Say you were currently 100% mixing in the box, but that you were given $5,000 to spend on outboard gear. You have mics, etc. covered, so you want to use it for mix purposes only.
 
For me, I'm thinking a really nice hardware comp, and/or maybe a hardware summing mixer.
 
What would you get?
 
 

Did someone get a great refund this year?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..................................
 
so what would you get? :)
 
API 2500, a pair of Pultec clones, and a taco?
 
(probably not the taco)

It depends on what you are trying to do - everything from microphones to preamplifiers to dynamics processors to filters/equalizers seems fair game to me. Still not sold on the summing mixers, but my Avatar demonstrates that I have not given up completely on analog mixers<G>!

Maybe tell us more about your workflow?

smallstonefan
Say you were currently 100% mixing in the box, but that you were given $5,000 to spend on outboard gear. You have mics, etc. covered, so you want to use it for mix purposes only.
 
For me, I'm thinking a really nice hardware comp, and/or maybe a hardware summing mixer.
 
What would you get?

World-class front end (vs mixdown) will make a bigger impact on the quality of your recordings.
If you have world-class mics, I'd grab a pair of world-class pre-amps (if you don't already have those).
If you have top-tier mics/preamps/A/D, then I would take the $$$ and splurge on a high-end instrument.  
 
If you've got all the above... then I'd recommend taking a nice vacation to recharge the creative batteries.

hate to do the me-too things, but listen to Jim, he speaks the truth!
 
If you don't track live instruments then you can move on to the monitors/amplifiers/processors - in roughly that order.

For me: room treatment and a control surface.

Interesting perspectives guys, thanks! :)

smallstonefan
 
 etc. covered.
 
What would you get?

I guess it depends what "etc." is:)
 
 

I think for me maybe an actual LA-2A and/or 1176 would be a step up for me.
 
Given that I'm
a) a self project only studio (no clients)
b) not that great of a singer
 
I feel that this list covers all my vocal needs without stepping up to "world-class" stuff:
AEA R84 Ribbon Mic
AKG C414 B-ULS (circa 1984 with a Transformerless mod)
AKG SolidTube
Grace M101 Mic Pre
dbx 266xs Stereo Compressor/Limiter/Gate
dbx 160a Compressor
 
For my bass needs I either use:
Alembic F2-B Pre-Amp (for my Series I or Rick 4003S basses)
Universal Audio LA-610 MKII (for my mono basses)
 
For guitars I use:
True System P-Solo Mic Pre