Description:

 

Beta 181 Applications

This Beta 181 is a multipurpose instrument microphone and can be used on a wide variety of applications including guitars, bass and drums (overheads and snares). A total of four different capsules (Cardioid, SupercardioidPicks up most sound in front of the microphone and very little from the sides, making it more directional than a cardioid mic. Read moreGo to the glossary, Bi-directional, Omni-directional) are available, allowing you to interchange them according to application.

Interchangable Capsule Options

The RPM181/C is a cardioidPicks up most sound in front of the microphone and some from the sides. It is less susceptible to feedback in high volume environments.Read moreGo to the glossary condenserCondenser microphones are more sensitive, give a smooth, natural sound and need to be powered.Read moreGo to the glossary capsule for the Beta 181. The RPM181/S is a super cardioidPicks up most sound in front of the microphone and some from the sides. It is less susceptible to feedback in high volume environments.Read moreGo to the glossary condenserCondenser microphones are more sensitive, give a smooth, natural sound and need to be powered.Read moreGo to the glossary capsule for the Beta 181. The RPM181/BI is a bi-directional condenserCondenser microphones are more sensitive, give a smooth, natural sound and need to be powered.Read moreGo to the glossary capsule for the Beta 181. The RPM181/O is a omni directional condenserCondenser microphones are more sensitive, give a smooth, natural sound and need to be powered.Read moreGo to the glossary capsule for the Beta 181.  

Applications for the different capsules 

The cardioidPicks up most sound in front of the microphone and some from the sides. It is less susceptible to feedback in high volume environments.Read moreGo to the glossary capsule is best suited to overheads, piano and acoustic instruments. You can also use the cardioidPicks up most sound in front of the microphone and some from the sides. It is less susceptible to feedback in high volume environments.Read moreGo to the glossary capsule for M/S stereo micing (in conjunction with another microphone with a bi-directional capsule).  The supercardioidPicks up most sound in front of the microphone and very little from the sides, making it more directional than a cardioid mic. Read moreGo to the glossary capsule is best suited to snare, toms, acoustic instruments and other forms of close distance micing. The omni-directional capsule could be used for choirs, orchestras and ambient recording applications. Lastly, the Bi-directional capsule can be used for mono overheads, or for the recording of two instruments simultaneously on one channel. 

In the Box

The Beta 181 can be purchased with any one of the four mic capsules available. You'll then need to buy any additional capsules you want seperately.   

Features:

• Interchangeable polar patternPolar pattern describes how well the microphone hears sound from different directions.Read moreGo to the glossary capsules attach to a compact preamplifier with integrated XLR connections
• Precision-engineered, compact side-address design features innovative locking ring to provide secure connection between capsule and preamplifier
• Frequency responseThis is the range of frequencies, from the lowest to the highest, that a mic can pick up.Read moreGo to the glossary tailored for wide dynamic rangeThis is the difference between the queitest and loudest sound that a mic can pick up.Read moreGo to the glossary applications for use in high SPL environments

Specs:

• Transducer TypeA transducer converts sound into an electrical signal. The two most common types are dynamic and condenser. Read moreGo to the glossary : CondenserCondenser microphones are more sensitive, give a smooth, natural sound and need to be powered.Read moreGo to the glossary
• Polar PatternPolar pattern describes how well the microphone hears sound from different directions.Read moreGo to the glossary: SupercardioidPicks up most sound in front of the microphone and very little from the sides, making it more directional than a cardioid mic. Read moreGo to the glossary, OmnidirectionalEqually sensitive to sound from all directions, but cannot be „aimed“ to isolate one area.Read moreGo to the glossary, CardioidPicks up most sound in front of the microphone and some from the sides. It is less susceptible to feedback in high volume environments.Read moreGo to the glossary, BidirectionalPicks up sound equally from in front and behnd the microphone.Read moreGo to the glossary
• Frequency ResponseThis is the range of frequencies, from the lowest to the highest, that a mic can pick up.Read moreGo to the glossary: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• SensitivityThis is how mich signal a microphone produces for a given amount of sound.Read moreGo to the glossary (1 kHz): Cardioid -46,5 dBV/Pa; Supercardioid -49,5 dBV/Pa; Omnidirectional: -52,0 dBV/Pa; Bidirectional: -51,0 dBV/Pa
• Equivalent Selfnoise:
  • Cardioid: 20 dB(A)
  • Supercardioid: 22 dB(A)
  • Omnidirectional: 23 dB(A)
  • Bidirectional: 23 dB(A)
• Sound Pressure:
  • Cardioid: 151,5 dB
  • Supercardioid: 154,5 dB
  • Omnidirectional: 157 dB
  • Bidirectional: 156 dB
• Weight: 145 g
• Frequency ResponseThis is the range of frequencies, from the lowest to the highest, that a mic can pick up.Read moreGo to the glossary Curve:

Downloads:

User Guides

• User Guide for Beta 181/C, Beta 181/S, Beta 181/O and Beta 181/BI, multilingual (8446 kB)
• Beta Microphones Data Sheet, English (5875 kB)

Reviews:

 Mike Dolbear.com – July 2011

“Bright, accurate.  Great rejection.  Great as a discrete overhead. Nice ''sticky'' hi hat sound. Lovely on a flat ride”

Click here for the Full Review 

“In many applications where a large diaphram side-address condenser might be a desirable, but impractical choice for live music, the Beta 181 offers a fresh solution. A full, rich, well-defined sound in a microphone that goes where many others can’t. Impeccable performance in a neat versatile package.”

Roger Lindsay, Legendary FOH Engineer (The Pretenders, James Taylor, Van Morrison)

 

TEC Awards 2012:

 Shure are pleased to have won a coveted TEC Award for excellence in audio during Namm 2012 for the Beta 181 microphone 

 

Audio Media Magazine- July 2011:

"Whether live or in the studio, the Beta 181 would serve you as a very multi-purpose condenser microphone thanks to its modular design. As such, it is a very interesting addition to Shure’s venerable Beta Series. Multi-tasking pro audio types will want at least a pair of cardioid 181/ Cs, a supercardioid 181/S cap or two if working live, then a pair of omni 181/O caps, two 181/BI caps for Blumlein stereo apps… collect ‘em all, Shure style!"

Click here for the Full Revie

In the box:

• Beta 181 Preamp (Part. No. RPM181/PRE)
• 1x Capsule (Part-No. depending on polar patern: Cardioid RPM181/C, Supercardioid RPM181/S, Onmidirectional RPM181/O, Bidirectional RPM181/BI)
• Mic Clip (Part No. A57F)
• Zippered Carrying Case (Part No. A181C)
• Windscreen (Part No. A181WS)