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rockerdad « Think: VOLUME! »
Published on 03/28/11 at 10:31The MXR Boost/Line Driver is the type of gear that I've been searching for. what it does, it does simply and pretty darn good. It's built like a tank, like most MXR/CAE products. It has one footswtich, one knob and one led. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work this one guys.
- 0 to 20 db knob
- in and out jacks
- blue led when engaged
- dark grey casing
- runs on 9 volt battery or power adapter
UTILIZATION
I'm sure this pedal can do more but for my application, I only use it as a pure volume boost. I run it through the loop of my Marshall DSL. It can make your sound INSANELY loud. I rarely push it past around 2 or 3 db of volume boost, mainly because it just is just too loud unless you're playing an arena. Even using it in this fashion, it gives your tone a little bit of a treble boost it seems, along with the added volume.
SOUND QUALITY
The one thing about this pedal is more me nitpicking than anything. The volume it gives is GREAT. You can boost your own solos and not have to worry about whether or not the soundman is sleeping or not paying attention. It does seem to add a slight artificial treble or mid to your tone. It's not bad but it feels like it takes a little gain away at the same time it feels like it's adding gain. Confusing? It's hard to explain. It's definitely not a deal breaker but it does color the tone just a tad. The majority of people in your audience are not going to notice this at all so you're ready to rip those notes!
OVERALL OPINION
As I said earlier in this review, the MXR MC401 is exactly what I'd been looking for to give my leads and solos a volume boost without relying on a sound tech that doesn't know my band's music. For the $65 price I paid for this, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. It's also a very compact pedal so it won't take up a ton of space on your board. I've yet to try it through the front of my amp as a traditional boost but I didn't buy it for that.
- 0 to 20 db knob
- in and out jacks
- blue led when engaged
- dark grey casing
- runs on 9 volt battery or power adapter
UTILIZATION
I'm sure this pedal can do more but for my application, I only use it as a pure volume boost. I run it through the loop of my Marshall DSL. It can make your sound INSANELY loud. I rarely push it past around 2 or 3 db of volume boost, mainly because it just is just too loud unless you're playing an arena. Even using it in this fashion, it gives your tone a little bit of a treble boost it seems, along with the added volume.
SOUND QUALITY
The one thing about this pedal is more me nitpicking than anything. The volume it gives is GREAT. You can boost your own solos and not have to worry about whether or not the soundman is sleeping or not paying attention. It does seem to add a slight artificial treble or mid to your tone. It's not bad but it feels like it takes a little gain away at the same time it feels like it's adding gain. Confusing? It's hard to explain. It's definitely not a deal breaker but it does color the tone just a tad. The majority of people in your audience are not going to notice this at all so you're ready to rip those notes!
OVERALL OPINION
As I said earlier in this review, the MXR MC401 is exactly what I'd been looking for to give my leads and solos a volume boost without relying on a sound tech that doesn't know my band's music. For the $65 price I paid for this, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. It's also a very compact pedal so it won't take up a ton of space on your board. I've yet to try it through the front of my amp as a traditional boost but I didn't buy it for that.