For almost 20 years I gigged regularly with zero pedals, just a tuner. Mostly in funk bands, horn dominant stuff, etc. Then the pedals started to grow in addition to the number of bands I worked with. With the amount of slap I've played over the years, I'm shocked that I never used a comp until I picked up the MXR M87. This is my definitive must have pedal. A preamp/EQ pedal is a close 2nd. I run a Darkglass Harmonic Booster as my always on preamp. My NUX MLD NBP-5 serves as my solo boost pedal and as my HPF. It's a solid drive unit in additional to splitting two signals with or without an IR. I recently joined a GB type wedding band that often plays without keys so I picked up a Source Audio C4. Quite a learning curve, but what a powerhouse for synth heavy pop tunes, lower octave, etc. I use a DMC Micro as a midi controller for the C4.
My must haves for the above would be compressor first and C4 second. The band that requires the C4 pays better than other groups I've been involved with.
My must haves for the above would be compressor first and C4 second. The band that requires the C4 pays better than other groups I've been involved with.
