Shure 520DX

The Shure 520DX Green Bullet is the classic blues harmonica microphone. Its omnidirectional dynamic element and tailored 100 Hz to 5 kHz frequency response produce the warm, distorted, midrange-heavy tone that harmonica players have chased for generations, especially when plugged into a tube guitar amp.

Highlights

• Iconic Green Bullet design and classic blues harp tone
• Omnidirectional dynamic element shaped to fit cupped hands
• Tailored 100 Hz to 5 kHz frequency response for a focused, gritty sound
• Volume control knob on the base for adjustments while you play
• High-impedance output designed to drive guitar amplifiers

Shure 520DX: The Sound of Blues Harmonica

The Green Bullet is designed to be held. Players cup the microphone together with the harmonica, creating a sealed chamber that shapes the tone and lets them use their hands for wah and tremolo effects. The limited frequency response cuts harsh highs and boomy lows, focusing the sound on the punchy midrange that cuts through a band.

Run it into a tube amplifier and turn it up, and the 520DX produces the thick, overdriven harp sound heard on countless blues and roots records. The built-in volume knob makes it easy to step up for a solo and back down for fills without reaching for the amp.

Connecting the 520DX

The 520DX has a high-impedance, unbalanced output and works best with inputs rated at 100 kilohms or higher, which makes it a natural fit for guitar and harp amplifiers. To connect it to a mixer or low-impedance microphone preamp, use a DI box or an impedance-matching transformer such as the Shure A95U so you keep the full tone and output.

Getting the Best Tone From the Green Bullet

Experiment with how tightly you cup the microphone; a tighter seal gives a darker, more compressed sound, while an open grip sounds brighter and more natural. Keep the amp volume high enough to drive the tubes, and control your overall level with the mic’s volume knob. If you get feedback on a loud stage, angle your back toward the amp and adjust your cup.

Building a Harp Rig Around the 520DX

A classic harmonica rig is simple: the 520DX, a small tube amplifier, and a few harmonicas in the keys you play most. Many players add a delay or reverb pedal between the mic and amp to thicken the sound, and a feedback-suppressing pedal can help on loud stages. When the band plays larger rooms, mic the amp with a dynamic instrument microphone and send it to the PA, so you keep your amp’s tone while the audience hears you clearly. Our team can help you choose amps, pedals, and DI boxes that suit your style.

Shure 520DX Specifications at a Glance

• Type: dynamic
• Polar pattern: omnidirectional
• Frequency response: 100 Hz to 5 kHz
• Sensitivity: -38 dBV/Pa (13 mV) at 1 kHz
• Impedance: high, unbalanced (100 kΩ minimum load)
• Controls: volume knob
• Cable: 20 ft with 1/4 in. plug

Who Buys the Shure 520DX

• Blues, rock, and roots harmonica players
• Players building a dedicated harp rig with a tube amp
• Beginners who want the classic sound from day one
• Bands adding amplified harmonica to their live sound

Why Buy the Shure 520DX From Metro Sound & Lighting

Metro Sound & Lighting isn’t a catalog-only retailer. We sell, install, and service pro audio in-house, so we can help you build the right harp rig, choose a DI or transformer for running into a PA, and keep your gear working. We also offer B2B and integrator pricing for schools, churches, and venues buying in volume.

Browse more options in our Dynamic Microphones category, or see the full specifications on the official Shure 520DX product page.