Shure Beta 57 A

After trying to get decent sound from both a Rode NT-1A and an SE Electronics large diaphragm condenser mics into my DAW for a good many years I'd all but given up. Yeah, sounded ok but...well you know.
Anyway I thought I'd try an SM58. I mean...folk like them so I've heard haha. After trying it though it turns out I'm not one of them so back it went. (switch was also faulty on it but that's another story). I was getting more and more disheartened when a friend suggested the Shure Beta 57A (the one this review is about). And you know what?...Perfect, really just that. Pop shield in front of it, gain turned up on my audio interface (no phantom power needed woohoo), sang straight ahead into the front of it and there it was. The sound I've been searching for. Not boomy just perfect. No sound in from the rest of the room either. Directional you know :). Another plus is that I can also use it for recording instruments. It's not even that expensive. I can't say enough good things about the Beta 57A. I'm really, really happy with it. So there you go. Just get one :)

Probably built even sturdier than the sm57, this mic is an all around good tool for capturing sound. It has a powerful output and good anti-feedback characteristics, so it's perfect for live applications. It works great on vocals, except that it's pop filter is only a cloth-like material put inside around the mesh. Not ideal, but it works and I've seen many singers using it.

It shines the most on guitar amps, it captures more information on mid - high mids than the sm57 which is also muddier, but beta doesn't have that bright snap 57 is known for. I don't prefer using it for snare because it lacks the punch, also somehow makes area around 350 - 600 Hz ringy.

It's a bit pricey, but we know what we pay for - quality and reliability by Shure.

Here you are receiving a quality microphone at a great price. I have a couple and have multiple uses for them in my studio. As my old studio wizard once said 'if you have only a few quality mics, you have the world at your fingertips'. This is definitely true of this work horse. I have one on my snare drum and toms and with the tiniest compression this has a beautiful fat sound. Vocals also sound good through it and I've even recorded a sax with great results. Don't be scared to throw it in the mix of applications you wouldn't normally think. You will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

I personally so far have never had a problem with any shure product I own and quality in build as well as design is why. get one of these and you wont be sorry.

An excellent mic for any studio, if you want great results with both instrument recording and voice!

I have always purchased Shure microphones over the years, and the quality of this mic is no exception to their rule of top quality sound!

It is well made, sturdy, and comes with a case to add protection when/if travelling.

I'm using it for both voice and instruments, and it works perfectly with both! I had read reviews elsewhere that it was "more of an instrument mic", but I needed just one mic, (on a budget), and took the chance with this one, as others had reviewed that it worked perfectly well for both.

Glad I did because they were right. The clarity that I know of and loved in the past, from Shure mics when singing, is no less present in this model than others I've heard and owned.

Great product, well recommend it.
Be sure to order the correct lead for this mic when purchasing, as it is not supplied with one.

Very happy with this microphone and its wide ranging uses!