The MXR CAE Boost/Overdrive is a boost and overdrive effects pedal made by MXR in partnership with Custom Audio Electronics. Dunlop describes it as combining "the popular Boost/Line Driver circuit with a punchy, dynamic overdrive circuit," putting an independent clean boost alongside the overdrive in one compact pedal1. It is a legacy product and is no longer in production1.
What it does
The pedal gives you two circuits in one box. The overdrive section is described by Dunlop as "truly 'classic'", adding warmth, sustain and punch without coloring your sound, and able to go from a bluesy, slightly overdriven tone to full-metal crunch with a twist of the gain knob1. The clean boost runs independently of the overdrive, so you can use either on its own or both together1.
The boost side is not a new design. Dunlop states it is "the exact same circuit CAE has used for years to solve a wide variety of signal conditioning problems in major guitar systems"1. That circuit also stands on its own in the MXR CAE Boost/Line Driver, which Dunlop describes as a pedal for solving mismatched line level and signal problems, usable as an ultra-clean boost of up to +20dB for solos or to drive other effects for more dynamics and sensitivity3.
Where it came from
The pedal came out of MXR's collaboration with Bob Bradshaw's Custom Audio Electronics. JHS Pedals notes that the partnership produced the MC401 CAE Boost/Line Driver, the MC402 CAE Boost/Overdrive, and the MC403 CAE Power supply2. The boost circuit in this family traces back to the signal conditioning work CAE did in large professional guitar systems1.
Power
The pedal can be powered by a 9-volt battery, a Dunlop ECB003 9-volt adapter, or Dunlop's DC Brick, Iso-Brick or Mini Iso-Brick power supplies, none of which are included with the pedal1.
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Sources (3)
- MXR® CAE BOOST/OVERDRIVE, Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
- ARE MASS PRODUCED PEDALS GOOD?, JHS Pedals
- MXR® CAE BOOST/LINE DRIVER, Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
