The MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver is an MXR boost pedal, currently around $120.88. Close alternatives include the MXR M233 and the Digitech DOD 410 Bifet Boost. It pairs well with the Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier and the Diezel Hagen 4-Channel 100-Watt.
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.
What stands out
“And it seems many people wa… • Plainest boost — , just pure volume”
— from the community notes
“[Pros] ✓ Pure, transparent boost , maintaining original tone ✓ Simple one-knob design for ease of use ✓ Durable, built like a tank ✓ Low noise floor, very quiet when engaged ✓ Works well in FX loop or in front of amp for v…”
— from the reviews
“Takes both 9V and 18V for more headroom”
— from the community notes
“I love this, because when my basic clean tone through the amp is good, I”
— from the community notes
“The boost is extremely articulate a… • My number one boost pedal — One knob, simple design, built like a tank and”
— from the community notes
Trade-offs
“The MC401 , but instead, provides a very natural boost that pushes my amp into natural overdrive”
— from the community notes
“If you want additional nasty fuzz-overdrive, you can buy MXR MC-402 Boost/Overdrive”
— from the community notes
- boost
- transparent
- headroom
- tank
- simple
- clean boost
- natural
Price updated Oct 24, 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
Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier
Soldano
24% matchSoldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes later in the signal chain
Diezel Hagen 4-Channel 100-Watt
Diezel
24% matchDiezel Hagen 4-Channel 100-Watt leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes later in the signal chain
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
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
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 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
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
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Friedman BE-Mini Head leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Pedals that stack with the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver
Beetronics Nectar
Beetronics
25% matchInto a transparent tone, Beetronics Nectar brings a pull toward fuzzy that's missing
Comes later in the signal chain
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter
EarthQuaker Devices
25% matchEarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter leans this transparent tone toward fuzzy, 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.
Keep Electro-Harmonix Bad after MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver in the signal chain, clear of MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor
Wampler
14% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
What Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Meris Polymoon
Meris
8% 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 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)
Comes later in the signal chain
Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay
Electro-Harmonix
8% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Malekko Electro-Harmonix Memory Toy Analog Delay's modulated voice goes after MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver'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
Warm Audio Jet Phaser
Warm Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Warm Audio Jet Phaser belongs after MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver, since modulation sits after the gain for a defined swirl
Cheaper alternatives
MXR Micro Amp
MXR
60% similarityShared character: mxr m133 micro amp, use, low noise floor
Biyang Pre-19 Preamp
Biyang
54% similarityShared character: simple three knob layout, true bypass, boost
Fulltone Fulldrive 2 MOSFET
Fulltone
95% similaritysimilar tone character
MXR Super Badass Distortion
MXR
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Boss
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Boss
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Xotic BB Preamp Andy Timmons Limited Edition Pedal
Xotic
60% similarityShared character: true bypass, boost, headroom
Free The Tone SOV-2 Custom Shop
Free The Tone
59% similarityShared character: low noise floor, boost, headroom
Catalinbread Blood Donor
Catalinbread
58% similarityShared character: signal chain, boost, natural
Vertex Boost MKII
Vertex
58% similarityShared character: low noise floor, boost, headroom
Xotic RC Booster
Xotic
56% similarityShared character: low noise floor, boost, touch
Boss BP-1
Boss
56% similarityShared character: bright, natural, boost
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
MXR M233
MXR
61% similarityShared character: staple, low noise floor, true bypass
Digitech DOD 410 Bifet Boost
Digitech
61% similarityShared character: low noise floor, 8 impedance, signal chain
Browne Amplification The Fixer Dual Boost/Buffer
Browne Amplification
60% similarityShared character: original tone, buffer, signal integrity
Wadsworth Music Engager Boost
Wadsworth Music
57% similarityShared character: natural, boost, transparent
Behringer PB100 Preamp Booster
Behringer
57% similarityShared character: low noise floor, 8 impedance, signal chain
One Control OC-Lge
One Control
55% similarityShared character: boost, simple
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 M233, the Digitech DOD 410 Bifet Boost, the Browne Amplification The Fixer Dual Boost/Buffer. Budget picks: MXR Micro Amp, Biyang Pre-19 Preamp, Fulltone Fulldrive 2 MOSFET. Boutique upgrades: Xotic BB Preamp Andy Timmons Limited Edition Pedal, Free The Tone SOV-2 Custom Shop, Catalinbread Blood Donor.
What pairs well with the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier, Diezel Hagen 4-Channel 100-Watt, Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt — Soldano SLO 100 100-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own.
How much does the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver cost?+
Around $120.88 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).