The Shure Beta 181 is an ultra-compact, side-address, condenser microphone, designed for discreet placement in live and studio environments. Featuring interchangeable cardioid, supercardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional capsules for superior versatility, the small diaphragm of the Beta 181 provides superior audio with consistent, “textbook” polar responses in a form factor small enough to get close to the source in the tightest conditions.

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, Supercardioid, Bi-directional, Omni-directional) are available, allowing you to interchange them according to application.

PRis: Ring

SPECS

Type: Electret Condenser
Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 Hz
Polar Pattern:
181/C: Cardioid
181/S: Supercardioid
181/O: Omnidirectional
181/BI: Bidirectional
Output Impedance: 110 Ω
Sensitivity: open circuit voltage, @ 1 kHz, typical
181/C: –46.5 dBV/Pa (4.7 mV)
181/S: –49.5 dBV/Pa (3.4 mV)
181/O: –52.0 dBV/Pa (2.5 mV)
181/BI: –51.0 dBV/Pa (2.8 mV)
Maximum SPL (1 kHz at 1% THD):
2500 Ω load:
181/C: 151.5 dB SPL
181/S: 154.5 dB SPL
181/O: 157.0 dB SPL
181/BI: 156.0 dB SPL
1000 Ω load:
181/C: 149.0 dB SPL
181/S: 152.0 dB SPL
181/O: 154.0 dB SPL
181/BI: 153.5 dB SPL
Signal-To-Noise Ratio:
181/C: 73.5 dB
181/S: 71.5 dB
181/O: 70.5 dB
181/BI: 71.0 dB
Dynamic Range:
2500 Ω load:
181/C: 131.0 dB
181/S: 132.0 dB
181/O: 133.5 dB
181/BI: 133.0 dB
1000 Ω load:
181/C: 128.5 dB
181/S: 129.5 dB
181/O: 130.5 dB
181/BI: 130.5 dB
Clipping Level (20 Hz to 20 kHz, at 1% THD):
2500 Ω load: 10.5 dBV
1000 Ω load: 7.5 dBV
Self-Noise: equivalent SPL, A-weighted, typical
181/C: 20.5 dB SPL-A
181/S: 22.5 dB SPL-A
181/O: 23.5 dB SPL-A
181/BI: 23.0 dB SPL-A
Common-Mode Rejection: (20  Hz to 200 kHz) ≥55  dB
Power Requirements: 11–52 V DC phantom power (IEC-61938) 2.4 mA, maximum
Polarity: Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3