Shure Beta 52A

The Shure Beta 52A is one of the most trusted kick drum microphones in live sound and recording. Its supercardioid dynamic cartridge is tailored for bass drums and other low-frequency instruments, delivering punchy, studio-quality low end and articulate attack even at extreme sound pressure levels.

Highlights

• Tailored 20 Hz to 10 kHz frequency response with a presence peak for kick drum attack
• Supercardioid polar pattern for high gain before feedback and isolation from the rest of the kit
• Handles up to 174 dB SPL without distortion
• Integrated, dynamic locking stand adapter with XLR connector for easy, secure placement
• Hardened steel mesh grille and rugged construction for touring
• Neodymium magnet for high output and an excellent signal-to-noise ratio

Shure Beta 52A: The Kick Drum Standard

A kick drum mic has to capture huge low-frequency energy and still deliver the click that lets the drum cut through the mix. The Beta 52A’s frequency response is shaped for exactly that: deep, round lows from the shell and a presence peak around 4 kHz that brings out the beater. Many engineers find it gets them close to a finished kick sound with very little EQ.

The supercardioid pattern rejects bleed from toms, cymbals, and nearby stage wedges, so the kick channel stays tight and focused. Because the cartridge handles 174 dB SPL, you can place it inside the drum right up against the beater head without worrying about overload.

Beta 52A Design and Placement

The Beta 52A’s built-in locking stand adapter makes positioning fast. Mount it on a short boom stand, angle it through the resonant head port or inside the shell, and lock it in place so it doesn’t drift during the show. The XLR connector is integrated into the stand adapter, which keeps the cable tidy and away from the beater.

For more attack, move the mic closer to the beater head. For more body and boom, pull it back toward the resonant head. Small moves make a big difference, so spend a minute at soundcheck finding the sweet spot for your drum.

Beyond the Kick Drum

The Beta 52A isn’t just for kick. Its extended low end and high SPL handling make it excellent on bass guitar cabinets, floor toms, and low brass like tuba and trombone. In the studio, it can be paired with a condenser or a second dynamic outside the drum to blend punch and room.

Mixing Tips for the Beta 52A

Because the Beta 52A is already voiced for kick drum, start with its natural sound before reaching for EQ. Use a high-pass filter around 30 to 40 Hz to clean up subsonic rumble, then make small boosts or cuts: a little more around 60 to 80 Hz for weight, a cut around 300 to 400 Hz if the drum sounds boxy, and a touch around 3 to 5 kHz if you want more beater click. Gate the channel lightly on a busy stage to keep tom resonance and bass bleed from smearing the low end.

Shure Beta 52A Specifications at a Glance

• Type: dynamic
• Polar pattern: supercardioid
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 10 kHz
• Sensitivity: -64 dBV/Pa (0.6 mV) at 1 kHz
• Rated impedance: 150 Ω
• Maximum SPL: 174 dB (at 1 kHz, 1% THD)
• Connector: 3-pin XLR integrated into stand adapter
• Weight: 0.605 kg (1.35 lb)

Who Buys the Shure Beta 52A

• Live sound engineers and touring bands
• Churches and venues building a dependable drum mic package
• Recording studios and home studios tracking drums and bass
• Drummers who carry their own microphones

Why Buy the Shure Beta 52A 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 a complete drum microphone package around the Beta 52A, from snare and tom mics to overheads, clips, and stands. We design sound systems for churches, schools, and venues, and offer B2B and integrator pricing on volume orders.

Browse more options in our Drum Microphones category, or see the full specifications on the official Shure Beta 52A product page.