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Outboard Gear

Reviews and buying guides for outboard gear — compressors, EQs, preamps, converters, and hardware effects.

11 articles
CLA-76 Review
The 1176-style outboard compressor reviewed — character, speed, and hardware compression value.
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AMEK EQ 200 Review
Rupert Neve's classic parametric EQ design in modern hardware form — reviewed.
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Best Hardware Compressors
The best hardware compressors — VCA, optical, FET, and variable-mu units ranked by value and character.
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Best Hardware EQs
The best hardware EQs — Pultec, parametric, and graphic EQ units that add something digital can't replicate.
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Best Outboard Gear
The best outboard gear for a hybrid studio — the units that genuinely improve on their plugin equivalents.
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Best Preamps for Home Studio
The best external preamps for home studios — when upgrading your preamp makes a real difference.
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Best Audio Converters
The best standalone AD/DA converters — when a dedicated converter upgrade is worth the investment.
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Best Mixers for Home Studio
The best mixers for home studios — analog summing, monitoring, and workflow benefits.
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Tube vs Solid State
The sonic differences between tube and solid-state gear — what each does to audio and when each is worth it.
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Rack Gear Guide
Rack-mounted outboard gear — the units worth racking and how to build a rack that adds value.
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Vintage Gear Guide
Vintage gear for music production — what makes vintage desirable, the best pieces, and buying used.
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