Not so Shure about Shure Betas

Moose · #1 01-21-2003, 09:22 PM

I was looking into buying a good microphone to plug into my 710 and Soon to be amp (Genz Benz or Cal Blonde) and I found quite a few Shure Beta microphones... Which is the one I should buy for a good vocal microphone? OR! is there a better choice out there for me?

- Moose

Jim Tozier · #2 01-21-2003, 09:35 PM

For performing, the Shure SM57 and SM58 are pretty standard choices. I have an SM58, and I've never had a problem.

For serious recording, you'd want to go in another direction altogether; however, it seemed like you were more interested in performance mics, yes?

bnjp · #3 01-21-2003, 09:54 PM

I really like the Beta 58A's, only because of the price. In my opinion, however, the best vocal mic Shure makes is the Beta 87A. For the difference in price, the 58A works fine for me.

JohnZ · #4 01-21-2003, 10:09 PM

I'm partial to a Beta 57 for live work, but I come from a 57 backround.............never liked 58's. I always record with condenser mics however.

James Willer · #5 01-21-2003, 11:30 PM

The beta's are very unforgiving. I use an Audix OM-6, works great!

Moose · #6 01-22-2003, 04:43 PM

What do you mean by unforgiving? what are the pros and cons about the shure betas?

I keep wondering about where you get the point where the price to performance ratio stops becoming linear.

Now conderser mics! thats a new one for me... so far s I have hears condensers need "phantom power" on an amp to use them.. am I correct? do the condenser mics sound alot better?
Hehe, I am still looking at the Carvins, SWR, Ultrasound and Genz Benz as far as amps... The thing i like about the Genz... they have two XLR inputs...hmm! advantage!?

cSuttle · #7 01-22-2003, 06:50 PM

The shure beta series are a real good work horses of a mic. They are almost roadie proof (almost). I have used a lot of them, but for a good vocal mic, there are much better choices if sound quality is your goal. Keep looking. I personal like AKG.

Moose · #8 01-22-2003, 10:36 PM

What do you think is the better mic of the 57A and the 58?

jb1 · #9 01-23-2003, 08:45 AM

I used the SM 57's and SM 58's for years, until getting a Beta 87. There is lots of difference in the clarity of sound out of the Beta. It requires phantom power, but my Marshall AS100D comes equipped with it on the mic channel. Mackie mixers and many others have phantom as well. I saw Lyle Lovett perform back in 95 and said "What on earth is that microphone he's using?" Asked his sound guy, who told me it was the Beta 87. Got one, real happy with it, too.

Moose · #10 01-23-2003, 06:35 PM

Yeah i was looking at that suckre, shes a nice one... thing is none of these acoustic amps are goingt o have phantom power on them... Except a Trace elliot, and those suckers are so expensive that its not even worth it..

That might be another reason i should go look at those Carvin P.A systems. Hmmm...

Moose · #11 01-23-2003, 06:53 PM

Actually now that I think about it, would the Shure beta 58 be a capable mic for playing my Nylons ( I'd rather not put a pickup in my Nylons)?