The Beta 87A is designed with a low-frequency roll-off that helps to compensate for the microphone’s proximity effect (the boomy sound often associated with singing close to the mic). It has a tailored frequency response that features a presence rise that brightens the upper midrange and helps the vocals cut through the mix. Like the dynamic mics from Shure, the mic has a robust capsule suspension system to minimise handling noise. When comparing to similar dynamic microphones, the Beta 87A produces a similar punchy sound in the mid-range, but with the added warmth and open top-end that you would expect from a condenser microphone.
Although feedback rejection is good, if you accidently cup your hands over the grille at a gig it becomes quite prone to feeding back on stage. Also, although ideal for live vocals, its close pickup pattern reduces its usefulness as a microphone for other instruments such as acoustic guitar (like you might expect from a studio condenser mic).
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| Shure BETA 87A |
Overall the Shure Beta 87A is an excellent vocal microphone that is well worth the investment if you are looking for top audio quality on stage. It produces a much more full and studio-like sound than dynamic microphones such as an SM58 and remains clear and undistorted. Saying this, its crystal clear sound may not make it the first choice for heavy rock singers, and rappers who like to cup their hands over the mic’s grille should probably look elsewhere too. At this level there is plenty of competition from other manufactures, however the Beta 87A holds its own against similarly priced alternatives such as the Audix VX-5 and Rode S1, as well as competing favourably against more expensive competition such as the Neumann KMS 105 and Sennheiser E965. If you are looking at upgrading your microphone; the Shure Beta 87A is definitely worth checking out.
In my home studio I have several condenser mics (Rode NT1,AKG and Audio Technica. The sound of a good condenser on vocals is a must for pro sounding recordings. Shure has managed to bring that sound to the stage for use in live performance. I have a decent Mackie based PA system (Mackie mixer and Mackie active speakers) and I must say that every positive reveiw is true. This is the best live vocal microphone I have ever used. For the past 25 years I have been faithful to Shure SM58 mics for vocals but now I am hooked on the Beta 87A. Yes they are expensive but if you can afford it they are worth it. Borrow one if you can and you'll see what I mean. If you have a high quality PA system you should have a high quality microphone and this is it.
Warning: The Shure Beta 87A (87 and 87C) along with the Shure Beta 58 are heavily counterfeited and sold on sites like Ebay and Craig's list. They look almost perect and come in perfectly duplicated Shure boxes with warrenty cards, mic pouches and mic collars. The first thing to check for if you get one is to see if it is actually a condenser mic. Most of the counterfeits out there are poor sounding dynamic mic capsules. Turn off your mixers phantom power and if the mic still works it's a dynamic fake not a real Shure condenser. Do a Google search for more ways to spot the fakes.
If you sing for a living, you deserve a Beta 87. It captures every nuance, rasp and grain of your voice in live performance, on par with many studio mics costing as much or more. You don't have to baby it, it's built like a tank and performs flawlessly in any weather.
A built-in electronic bass roll-off circuit lets you set the EQ on your mixer once and forget it. The clarity and quality of your voice remain basically the same. No Bruce Banner when it's far away, no Incredible Hulk when it's close, it's always balanced, warm and clean.
To guarantee break-proof operation, Shure offers no switches of any kind on its wired mic line. So you should choose the pattern or circuitry you want by the model.
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