Looked around, but haven't found any information on this; is there a reason why they go for hundreds new, but resell for $50 wherever I look? I had thought they were a relatively decent mic, but there doesn't seem to be any praise for them on here, save a mention of use on Hi-hat and snare...under a fairly heavy list of other microphones, of course. Does anybody have anything they'd like to share? Any input is appreciated!

Thanks, all!

I've done live sound for ages with those in the mic locker and they never sounded better than other choices.

I have this sneaking suspicion (but can't verify) shure changed transformers early in the beta series, because my 58beta (pre a) is so right for so many live vocals and yet the beta58a's and rest of the beta series are SO small and insignificant sounding.

I agree. I've heard them in live situations and the only thing I found impressive was the 87's feedback rejection (considering it's a condenser).

But I'm primarily concerned with its place, or lack thereof, in the studio.

I'm with ya - I had to come back to double-check if you meant live or studio.

As for me, no I haven't used one in a nice isolated sutio situation, but I firmly believe there's no waste in anything - the fact those mics don't cut through a live mix might be a great plus in a studio situation.

Great food for thought Antonio_4346, now I'm thinking stike

home studio here -

Beta 87A - My "go to" vocal mic:

1) excellent room rejection

2) "Pro" sound - Full-bodied, rounded balanced tone, smooth top end at the right distance with the right mic pre. (Using a "Neve inspired" transformer input/output pre here)

Negative - sibilant with the wrong pre.

Anybody else?

Yes. I mostly use it for a guitarist who prefers to sing while playing - it has (as above) excellent rejection. I run it through a warm tube pre for a bit more body.

I've had luck using a Beta 87 on acoustic guitars. Not my go to mic, but it's nice to have around.

Steve

I use Beta 87A for vocals in a home studio, for the reasons another poster already mentioned. It sounds good (to me) on pretty much my entire vocal volume range (quiet/loud) and does not pick up my computer noise, a TV two rooms away, etc.

I have thought about trying something else as my vocal mic, but my experience with big condensers is that they pick up "the room" and this saves me from having to properly treat the room. I have also thought of replacing it with an SM7, but doubt the SM7 would be as versatile (I might buy an SM7 just to try it though).

Here's a snippet of a song I just did:

https://gearspace.com/board/4255784-post133.html

beta 87a >>> Chameleon Labs 7602 >>> behringer composer >>> 002 >> PTLE

I did de-ess (as mentioned above the mic has a HFrise between 4-6K and 8-9K as it is a stage mic) - but I always get good results in my crappy room

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EDIT - here's another clip of a recent demo - the girl was eating the mic and I had no pop filter so I cut a lot around 200 hz, and lots of lows too, and boosted highs somewhat... still sounds "warm"

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EDIT - I've put 4 clips together here in the same thread

I've used it for vocalists in the control room with moderate success. I've actually liked it on snare a couple of times as well.

A producer I've worked with swears by an SM87 on the snare. It does sound good I have to say. Has anybody got any other opinions about using it for that application? I find the 57 is just so dull.

I actually am wondering he same thing. I was thinking about using it on snare.
Anybody try it there yet?

Personally, never had great luck with it on snare. It's OK, but more comfortable choices are near at hand. Maybe with more experimentation.

The reason I ask is I grabbed one at a pawn shop, perfect condition 100 bucks. Seemed like a great deal.

sounds like I should hang onto it and use if for recording guitar and vocals at the same time. Will it be any better then a good ole SM58 for that?

You may have a prob picking up both, with it being so directional (supercardioid)

It sounds smoother and airier than a 58

Cool, at least it has a use, I would use a separate mic or two for the guitar and use the beta for VOX, I know there will be bleed but I would have a cleaner VOX track to work with.

I gues I will have to experiment and see what it sounds good on.

It sounds great on vocals - nice warmth up close with the proximity effect. As with other live mics it benefit from singing fairly close in. You may find you need a pop filter to stop plosives.

I love it on the snare for things that need a bit more detail; jazz drums with brushes, side-stick work, etc. etc.

However, I don't like it on much that is more straight-ahead--your average rock and roll, hip-hop, or metal type stuff.

Well there ya go proof is in the pudding.

That is definitely a studio - It has foam on the walls! (egg cartons just out of shot)