Very Good When Used as a Clean Boost Pedal

It's worth noting that the Micro Amp is mainly useful in the context of playing live, specifically with a tube amplifier. It's not likely to add much to your solo practice or writing sessions (although if you practice or write at a fairly loud volume, you may find that stomping on this guy when you arrive at a song's solo section fattens your sound a lot, which can be very inspiring) and when used in conjunction with a solid state or hybrid amp, you're unlikely to really be able to take advantage of the M-133's ability to add searing gain to an already-saturated amp sound.

Therefore, please bear in mind that "live performance" is the perspective from which the rest of this review is written, as I have never bothered to use this pedal in a recording context--since two different guitar signals recorded on different tracks can be blended to taste during mixdown, with levels raised or lowered accordingly.

MXR/Dunlop initially marketed the Micro Amp as a mere volume boost, and it definitely does a great job as such. As mentioned earlier, activating on the pedal as you play introduces a boost that is as subtle or extreme as you want it to be; as an added bonus, I can attest that I've never noticed any coloration to my guitar tone when using the M-133. Other boost pedals often introduce a midrange "hump" that I, personally, usually don't mind. But it's nice to know I can use the MXR unit to get more of my sound, unadulterated.

A secondary function, per the manufacturer, is to slam the front end of a tube amplifier with extra volume to create even more saturated gain sounds than an amp is capable of producing on its own. Again, the M-133 Micro Amp excels at this, too.

Recently, MXR/Dunlop has been touting the pedal as a quick fix for guitarists who switch back and forth between, say, a Fender Stratocaster and a Gibson Les Paul during the course of a performance. Anyone who has utilized two instruments with different pickup configurations during the course of a single show is going to be... Read More

Does what it’s supposed to do!

I have a really old Micro Amp … like 30+ years. I added a 3.5mm jack for 9V power back in the day.

I don’t use this all the time, mostly because the Line 6 Spider gives me do much control over the signal chain already. I do find this useful to goose up the signal from my Alvarez acoustic guitar.

Nevertheless, I keep it with me all the time for those moments where I need some punch and want a quick fix.

Bring your tone a little shine like a car wax

I got this pedal inspired by the equipboard of Caleb Followill from Kings of Leon, but also this site recommends this pedal. After testing the MXR Micro Amp with my pedalboard, I found that this pedal brings a little shine to the tone, so your sound will have a proper clarity. After the 12 o'clock, the MXR Micro Amp begins to bring overdrive to the amp, as the volume climbs up. At full range, you obtain a greatly overdrive increase (depending your amp will raise the volume or the gain). The dynamics in this pedal are awesome, it improves my playing a lot.

MXR Micro Amp into a Vox AC15 (Class A amp)

Very subtle volume push, until you reach closely full pot, but instead adds gain frequencies and overdriving your signal. It is a nice transparent push when you like more of your Class A amp without messing on volumes, or having an overdriven setup and cleaning the signal with the guitar pot.

MXR Micro Amp into a Fender Custom Deluxe Reverb '68 (Class AB amp)

You get volume raising, subtle added frequencies. Still trying to figure how to match this pedal with the amp.

From Gear Setup

Best clean boost.

I like the EHX LPB a great deal. But this is a bit cleaner and less colouring, giving a nice, well, boost, to your tone. It works your amplifier perfectly, and can be used to push a slightly driven amp into a 'creamy' saturation. I like it as a clean boost - kick it on for a solo without losing tone, or adding unwanted gain. A very versatile and useful pedal

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Elegant

It gives you a little push or a shove and adds that grain that might be lacking strength to your amp

the white brick

The only booster I've ever had or tried. I've always used my EHX Big Muff NYC with sustain at min after the DS2 to boost up my level during solos but I needed something for cleans. DS2 with the I setting is also good, with gain at min, but it alters the sound too much. This too, but it adds a little sparkle that I like. Sounds great with single coils. Gain at 10 o' clock or higher and you are good to go. This can go up very very loud. As the Dyna Comp, gets the job done.

simple and not complicated for my guitar solo

for my guitar solo needs with 1 gain knob it has helped me to raise the treble and gain for my lead solo guitar needs. simple

Looking for a good all around clean boost well you're in the right ballpark

If you're looking for a clean boost in sound for just a little extra oomph then this could be a pedal for you its sturdy and does the job, but coming from mxr that would be just selling them short on their good quality products, now is it the most amazing pedal well for me no but that is not for me to decide but for you to go out and try it for yourself. I gave this a 4/5 because its a good pedal but nothing to really be blown away by its just a simple little pedal to do one thing and do it pretty well

Best clean boost I've found so far!

If you need a clean boost for solos, this is the one to buy! Unless you feel the need to have some tone sculpting as well to make your leads cut a little more and want to buy the Micro Amp+, this is perfect!

Having the single, big dial makes for easy on-stage adjustments if you find it's not quite the right volume in the moment.

As with all MXR pedals, very sturdy and reliable.

What a great pedal!!!

Smooth, warm, and easy to use. Very helpful to give a punch in the mix to the guitar. Also if you're playing a solo it gives you a little bit of volume without adding gain, in case you put it after the gain pedals. If you put it before, this pedal makes you raise the gain of the pedal in the level you need. Also, it gonna makes you gain a lot of bit of punch in a tube amp. Simply a really great boost pedal.