MXR MC401 CAE Boost/Line Driver Pedal Reviews
One knob and +20dB of boost — the MXR MC401 CAE boost/line driver pedal is about as simple as a guitar pedal can get, but this unassuming little stompbox is packed to the brim with tone-shaping utility! Designed for busy signal chains with mismatched line level and signal conditioning problems, the MXR MC401 CAE boost/line driver supplies up to +20dB of ultra-clean boost to wash the mud off your signal and inject an incredible degree of clarity, sparkle, and definition. What’s more, Sweetwater guitarists find that the MC401 CAE boost/line driver is also perfect for cranking up your signal into the front end of a tube amp, allowing even the tamest of single-coil pickups to achieve sweet saturation and roaring overdrive tones.
Earn $6 back in Bonus Bucks† OR pay $5/month with 24 month financing*
$6 Earn $6.00 back in Bonus Bucks† on this purchase when you use your Sweetwater Credit Card without financing. Select your offer in checkout. Terms
As low as $5/month
with 24 month financing*
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Highest Rated Reviews
Amazing pedal!!!
I originally bought this pedal to provide a clean boost to a piezo signal, which worked wonderfully. One night I accidentally kicked it on in front of my EVH 5150 III, and everyone in the room exclaimed "WHOA!" It sounds incredible as a boost in front of my my Mesa Mark V as well, and it's now my go to clean boost. I now own 2 of them. One for each rig. Just dial that knob slightly past 12 noon and there it is.
Essential
If you want pure, transparent, clean volume, this is it. I use it with 9 volts not 18 because it already has so much headroom. One of the best pedals I've ever owned.
Exact intent
I've been using this pedal for about 5 years, putting some pretty brutal miles on it, spilled drinks, dirty out door shows, big stages and dirty garages… I've used this pedal with no issue the whole time. I play bass and run this at the front of my chain, it hits my tube head and makes the best overdrive I've ever achieved. Then into my bass rig where it's used just as a boost, no real change other than volume. If I am ever in a situation to borrow another rig I can use my Rusty Box pre-amp, and this hits it very similarly to a tube head. That makes my job easier to have that kind of flexibility, this pedal works pretty much the same in both situations. If you are looking for a boost pedal, this does exactly that. It is built to take a beating, and does exactly what it claims to do. I give it… Five bags of popcorn, and throw in some devil horns like you'd see at a rock and roll show.
