Amped Up Rig Rundown!
Here is my ultra versatile live rig for every possible scenario. From 100 watt Marshall levels to silent practice, this set up gets me through every practice, recording session, and live show in a small package that packs a massive punch.
Signal Chain
Guitar > Polytune 3 Noir > Ibanez TS9DX > Bad Dog Chorus > Kraken V4 > FX loop Send > Loop Switch Send (hollowed out DS-1) > NUX Atlantic Multi Delay and Reverb > Fender Engager Boost > Loop Switch Return > Out to EX 7 Band EQ > FX Loop Return
Victory Amps V4 Kraken
Honestly, it’s hard to find something this amp can’t do. Want that classic British rock tone? Flip to the green channel. Need an American high-gain wall of distortion? Hit the red channel. The Victory V4 pedalboard amp is essentially two amps in one, built around a four-tube preamp and a powerful 180-watt solid-state power amp that delivers real tube feel and punch. Weighing in at just 5 pounds, this compact pedalboard amp saves your back and your stage space—no small thing when you’re loading gear in and out of a family vehicle packed with car seats. For musician dads who want pro-level live show tone without the bulk, the Victory V4 series is a total game changer.
- Integrated “Two notes” cabinet simulation technology (program and switch between 5 profiles)
- Dedicated Headphone amp built in for silent practice (this was a game changer when I had a sleeping infant)
- Balanced DI & TRS line out (use these for signal splitting to the soundboard and In Ear rigs)
- 9V DC power output- Up to 500ma (powers my whole board without the need for another powerbank)
- Series Effects loop (for all the time based effects, or adding more “channels”)
Polytune 3 Noir
TC Electronics Polytune Tuner pedals are pretty much industry standard at this point. I am rocking the Polytune 2 Noir, which is a bit older, and the Polytune 3 is out now. This is a smaller tuner with standard or drop tuning modes, and an awesome strobe tuner that helps me get my intonation dead on every time!
- Quickly Tune with polyphonic, chromatic and strobe tuning modes
- Built-in BONAFIDE BUFFER keeps tone crisp through long cables and large pedal boards
- Polyphonic Mode tunes all your strings at once
- Lightning-Fast chromatic tuner
- Small Size for those compact Dad rigs
Ibanez TS9DX
This pedal lives in front of my Kraken’s 4 mini-tube preamp to tighten the low end and add focus. I run it with Drive at 0, Level maxed, and Tone around 4 — a classic Tube Screamer setup that keeps the amp responsive without getting muddy. I went with the TS9DX because the Turbo control adds real flexibility, letting me switch from a traditional TS9 boost to a heavier push on the fly during a set. I’ve linked the exact pedal I’m using below for anyone who wants to dig deeper.
- Versatile Overdrive & Boost Modes Adding “+”, “Hot”,and “Turbo” let you dial in mild to heavy lowend crunch
- Live or Home This work horse can get you every OD and boost sound you are looking for
- Although, it is worth noting that by itself the Tube Screamer is not a heavy distortion pedal, but using it as a boost in front of a dirty amp can create powerful crushing tones
NUX Atlantic Reverb & Delay
As I started building a smaller, more portable pedalboard, I quickly realized that keeping my old Line 6 DL4 or Space Echo just wasn’t practical — space and weight matter when you’re juggling gigs, family, and real life. That’s when I came across the NUX Atlantic Multi Delay and Reverb. With stereo outputs, a series/parallel routing switch, and both effects in a single compact enclosure, it immediately caught my attention. After spending time with it on my board, it’s safe to say this pedal isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. I still have the DL4 but man do I regret selling that Space Echo.
- 3 Delay + 3 Reverb modes give you flexibility whether you’re chasing vintage warmth, tape-echo grit, or modern ambient shimmer
- Smart Tap + Stereo Output + Flexible Routing = pedalboard utility for live gigs and home recording, making this pedal a one-box solution
- High Fidelity and Clean Signal Chain means you can push preamps, amps, or tube gear (like your Kraken or other rigs) and still keep clarity
Fender Engager Boost
When I needed a simple, reliable way to take my guitar tone to the next level with a single foot stomp, the Engager Boost quickly earned its spot on my board. More than just a clean volume boost for solos, this pedal gives you real tone-shaping control, letting you tighten the low end, add clarity with the treble, and use the mid control to cut through a live mix with confidence. The high-mid / low-mid switch is a game changer, making it easy to dial in the perfect solo tone whether you’re playing small clubs, or that big room in town. It’s a powerful, no-nonsense boost pedal that delivers studio-quality tone control.
- Clean Boost with active tone control and up to +20db of boost
- Independent EQ Control for advanced tone shaping
- Switchable Mid frequency toggle to control high or low mids
- Light Up knobs for those dark stages. (these lights are very bright but can be turned off from switch on the top.
- True or Buffered Bypass for whatever your situation.
EX EQ7 Band Equalizer
This compact EQ pedal has become my go-to always-on solution for getting the most out of the Kraken V4. Running it last in the FX loop, after my custom loop switcher and straight into the FX return, lets me fine-tune the preamp EQ just before it hits the power amp. The result is precise tonal control, better clarity, and the flexibility to shape my sound for virtually any genre without touching my core amp settings. I will admit this pedal is very cheap and I will need to upgrade to something with a better build quality but for the price and the size, this was the perfect option.
- 7 adjustable frequency bands covers from 63 Hz up to 5 kHz lets you tame muddy frequencies or spice up the mids/highs on any amp.
- Compact Footprint allows you to stick this thing almost anywhere on your board without taking up prime real estate.
- Overall Level Slider lets you get a master volume/boost control for solos or level balancing
Pig Hog Cables
When I set out to build a durable, reliable pedalboard without breaking the bank, I quickly realized that great cables are just as important as amps and pedals. The right cables ensure your rig stays consistent, protects your tone, and stands up to gigging, rehearsal, or home use. That’s how I discovered Pig Hog Cables.
I’m using their 6in Patch Cables between almost all my pedals to keep signal clean and noise-free. From my guitar to the board, I rely on the 20Ft Instrument Cable for smooth, reliable signal transfer. And if you need a rugged speaker cable that can handle any amp or speaker setup, their Pig Hog Speaker Cables are a must-have for any serious rig. Whatever your cable needs are, check out Pig Hog Cables, I don’t think you will be disappointed.
