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Shure Beta 56A for bass cab?

kringle77

kringle77

Supporting Member
Jul 30, 2004
8,880
4,291
49
Massena NY
#1
I've been experimenting with my mics lately and have found that I actually prefer my old sm57 and beta 58a over anything else. But, I don't like having a mic stand in front of my cab to get knocked into by me or the crowd. I see that the Beta 56a tom mic is supposed to be the same as the beta 57a only it is built into a small 90 degree angle tom mic form factor. I was thinking that this could get me the sound I want and that I would be able to rig it to a small piece of hardware to hang in front of the cab. Has anyone used this mic for bass?
 
#2
After some reading, it looks like it is exactly what you said. It's a 57 mounted differently. It should sound like a 57. In fact, the replacement cartridge is the same, so it is the same mic. Link here.
http://store.acradiosupplyinc.com/shurer57.aspx

I like that mounting system as well. I may have to look into one of those. What cab are you micing?
 
#4
I just put in an order for a beta 56a and will get to use it friday. I mic a bergantino nv610 but, soon to have a weber loaded LDS 8x10. The 57/58 just gives me more of that sound of older recordings where the bass is fat and tight with low mid punch and just the right amount of compressed clarity. I was micing a single sealed 1x10 loaded with a weber 10" and by micing close, you get that proximity effect where the low mids get bumped up and it ends up sounding like a full 8x10 cab. A cool thing indeed. Makes me want to finally build that isolation cab together.
 
#11
I just got the mic and grabber. The whole thing seems to work really well. The grabber should hold my cab well enough and keep the mic in place if I can position it on top of the cab. The beta 56a is actually heavier than the 57. The only drawback I can see so far is that the beta 56a ends up being at least 2" away from the speaker grill, I'd like it touching. At tomorows gig this may not be an issue though. Im bringing my old 57 just in case. That has the exact opposite problem. You have to jam the mic into and stretch out the holder just to make it fit in front of the grill. I anticipated both scenario's though and will come up with something. I may be able to alter the grabber in some way.
 
#12
I plugged in the 56a last night just to hear it through headphones and compare it with the sm57 and e609. It sounds closer to the sm57 (which it should) but has less of a treble peak, which I think is a good thing. It is a bit louder. Despite what the manual says, it doesn't have as much proximity effect as the sm57 which may end up being a good thing. So, I like it alot so far, I'll actually get to use it on my cab tonight.

Does anyone have an idea as to what I could do to get the beta 56a closer to my cabs grill when using the grabber? It sits about 2-3" away right now and I want to get it closer to reduce of axis pickup as much as possible. I thought about taking the end off, cutting it shorter and re-threading it but, that is a gamble.
 
#13
Ok, I got to use the beta 56a last night. First, it sounds great and I would have no problem recommending it to anyone. It would be my first choice for rock. Buy, I was using it with an audix grabber which positioned the mic 3" away from the cabs grill. That actually is enough to let in some room noise and remove the proximity effect I was looking for. So, I shipped it back today. On a regular mic stand it would be 100% fine. Im just looking to remove an clutter that people can bump into so, with a mic, a grabber is a must. I finished the night by trying an sm57 and my trusty E609 silver. I had the best luck with the E609. I actually don't prefer it's tone at all, but it did work the best for my in-ears. I just ordered a palmer pdi-901 to try.
 

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