Shure BETA 87C Professional Microphone

SHURE  BETA 87C  CARDIOID  CONDENSER  MICROPHONE

           If you have been looking for a good vocal microphone, I sure you will agree, there is no shortage of potential candidates to choose from.  There are so many makes, models, and designs in the world of microphone technology that one can easily get overwhelmed when faced with the task of deciding on just what microphone might be best for one's particular needs. So how does one go about narrowing down the field, and being sure that they are making not only a good decision, but also the right decision for their specific needs?  This is actually easier than it might sound.  The first thing one must decide is to determine what the microphone will be used for, and under what circumstances or conditions that it will be used in.  Next, it is always wise to go with a well known name brand when making a purchasing decision. 
 
           A company with a good reputation and a well known name brand, typically has earned its reputation by making good trustworthy and reliable products over the years.  A company with a reputation for quality is also much more apt to stand by their product if the item you buy has some type of manufacturing defect, or some other related problem.  That is not always the case with a lesser known brand, and perhaps that is part of the reason why they are a lesser known brand in the first place. 

            Bearing the above in mind, there are a few microphone brands that I have come to think of first when it comes to making a microphone purchase, and one of these brands is Shure.  If you are in the market for a relatively inexpensive, yet high very high quality vocal condenser microphone, you definitely owe it to yourself to check out the Shure Beta 87C Cardioid Condenser Microphone, which just so happens to be the microphone that I shall be reviewing today.  The Shure Beta 87C has a list price of $462.88, but it can be had from most large musical instrument chain stores for a discounted price of $249.00.  Read on and see if this sounds like a microphone that you might be interested in auditioning the next time you are visiting your local musical instrument or electronics store.

            Shure is arguably one of the most trusted and respected brand names in the world of microphones, and if you stick to their better models, it is very hard to go wrong.  O.K., but what performance characteristics does the Shure Beta 87C have that might be suitable for your needs?  Well for one, the Beta 87C is a microphone with a "Cardioid" polar pattern.  As some of you who are reading this may already know, a microphone with a cardioid polar pattern is more sensitive to sounds that emanate from directly in front of the microphone, and less sensitive to, or rejects sounds that originate from the sides or the back of the microphone. 

           A microphone with a cardioid polar pattern is a microphone that is very desirable in situations where it is crucial to minimize picking up sounds that originate from sound sources other than from in front of the microphone (i.e., the audience in a live performance, or the sound of the instruments from other band members).  The Shure Beta 87C rejects sounds that not only come from the sides of the microphone, but it also does an excellent job at rejecting sounds that originate from the back of the microphone.  This is a very desirable feature that is especially useful in situations where personal monitors or floor monitors are being used, such as during live performances, as its tight cardioid polar pattern will make the Shure Bata 87C less likely to feedback in high gain situations, or in situations that might arise from poorly positioned stage monitors. This is a feature that is also very appreciated by sound engineers who might be wanting to record a live performance, as there is going to be very little sound from other sources that will leak onto the vocal track, which makes it easier to shape and contour the sound of the vocal during mixdown time.  I say vocal track, because this microphone is most applicable to use as a vocal microphone, either for handheld use or if it is situated on a microphone stand. 

            So what are the best uses for the Shure Beta 87C?  The Shure Beta 87C was designed to be used as a hand held vocal microphone.  Obviously it can also be used atop a microphone stand as well.  The Shure Beta 87C has a frequency response of 50 Hz. all the way up to 20,000 Hz.  With that type of range, I am sure you can easily think of a number of other uses for this microphone other than for vocals.  However, although the frequency response is primarily flat, there is a slight presence rise in the midrange which serves to accentuate the human voice, whether spoken or sung, and it is that feature that makes singer's voice more clear and pronounced in the mix than might otherwise be the case.  This feature also minimizes the need for excessive EQ'ing to brighten up the vocal track and make it more present.

         The Shure Beta 87A also has a low frequency roll-off that partially compensates for the "proximity effect."  As some of you who are reading this may already know, the proximity effect is the increase in low frequency response that occurs when a microphone is placed in close proximity to a sound source.  This can be a useful tool for a singer to use, in that close vocal techniques can add a sense of intimacy and deep breathiness to a quiet and sensitive vocal passage.  On the other hand, the proximity effect can be a real nightmare to a sound engineer who is trying to carefully set levels for a vocalist in a recording or in a broadcasting situation.  The Shure Beta 87C partially compensates for the negative aspects associated with the proximity effect, such as boominess and a lack of clarity at the low end. 

            The Shure Beta 87C has a built-in shock mount system, which also serves to minimize likelihood of the microphone picking up noises that might occur when it is being used in a hand held situation.  This shock mount system also helps to reduce the likelihood of vibrations or related sounds that might travel up the microphone stand being picked up from the stage, such as might be the case in a live performance or recording situation.  The Shure Beta 87C also has a steel mesh front grille that conceals a built in pop filter to minimize the effect of wind and breath noises that are associated with close vocal techniques.  Regardless, I still suggest that use of a wind screen in studio recording situations where close vocal techniques are going to be used by a singer.  While we are on the subject of close vocal techniques, this would be a good place to point out that the Shure Beta 87A has a sound pressure level (SPL) handling capacity of 139 dB.  That is quite adequate for a microphone that is going to be used to capture vocals, even if the singer were to have an unusually very powerful voice.  It is also quite adequate for a number of other recording or sound reinforcement situations as well.  For instance, I would certainly consider using the Shure Beta 87C to record strings, a conga drum, a high-hat, and possibly even an acoustic guitar.  However, the Shure Beta 87C would not be my first choice for such purposes, as there are certainly much better choices to use for these purposes.  Remember, the Shure Beta 87C was designed to be a hand held microphone that is capable of delivering professional studio quality sound for vocals in live situations, and that is what it does best. 

          The Shure Beta 87C is also a condenser microphone.  This is an important point to keep in mind, as unlike a dynamic microphone, this microphone will require Phantom Power in order for it to operate correctly.  This is much less of a problem today than it was a few years ago, as even relatively inexpensive sound system mixing boards manufactured today typically also have built in preamps that can provide phantom power to a condenser microphone.  That was not the case when I was first starting out in the music business.  Thankfully that has changed.  The Shure Beta 87C has an Impedance rating of 150 Ohms, which makes it a Low Impedance microphone.  Obviously, the Shure 87C will operate best when its Impedance is closely matched to the device that it is being plugged into.

            If you are already using a Shure microphone for vocals, such as a Shure SM58 or similar microphone, and you are uncertain if you want to spring for the extra money that a Shure Beta 87C will cost, try this simple comparison.  The next time you are in your local music store, ask the salesman to set up a Shure SM58 (or similar dynamic microphone) and a Shure Beta 87C.  Then do a side by side comparison.  I think you will find that there is really no comparison, as it will be like comparing apples and oranges.  The differences will be especially noticeable if you are monitoring the sound through a good pair of headphones.  You will find that the Shure Beta 87C accentuates every nuance of your vocal, and it will sound pristine, natural, and clear, without any boominess or muddiness, and I think you will be quite impressed. It will also sound warmer and more intimate on the low end than a Shure SM58, and there will be a minimum of boominess.  

            If you have apprehensions concerning purchasing a condenser microphone for everyday gigging and road use because you a concerned that all condenser microphones are delicate and fragile, think again.  Although the Beta 87C is certainly good enough to use in a studio recording situation, it was designed by Shure to be durable and capable of surviving daily use, and a bit of minor abuse as well. The Shure Beta 87C is built to handle rigors of the road, and still keep be able to reproduce a very good sound.

            Well I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my review, but now if you will excuse me, I must get back to my practicing.