The MXR MC-402 is an MXR overdrive pedal. Close alternatives include the Xotic AC Booster and the Free The Tone ODL-1 Overdriveland Standard. It pairs well with the Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head and the Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt.
MXR MC-402
MXR · pedal
The MXR MC-402 Boost/Overdrive is a premium dual-function pedal from MXR's Custom Audio Electronics collaboration, providing a transparent clean boost and a warm overdrive in a single enclosure. The CAE (Custom Audio Electronics) collaboration with Bob Bradshaw produced a series of professional-grade signal chain tools, and the MC-402 reflects the signal quality standards demanded by professional touring guitarists who rely on CAE systems.
What stands out
“The MXR MC-402 Boost/Overdrive is a premium dual-function pedal from MXR's Custom Audio Electronics collaboration, providing a transparent clean boost and a warm overdrive in a single enclosure”
— from the listing
“Part of MXR's Custom Audio Electronics (Bob Bradshaw) collaboration, providing professional-grade boost and overdrive functionality”
— from the community notes
“The CAE (Custom Audio Electronics) collaboration with Bob Bradshaw produced a series of professional-grade signal chain tools, and the MC-402 reflects the signal quality standards demanded by professional touring guitarists who rely on CAE …”
— from the listing
“and the mc-402 reflects the signal quality standards demanded by professional touring guitarists who rely on cae systems”
— from the listing
“The MC-402's boost and overdrive channels are both transparent and musical”
— from the community notes
- transparent
- boost
- touring
- overdrive
- warm
- clean boost
- natural
- musical
Genres the MXR MC-402 is commonly used in
- Electronic
- Punk Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR MC-402
Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head
Revv
24% matchRevv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes later in the signal chain
Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt
Diezel
24% matchInto a transparent tone, Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt brings a pull toward high gain that's missing
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
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
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
Blackstar HT Club 50 MKII
Blackstar
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Blackstar HT Club 50 MKII brings a pull toward mid-forward 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
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Bad Cat Lynx 50 leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Pedals that stack with the MXR MC-402
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler
Dr Scientist
26% matchPush the Frazz Dazzler's low-gain fuzz with the MC-402's transparent, musical boost stacked in front for extra saturation without losing clarity.
Comes later in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix 1973 Violet Ram's Head Big Muff Pi V2
Electro-Harmonix
25% 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
Electro-Harmonix Bad
Electro-Harmonix
17% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put the Bad's subtle, resonant sweep after the MC-402's transparent, musical boost so the modulation colors a clean, defined signal.
Comes later in the signal chain
Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Micro
Pigtronix
15% 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)
Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Micro's own mid-forward character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Dawner Prince Boonar
Dawner Prince
11% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Dawner Prince Boonar after MXR MC-402 in the signal chain, clear of MXR MC-402's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
MXR
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay's analog warmth voice goes after MXR MC-402 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with MXR MC-402's own transparent character — 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
Donner Big Mouth Distortion
Donner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Donner Big Mouth Distortion leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Xotic AC Booster
Xotic
68% similarityShared character: boost, natural, transparent
Free The Tone ODL-1 Overdriveland Standard
Free The Tone
65% similarityShared character: boost, transparent, overdrive
Friedman Buxom Boost
Friedman
65% similarityShared character: boost, natural, transparent
Xotic Effects SSB Super Clean Booster
Xotic
60% similarityShared character: boost, natural, transparent
T-Rex Hobo Drive
T Rex
58% similarityShared character: natural, transparent, warm
Walrus Audio Ages 5-state
Walrus Audio
56% similarityShared character: boost, overdrive
Tone City Sweet Cream
Tone City
55% similarityShared character: transparent, warm, overdrive
Electro-Harmonix LPB-1
Electro-Harmonix
54% similarityShared character: boost, natural, transparent
Carl Martin Hot Drive 'N Boost mkI
Carl Martin
54% similarityShared character: boost, transparent, warm
EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost
EarthQuaker Devices
54% similarityShared character: boost, natural, transparent
TC Electronic Zeus Drive Overdrive
TC Electronic
54% similarityShared character: boost, natural, transparent
Catalinbread Sidearm
Catalinbread
52% similarityShared character: boost, transparent, overdrive
See all alternatives to the MXR MC-402 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR MC-402?+
The closest matches in character are the Xotic AC Booster, the Free The Tone ODL-1 Overdriveland Standard, the Friedman Buxom Boost.
What pairs well with the MXR MC-402?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head, Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt, Synergy SL2 Module — Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own.