no longer available for sale.


OVERALL OPINION

A careful choice to replace 2 Sennheiser E855 that had outlived their usefulness and no longer produced by the manufacturer ... strange!

Singers to voice heavy and oily, this microphone offers comfort ... and clearer voice.

I highly recommend it for that use.