Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (20)
$189.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (4)
$189.00
Amazon
4.7 (141)
$189.00 New
$152.10 Used (Like New)
Reverb
5.0 (9)
$161.49 New
$125.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (11)
$189.00
B&H
5.0 (2)
$189.00
Thomann
4.8 (138)
$185.00 $183.00 $2.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£162.00
Vintage King
5.0 (1)
$189.00

Average Price: $178

Standard/Professional

$75

$201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Shure Beta 56A". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Introducing the Shure Beta 56A, a dynamic microphone specifically designed for instrument miking. It's your ideal companion for capturing the best sounds of your toms, snares, and percussion. Its supercardioid characteristic ensures high feedback immunity, maximum gain, and superior suppression of ambient noise, offering you a clean and crisp sound experience.

This microphone is not only known for its top-notch performance but also its convenience and durability. The built-in adjustable stand adapter and XLR connector make for easy installation and maximum flexibility. The compact design of the Shure Beta 56A saves you valuable space on stage. And don't worry about wear and tear. This microphone is housed in a hardened steel basket that protects it against damage.

Incorporated with a neodymium magnet, this dynamic microphone guarantees high output levels with minimal noise. It also features an air-cushioned shock absorber to protect against impact noise and vibrations. Get ready to embark on a journey of superior sound quality with the Shure Beta 56A.

Key Features:

  • Supercardioid characteristic for high feedback immunity
  • Ideal for instrument miking such as toms, snare, percussion
  • Built-in adjustable stand adapter and XLR connector for easy installation
  • Compact design for stage space efficiency
  • Hardened steel basket for enhanced durability
  • Neodymium magnet for high output levels and minimal noise
  • Air-cushioned shock absorber for protection against impact noise and vibrations
  • Frequency response: 50 - 16,000 Hz
  • Output impedance: 150 Ohm
  • Open circuit sensitivity: -51 dBV/Pa (2.8 mV)

Product specs

Microphone Type Dynamic
Polar Pattern Supercardioid
Frequency Response 50Hz-16kHz
Output Impedance 150 ohms
Connector XLR
Weight 1.03 lbs.

FAQs

What instruments is the Shure Beta 56A best suited for?

The Shure Beta 56A is ideal for close miking of tom-toms, other percussion instruments, guitar amplifiers, brass instruments, and woodwinds due to its tailored frequency response and supercardioid pattern.

What is the polar pattern of the Shure Beta 56A, and why is it important?

The Shure Beta 56A features a supercardioid polar pattern, which provides excellent isolation from unwanted sound sources, making it perfect for live sound and studio recording environments.

How does the Shure Beta 56A connect to audio equipment?

The Shure Beta 56A uses a standard XLR connector, ensuring compatibility with most professional audio equipment and mixers.

What is the frequency response of the Shure Beta 56A?

The Shure Beta 56A has a frequency response of 50Hz to 16kHz, providing a balanced sound that captures the nuances of various instruments effectively.

Is the Shure Beta 56A suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Shure Beta 56A is well-suited for live performances due to its durability, supercardioid pattern for feedback rejection, and tailored frequency response for clear instrument capture.

Urban Sound Studio

Urban Sound Studio

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Urban Sound Studio

Video thumbnail for Shure Beta 56A vs Beta 98AMP vs SM57 - 10" Tom Yamaha Live Custom by Perkusjonaci

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Perkusjonaci

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Shure Beta 56A vs Beta 98AMP vs SM57 - 14" Snare Yamaha Dave Weckl Signature

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Perkusjonaci

Video thumbnail for Shure Beta 56a Review, Demo and Shootout | Rapture Review #11 (2019) by OwenAlec

Shure Beta 56a Review, Demo and Shootout | Rapture Review #11 (2019)

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OwenAlec

Video thumbnail for In The Tech Hatch | ACM vs. Shure - BETA 56A by ACM, Academy of Contemporary Music

In The Tech Hatch | ACM vs. Shure - BETA 56A

ACM, Academy of Contemporary Music

ACM, Academy of Contemporary Music

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Kraft Music - Shure Beta 56A Instrument Microphone Presentation

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Kraft Music

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Test microphones Shure beta 56 a vs Lewitt DTP 340 TT

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PepciaQ

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent for singing drummers, avoids hitting mic with drumsticks

  • Compact design reduces space needed

  • Top mounting XLR and shorter body for easy setup

  • Ultra sturdy, handles knocks without damage

  • Super cardioid polar pattern isolates sound, handling high SPLs

  • Versatile, great for drums, guitar amps, and vocals

  • Recognizable sound with strong attack and bright tone

  • Compatible with Shure A56 rim mount for flexible positioning

  • Simplifies setup with bottom XLR connector

CONS

  • May miss the freedom of a headset for some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Shure Beta 56A.

Features and functionality

  • The Shure Beta 56A's tight supercardioid pattern effectively rejects surrounding noise, making it ideal for both vocal and snare applications.

    Source
  • The Beta 56A has a 90-degree design that helps keep the mic cable out of the way for drummers who also sing.

    Source
  • The mic's supercardioid pattern excels in live settings by rejecting surrounding cymbal noise, making it suitable for drummers.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Beta 56A's low-profile design is particularly useful for singing drummers, as it keeps the mic and cables out of the way.

    Source
  • The Beta 56A is favored for snare miking due to its ability to minimize hi-hat bleed, which is a common challenge in tight drum setups.

    Source
  • It's reported that the Beta 56A performs well with little to no issue of picking up drum kit noise, making it suitable for singing drummers.

    Source
  • A cymbal stand mic adapter is recommended for stability when using the Beta 56A, especially for singing drummers with extended boom arms.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users prefer the Audix i5 for snare because of its superior rejection capabilities compared to other Shure models.

    Source
  • The Telefunken M80-SH is highlighted as a strong alternative to the Beta 56A, offering great punch and similar rejection in a compact form.

    Source

User experience

  • Drummers appreciate the Beta 56A for vocal performance due to its ability to project well when singers adjust their distance and volume dynamics.

    Source
  • Owners note the Beta 56A is based on the BETA58A capsule, providing a great vocal sound for singing drummers.

    Source
  • Users note the Beta 56A requires close proximity when singing to effectively utilize its supercardioid pattern for cymbal rejection.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A basic cymbal boom stand is more effective than most mic stands for supporting the Beta 56A, preventing sagging when extended.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings

5 star
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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Josh Homme uses Shure Beta 56A

Josh Homme

Guitarist

Kyuss

...
Verified via Shure

This mic was used for toms on Eagles of Death Metal's album Death by Sexy, according to Shure's official website.

See how Josh Dun uses Shure Beta 56A

Josh Dun

Drummer, Composer

Twenty One Pilots

...
Verified via Shure

Used for recording snares, according to Shure's official website.

See how Taylor Hawkins uses Shure Beta 56A

Taylor Hawkins

Singer, Drummer

Foo Fighters

...
Verified via Photo

Taylor uses this short mic for his vocal parts in the Foo Fighters

See how Matt Cameron uses Shure Beta 56A

Matt Cameron

Drummer

Queens of the Stone Age

...
Verified via Photo

Matt Cameron used the Shure Beta 56 A for additional vocal parts while playing with Soundgarden.

See how James "Munky" Shaffer uses Shure Beta 56A

James "Munky" Shaffer

Guitarist

Korn

...
Verified via Premierguitar

Munky and Head each run a pair of 150-watt Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier Solo heads loud and proud. To help control stage volume, both Munky and Head isolate the cabs for their dirty Triple Rectifier offstage inside a road case, and capture the thunder with three mics: a Shure KSM27, Beta 52, and Beta 56.

See how Will Champion uses Shure Beta 56A

Will Champion

Guitarist, Drummer

Coldplay

...
Verified via Photo

Uses for backing vocals on tour Head full of dreams, Music of the Spheres, Moon music.

See how Nathan Followill uses Shure Beta 56A

Nathan Followill

Drummer

Kings of Leon

...
Verified via Photo

Nathan Followill is seen using the Shure Beta 56A microphone for his vocal performances, as evidenced in a photo from Tonicgossip.

See how Tomoya Kanki uses Shure Beta 56A

Tomoya Kanki

Drummer

One Ok Rock

...
Verified via ONE OK ROCK Wiki

"For Tomoya's vocals, the Shure Beta 56A was used."

See how Eric Cannata uses Shure Beta 56A

Eric Cannata

Guitarist

Young the Giant

...
Verified via Shure

Shure endorsed Young the Giant's Eric Cannata uses Shure's Beta 56A, according to Shure's artist page.

See how Paul Epworth uses Shure Beta 56A

Paul Epworth

Keyboardist

Band Aid 30

...
Verified via Miloco

According to the "equipment list" found on Church Studios, owned by Epworth, one of the things listed is Shure Beta 56A.

See how Robbie Chater uses Shure Beta 56A

Robbie Chater

Guitarist, Music Producer

The Avalanches

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Recording & Monitoring

Genelec 1027 active monitors. Mackie 1642 mixer. Mirage OM9 active monitors. Rode NT2 mic. Samson Servo 250 power amp. Shure Beta 58a, Beta 57a, Beta 52a, Beta 56a, SM81 and KSM44 mics. Technics SHDX1200 mixer. Yamaha 02R mixer. Yamaha NS10M speakers.

See how Louise Bartle uses Shure Beta 56A

Louise Bartle

Drummer

Bloc Party

...
Verified via YouTube

At 34:45 you can see a Shure Beta 56A as Louise's Vocal Microphone. As you can see in older Videos at her youtube-channel, it seems to be her own.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Shure Beta 56A, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
10
Shure Beta 57A
Shure Beta 57A Dynamic Microphones
6
Shure Beta 91A
Shure Beta 91A Condenser Microphones
4
Shure Beta 52A
Shure Beta 52A Dynamic Microphones
4
Shure SM58
Shure SM58 Dynamic Microphones
3
Shure SM81
Shure SM81 Condenser Microphones
3
Yamaha NS-10M
Yamaha NS-10M Active & Passive Monitors
2
Remo Ambassador Clear Drumhead
2
Shure Beta 27
Shure Beta 27 Condenser Microphones
2
Shure KSM27
Shure KSM27 Condenser Microphones
2

Community setups

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adamjaugeri

adamjaugeri

Gear IQ 81

sophieengels

sophieengels

Gear IQ 102

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