Shure BETA 52A Microphone for bass drum

Kick Drum Microphone Engineered for Low-End Punch

The Shure BETA 52A is a high-output dynamic microphone purpose-built for kick drums and bass instruments. Its tailored frequency response emphasizes the sub-low thump and the crucial 3–4 kHz attack zone, giving engineers the punch that has made it a touring standard. The supercardioid polar pattern provides high gain-before-feedback and excellent rejection of off-axis noise on crowded stages.

Built-In Locking Mount and Tour-Ready Construction

What separates this model from generic kick drum mics is its integrated dynamic locking stand adapter with a built-in XLR connector — a design that simplifies placement inside the kick drum shell and keeps the capsule locked in position. A hardened steel mesh grille resists touring wear, while a pneumatic shock mount minimizes mechanical noise. A neodymium magnet drives a high signal-to-noise output.

Technical Parameters That Shape the Sound

Specifications are tuned for one job: capturing kick drums and bass instruments with authority. The dynamic capsule needs no phantom power, and the wide frequency range covers everything from the deepest sub to the beater click.

• Capsule Type: Dynamic — no phantom power required, ready for any live rig
• To handle rejection of off-axis bleed and stage monitor spill, this instrument utilizes a supercardioid polar pattern.
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 10 kHz — captures the full kick spectrum from sub-low thump to beater attack
• Impedance: 150 Ohm — low sensitivity to varying load impedance for consistent performance
• Maximum SPL: 160 dB — handles the loudest close-miked kick drums and bass cabs without distortion

The Right Mic for Touring Drummers and Studio Engineers

The Shure BETA 52A is the right choice for live sound engineers, touring drummers, and project studio owners who need a reliable kick drum microphone that survives the road. It suits rock, metal, punk, and worship bands where a punchy low end is the goal, and works equally well on bass guitar cabinets and floor toms. Players who already own a Shure SM57 will find this model a natural complement in a complete drum-mic kit.

Shure: A Pioneer in Professional Audio Since the 1930s

Development of microphones began in the early 1930s and has remained one of the most recognized names in professional audio for nearly a century. Models like the 55 Unidyne — the "Elvis microphone" — and the SM57 and SM58 of the mid-1960s are still ubiquitous in live sound. In the 1990s, the brand expanded into wireless microphones and in-ear monitoring, becoming a market leader in those fields as well.