Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (66)
$169.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (21)
$169.00 $159.00 $10.00
Amazon
4.8 (688)
$159.00
Reverb
5.0 (29)
$132.45 New
$91.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (57)
$159.00
B&H
4.8 (19)
$169.00 $159.00 $10.00
Thomann
4.8 (527)
$155.00 $149.00 $6.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£149.75

Average Price: $147

Standard/Professional

$75

$201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Shure Beta 57A". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Immerse yourself in the world of music with the Shure Beta 57A Dynamic Microphone, a versatile tool for musicians, studio engineers, and live performers. It's an exceptional microphone designed not only for vocals, but also for capturing the rich sounds of toms and brass instruments.

This dynamic workhorse is well praised for its supercardioid polar pattern, which isolates the main sound source while minimizing background noise, making it perfect for studio recording or live performances. Its wide frequency range of 50 - 16,000 Hz ensures that every note and nuance of your performance is accurately captured.

The Shure Beta 57A is designed to deliver high-quality sound without compromise. It boasts an output impedance of 150 Ohm, ensuring clear and consistent audio reproduction. This microphone comes complete with a microphone clamp and bag, providing you with everything you need to start recording or performing right out of the box.

Key Features:

  • Versatile microphone suitable for vocals, toms, and brass instruments
  • Supercardioid polar pattern for sound source isolation and background noise minimization
  • Frequency range: 50 - 16,000 Hz
  • Output impedance: 150 Ohm
  • Includes microphone clamp and bag for convenience and easy transport

Owner's manual

Shure Beta 57A User Manual

Product specs

Microphone Type Dynamic
Polar Pattern Supercardioid
Frequency Response 50Hz-16kHz
Output Impedance 150 ohms
Connector XLR
Weight 0.6 lbs.

FAQs

What is the Shure Beta 57A primarily used for?

The Shure Beta 57A is a versatile dynamic microphone ideal for miking drums, guitar amplifiers, brass, woodwinds, and vocals, making it a reliable choice for both live performances and studio recordings.

How does the supercardioid polar pattern of the Shure Beta 57A affect its performance?

The supercardioid polar pattern of the Shure Beta 57A provides excellent isolation of the main sound source, reducing background noise and feedback, which is particularly beneficial in live sound environments.

Is the Shure Beta 57A suitable for recording vocals?

Yes, the Shure Beta 57A is suitable for recording vocals, offering warmth and presence that enhance vocal clarity and quality, making it a popular choice for both live and studio settings.

What type of connector does the Shure Beta 57A use?

The Shure Beta 57A uses an XLR connector, which is standard for professional audio equipment, ensuring compatibility with most mixers and audio interfaces.

Can the Shure Beta 57A be used for live performances?

Yes, the Shure Beta 57A is well-suited for live performances due to its robust construction, feedback rejection, and ability to handle high sound pressure levels, making it ideal for dynamic stage environments.

Podcastage

Podcastage

Shure Beta 58A Dynamic Mic Review / Test

Video thumbnail for Shure Beta 58A Dynamic Mic Review / Test by Podcastage

Shure Beta 58A Dynamic Mic Review / Test

Podcastage

Podcastage

Video thumbnail for Shure Beta 57a Dynamic Mic Review / Test by Podcastage

Shure Beta 57a Dynamic Mic Review / Test

Podcastage

Podcastage

Video thumbnail for Fake or Genuine? A Detailed Comparison of Counterfeit and Original Shure BETA 57A Microphones by Chris Spiegl

Fake or Genuine? A Detailed Comparison of Counterfeit and Original Shure BETA 57A Microphones

Chris Spiegl

Chris Spiegl

Video thumbnail for Shure Mic Comparison 🎤 SM58, 57 vs Beta 58a, 57a, & 56a 💥 Shootout by Urban Sound Studio

Shure Mic Comparison 🎤 SM58, 57 vs Beta 58a, 57a, & 56a 💥 Shootout

Urban Sound Studio

Urban Sound Studio

Video thumbnail for The SHURE BETA 57A Microphone at Guitar Center by Guitar Center

The SHURE BETA 57A Microphone at Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for Shure Sm57 vs Shure Beta 57a [Guitar] by DraffyTube

Shure Sm57 vs Shure Beta 57a [Guitar]

DraffyTube

DraffyTube

Video thumbnail for Mic Test: Shure SM57 vs Beta 57A (guitar cab) by Alex Nauman

Mic Test: Shure SM57 vs Beta 57A (guitar cab)

Alex Nauman

Alex Nauman

Video thumbnail for SHURE BETA-57A - Review / Vocal Sound Test by ZPJ Studio

SHURE BETA-57A - Review / Vocal Sound Test

ZPJ Studio

ZPJ Studio

Video thumbnail for Shure SM vs. Beta Series: SM-57, SM-58, Beta 57A, Beta 58A - Beta Series worth the money? by Barry Watson

Shure SM vs. Beta Series: SM-57, SM-58, Beta 57A, Beta 58A - Beta Series worth the money?

Barry Watson

Barry Watson

Video thumbnail for Shure Beta 57A Dynamic Microphone by Gear4music Guitars

Shure Beta 57A Dynamic Microphone

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional versatility for both instruments and vocals

  • No phantom power required, easy setup

  • Built sturdy, reliable for live and studio use

  • Superior sound clarity and quality

  • Effective side and back sound rejection

  • Captures a full range of frequencies, especially mid to high

  • Great value for the price

  • Powerful output with good anti-feedback characteristics

  • Can bring out nuanced sounds of various instruments

  • More expressive in high frequencies than SM series

CONS

  • Pop filter design could be improved

  • Lacks the bright snap known to SM57 on guitar amps

  • Can make the 350 - 600 Hz range sound ringy

  • Not the best choice for snare due to lack of punch

  • Some users find alternatives like Senheiser better value

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Shure Beta 57A.

Features and functionality

  • The Beta 57A has a tighter supercardioid pattern than the Beta 58A, which enhances isolation for live performances, reducing stage bleed and improving monitor clarity.

    Source
  • The Beta 57A's tight pickup pattern makes it suitable for large live stages, effectively minimizing unwanted sound interference.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Beta 57A allows closer proximity to the capsule compared to the Beta 58A, boosting bass due to proximity effect, while maintaining a similar build except for the grille.

    Source
  • The original Beta 57, a precursor to the Beta 57A, is noted for a slightly less brittle top end, appealing to vocal clarity enthusiasts.

    Source
  • The Beta 57A is considered warmer than the Beta 58A due to its closer grill design, which affects the proximity to the capsule, altering the tonal warmth.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for singing drummers, the Beta 57A's tight pattern effectively controls bleed from other stage sounds, making it a versatile option for complex live setups.

    Source
  • The Beta 57A is favored on congested stages for its narrow pattern, reducing bleed and minimizing feedback from monitors.

    Source

User experience

  • Users report that the Beta 57A produces a slightly pinched upper midrange sound, which some prefer over the standard SM57, especially in live settings for a clearer mix.

    Source
  • Some users find the Beta 57A's sound on vocals less complimentary compared to the Beta 58A, suggesting personal voice characteristics play a significant role in mic choice.

    Source
  • A user reported that the Beta 57A can produce unwanted air noise when used for vocals, preferring the Beta 58A for a more natural sound.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • It's crucial to purchase Shure mics from official retailers to avoid counterfeit products, which are prevalent on platforms like eBay and Amazon.

    Source
  • Vintage Beta 57 mics can fetch up to $350 on platforms like Reverb, compared to approximately $150 for a new Beta 57A.

    Source
  • There's a noted premium on vintage USA-made Shure mics, though differences in sound quality compared to modern models are often minimal.

    Source
  • Owners note the Beta 57A as a cost-effective alternative to the Beta 58A, offering similar performance characteristics at a lower price point.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some users swap the Beta 58A grill onto a Beta 57A to achieve a different tonal character, effectively creating a hybrid microphone style.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Shure Beta Series

soundonsound.com

The Shure Beta 57A shines as a versatile workhorse, excelling in live and studio settings with its robust build and classic Shure sound. Its supercardioid pattern provides excellent feedback rejection, making it ideal for miking drums, amplifiers, and vocals. While its durable construction promises longevity, the mic's insensitivity to quieter acoustic instruments might detract for some. Overall, the Beta 57A is a reliable choice for those seeking a high-quality all-rounder.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 52 Ratings

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jimmarchi1

Hypercardioid response?!

I have an original Beta 57. I keep it for 1 purpose... TOP OF SNARE. It has an sm57ish voice on snare with a Hypercard response that rejects the hihats well. I usually like to throw a sennheiser E609 side address dynamic gitar amp mic udner the snare to get some extra strainer crack/rattle (that nasal sennheiser really helps the Beta get the job done).

You can use this on other sources where great side and back rejection is needed, but it won't give you precisely what a 57 does. Its a little more hifi, but not in the same way as an Audix i5. These are cheap so its worth having one around.

velibor_nikolic

My microphone.

I just adore this baby. I recorded so much material with it("Covek Peva Posle Rata", "Lov Na Vukove", "Prica O Zeleznickom Mostu" as a whole with this one). It works great with guitar recording, even vocal with some later plugins of course. I even carry it on gigs to sing on it from time to time.

jimmarchi1

great snare mic and has a definite sound as a guitar mic, along with the audix i5 I vastly prefer it to a straightup 57 on a guitar cab

velibor_nikolic

Completely agree :)

yapoomarket

My best choice

I like to use in live stage cause voice spread high point of gain into sound. Emphatise the upper peak of tenor voice

Genres:
dario_venturi

cheap and good for high vocals(tenor)

Not the best Micro. Better other brand as akg,beierdynamic, but in stage live,one cheap solution, good enough for tecnical voices. Different respect SM series, more expressive in high frequencies.

jimmarchi1

try it on snare when recording, straight down at the rim, with something centered on axis on the bottom head like an i5 or a sennheiser 609 maybe and feel the might of the beta series.... the beta has its place. I also kinda prefer it on pinned 50+ watt amps versus a regular 57, if I don't have an sm7 or re20 and the amp is producing enough SPL and power amp distortion to liquefy small animals (as god intended) its between this and the i5.

martin_boesvang

Nice sound

Good mic that's built rugged. Can be used with instruments to

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Steve Rothery uses Shure Beta 57A

Steve Rothery

Guitarist

Marillion

...
Verified via Photo

In this interview, Steve Rothery says, "I usually like a [Shure] Beta 57. Mikey uses various microphones like a Sennheiser MD 421. But it’s gotta’ sound great at the amp, I think that’s the thing."

See how Greg Gonzalez uses Shure Beta 57A

Greg Gonzalez

Singer, Guitarist

Cigarettes After Sex

...
Verified via YouTube

The microphone he used in the video

See how Rick Nielsen uses Shure Beta 57A

Rick Nielsen

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Shure

According to Shure's artist page, Cheap Trick uses Shure's Beta 57A microphone for their guitar cabinet.

See how Matt Halpern uses Shure Beta 57A

Matt Halpern

Drummer

Periphery

...
Verified via YouTube

Halpern lists this mic as the top head snare drum mic he uses in the video's description.

See how Chris Vrenna uses Shure Beta 57A

Chris Vrenna

Drummer, Music Producer

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Mixonline

Vrenna says that most of the bass and guitar parts on the album were recorded direct. “Every single bass sound — and everyone's going to shoot me for saying this — is a [Line 6] Bass Pod Pro,” he says. “But then I come out of the Bass Pod Pro and always put that through my Summit Audio TD-100 tube DI. I don't use the compression within the Pod. I put that through an API and then my ADL tube compressor. Then that goes in. I use [the Pod] for its tones and then do other stuff.” As for the guitars, “A lot of the heavy guitar stuff is the Mesa Tri-Axis and the Recto Directo, things like that. Most of it is direct.” When he did choose to mike the amp, he used either a Shure 57 or a Sennheiser 421.

See how Lianne La Havas uses Shure Beta 57A

Lianne La Havas

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

live performance woth mic

See how Chris Brown uses Shure Beta 57A

Chris Brown

Singer

...
Verified via Photo

Can be seen in his hand in photo.

See how Feist uses Shure Beta 57A

Feist

Singer, Guitarist

Broken Social Scene

...
Verified via Mixonline

Mix magazine article -- All Access: Feist

As for vocal mics, I've tried a lot but like the Shure Beta 58A or 57A, which deliver a lot of gain and articulation without coloring the vocal sound too much.

See how Scott Weiland uses Shure Beta 57A

Scott Weiland

Singer

Stone Temple Pilots

...
Verified via Belowempty

"Scott Weiland: But back to the original question, one of the first pieces of gear I owned when we were playing little clubs all over LA and Orange County was an SM58. My first PA was a Shure VocalMaster; I bought it at a garage sale. Now I own my own studio in Burbank, and I have a whole locker filled with Shure stuff-Beta 57s, 58s, you name it. One day I brought my collection to a video shoot I was doing with the lead singer of Orgy. He broke like three of my mics in a matter of ten minutes. These were some of my best mics, and I was upset. But he promised to pay me back. Well, months and months went by. Finally, I had to call and say 'Look, if you don't send me a check for those mics I'm going to... [OTWS needs to put a big fat bleep in here. Use your imagination. Needless to say, Scott got his money. -ed.]'

OTWS: Scott, you're now using a U24D/Beta 58A? wireless system...

Scott Weiland: That mic is amazing, I've been astounded by the reliability of it. It's just there, always, and it has given me freedom. Before I latched on to this mic, with the way I move all over the place on stage, I was wrapping my cord around everyone's legs, as well as myself. Now that the cord is gone, I'm not limited to any one space, and I can go totally berserk."

See how Erykah Badu uses Shure Beta 57A

Erykah Badu

Singer, Music Producer

Soulquarians

...
Verified via Shure

Shure endorsed Erykah Badu's team, uses Shure's Beta 57A to mic the snare, according to Shure's artist page.

See how Carter Beauford uses Shure Beta 57A

Carter Beauford

Drummer

Dave Matthews Band

...
Verified via Dave Matthews Band
See how Dua Lipa uses Shure Beta 57A

Dua Lipa

Singer

Live Lounge Allstars

...
Verified via Google

She is singing into this microphone in the photo

Album Usage

The Shure Beta 57A has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Shure Beta 57A, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
15
Shure KSM32
Shure KSM32 Condenser Microphones
8
Shure Beta 56A
Shure Beta 56A Dynamic Microphones
6
Shure Beta98A
Shure Beta98A Condenser Microphones
6
Shure Beta 91A
Shure Beta 91A Condenser Microphones
5
Sennheiser MD 421-II
Sennheiser MD 421-II Dynamic Microphones
5
Shure Beta 58A
Shure Beta 58A Dynamic Microphones
5
Shure KSM137
Shure KSM137 Condenser Microphones
4
Shure SM7B
Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphones
4

Community setups

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harlynvega

harlynvega

Gear IQ 79

mattyrayson

mattyrayson

Gear IQ 174

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