Shure 181 manual General Description, Variations, Features, Applications and Placement

General Description

The Shure Beta 181 is an ultra-compact, side-address, condenser microphone, designed for discreet place- ment in live and studio environments. Featuring inter- changeable cardioid, supercardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional capsules for superior versatility, the small diaphragm of the Beta 181 provides superior audio with consistent, “textbook” polar responses in a form factor small enough to get close to the source in the tightest conditions.

Variations

Beta 181/C Cardioid Microphone

Beta 181/S Supercardioid Microphone

Beta 181/O Omnidirectional Microphone

Beta 181/BI Bidirectional Microphone

Features

• Premier live performance microphone with Shure

quality, ruggedness, and reliability

• Compact preamp attaches to four interchangeable

capsules

• Wide dynamic range for use in high SPL environments

• Side-address form allows for discreet positioning in

tight performance and recording settings

• Innnovative locking ring provides a secure connection

between capsule and preamp

• Hardened steel mesh grille resists denting, wear, and

Applications and Placement

Positioning the Microphone

The front of the microphone is marked by the Shure logo on the preamp and the polar pattern icon on the capsule. Position this side toward the sound source.

General Rules for Use BETA 181

•Aim the microphone toward the desired sound source; angle unwanted sounds toward its null point.

•Use the fewest amount of microphones as practical to increase the Potential Acoustic Gain and prevent feedback.

•Follow the 3 to 1 Rule by spacing each microphone by at least three times the distance to its source to reduce

Phase Cancellation.

•Place microphones as far as possible from reflective surfaces to reduce Comb Filtering.

•When using directional microphones, work closely to the microphone for extra bass response to take advantage of

Proximity Effect.

•Avoid excessive handling to minimize pickup of mechanical noise and vibration.

•Do not cover any part of the microphone grille, as this will adversely affect microphone performance.

•Add a windscreen when using the microphone outdoors.

The following table lists the most common applications and placement techniques. Keep in mind that microphone tech- nique is largely a matter of personal taste; there is no one “correct” microphone position.

	Cardioid		Supercardioid		Omnidirectional		Bidirectional
•	Drum overheads	•	Close-miking in	•	Room and ambient	•	Use a pair of Beta 181/
•	Piano		performance settings		pickup		BI for Blumlein stereo
		•	Snare drum	•	Mono drum overhead		teqhnique
•	Acoustic instruments
						•	Mono drum overhead
		•	Acoustic instruments	•	String ensembles
• Pair with a Beta 181/BI
						• Dual sound sources, such
	for M/S stereo technique
							as between tom-toms or
							acoustic instruments

Note: As with all bidirectional microphones, sounds picked up from the back will be out of polarity with the source. Those from the front are in polarity with the source.

	abuse
•	Compact design, under 12 cm (5 in.), reduces stage
	clutter
•	Furnished with stand adapter and carrying case

Performance Characteristics

•Exceptional low-frequency reproduction

•Extremely high SPL handling

•High output level

•No crossover distortion

•Transformer output

Changing Capsules

Follow these steps to change Beta 181 capsules:

1.Turn off phantom power and disconnect from equipment.

2.Unscrew the capsule’s knurled ring to detach the preamp.

3.Slide the alignment key on the bottom of the capsule into the groove on the preamp to ensure that the Shure logo displays the front of the microphone.

4.Tighten the knurled ring to securely reconnect the microphone.

KNURLED RING

ALIGNMENT KEY

ALIGNMENT GROOVE

BETA 181

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

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