Pedals that stack with the NuX NAI-5 Optima Air

fills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)

Way Huge Pork Loin leans toward transparent, and that's a real, usable character to pair with

Comes earlier in the signal chain

fills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)

Where this leans warm, Tech 21 SansAmp answers back bright

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Run Maestro PS-1A Phase Shifter after NuX NAI-5 Optima Air in the signal chain, clear of NuX NAI-5 Optima Air's own gain stage

Comes earlier in the signal chain

fills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)

What JHS 3 Series Compressor brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around

Comes earlier in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Put Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal after NuX NAI-5 Optima Air in the signal chain, clear of NuX NAI-5 Optima Air's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)

Comes later in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Run Strymon El Capistan after NuX NAI-5 Optima Air in the signal chain, clear of NuX NAI-5 Optima Air's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)

Comes later in the signal chain