Shure
Shure Beta 58A
Dynamic (moving coil), supercardioid, handheld vocal mic with neodymium magnet
Power None: a dynamic mic needs no power. Low output: it needs a lot of preamp gain.
- Type
- Dynamic
- Pattern
- Supercardioid
- Sensitivity
- −51 dBV/Pa
- Among 78 dynamics: more output than 86%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 30%
- Rated range
- 50 – 16k Hz
- Released
- 1989
vs 25 handheld dynamics
More output than 79% of 25 handheld dynamics.
Each stripe is one handheld dynamic with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
1 of 3; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 1.
"Frequency Response"; relative dB. The 2005 user guide: "on-axis response at a distance of 2 feet from a uniform sound source". Room and smoothing not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 1.
"Polar Pattern"; two plots (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring, the outer ring 0 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 50 × 160 mmOverall dimensions drawing: "160 mm (6.5 in.)" long, "50 mm (2 in.)" across the grille (head diameter × length). | p. 2 |
| Supplied accessories | A25D adjustable stand adapter; 95A2050 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapter; 26A21 storage bagFurnished accessories (2005). The 2015 sheet lists the A25D microphone clip among accessories and replacement parts. | |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on the diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 | |
| Case | Silver blue enamel-painted die-cast metal, hardened matte-finished spherical steel mesh grille | |
| Replacement parts | Cartridge R176; grille RK265G; connector 90F1984 | |
| Optional accessories | A58WS windscreens (8 colours); A55M, A55HM isolation mounts; C25E, C25F 7.6 m cables | |
| Proximity effectShure | 6 to 10 dB bass boost at 100 Hz at about 6 mm from the source | p. 1 |
| Monitor placementShure | Stage monitors at 60° from the rear of the mic (about 120° off axis), not directly behind | p. 2 |
| From the spec sheet | ||
| Sensitivity | −51 dBV/Pa (2.8 mV/Pa)1 kHz, open circuit voltage; also −51.5 dBV/Pa, user guide (2005). "−51 dBV/Pa (2.8 mV)"; the 2005 user guide (p. 2) gives "-51.5 dBV/Pa (2.6 mV)". | p. 1 |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmrated; 290 ohm actual (user guide). The user guide (p. 2): "Rated impedance is 150 Ω (290 Ω actual)". | |
| Rated frequency range | 50 Hz to 16 kHz | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"Three-pin professional audio (XLR), male". | |
| Weight | 278 gnet | |
| Shock mount | Pneumatic shock mount system; built-in pop filter | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1989 | |
Documents
- Beta 58A Supercardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone, Product Specifications
- Beta 58A Supercardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone, Product Specifications2010
- Model BETA 58A User Guide27C2796 Rev. 5
- Shure Beta 58A | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.