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)
$162.00 New
$109.99 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (11)
$189.00
B&H
5.0 (2)
$189.00
Thomann
4.8 (138)
$183.00 $179.00 $4.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£162.00
Vintage King
5.0 (1)
$189.00

Average Price: $176

Standard/Professional

$75

$201+

Price Tier

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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

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Perkusjonaci

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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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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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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

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ollie Judge uses Shure Beta 56A

Ollie Judge

Drummer

Squid

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video "Squid - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)" recorded on November 23, 2021, Ollie Judge is shown using a Shure Beta 56A microphone. This performance is available on YouTube, provided by KEXP.

P

Pat Thetic

Drummer, Composer

Anti?Flag

...
Verified via Shure

Shure endorsed band, Anti-Flag's drummer, Pat Thetic, uses Shure's Beta 56A to mic his toms, according to Shure's artist page.

See how Brett Kissel uses Shure Beta 56A

Brett Kissel

Singer

...
Verified via Shure

According to Shure's artist page, Brett Kissel uses Shure's Beta 56A for his bass cabinet.

D

Daniel Manzano

Drummer

Boyce Avenue

...
Verified via Shure

According to Shure's artist page, Boyce Avenue's Daniel Manzano uses Shure's Beta 56A for his toms.

See how Jeff Brown uses Shure Beta 56A

Jeff Brown

Bassist

The Tremeloes

...
Verified via Shure

Shure endorsed band, Art of Dying drummer, Jeff Brown, uses Shure's Beta 56A to mic his snare and toms, according to Shure's artist page.

A

Allen Blickle

Drummer

Baroness

...
Verified via Shure

According to Shure's artist page, Baroness' drummer, Allen Blickle, uses Shure's Beta 56A Microphone to mic his snare bottom.

See how Jim Bogios uses Shure Beta 56A

Jim Bogios

Singer, Drummer

Counting Crows

...
Verified via Photo

Seen miking Bogios' snare in this photo.

See how Daniel Glass uses Shure Beta 56A

Daniel Glass

Drummer

Daniel Glass Trio

...
Verified via YouTube

Used during this performance at Modern Drummer Festival 2010. First visible at 0:07.

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 52A
Shure Beta 52A Dynamic Microphones
4
Shure Beta 91A
Shure Beta 91A Condenser Microphones
4
Shure SM81
Shure SM81 Condenser Microphones
3
Shure SM58
Shure SM58 Dynamic Microphones
3
Shure Beta 27
Shure Beta 27 Condenser Microphones
2
Shure KSM137
Shure KSM137 Condenser Microphones
2
Shure KSM32
Shure KSM32 Condenser Microphones
2
Remo Ambassador Clear Drumhead
2

Community setups

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adamjaugeri

adamjaugeri

Gear IQ 81

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Gear IQ 102

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