Band Equipment Checklist - Everything Each Member Needs to Bring
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- musicians blog
- Updated: 29th September 2022
You need never put yourself through the sheer horror of snapping your last stick onstage or the unbearable frustration of turning up to practice one patch lead short of a full pedal board again with this comprehensive band equipment checklist!
Whether you're attending your weekly band practice, heading into the studio to record, or rocking up to a venue to play a show, every musician should keep a few essential items in their toolkits. Let's run through the ultimate checklist, some specific to their type of instrument and some all-around valuable bits of kit that will help you in a tight spot.
We'll run you through what each member of your band needs to bring with them - and why.
Vocalist
Microphone
The ultimate tool for any vocalist, think of your microphone as an extension of your voice. A standard dynamic microphone, the best type to use for a live performance, doesn't require any external power, meaning you can plug it into your PA system and start singing.
However, if you use a wireless microphone, you will most likely need to rely on batteries to power it - so make sure you bring spares, and, if you're using rechargeable batteries, make sure they're charged! You will also need to ensure you take along your receiver, which will pick up the signal from your wireless microphone's built-in transmitter.
Mic stand
Even if you're a more energetic performer who prefers to move around with your microphone clutched in your fist, bringing a microphone stand is always worth your while. You can use it yourself to rest your microphone upon when you take a break, or, in a pinch, you can lend it to one of your backing vocalists if their stand breaks.
XLR leads
We say leads in the plural for two reasons. One: it's always sensible to bring a spare in case your main cable fails. Two: you can combine multiple XLR leads together to create one longer lead, which will give you the freedom to move further away from the mixing desk should you need to.
PA system
While your other band mates might also run their instruments through your Public Address (PA) system, you will at the very least need to run your vocals through it - and, at any rate, somebody needs to be in charge of it! You might not need to bring your PA system if your practice space or gig venue already has its own setup, but you still need to ensure access to a mixing desk, an amp, speakers, and the relevant cables to connect it all.
IEMs
As a vocalist, you don't have the luxury of keys or frets to help you pitch your voice - so Inner Ear Monitors (IEMs) can be a huge help when it comes to boosting and isolating the particular instruments that are most useful for you to hear. Like with wireless microphones, if you use wireless IEMs, you will need to remember to bring your portable headphone amplifier and spare or fully recharged batteries.
Throat lozenges
Just like any other instrument, your voice will need some maintenance after heavy, prolonged usage. Lozenges, capsules or pastilles such as the singer-specific VocalZone or the more general Halls can help soothe and lubricate your vocal cords and throat when they become sore and dry.
Guitarist
Guitar
You might think we're stating the obvious, but there are a few things to consider when selecting which axe(s) you will bring with you. Depending on which songs you're going to play, you might need both an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar, a twelve-string guitar, a guitar set up in a different tuning such as drop C or open G, and just a spare guitar, if anything goes wrong.
Guitar strap
You might prefer to sit down and play if you're an acoustic guitarist. If not, pack a strap for every guitar you intend to use. We recommend you get your hands on some strap locks, too - you can do without the fear of your strap detaching itself and sending your guitar swinging off to the side, believe us!
Guitar amp
No matter how powerful a strummer you may be, you're not going to be able to rise above the sound of the drums unless you're plugged into an amplifier. If you've got a combo amp, chances are you'll only have to remember the one unit; if you're using a stack or half stack, you need to remember the amp head and the cabinet, plus all connecting cables. In both cases, make sure you've remembered to pack your mains lead if it's removable.
Jack leads
These cables often receive the worst treatment, what with being bundled into backpacks, yanked around the stage, and trodden on - and, as a result, jack leads are more likely to become crackly (and in need of re-soldering or replacing). With this in mind, you can never have too many spare leads, either to patch up your own rig or to lend to a bandmate who finds themself in a similar predicament.
Pedalboard
If you enjoy using guitar effects - such as distortion, chorus and delay - you might want to consider upgrading from a bagful of boxes to a smart, organised pedalboard which is all set up and ready to go whenever you want to play. Most pedals can be powered by batteries or via a mains adapter - we'd recommend the latter, especially as your pedal collection grows - so make sure your pedals are powered and all the connections are working.
Guitar picks
Not every guitarist uses a plectrum, but if you do, make sure you bring a handful of spares. If you drop a pick - which happens far more often than most guitarists would care to admit - then they can be a nightmare to find, which can be a real problem if you're halfway through a song. You might like to consider purchasing a pick holder, which you can attach to your guitar or, if you're a backing vocalist too, to your mic stand.
Guitar strings
Even if you've only recently re-strung your guitar, bring a complete spare set of strings with you wherever you play. However quick you are at thinking on your feet, having to make do without a high E string isn't the same as having full access to your fretboard.
You might be interested in getting yourself a string cutter and a string winder to speed up your string changes.
Guitar stand
A stand is a far safer way to store your guitar when you're not playing it than leaning it against your amp or leaving it on the floor. This way, your precious instrument is far less likely to get knocked over or kicked.
Fret lubricant
Trusted brands such as Finger Ease or Fast Fret will not only help your fingers fly across the fretboard, but they'll also help prevent soreness.
Bassist
Bass guitar
While it's less common to need a bass set up in a different tuning, you might need a fretless bass on certain songs or an acoustic bass. Again, it's never a bad idea to pack a spare bass in case of emergency.
Bass amp
Sometimes, a sound engineer at a gig venue will prefer to plumb your bass into the PA via a Direct Injection (DI) box, which is a great way of reducing unwanted noise. However, at your band practice, and, if you prefer, at a gig too, having your own amp will give you more control over your tone, and will help you hear yourself play. As with guitar amps, make sure you have the head and cab (unless you use a combo amp) and a power lead.
Bass picks
The pick v.s. fingers debate rages on in the bass community, but at the end of the day, it's your choice. If you prefer to play with a pick, do make sure you have a few spare, and make sure you can easily access them from your playing position.
Most of what we recommend that guitarists bring also applies to bassists - bring more leads than you need, prepare to fix broken strings, and find a safe way of storing your instrument between sets.
Keyboardist
Keyboard
Most keyboards and electric pianos can be powered via a mains adapter, so make sure you pack this; if not, make sure you know how many batteries your keyboard needs, and don't forget to pack a full set of spares. Amp-wise, you'll likely want to run your keyboard through the PA, so a couple of spare jack leads wouldn't go amiss.
Keyboard stand
A sturdy stand that you can trust is an essential item in any keyboardist's inventory. Depending on how much room you've been allotted, you may opt for the more compact X or V stand (so named because of the letter their shapes resemble) or the roomier Z stand with more foot space.
Music stand
If you're sight-reading your parts, you'll need to pack a decent music stand which can either be attached to or positioned in front of your keyboard. You might also want to pack some pegs to securely clip the page you're reading from open and a clip-on reading light so you can clearly see your page, even in the duskiest of jazz bars.
Piano stool
Unless you prefer to remain standing throughout your performance, a piano stool is a must - especially if you're going to be performing for a long time.
Sustain/expression pedal
If you're used to playing a regular piano, you'll be used to using a sustain pedal to produce long, sustained notes. Not all keyboards and electric pianos come readily equipped with sustain pedals, but you can purchase an external one which you can bring along to plug in.
You might also like to bring an expression pedal - which, depending on your keyboard's capabilities, can enable you to control such parameters as modulation, volume, delay and more without having to take your fingers off the keys.
Laptop with DAW installed
If you have a MIDI-compatible keyboard, you can plug your instrument into your laptop, tablet, or another smart device and use it to play whichever sound you choose in your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Just make sure you can power your device and have a MIDI cable to connect your keyboard.
String section
Violin/Cello/Double Bass
Aside from remembering the instrument itself, it's important that your instrument is suitable and prepared for the type of performance you will give. If you're performing at a more intimate venue, you might be able to rely on the stage microphones provided or not need a mic at all - but for larger venues, you'll need to take things a step further.
To mic up an ensemble such as a string quartet, you'll need to arrange your players close together in one section, then position a few microphones in front of them, as this will help capture the combined natural sound of the ensemble.
Alternatively, you can get pickups for individual stringed instruments or electric violins, cello and double basses, which can be plugged into the mixing desk via a jack lead. While this will make it easier for the sound engineer to control the individual levels of each instrument, it can be more challenging to achieve a natural sound.
Bow
For some songs, you may need to pluck your violin pizzicato-style or add some percussive ghost-notes to your walking basslines, but don't deny yourself the option of a bow. For double bass players, you might find it helpful to invest in a bow quiver, which you can attach to your instrument for instant access.
Rosin
Wherever you take your stringed instrument, always keep a block of rosin handy. Apply this to your bow to maintain a healthy level of friction for a clear, even sound.
Spare strings
Generally speaking, string players are less likely to break a string than guitarists, but it's been known to happen! Keep a complete spare set in your instrument case (just in case!).
Instrument stand
While your instrument should be safe enough if you keep it in its case, you should also bring a stand for your violin, cello or double bass. This will give you easy access to your instrument, allowing you to leave it out during breaks, or between your sound check and your performance.
Brass section
Trumpet/trombone/tuba
Whether you're playing orchestral music, jazz, ska, or anything in between, you'll need a trumpeter, trombonist, and, in many cases, a tubist to achieve the whole brass section sound.
Brass instruments are characteristically loud, so depending on what type of venue you'll be playing at, you may not need a microphone. However, you can get miniature instrument microphones which clip onto a brass instrument's bell, giving your sound engineer more control over your levels and a volume boost for larger venues.
Mouthpiece
Without a mouthpiece, you're not going to get much sound out of your brass instrument - so don't forget yours! It's always worth bringing two in case you lose or damage your main mouthpiece.
Mute
At the other end of the noise-making spectrum, if the songs your band want to play require you to change the tone of your instrument, make sure you've packed the relevant mute(s) that will enable you to do so. Some common types of mute are the straight mute for sharper sounds and the cup mute for softer sounds.
Music stand
You may well have the majority of your parts committed to memory, but if you're a gifted sight-reader and are playing something you're not that familiar with - or if you want a visual aid - then a music stand is a must-have. Some brass players may prefer to use a lyre, which is used to clip sheet music to the instrument itself.
Valve/slide oil
Depending on what you play, you'll no doubt know which essential oil or spray you'll need to keep your instrument in top working order. For a trombone, you'll need oil for the slide; for most other bass instruments, you'll need another type of oil for the valves. Whichever kind of brass instrument you play, pack yourself the type of oil you need to prevent any stiffening.
Brush
You need to bring a brush to keep your brass instrument clean - a flexible, snake-style brush is an easy way to reach those tighter spots inside a trumpet or trombone.
Woodwind section
Saxophone/clarinet/flute/oboe
If you're part of a woodwind ensemble, it's likely that you'll already have all the highs and lows covered between you. However, you might still need different instruments to play other songs - so make sure you pack, for example, an alto sax or a clarinet for songs you need to play in a higher register and a baritone sax or an oboe for songs in a lower register.
Reed
The key component of every woodwind instrument is the reed - the thin strip that vibrates in the mouthpiece to produce sound.
Reeds, which can be made of a natural or synthetic material, tend to be quite delicate and either 'deaden' in sound quality over time or become damaged. You can buy reeds for any woodwind instrument by the boxful, so make sure you have a few in stock if you need to replace the one you're currently using.
Music stand
As with brass instruments, if you need to read music as you play, either bring a standalone music stand or purchase an instrument-specific, marching band-style lyre to clip to your woodwind instrument.
Instrument stand
An instrument stand will not only come in useful at band practices and performances but also at home. Specific stands for saxophonists, clarinettists, flautists and oboists are available - as are stands which can support multiple instruments, which is especially convenient for multi-instrumentalists.
Strap
Aimed mainly at saxophonists, you'll need a comfortable, supportive strap that won't dig into your shoulders or neck and will distribute the instrument's weight safely across your body.
Cleaning cloth
Protect the finish of those shiny silver-plated clarinet keys with a microfibre polishing cloth and the clear finish of your saxophone with a treated lacquer cloth.
Drummer
Drum Kit
If you're headlining a gig or use a practice space that doesn't allow you to leave your kit locked up, make sure you remember to pack everything you need: bass drum, snare drum, rack toms and a floor tom is the standard minimum. You won't need to remember this if your band has their own lockup where you keep your drum kit or if you're sharing a kit with another band on the bill (in this case, make sure you contact the drummer who's providing the kit, so you know what they're bringing, in case you do need to bring anything else of your own along).
Hardware
The easiest way to remember what 'hardware' refers to in a drumming context is: the metal bits. This includes your cymbal stands, your snare stand, and your kick pedal.
Breakables
Snare drum and cymbal choice is very much a matter of taste, and even two drummers who play the same style of music can have very different preferences regarding the sound and feel of these parts of a drum kit. Also, they're usually the parts that are the easiest to damage (hence the term 'breakables'), so it's common courtesy to expect to bring your snare and cymbals if you're sharing a drum kit. You'll probably want to bring your own stool as well!
Drum sticks
You can never have enough spare drumsticks - one might fly out of your hand during a wildly energetic drum solo or splinter and snap in half when you bring a song to its crescendo. In any case, make sure you have plenty of spare sticks on stock, and make sure you can reach them from where you're sitting - you might want to consider attaching a drumstick holder to your cymbal stand.
Everybody
Screwdriver
If you need to tighten up a loose hinge or open up a panel to replace a battery, or check any faulty wiring, make sure you've got the right set of screwdrivers for the job - Philips, flathead and hex are common types of screws you'll find holding your gear together.
Pliers
Handy for guitarists, bassists and other string players when tightening unruly tuning pegs or keeping strings in place while changing them.
Side cutters
Ideal for snipping off excess wire, whether you've just changed a guitar string and don't want to get poked in the eye, or you're rewiring a cable and want to tidy up the ends.
Multi-tool
The all-in-one solution to all of the above, a multi-tool, will meet all your screwdriver-ing, plier-ing and side cutter-ing needs - and you only have to remember one handy gadget.
Gaffa tape or duct tape
Keep a roll of this tape-of-a-thousand-uses in your gig bag to temporarily hold up a mic stand or tape down stray cables that would otherwise be a tripping hazard.
WD-40
All stands, whether they're of the cymbal or the mic variety, are susceptible to stiffness. Apply a little WD-40 to those stubborn hinges and achieve total flexibility.
Extension leads
There's no need to fight over the one remaining socket if you're all equipped with your extension lead! Also, depending on whereabouts you position yourselves onstage, using an extension lead is a safer alternative to overstretching your mains lead between the player and the power source.
Spare batteries
Share the responsibility of keeping a supply of AA, AAA and D batteries in stock. Keyboards, active pickups, IEMs, effects pedals, and tuners could all fall victim to a dud at any given moment.
Earplugs
Unless you're already using IEMs, protect yourself from tinnitus by wearing earplugs. The best earplugs for musicians will reduce noise without sacrificing audio quality, so you can comfortably listen to what you're all playing. We recommend picking up a pair of plugs attached to a string - you're far less likely to lose them if they're dangling around your neck.
Phone/media player
While phones can sometimes serve as more of a distraction than anything else, it's helpful to have a device that can play the music you're learning if there's a tricky section you're still figuring out. Also, you can use a phone to take photos and record your band practice or gig, so you can review the footage together and discuss what worked and what didn't. If it did work, you could use that same footage to promote your band on social media!
Soldering kit
You don't have to be an electrician to be able to fix a faulty connection. If a jack lead or a pickup isn't behaving correctly, there's a good chance you can fix it yourself with a soldering iron.
Setlist
Each member of your band should have their own set list a) so you can all easily see which song you're playing next and b) if you need to make any individual notes, such as 'bass fuzz on' or 'guitar tuned to drop D'. Also, that duct tape from earlier will come in handy if you need to stick your set list to the back of a speaker or stop it from being blown or kicked across the floor.
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