The Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293 is a Dunlop boost pedal, currently around $110. Close alternatives include the Catalinbread Epoch Boost Mini and the Behringer PB100 Preamp Booster. It pairs well with the PRS MT100 and the Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head.
Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293
Dunlop · pedal
The MXR Booster Mini, model M293, is a compact clean boost pedal from MXR by Jim Dunlop that combines the circuits of the MXR Micro Amp and the Echoplex EP101 preamp in a single mini-format enclosure. An internal trimpot allows the player to blend between the flat, transparent Micro Amp boost character and the colored, warm Echoplex preamp character, with an external Output knob for overall boost level. The mini format reduces pedalboard space relative to the standard MXR enclosures while preserving the core functionality of both source circuits in a single, accessible package. It suits players who want a permanent set-and-forget character between transparent and colored boost.
What stands out
“It suits players who want a permanent set-and-forget character between transparent and colored boost”
— from the listing
“The MXR Booster Mini, model M293, is a compact clean boost pedal from MXR by Jim Dunlop that combines the circuits of the MXR Micro Amp and the Echoplex EP101 preamp in a single mini-format enclosure”
— from the listing
“An internal trimpot allows the player to blend between the flat, transparent Micro Amp boost character and the colored, warm Echoplex preamp character, with an external Output knob for overall boost level”
— from the listing
“The internal trimpot position requires opening the enclosure to adjust, limiting on-the-fly character variation compared to a two-knob external version”
— from the community notes
“Used as a studio-set-it-and-forget-it tone character tool or a live level boost, with the internal trimpot position determining whether the output leans toward transparent or colored”
— from the community notes
- boost
- transparent
- live
- clean boost
- upper midrange
- consistent
- studio
Good for
- Busking
- Live
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293 is commonly used in
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293
PRS MT100
PRS
19% matchPRS MT100 leans this transparent tone toward medium gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes later in the signal chain
Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head
Orange
19% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head leans this transparent tone toward mid-forward, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt brings a pull toward high gain that's missing
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head
Egnater
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Egnater Tweaker 88 Head brings a pull toward low gain that's missing
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Ceriatone 2202H leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Carol-Ann OD-2R
Carol Ann
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Carol-Ann OD-2R brings a pull toward medium gain that's missing
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H brings a pull toward high gain that's missing
Pedals that stack with the Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293
Electro-Harmonix 1973 Violet Ram's Head Big Muff Pi V2
Electro-Harmonix
18% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
Electro-Harmonix 1973 Violet Ram's Head Big Muff Pi V2 leans this transparent tone toward mid-forward, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes later in the signal chain
Wren and Cuff Box of War OG
Wren And Cuff
18% matchInto a transparent tone, Wren and Cuff Box of War OG brings a pull toward fuzzy that's missing
Comes later in the signal chain
TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler
TC Electronic
14% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler after Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293 in the signal chain, clear of Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive
Vox
11% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive leans toward smooth, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Strymon BigSky
Strymon
6% matchsits 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 BigSky after Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293 in the signal chain, clear of Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Fender Hammertone Reverb
Fender
6% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Fender Hammertone Reverb after Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293 in the signal chain, clear of Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 leans this transparent tone toward fuzzy, which it doesn't make on its own
Warm Audio Jet Phaser
Warm Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Warm Audio Jet Phaser belongs after Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293, since modulation sits after the gain for a defined swirl
Cheaper alternatives
67Audio Libido
67audio
61% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
Demon FX Full BB Preamp
Demon Fx
57% similarityShared character: boost, transparent, studio
EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost
EarthQuaker Devices
52% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
Fender Engager Boost
Fender
93% similaritysimilar tone character
TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster
TC Electronic
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Mile End Effects PreAmp 150
Mile End Effects
63% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
Xotic BB Preamp Andy Timmons Limited Edition Pedal
Xotic
58% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
Suhr Koko Boost
Suhr
57% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
Jackson Audio Blossom
Jackson Audio
56% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
Frost Giant Electronics Yama
Frost Giant Electronics
55% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
Xotic RC Booster
Xotic
55% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Catalinbread Epoch Boost Mini
Catalinbread
60% similarityShared character: boost
Behringer PB100 Preamp Booster
Behringer
58% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
Beetronics Buzzter Boost Preamp
Beetronics
57% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
Origin Effects DCX Boost Black Edition
Origin Effects
56% similarityShared character: boost, transparent, studio
Mad Professor Ruby Red Booster
Mad Professor
53% similarityShared character: boost
Carl Martin Boost Kick
Carl Martin
52% similarityShared character: boost, transparent
See all alternatives to the Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293?+
The closest matches in character are the Catalinbread Epoch Boost Mini, the Behringer PB100 Preamp Booster, the Beetronics Buzzter Boost Preamp. Budget picks: 67Audio Libido, Demon FX Full BB Preamp, EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost. Boutique upgrades: Mile End Effects PreAmp 150, Xotic BB Preamp Andy Timmons Limited Edition Pedal, Suhr Koko Boost.
What pairs well with the Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: PRS MT100, Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head, Synergy SL2 Module — PRS MT100 leans this transparent tone toward medium gain, which it doesn't make on its own.
How much does the Dunlop MXR Booster Mini, model M293 cost?+
Around $110 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).