1. Manley Tube Preamp
Start here to introduce tone and weight. Push the input just enough to add subtle harmonic richness without audible distortion, then trim the output back to unity. Keep EQ moves minimal and broad.
2. Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection
Set the LA‑2A (Silver or Gray) for around 1–2 dB of gain reduction to gently level things out. It smooths the performance, brings details forward, and instantly makes tracks feel more finished.
3. Oxide Tape Recorder
Use conservative saturation to round off edges and add cohesion to pull everything together. It’s that final bit of glue that makes the chain feel complete.