The Shure BETA 98A is a versatile miniature cardioid electret condenser microphone optimized for capturing the nuances of drums, percussion, acoustic instruments, and amplified sources with exceptional clarity and detail. Introduced in the mid-1990s as an upgrade to the original Beta 98, the "A" revision features a refined electret capsule for higher sensitivity and lower self-noise, making it a staple in live sound, broadcasting, and recording studios. Available in two configurations—BETA 98AD/C (drum mount with gooseneck for percussion) and BETA 98A/C (shock mount swivel adapter for general instruments)—it delivers a tailored frequency response for punchy transients, smooth highs, and controlled lows, all while maintaining high gain-before-feedback in high-SPL environments.