The Shure BETA 181/C is an ultra-compact side-address condenser with a cardioid capsule, under 12cm long, built to tuck into drum kits and tight stage real estate where full-size condensers won’t fit, and the standard pick for snare, guitar cabs and tight spot-miking. The capsule unscrews from the shared preamp body, so one mic locker covers all four patterns with RPM181 capsules.
Features
Ultra-compact side-address design, under 12cm
Interchangeable capsule system (RPM181 capsules)
20Hz-20kHz frequency response
High SPL handling for close drum and cab work
Supplied with stand clip, foam case and windscreen
48V phantom power (operates from 11V)
Specifications
| Type | Side-address condenser, modular capsule |
| SKU | BETA 181/C |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Sensitivity | -46.5 dBV/Pa (4.7mV) |
| Max SPL (2.5kΩ) | 151.5dB SPL |
| Self noise | 20.5dB SPL-A |
| Signal-to-noise | 73.5dB |
| Power | 11-52V phantom (48V nominal) |
| Weight | 145g |
| Included | A57F stand clip, A181C case, A181WS windscreen |









