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Shure Beta 27

Supercardioid Condenser Microphone

The Beta 27 is a large-diaphragm FET condenser with a supercardioid pickup pattern, very low self-noise, and high SPL capabilities. It is intended as an all-purpose stage or studio condenser.

The capsule in the Beta 27 is essentially the same as is found in many of the company’s one-inch LDCs — namely, it uses a 2.5-micron, gold-sputtered diaphragm in an edge-terminated design. The capsules are made in-house by Shure, and because of the company’s tight tolerances, vary less than 0.5dB in frequency response from one another.

The Beta 27, like its namesakes the KSM27 and SM27, uses a single-diaphragm capsule. It achieves its supercardioid response through an acoustic resistance network or the rear side of the capsule.

Its frequency response is nominally flat from ~60Hz to 3kHz, with two small HF peaks (+2dB or less) at 5500Hz and 9kHz. The HF -3dB point is above 15kHz. This is generally a flatter response than is produced by Shure’s similar LDCs — for example, the SM27 has a +4dB peak at 6500Hz.

The mic’s supercardioid pickup pattern is extremely consistent below 6400Hz, with no sign of opening to omnidirectional at low frequencies. Above 6400Hz, the mic’s polar pattern narrows, becoming more directional. At all frequencies, the nulls at 120° are deep and consistent. This behavior makes the mic suitable for environments where isolation is valuable, such as onstage or in a live tracking situation with multiple instruments.

The mic’s 3-layer mesh grille is the same as is found in many of the other LDCs, such as the KSM42, KSM44A, and SM27.

The Beta 27 ships with a mic clip (p/n A32SM) and a padded storage pouch (p/n A27ZB).

Premier Guitar, 2010

The SM27 has a wide vocabulary [and] a distinct character for every situation. Learning to use that to your advantage — for example, harnessing its pronounced 5–8 kHz bump at the right distance in order to elevate your lead sound above the mix — is much more involved than slapping a trustworthy handheld dynamic in that familiar spot on the grill. So, I can’t say this mic is for just anyone. But, depending on your experience and willingness to experiment, this could be the ultimate microphone…

The Shure Beta 27 is also known as: Beta27.

The mic was released in 2010.

Specifications

Frequency Response - SupercardioidClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Supercardioid (14.1 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)	Pad: -15dB (Via Switch) Filter: HPF: -6dB/octave @ 115Hz (Via Switch) Filter: HPF: -18dB/octave @ 80Hz (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 25mm Diaphragm gauge: 2.5 microns	160 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 154 dB Self-noise: 8.5 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
428g (15.10oz)	156mm (6.14'')	53mm (2.09'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48v

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