Shure Beta57a

The Beta 57A is similar to the SM57 with its difference in the polar pattern. The Beta 57A has a supercaridode polar pattern allowing for more isolation from unwanted sound sources.

When micing a snare drum in a typical "drum set" set up, many times the engineer's choice to use an SM57 or Beta 57a is determined by the hi-hat. Typically the hi-hat bleeds into all the microphones, because it is so loud. One cure is to point an SM57 directly opposite of the hi-hat, then at the snare. Sometimes this is unable to be done due to the drummer's set up. A Beta 57A can come to the rescue with its supercarioide polar patter, which will allow the position of the microphone to be angled away from the hi-hat when it is not possible to point it totally away. Since the Beta 57a is supercardioide, it will pick up what ever is directly behind it, so be careful to make sure there is no unwanted sound source, behind it, for it to pick up. Of course the opposite can apply - If there is not enough hi-hat, one could use a Beta 57 to reinforce the hi-hat's sound, while still focusing on the snare drum. - Adam

...See SM57