Shure BETA52A

Shure Beta 52A – supercardioid dynamic microphone built specifically for miking a kick drum and other low-frequency sources. A neodymium magnet delivers a high output level and a strong signal-to-noise ratio, and the 20 Hz to 10,000 Hz frequency response, with a presence boost around 4 kHz, is shaped so kick and bass guitar attack cut through a dense mix without extra correction. A modified supercardioid pattern, symmetrical about the microphone axis, limits bleed from neighboring drum kit elements and adds gain-before-feedback headroom when working close to stage monitors.

Handling extreme sound pressure inside the kick drum

A maximum SPL rating of 174 dB lets the mic sit right next to the beater without risking capsule overload, even under the hardest double-pedal hits in metal or rock. An internal pneumatic shock-mount system further isolates the transducer from mechanical vibration transmitted through the shell hoop, cutting impact noise that's unrelated to the actual acoustic signal.

An integrated, locking stand mount

An integrated mount with an XLR connector and a locking mechanism lets you dial in the mic's angle against the drumhead and hold that position against the strong shocks generated by pedal strikes, without a separate boom arm or extra mounting clip. That speeds up setup inside a kick drum shell, where room for a standard mic stand is limited, and the hardened protective grille along with the enamel-coated die-cast housing hold up to daily load-in and load-out on tour.

KEY FEATURES

• Modified supercardioid pattern, symmetrical about the axis
• Neodymium magnet for high output and strong signal-to-noise ratio
• Maximum SPL up to 174 dB
• Internal pneumatic shock-mount system
• Integrated, locking stand mount with XLR connector
• Hardened protective grille and enamel-coated die-cast housing

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Transducer type: dynamic (moving coil)
• Polar pattern: supercardioid (modified)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 10,000 Hz
• Sensitivity (1 kHz, open circuit voltage): -64 dBV/Pa (0.6 mV)
• Impedance: rated 150 Ω (actual 45 Ω)
• Maximum SPL: 174 dB
• Connector: XLR (3-pin, integrated with the stand mount)
• Mount: integrated, locking dynamic mount