Shure Beta 58A Manual | Official User Guide

Model BETA 58AR User Guide

MODEL BETA 58AR

SUPERCARDIOID DYNAMIC VOCAL MICROPHONE

GENERAL

The Shure BETA 58A is a high-output supercardioid dy- namic vocal microphone designed for professional sound re- inforcement and project studio recording. It maintains a true supercardioid pattern throughout its frequency range. This insures high gain before feedback, maximum isolation from other sound sources, and minimum off–axis tone coloration. The BETA 58A has a shaped frequency response that is ideal for close–up vocals. The superb performance of this microphone is not affected by rough handling because of its rugged construction, proven shock mount system, and hard- ened steel mesh grille. Typical applications for the BETA 58A include lead vocals, backup vocals and speech.

FEATURES:

SFrequency response tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass rolloff to control proximity effect

SUniform supercardioid pattern for high gain before feedback and superior rejection of off–axis sound

SNeodymium magnet for high signal–to–noise output

SHardened steel mesh grille that resists wear and abuse

SAdvanced pneumatic shock mount system that minimizes transmission of mechanical noise and vibration

SMinimally effected by varying load impedance

SLegendary Shure quality and reliability

2003, Shure Incorporated 27B2796 (Rev. 3)

APPLICATION AND PLACEMENT

The BETA 58A is designed for close-up vocals, and can be hand held or mounted on a stand. Some of the most common applications and placement techniques are listed in the fol- lowing table. Keep in mind that microphone technique is largely a matter of personal taste—there is no one “correct” microphone position.

SUGGESTED MICROPHONE	TONE QUALITY
PLACEMENT

Lips less than 15 cm (6 in.) away	Robust sound, emphasized
or touching the windscreen, on	bass, maximum isolation from
axis to microphone.	other sources.

15 to 60 cm (6 in. to 2 ft.) away	Natural sound, reduced bass.
from mouth, just above nose
height.
20 to 60 cm (8 in. to 2 ft.) away	Natural sound, reduced bass
from mouth, slightly off to one	and minimal ”s” sounds.
side.
90 cm to 1.8 m (3 to 6 ft.) away.	Thinner, distant sound; notice-
	able levels of ambient noise.

GENERAL RULES FOR MICROPHONE USE

1.Aim the microphone toward the desired sound source and away from unwanted sources. Since supercardioid micro- phones such as the BETA 58A have narrow pickup pat- terns and can pick up sounds from the rear, this may not be obvious or intuitive.

2.Place the microphone as close as practical to the desired sound source. Refer to the table above.

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

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

5.Keep the distance between microphones at least three times the distance from each source to its microphone.

6.Use the fewest number of microphones as is practical.

7.Place microphones as far as possible from reflective sur- faces.

8.Add a windscreen when using the microphone outdoors.

9.Avoid excessive handling to minimize pickup of mechani- cal noise and vibration.

10. Do not cover any part of the grille with your hand.

PROXIMITY EFFECT

Unidirectional microphones such as the BETA 58A progres- sively boost bass frequencies by 6 to 10 dB at 100 Hz when the microphone is at a distance of about 6 mm (1/4 in.) from the sound source. This phenomenon, known as proximity ef- fect, can be used to create a warmer, more powerful sound. To prevent explosive low frequency sound during close–up use, the BETA 58A bass response gradually rolls off. This pro- vides greater control and helps the user take advantage of proximity effect.

Printed in U.S.A.