Shure Beta91A

The Shure Beta 91A is a half-cardioid boundary condenser microphone designed to capture the punch and attack of kick drums and other bass-heavy instruments. Its low-profile design lies flat inside a kick drum, and the integrated preamplifier and XLR connector eliminate external parts and stage clutter. A two-position contour switch lets you choose a natural flat response or a low-mid scoop for extra punch and attack, making it a favorite for both live sound and studio recording.

Highlights

• Half-cardioid boundary condenser design
• Tailored response for kick drums and bass-heavy instruments
• Two-position contour switch: flat or low-mid scoop
• Integrated preamp and XLR connector
• Wide dynamic range for high-SPL environments
• Also great for piano, cajon, and boundary applications

Shure Beta 91A: Kick Drum Punch Without the Clutter

The Beta 91A sits on the pillow or floor inside a kick drum, so there’s no stand to set up or bump during the show. Its half-cardioid pattern picks up in the hemisphere above the mounting surface, focusing on the beater and shell while rejecting off-axis sound for maximum gain before feedback.

Contour Switch for Instant Tone Shaping

A switch on the bottom of the mic selects between a flat response for natural sound and a Low-Mid Scoop setting that delivers strong low-end punch with plenty of high-frequency attack. You get a tight, modern kick sound without reaching for the console EQ.

Setting Up the Beta 91A

Place the Beta 91A inside the kick drum on a pillow or blanket, with the capsule facing the beater, and keep sound sources within 60 degrees above its surface. Connect an XLR cable to the integrated connector and turn on phantom power. Choose flat or scoop with the contour switch, then set your gain.

What to Pair With the Beta 91A

Pair the Beta 91A with a dynamic kick mic such as the Shure Beta 52A on the resonant head for a combined inside/outside sound, snare and tom mics, a drum mic kit, quality XLR cables, and a mixer or interface with phantom power.

Beyond the Kick Drum

As a boundary microphone, the Beta 91A also works well inside a grand piano, under a cajon, on a stage floor for theater, or on a conference table. Its flat profile keeps it out of sight wherever it’s placed.

Live and Studio Performance

The Beta 91A’s wide dynamic range handles the extreme levels inside a kick drum without distortion, while its tailored response delivers studio-quality attack and low end. It’s a common choice for touring drummers, churches, and recording studios.

Care and Placement Tips

Rest the Beta 91A on a pillow or towel inside the drum so it doesn’t slide or pick up shell vibration, and keep the cable clear of the beater. Store it in the included zipper pouch between gigs, and test both contour settings during soundcheck to find the sound that suits each drum and room.

Shure Beta 91A FAQ

Does it need phantom power? Yes. It performs best with 48 VDC and works down to 11 VDC.

Does it need an external preamp? No. The preamp and XLR connector are integrated into the mic.

Shure Beta 91A Specifications at a Glance

• Type: boundary condenser microphone
• Polar pattern: half-cardioid
• Frequency response: 20 Hz-20 kHz
• Output impedance: 150 ohms
• Contour switch: flat, low-mid scoop
• Power: phantom, 11-52 VDC
• Weight: 470 g (16.6 oz)
• Included: zipper pouch

Who Buys the Shure Beta 91A

• Drummers and touring bands
• Churches and worship teams
• Recording studios
• Live sound companies

Why Buy the Shure Beta 91A From Metro Sound & Lighting

Metro Sound & Lighting isn’t a catalog-only retailer. We design, install, and service sound systems in-house, so our team can help you mic your drum kit and support your system after the sale. We offer B2B and integrator pricing for churches, schools, and venues.

Browse more options in our Drum Microphones category, or see the full specifications on the official Shure Beta 91A product page.