Detail 01
Supercardioid pattern
Tighter pickup than cardioid. Rejects the hi-hat and neighboring drums, but has a small rear lobe to watch.
Product detailSKU #1274034493956
ShureBETA 56A Instrument Microphone
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Dynamic supercardioid instrument mic built for close-miking drums and cabs. Buy it if you need a mounted mic that survives loud sources.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Miking a snare or rack tom on stage
- Close-miking a guitar cabinet in a live rig
- Loud sources where a condenser would overload
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Room miking or capturing ambience at a distance
- Vocals as a primary handheld mic
- Anyone needing a mic that runs without a preamp gain stage
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 element
No phantom power needed, and it handles high volume without distorting the way a condenser can.
Detail 03
Instrument mic, not handheld
Designed to be clamped or stand-mounted in position, not held or passed around.
Detail 04
Gray finish
Low-visibility on a dark stage or in front of a drum kit under lights.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Needs an XLR cable and a mic preamp; neither comes as part of the price.
- 02Confirm your mount or drum clamp fits before show day.
- 03Placement drives the sound more than gain does — plan a soundcheck.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Does the BETA 56A need phantom power?
No. It is a dynamic mic, so it works off a standard XLR preamp input with no phantom power.
02Can I use it on guitar amps?
Yes. It close-mics cabinets well, and the supercardioid pattern keeps bleed from other stage sources down.
03What is the difference between supercardioid and cardioid here?
Supercardioid is narrower at the sides, so it isolates one drum better. It picks up a little more from directly behind.
04Will it work for vocals?
It is built as an instrument mic. It can pass in a pinch, but a handheld vocal mic is the better tool.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Gray
