Shure Beta 52A

Bought this in January, buried it in June. Sounded great but I dropped it once and now it's dead. Sounds so much better than the SM57 I am now using. Just can't afford $ per drop. Bummer.

I started using this for its intended purpose, but I wanted something to use for stereo mic'ing an upright Piano from the back side of the soundboard. I had been using an MXL R-80 ribbon mic that had great bottom-end presence. Now. I'm using the Beta 52a to mic the bass strings and an SM57 to mic the treble strings. The combination is affordable and fantastic. Search Sweetwater for an article titled: Piano-miking Techniques for Worship Services.

This kick drum microphone has been used with the biggest name artist & concerts in the world for a long time. That is why I consider it the best kick or bass microphone ever. If your system has subs and is set-up right, it is hard to mess this sound up. It is very easy to dial in, that is why it is used all over the world!

This mic brings life to your kick drum! Simply amazing!

I've used a lot of kick mics, and had grown tired and less satisfied with my last one, a D112. I knew the 52A would be an improvement, and it definitely is. I'm mainly using it for live use, and like the feedback rejection (while using serious new subs nearby). It has a fat, round sound without being too restrained. You can get a good click when needed, and overall it has a nice tightness to it. Kick mics are really a taste thing, and so subjective depending on application. But the 52A has the versatility those of us that can only have one kick mic in our locker need. It can have a more refined, detailed sound recording a well-tuned drum, or thump out fatness for a live rock band.