SHURE BETA57A
User Guide

Shure Brothers Incorporated 222 Hartrey Avenue Evanston IL 60202-3696 U.S.A.

Model BETA 57A® User Guide
8. Add a windscreen when using the microphone outdoors. 9. Avoid excessive handling to minimize pick up of mechanical noise. APPLICATIONS AND PLACEMENT The most common applications and placement techniques for the BETA 57A 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.
APPLICATION SUGGESTED MICROPHONE PLACEMENT One BETA 57A on each tom, or between each pair of toms, 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) above drum heads. Aim each mic at top drum heads. On double head toms, you can also remove bottom head and place a mic inside, pointing up toward top head. 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) above the rim of the top drum head. Aim the mic at the drum head. If desired, place a second mic just below rim of bottom head. Guitar & Bass Amplifiers 1 inch (2.5 cm) from speaker, on� axis with speaker cone. 1 inch (2.5 cm) from speaker, at edge of speaker cone. 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) away from speaker and on�axis withspeaker cone. 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) back from speaker, on�axis with speaker cone. Vocals Brass & Woodwinds 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15 cm) from the vocalist�s mouth. Brass: 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm) away, on�axis with bell of instrument. Woodwinds: 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15 cm) away, on�axis with bell of instrument. Bell of the instrument 90° off�axis from the front of the mic. TONE QUALITY Medium attack, balanced sound.

MODEL BETA 57A®
SUPERCARDIOID DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE MICROPHONE
GENERAL

Tom�Toms

The Shure BETA 57A is a high output supercardioid dynamic microphone designed for professional sound reinforcement and project studio recording. It maintains a true supercardioid pattern throughout its frequency range. This insures high gain before feedback, maximum isolation from other sound sources, and minimum off�axis tone coloration. A completely new grille design lets you take better advantage of proximity effect. The BETA 57A is an exceptionally versatile microphone. Typical applications include drums, guitar amplifiers, brass, woodwinds and vocals. FEATURES � Tailored frequency response provides drums, guitars, vocals, and horns with studio quality sound � Uniform supercardioid pattern for high gain before feedback and superior rejection of off�axis sound � Hardened steel mesh grille that facilitates use of proximity effect and resists wear and abuse � Neodymium magnet for high signal�to�noise ratio output � Minimally affected by varying load impedance � Advanced pneumatic shock mount system that minimizes transmission of mechanical noise and vibration � Legendary Shure quality and reliability
GENERAL RULES FOR MICROPHONE USE

Medium attack, balanced sound.

Snare Drum

Most �snap� from drumstick impact More �snare� sound. Sharp attack; emphasized bass. Sharp attack; higher frequency sound. Medium attack; full, balanced sound. Softer attack; thin, reduced bass sound. Rich, warm sound. Bright, clea r sound. Bright, clear sound. Softer, mellow sound.

1. Aim the microphone toward the desired sound source and away from unwanted sources. Since supercardioid microphones such as the BETA 57A have narrow pickup patterns and can pick up sounds from the rear, this may not be obvious or intuitive. Refer to Figure 1. 2. Place a microphone as close as practical to the desired sound source (refer to the table in the facing column). 3. Work close to the microphone for extra bass response. 4. Use only one microphone to pick up one sound source. 5. Keep the distance between microphones at least three times the distance from a microphone to a sound source. 6. Use the fewest number of microphones as is practical. 7. Place mics as far as possible from reflective surfaces.

PROXIMITY EFFECT Unidirectional microphones such as the BETA 57A progressively 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 effect, can be used to create a warmer, more powerful sound. To prevent explosive low frequency sound during close�up use, the BETA 57A bass response gradually rolls off. This provides greater control and helps the user take advantage of proximity effect.

E1999, Shure Brothers Incorporated 27A2797 (SC)

Printed in U.S.A.