Shure BETA56A

The Beta 56A is a supercardioid dynamic microphone with a response shaped specifically for drums and close-miked instruments. Its high-output neodymium element delivers the attack and level that percussion demands, while the tight supercardioid pattern gives strong gain before feedback and rejects the cymbals, nearby kits, and stage wash that bleed into a crowded backline. On snare and toms it captures the crack and body of the shell; it works just as well on guitar amps, brass, and woodwinds.

The body rides on an integrated swivel joint that lets it tuck in close to a drum rim or amp grille and lock to the exact angle you want, and a hardened steel mesh grille and internal shock mount keep it working through the knocks of a touring rig. It connects over a standard 3-pin XLR output.