$1200 budget, what to buy ?

[SLy_drums]

I work in a small studio with the following gear :

Mics :

NT1000 x 2
C414 ULS x 1
C414 XL2 x 1
AT4060 x 2
MD421 x 4
SM57 x 3
BETA57 x 1
D112 x 1
BETA91 x 1
RE20 x 1
BETA52 x 1
SM81 x 2
Oktava MK012 x 1
Studio Projects TB1 x 1

and we can get for free : Brauner Phantom C, a second C414 ULS, 2 x Beta98

Mic pres :

Mindprint Dual Tube Channel (2 x pre, 2 x tube EQ, 2 x optocomp)
SPL Goldmike MK1 (2 x pre)
API 512c (4 x pre)
API 512b (1 x pre)
Mackie 8 bus 32 chnl.

Dynamics/EQ :

SPL Dynamaxx (2 channels comp)
DBX 160X (1 channel comp)
API 550 b EQ (x 2)

Other :

SPL Transient Designer (x4)
SPL Qure
SPL Charisma
Mackie Control
...

Converters :
MOTU HD192
MOTU 828

Musical Instruments :
DW complete drumkit with 2 x DW snares
Premier Signia complete drumkit
Noble and Cooley Alloy Classic snare drum
Gibson Les Paul Custom
Randall tube head + Randall cabinet
Gallen Krueger bass amp...

I'll have a $1200 budget at the end of this month, to spend into gear (as always ), and i do hesitate between several pieces of gear. We mostly are into rock, pop, metal, metalcore, hardcore production. Here are my ideas :

Royer R121
EL Distressor
Soundelux U195
BAE 1272 mic pre
Shadow Hill Gama mono mic pre (to fit in the API lunchbox)

The Royer R121 is definitely my first choice, then come a new pre to have a different flavor (something I can rack into my lunchbox would be cool, 5 slots remaining, I need a different flavor than API, more "open" maybe), and a Distressor...

What would you go for ? Do you have any other suggestions ?

I think our setup lacks of a ribbon mic, a big colored compressor and also a good pre for metal guitars.

[audiothings]

good first choice imho. the mic is the most important piece of equipment imho and a ribbon would be a great addition to your collection. If this were not the the high end forum i would have suggested a matched pair of some less expensive ribbons...

.02,
self.