What are some of the most important rack gear out there?

[Mongoo]

I know this is vauge but, I'm just trying to ask you: If you could only have one peice of rack gear what would it be - and what particular model would it be?

For example - Reverb - Lexicon, etc.


Or just what you think is important to have, like a sure thing.

For example - what a Shure sm57 is to microphones, but for rack gear.


Thanks

Mongoo

 

[Massive Master]

Manley Vari-Mu.

 

[deepwater]

A nice preamp

 

[Richard Monroe]

The preamp is the item that raises mic level to line level. Without it, nothing except line level sources can be recorded. If I had to toss out a rackful of gear, my Avalon AD2022 would remain. A good, clean dual channel preamp is the heart and soul of a small studio.-Richie