Shure BETA 98AMP/C – Cardioid Condenser Drum Microphone

Product Overview

The Shure BETA 98AMP/C is a cardioid condenser drum microphone built for high-SPL stage and studio percussion capture. Its compact gooseneck body and integrated XLR preamplifier let integrators mount the capsule directly to toms, snares, and cymbals with the included A75M drum mount, keeping stages and rack runs uncluttered. As a clip-on instrument microphone, it combines a uniform cardioid polar pattern with a frequency response tailored for drums and percussion. The result is a miniature drum mic with integrated preamplifier suited to touring systems, houses of worship, and broadcast production.

Product Description

The BETA 98AMP/C is engineered for live sound drum miking where consistent gain before feedback and rejection of adjacent kit elements are critical. The cardioid condenser drum microphone handles extremely high sound pressure levels, with a maximum SPL of 157.5 dB into a 2500 ohm load, so close-miked snares and toms stay clean without distortion. An integrated preamplifier terminates in a standard XLR connection, simplifying integration with any console or stage box that supplies phantom power. The flexible gooseneck supports precise placement and easy adjustment after the A75M drum mount is set, which reduces setup time across multi-kit deployments. Enamel die-cast construction and a stainless steel inner grille withstand the wear of percussion environments. For AV system designers specifying a high SPL drum microphone, the BETA 98AMP/C delivers studio-grade output level and a wide dynamic range in a fixed-mount, low-profile package. Comparable Shure options on our catalog include the BETA 98AD/C and the BETA 91A kick-drum microphone.

Key Features

• Integrated XLR Preamplifier — The onboard preamp terminates in a standard XLR connector, so the gooseneck instrument microphone connects directly to any phantom-powered console or stage box without external interface hardware.
• Cardioid Condenser Capsule — A uniform cardioid polar pattern maximizes gain before feedback and rejects off-axis noise from adjacent drums and monitors in dense live sound drum miking setups.
• High SPL Handling — A maximum sound pressure level of 157.5 dB (2500 ohm load) lets the microphone capture close-miked percussion without overload, making it a dependable high SPL drum microphone.
• Flexible Gooseneck — The adjustable gooseneck allows precise capsule positioning and quick re-aiming without moving the A75M drum mount, speeding repeatable installs.
• Included A75M Drum Mount — The supplied A75M universal mount with quick release attaches the microphone to rims and stands, supporting fast, secure deployment across a kit.
• Drum-Tailored Frequency Response — A 20 Hz to 20 kHz response shaped for percussion reproduces low-end body and transient attack across toms, snares, and cymbals.
• Durable Roadworthy Build — Enamel die-cast housing and a stainless steel inner grille resist the impacts and wear typical of percussion and touring environments.

Typical Applications

• House of Worship — Fixed close-miking of drum kits and percussion for live worship music and reinforcement.
• Broadcast Studio — Isolated percussion capture for live music television and streaming production.
• Auditorium — Performance-stage drum reinforcement where consistent gain before feedback is required.

Technical Specifications

Competitor Comparison

This comparison reflects general product positioning. Competing model specifications should be verified against each manufacturer's current documentation before purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What phantom power does the BETA 98AMP/C require?
It operates on 11-52 V DC phantom power per IEC-61938 and performs best at 48 V DC, drawing 5.5 mA. Most modern consoles and stage boxes supply this directly over a balanced XLR cable.

How does it mount to a drum kit?
The included A75M universal mount with quick release attaches to rims and stands, and the flexible gooseneck lets you position the capsule precisely without relocating the mount.

Does it need an external preamplifier or interface?
No. The preamplifier is integrated and terminates in a standard XLR connector, so it connects directly to any phantom-powered input in your AV system.

Can it handle loud percussion without distortion?
Yes. With a maximum SPL of 157.5 dB into a 2500 ohm load, it is designed for close-miked snares, toms, and cymbals in high-SPL environments.

What warranty and support apply?
Shure microphones carry the manufacturer's standard limited warranty. Creation Networks can assist with warranty registration, integration questions, and replacement parts such as the RPM98A/C capsule.