Shure BETA 58A User manual

MODEL BETA 58A
SUPERCARDIOID DYNAMIC
VOCAL MICROPHONE
GENERAL
The Shure BETA 58A is a high output supercardioid dy-
namicvocalmicrophonedesignedforprofessional sound re-
inforcement and project studio recording. It maintains a true
supercardioid pattern throughout its frequency range. This
insures high gain before feedback, maximum isolation from
other sound sources, and minimum off–axis tone coloration.
The BETA 58A has a shaped frequency response that is
ideal for close–up vocals. The superb performance of this
microphone is not affected by rough handling because of its
ruggedconstruction,provenshockmountsystem,andhard-
enedsteelmeshgrille.TypicalapplicationsfortheBETA58A
include lead vocals, backup vocals and speech.
FEATURES:
S
Frequency response tailored for vocals, with brightened
midrange and bass rolloff to control proximity effect
S Uniform supercardioid pattern for high gain before
feedback and superior rejection of off–axis sound
S Neodymium magnet for high signal–to–noise output
S Hardened steel mesh grille that resists wear and abuse
S Advancedpneumaticshockmountsystemthatminimizes
transmission of mechanical noise and vibration
S Minimally affected by varying load impedance
S Legendary Shure quality and reliability
APPLICATION AND PLACEMENT
TheBETA58Aisdesignedforclose-upvocals,andcanbe
handheldormountedonastand.Someofthemostcommon
applications and placement techniques are listed in the fol-
lowing table. Keep in mind that microphone technique is
largely a matter of personal taste—there is no one “correct”
microphone position.
SUGGESTED MICROPHONE
PLACEMENT TONE QUALITY
Lips less than 6 inches (15 cm)
away or touching the windscreen,
on axis to microphone.
Robust sound, emphasized
bass, maximum isolation from
other sources.
6 inches to 2 feet (15 to 60 cm)
away from mouth, just above
nose height.
8 inches to 2 feet (20 to 60 cm)
away from mouth, slightly off to
one side.
3 to 6 feet (90 cm to 1.8 m) away.
Natural sound, reduced bass.
Natural sound, reduced bass
and minimal ”s” sounds.
Thinner, distant sound; notice-
able levels of ambient noise.
GENERAL RULES FOR MICROPHONE USE
1. Aimthemicrophonetowardthedesiredsoundsourceand
awayfrom unwanted sources. Sincesupercardioid micro-
phones such as the BETA 58A have narrow pickup pat-
terns and can pick up sounds from the rear, this may not
be obvious or intuitive. Refer to Figure 1.
2. Place the microphone as close as practical to the desired
sound source. Refer to the table above.
3. Work close to the microphone for extra bass response.
4. Use only one microphone to pick up one sound source.
5. Keep the distance between microphones at least three
times the distance from each source to its microphone.
6. Use the fewest number of microphones as is practical.
7. Place microphones as far as possible from reflective sur-
faces.
8. Add a windscreen when using the microphone outdoors.
9. Avoid excessive handling to minimize pickup of mechani-
cal noise and vibration.
10. Do not cover any part of the grille with your hand.
PROXIMITY EFFECT
UnidirectionalmicrophonessuchastheBETA58Aprogres-
sively boost bass frequencies by 6 to 10 dB at 100 Hz when
the microphone is at a distance of about 6 mm (1/4 in.) from
the sound source. This phenomenon, known as proximityef-
fect, can be used to create a warmer, more powerful sound.
To prevent explosive low frequency sound during close–up
use,theBETA58Abassresponsegraduallyrollsoff.Thispro-
vides greater control and helps the user take advantage of
proximity effect.
Shure Brothers Incorporated
222 Hartrey Avenue
Evanston IL 60202-3696 U.S.A.
Model BETA 58AUser Guide
27A2796 (SC)
E1999, Shure Brothers Incorporated Printed in U.S.A.

2
STAGE MONITOR & P.A. LOUDSPEAKER PLACEMENT
For maximum rejection of unwanted sound, place the
stage monitor(s) or P.A. system loudspeaker at a 60°angle
fromthe
rear of theBETA 58A, not directlybehindit(seeFig-
ure 1). Always check out the stage setup before a perfor-
mance to ensure that microphone and monitor placement is
optimum.
180°
120°120°
90°
0°
P.A. SYSTEM
LOUDSPEAKER
MONITOR
LOUDSPEAKER(S)
RECOMMENDED LOUDSPEAKER LOCATIONS
FIGURE 1
SPECIFICATIONS
Type
Dynamic (moving coil)
Frequency Response
50 to 16,000 Hz (see Figure 1)
NOTE: The curve below shows on–axis response at a
distance of 2 feet from a uniform sound source. Your
response may vary, depending on microphone position.
0.6 m
(2 FT)
51 mm
(2 IN.)
25 mm
(1 IN.)
3 mm
(1/8 IN.)
500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,00050 100 20020
0
–10
+10
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TYPICAL FREQUENCY RESPONSE
FIGURE 2
Polar Pattern
Supercardioid,rotationallysymmetricalaboutmicrophone
axis, uniform with frequency (see Figure 2)
120o
150o 150o
120o
180o
150o
120o
150o
120o
180o
60o
90o
30o 30o
60o
–5 dB
–10 dB
–15 dB
–20 dB
90o
30o
60o
90o
30o
60o
90o
–5 dB
–10 dB
–15 dB
–20 dB
00
10000 Hz
6300 Hz
2500 Hz
1000 Hz
500 Hz
250 Hz
TYPICAL POLAR PATTERNS
FIGURE 3
Output Level (at 1,000 Hz)
Open Circuit Voltage: –51.5 dBV/Pa* (0.27 mV)
*1 Pa = 94 dB SPL
Impedance
Rated impedance is 150 W(290 Wactual) for connection
to microphone inputs rated low Z
Phasing
Positivepressureondiaphragmproducespositivevoltage
on pin 2 with respect to pin 3
Case
Silver blue enamel–painted die cast metal with hardened,
matte-finished, spherical steel mesh grille
Adjustable, Stand Adapter
Slip-in microphone mounting, unbreakable, adjustable
through 180°with standard 5/8”-27 thread, black finish
Net Weight
278 grams (9.92 oz)
Certification
Conforms to European Union directives, eligible to bear
CE marking; meets European Union EMC Immunity Re-
quirements (EN 50 082–1, 1992)
FURNISHED ACCESSORIES
Adjustable Stand Adapter A25D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5/8” to 3/8” (Euro) Thread Adapter 95A2050. . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage Bag 26A21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Windscreen A58WSSeries(8colorsavailable). . . . . . . . . .
Isolation Mount A55M, A55HM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.6 m (25 ft) Cable C25E, C25F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Cartridge R176. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grille Assembly RK265G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Plug (Connector) Assembly 90F1984. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11
OVERALL DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS HORS TOUT
GESAMTABMESSUNGEN
DIMENSIONES TOTALES
DIMENSIONI TOTALI
160 mm
(6.5 in.)
50 mm
(2 in.)
132
GREEN
VERT
GRÜN
VERDE
VERDE
YELLOW
JAUNE
GELB
AMARILLO
GIALLO
BLUE
BLEU
BLAU
AZUL
BLU
RED
ROUGE
ROT
ROJO
ROSSO
INTERNAL CONNECTIONS
CONNEXIONES INTERNES
INTERNE SCHALTUNGEN
CONEXIONES INTERNAS
COLLEGIAMENTI INTERNI