The MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver is an MXR boost pedal, currently around $110.87. Close alternatives include the MXR MC-402 and the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer. It pairs well with the Synergy SL2 Module and the Friedman BE-Mini Head.
MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver
MXR · pedal
The MXR MC401 Boost Line Driver is a clean boost and signal buffer pedal from MXR by Jim Dunlop, designed to deliver transparent signal amplification with a high-impedance output that preserves signal quality across long cable runs and complex pedalboard setups. The MC401 provides clean boost for solo level increases and functions as a high-quality line driver for maintaining signal integrity in both studio and stage environments. Its transparent character makes it useful at the beginning or end of the signal chain to compensate for level differences or signal degradation without introducing tonal coloration.
- boost
- transparent
- headroom
- tank
- clean boost
- simple
- amp tone
- natural
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver is commonly used in
- Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
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 MC401 Boost/Line Driver
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchRun Synergy SL2 Module into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchRun Friedman BE-Mini Head into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchRun Ceriatone 2202H into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchRun Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Friedman Phil X Signature
Friedman
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Friedman Phil X Signature gives it high gain to fill it with
Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-50 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchMesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-50 1x12 Combo's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Peavey 6505 MH 20W Mini Head
Peavey
tonal matchRun Peavey 6505 MH 20W Mini Head into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
ENGL Marty Friedman Inferno E766
Engl
tonal matchENGL Marty Friedman Inferno E766's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Pedals that stack with the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver
Beetronics Nectar
Beetronics
26% matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Beetronics Nectar gives it low gain to fill it with
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter
EarthQuaker Devices
26% matchRun EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter into that transparent platform and it finally gets some fuzzy
Dunlop JD-4S Rotovibe
pedal
18% matchPut Dunlop JD-4S Rotovibe after MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver in the signal chain, clear of MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver's own gain stage
Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive
Vox
13% matchVox Valvenergy Silk Drive leans toward smooth, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Mr. Black Bloodmoon
Mr Black
11% matchPut Mr. Black Bloodmoon after MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver in the signal chain, clear of MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Meris Polymoon
Meris
10% matchRun Meris Polymoon after MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver in the signal chain, clear of MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchDr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2's fuzzy fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchInto MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver, Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Cheaper alternatives
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Boss
70% similarityShared character: simple_three_knob_layout, single_tone_knob, staple
MXR Micro Amp
MXR
70% similarityShared character: mxr_m133_micro_amp, use, low_noise_floor
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
69% similarityShared character: lead, volume, staple
EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp
EarthQuaker Devices
68% similarityShared character: buffer, signal_integrity, long_cable_runs
Fulltone Fulldrive 2 MOSFET
Fulltone
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Browne Amplification The Fixer Dual Boost/Buffer
Browne Amplification
71% similarityShared character: original_tone, buffer, signal_integrity
Analog Man King of Tone
Analog Man
69% similarityShared character: market, boost, headroom
Xotic EP Booster
Xotic
69% similarityShared character: footswitch, simple_three_knob_layout, single_tone_knob
Xotic BB Preamp Andy Timmons Limited Edition Pedal
Xotic
69% similarityShared character: true_bypass, boost, headroom
Vertex Boost MKII
Vertex
68% similarityShared character: low_noise_floor, boost, headroom
EarthQuaker Devices Tone Job V2
EarthQuaker Devices
68% similarityShared character: volume, boost, simple
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
MXR MC-402
MXR
70% similarity“If you want additional nasty fuzz-overdrive, you can buy MXR MC-402 Boost/Overdrive”
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Ibanez
70% similarityShared character: simple_three_knob_layout, lead, volume
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
70% similarityShared character: lead, volume, boost
MXR M233
MXR
69% similarityShared character: staple, low_noise_floor, true_bypass
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Boss
69% similarityShared character: volume, versatility, tank
EarthQuaker Devices Life
EarthQuaker Devices
68% similarityShared character: lightweight_design, signal_chain, boost
See all alternatives to the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver?+
The closest matches in character are the MXR MC-402, the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, the Colorsound Power Boost. Budget picks: Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive, MXR Micro Amp, ProCo RAT 2. Boutique upgrades: Browne Amplification The Fixer Dual Boost/Buffer, Analog Man King of Tone, Xotic EP Booster.
What pairs well with the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Synergy SL2 Module, Friedman BE-Mini Head, Ceriatone 2202H — Run Synergy SL2 Module into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain.
How much does the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver cost?+
Around $110.87 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).