Shure BETA 98/S manual Model Beta 98/S

Model Beta 98/S User Guide

MODEL BETA 98/S

SUPERCARDIOID CONDENSER MICROPHONE

GENERAL

The Shure BETA 98/S is a compact, high-output, supercar- dioid condenser microphone for professional sound reinforce- ment and studio recording. Its extremely uniform supercar- dioid pickup pattern provides high gain before feedback and excellent rejection of unwanted noise. Its high maximum sound pressure level (SPL) makes it useful for a variety of acoustic instruments, including drums, percussion, piano, reed, wind, and string instruments. The BETA 98/S can also be used for amplified guitars.

The BETA 98/S includes either a shockmount swivel adapter (BETA 98/S) or the A98D drum mount (BETA 98D/S). The A98D drum mount has a specially designed gooseneck that allows the microphone to be positioned freely, yet holds it securely in place once the ideal placement has been found.

The BETA 98/S is supplied with a windscreen, storage bag, preamplifier, and an interconnect cable. The preamplifier can be powered by any 48 Vdc phantom power supply.

FEATURES

•Tailored frequency response for studio quality performance

•Wide dynamic range for use in high SPL environments

•Uniform supercardioid pattern for high gain before feed- back and superior rejection of off-axis sound

•Optional A98D drum mount is unobtrusive and versatile— allows precise positioning of the microphone while holding it firmly in place

•Compact design reduces stage clutter

•Detachable cable for easy storage

•Interchangeable microphone cartridges with different polar patterns are available

•Legendary Shure quality, ruggedness, and reliability

MODEL VARIATIONS

BETA 98D/S includes microphone, 4.6 m (15 ft) heavy-duty interconnect cable, preamplifier, and A98D microphone drum mount.

BETA 98/S includes microphone, 7.6 m (25 ft) light-weight interconnect cable, preamplifier, and shockmount swivel adapter.

GENERAL RULES FOR MICROPHONE USE

1.Aim the microphone toward the desired sound source and away from unwanted sources. This may not be obvious or in- tuitive, since supercardioid microphones such as the BETA 98/S can pick up sounds from the rear.

2.Place the microphone as close as practical to the desired sound source (refer to the table below).

3.Work close to the microphone for extra bass response.

4.Use only one microphone to pick up a single sound source.

5.Use the fewest number of microphones as practical.

6.Keep multiple microphones separated by a distance equal to at least 3 times the distance to the nearest sound source.

7.Place mics as far as possible from reflective surfaces.

8.Use a windscreen when using the microphone outdoors.

APPLICATIONS AND PLACEMENT

The most common BETA 98/S applications and placement techniques 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	TONE
	PLACEMENT	QUALITY
Tom-Toms	Using the A98D drum mount,	Medium attack;
	place one on each tom, or between	full, balanced
	each pair of toms, 1 to 3 in. (2.5 to	sound.
	7.6 cm) above drum heads. Aim
	each mic at top drum heads.
	On double head toms, remove bot-	Medium attack;
	tom head and place mic inside	full, balanced
	pointing up toward top drum head.	sound.
Snare Drum	1 to 3 in. (2.5 to 7.5 cm) above rim	More “snap”
	of top head of drum. Aim mic at	from drumstick.
	drum head.
	If desired, place a second mic just	More	“snare”
	below rim of bottom head.	sound.
Hi-Hat	Using the A98D drum mount,	Bright,
Cymbals	place the mic close to the cymbal,	with plenty of
	but far enough away that it doesn’t	attack.
	touch it when cymbal is struck.
Reed	Place microphone a few inches	Bright,	mini-
Instruments	from and aiming into bell.	mizes feedback
		and leakage.
Guitar	Place microphone 4 inches from	Natural,
Amplifier	grille at center of speaker cone.	well-balanced.

NOTE: Before each use, make sure the cartridge is tightly se- cured on the microphone, as vibration and accidental hits with drumsticks may loosen it, resulting in signal loss.

INTERCONNECTING CABLE

The supplied cable connects the BETA 98/S to the preampli- fier. If necessary, up to 23 m (75 ft) of cable can be used be- tween the microphone and preamplifier without signal loss.

USING THE SHOCKMOUNT SWIVEL ADAPTER

Use the following procedures to mount the Beta 98/S on the swivel adapter (see Figure 1):

1. Connect the microphone to the connector.

2005, Shure Incorporated	Printed in U.S.A.
27D3108 (Rev. 5)