The Shure Beta 87A is a condenser mic in the Beta series utilizing a supercardioid pickup pattern. Singing closer to this mic doesn’t produce more low end in the vocal making them ideal for female vocalists. This mic brightens up the darker sounding vocal as well. It is also unique for vocalists that sing in a greater dynamic range (22dB-139dB). This is not the mic you want for instruments or vocalists that scream. Listen to the Beta87A in Shure’s Mic Listening Lab. Received a WIHO award (Wish I Had One) from musicplayer.com.