Shure Beta 58 A mic good for reporters?

kris.k · 21st October 2005, 01:19 AM

Hi!

I am a newbie so I don't know these things very well. The Shure Beta 58 A mic is a vocal mic, but can this one also be used by reporters? I mean, for basic interviews and voice over? I need to know since I own one, and rather not buy yet another mic right now.

Let me know what you think. Also, if you think this is unwise, please advise on good deals for mics. Cash is a major concern right for me these days unfortunately.

Thank you for sharing insights!

K

philipbarrett · 22nd October 2005, 02:11 AM

The 58 is a great vocal mic in general and is fine for reporters but it is a directional (cardiod mic). Most ENG operations prefer an omni-dirdctional handheld like an RE-50, this type of mic picks up more background sound and gives the listener more of a sense of "being there." The omni is also more forgiving of poor mic use when interviewing.

Depends on the application really, on a football sideline or in a riot you would probably want the off-axis rejection of the 58, for general use it may be too tight.

One thing to bear in mind is that these dynamics have a fairly low output and will have difficulty driving many of the consumer-type MD recorders.

Enzo · 22nd October 2005, 05:58 AM

Any quality field recorder should have a mic input, solving the level problem. I agree mostly. The Shure mics are very good and very sturdy. They will withstand rough handling and will be OK in very high sound level applications. We can stick them in from of snare drums and guitar amps even.

If you are recording a scene you might like an omni mic, but I think far more applications wil prefer the cardioid pickup pattern - the directional mic for the exact reason that it doesn't pick up a ton of noise. Standing next to a highway trying to talk while the semi trucks going by drown you out is no help getting your Pulitzer.

Yes, you have to aim it at your mouth, then over to the interviewee's mouth. But you will hear a lot less of the morons yelling obscenities in the background. If you want the airplane engine noise for effect, just point the mic at the plane.

All good mics have a balanced output, and the dynamic mic would be my first choice. COndenser mics are great, but they mainly belong in a studio. Ribbon mics are tender and do not belong in the field, not for your use anyway. Piezo or crystal mics are the cheap plastic crap that toys use of really cheap Karaoke machines.

If you are reporting, that is field reporting, don't you work with a producer or at least a tech? Of are you on your own? If you work with someone, ask about what equipment they are using and are there any compatibility issues. That mic ought to be fine for just about any purpose.

21st October 2005, 01:19 AM	#1
kris.k diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005	Shure Beta 58 A mic good for reporters? Hi! I am a newbie so I don't know these things very well. The Shure Beta 58 A mic is a vocal mic, but can this one also be used by reporters? I mean, for basic interviews and voice over? I need to know since I own one, and rather not buy yet another mic right now. Let me know what you think. Also, if you think this is unwise, please advise on good deals for mics. Cash is a major concern right for me these days unfortunately. Thank you for sharing insights! K

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22nd October 2005, 02:11 AM	#2
philipbarrett diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas	The 58 is a great vocal mic in general and is fine for reporters but it is a directional (cardiod mic). Most ENG operations prefer an omni-dirdctional handheld like an RE-50, this type of mic picks up more background sound and gives the listener more of a sense of "being there." The omni is also more forgiving of poor mic use when interviewing. Depends on the application really, on a football sideline or in a riot you would probably want the off-axis rejection of the 58, for general use it may be too tight. One thing to bear in mind is that these dynamics have a fairly low output and will have difficulty driving many of the consumer-type MD recorders.

22nd October 2005, 05:58 AM	#3
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	Any quality field recorder should have a mic input, solving the level problem. I agree mostly. The Shure mics are very good and very sturdy. They will withstand rough handling and will be OK in very high sound level applications. We can stick them in from of snare drums and guitar amps even. If you are recording a scene you might like an omni mic, but I think far more applications wil prefer the cardioid pickup pattern - the directional mic for the exact reason that it doesn't pick up a ton of noise. Standing next to a highway trying to talk while the semi trucks going by drown you out is no help getting your Pulitzer. Yes, you have to aim it at your mouth, then over to the interviewee's mouth. But you will hear a lot less of the morons yelling obscenities in the background. If you want the airplane engine noise for effect, just point the mic at the plane. All good mics have a balanced output, and the dynamic mic would be my first choice. COndenser mics are great, but they mainly belong in a studio. Ribbon mics are tender and do not belong in the field, not for your use anyway. Piezo or crystal mics are the cheap plastic crap that toys use of really cheap Karaoke machines. If you are reporting, that is field reporting, don't you work with a producer or at least a tech? Of are you on your own? If you work with someone, ask about what equipment they are using and are there any compatibility issues. That mic ought to be fine for just about any purpose.