Detail 01
20 Hz to 10 kHz frequency response
Reaches deep into sub-bass but stops early up top. It captures the thud and beater click, not cymbal air.
Product detailSKU #1274034493733
ShureBETA 52A Kick Drum Mic
1/6
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Dynamic kick drum mic with a built-in swivel mount. For anyone micing a kick drum or bass cab live or in a studio.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Micing a kick drum from inside the shell through the port hole
- Live sound engineers needing a mic that survives high volume
- Home studios recording drums with a dedicated kick mic
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Vocals or acoustic instruments — the response is shaped for kick
- Anyone needing content above 10 kHz for cymbals or overheads
- Players wanting a general-purpose all-instrument mic
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Dynamic, moving coil
No phantom power needed. Handles loud sources without distorting and shrugs off heat and humidity.
Detail 03
174 dB max SPL
Far above anything a kick drum produces. You will not overload it no matter how hard the drummer hits.
Detail 04
Supercardioid pattern
Tight pickup from the front, strong rejection at the sides. Keeps snare and hi-hat bleed down on a live stage.
Detail 05
Integral locking stand adapter, 180 degrees
The mount is built in and swivels, so you can angle it inside a kick without a separate clip.
Detail 06
605 g die-cast metal body
Heavy and solid. Use a stand that can hold the weight at an angle inside a drum.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Needs an XLR cable and a mic preamp. Neither is included.
- 02No stand or boom arm included — a short desk stand works well for kick.
- 03Position changes tone a lot: near the beater adds click, further out adds low end.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Do I need phantom power for the BETA 52A?
No. It's a dynamic moving-coil mic, so it generates its own signal. Phantom power won't harm it, but it isn't required.
02Can I use this on a bass cabinet?
Yes. The low-frequency reach and high SPL handling suit bass amps as well as kick drums.
03Where do I put it in the kick drum?
Through the port hole. Closer to the beater head gives more attack and click; pulling back toward the front head gives more low end and room.
04Will it work as a vocal mic?
It's voiced for kick, with a deep low end and a top end that stops at 10 kHz. Vocals through it will sound dull and boomy.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
3 detailsSound
- Polar Pattern
- Supercardioid, rotationally symmetrical about microphone axis
- Impedance
- Rated impedance is 150Hz (45Hz actual) for connection to microphone inputs rated low Z
- Frequency Response
- 20 to 10,000Hz
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Open Circuit Voltage
- -64dBV/Pa* (0.6 mV) *1 Pa = 94dB SPL
2 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Black
- Type
- Dynamic (moving coil)
2 detailsConnections & power
- Connector
- Three-pin professional audio connector (male XLR type)
- Output Level
- (at 1,000Hz)
2 detailsSize & weight
- Weight
- 605
- Net Weight
- 605 g (21.6oz.)
2 detailsIn the box
- Case or Gig Bag
- Silver blue enamel-painted die cast metal with hardened, matte-finished steelgrille
- Adjustable Locking Stand Adapter
- Integral, dynamic locking, adjustable through 180, with standard 5/8 inch-27 thread
2 detailsOther
- Phasing
- Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3
- Maximum SPL
- 174dB at 1,000Hz (calculated)
