plugins vs. outboard gear

[jeronimo]

I want to start my own home studio, so I don't have THAT much money to spend. What kind of outboard gear I MUST have and what can I substitute with plugins? Can u advise me with the best plugins and gear (remember about $$) to have?

[Felix]

if you're getting the 001 you don't need a mic pre immediately. get the new Mackie mixer (1202 or 1402). they have excellent mic pres built-in for the money- the 1402 has two more. if you watch levels carefully, you can get by with no compressor, and use plug-ins for various kinds of comp. the Mackie has limited eq. there are a lot of mic pre, eq, comp, combo units available for under $1000 that sound pretty good. ART and Joe Meek for ex. i've heard the RNC comp.($199) is a good choice. for well over $1000 there's much better choices.