Shure Beta 52A

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Hows this mic for recording purposes?

cheers!

- Will

[Adam Barkley]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Hows this mic for recording purposes?

cheers!

- Will

My guitar player used this mic and a 57 to record the guitar tracks on our first ep. He is convinced it is the best guitar tone he has ever recorded.

Not very helpful, but I thought I'd share my slight experience with recording with one.

[dadodetres]

It has an unusual frequancy response curve, set to get the click on kick drum.

Its very good for the rock kick drum sound....


Are you planning to use it to record Bass ??

[i_got_a_mohawk]

It doesnt matter, i thought i had a chance at one cheap locally, and i know alot of kick drum mics are often good for bass.

[Tenma4]

I'll come out of lurkdom for this. I love my Beta 52. I use it for live and recording, preferrably mixed with my direct signal. It adds a round warmth to my sound that I like mixed with the direct signal for clarity and depth.

As an added bonus, when my band is playing festivals and some problem appears where there's noise on my DI signal, I can always use the mic in the place of a direct signal. Bottom line is, I don't play anywhere without that mic.

[verite]

How's the 52 compare to the 57?

[Rick Brienzo]

The 52 has tons of sub/lows and a clicky high end. It works great on a cabinet with a sm57 or another mic.

[verite]

So you'd only recommend the 52 in conjuction with a different mic?

[Rick Brienzo]

Originally Posted by verite

So you'd only recommend the 52 in conjuction with a different mic?

No not necesaraly. It depends what tone you are going for. the 52 has a very eq'd and scooped tone with a huge low end when used up close to a source (see chart). It sounds great soloed but may get lost in a dense mix. If you need some great low end it's the way to go.



I just think it sounds better used in conjunction with another mic like an sm57 (see chart) or a DI. You just have so many more tonal options that way. If you go this route you will not need to touch an EQ. If you need more bass turn up the 52, If you need more midrange turn up the 57.

[verite]

Great notes. Thanks!