Full Rack of C84's for Rock drums?

[thirteenblack]

Has anyone used C84's on heavy rock/punk drums?

Budget being a large concern, I'm trying to hear what a full rack would sound like without eq directly into the box?

I'm close to buying, but on the fence as to which SAC pre's to buy compared to what I can spend.

I could spend between 1500-200 on preamps. Again; I won't be able to afford outboard eq's any time soon. I'll be using eq plugins.

p.s.-I also own a Chameleon Labs 7602 and a Studio Projects VTB1 for other preamp choices.

Thanks,
Rich

[Karl]

I'd recommend Tim's pres with Transformers. The C84's are transformerless, thus the cheaper price. I have A12's and N72's, and they just sound incredible for such things (rock/metal/punk). I have not used or heard a C84 however, so I cannot comment on their "sound". I'd assume they would be very clean, though. Transformers, in short, impart a pleasing "coloration" to signals depending on how hard you drive them. I'm no expert here, so there's MUCH more to it than that, but it's certainly worth it, IMHO. Since I built these pres, I have never had a session I didn't use them on. I will definitely be adding to my rack when the funds come! I'm thinking (4) A12's, (2) N72's, and (2) J99's outta do me swell for a long time... If I had the cash, I'd have 16 of these things!!! I'd be interested to hear a C84, but they don't really interest me that much, to be honest. I like the sound of IRON! METAL!!!

[JackofallTrades]

I have all of the SCA preamps and I have done extensive testing on all of the pres with different microphones on drums. From what I found, a C84 will never be the wrong choice. There might be better choices, but it's almost impossible to ruin the sound with a C84. The other transformer-based Pres have distinct properties that make them really good for some applications and not very good for others.

Based on my testing last week, here are my choices of pres for different drums:

Kik: C84 with a dynamic mic, and another C84 with a 6.5" speaker
Snare: A12s with matching dynamic mics on the bottom and top heads
Toms: A12s with large diaphragm condenser mics
Stool Mic: N72 with a crappy dynamic mic (compress heavily and enjoy)
Overheads: J99s with large diaphragm condenser mics
Room Mics: C84s with large diaphragm condenser mics

Sometimes things will surprise you when it comes to mic and pre combinations. The only way to find out is to test.

If money is a concern, you can't go wrong with C84s IMHO.