Friedman Amplification IR-X preamp

Full tube Friedman sound

The Friedman IR-X two-channel tube preamp is a complete Friedman rig in a compact, pedalboard-friendly package. Driven by two 12AX7 high-voltage preamp tubes, each channel delivers the overtone richness and touch response of Dave Friedman's best designs. The DSP-IR cabinet/amp simulation sends studio-quality sound with miking to your DAW. The IRX offers easy-to-use controls without complex menus and thick manuals.

The IR-X does not simulate a Friedman tube preamplifier. He is one. While many preamp pedals use tubes to "warm up" their digital or solid-state circuit , two red-hot 12AX7 preamp tubes, powered at the right high voltage, are the beating heart of this pedal. A true pre-amp in every sense, the IR-X delivers the tone, response and harmonic complexity you expect from a Friedman design.
The IR-X has two completely independent, foot-switchable channels. As with Friedman's famous flagship amps, the first channel ranges from bluesy, British-flavored cleans to a powerful Plexi-style sound. The second channel provides Friedman's typical high gain sounds and the associated percussive punch, the transparency of the tones and the singing sustain. Both channels have their own independent and highly adaptable boost circuits. This basically gives you four channels that you can access with the press of a button.

Impulse response speaker and power amp simulation

All great tube amps need a great speaker cabinet, and whether you're sending your signal directly to the board or playing quietly via the built-in headphone output , IR-X offers you a selection of Dave Friedman's favorite IRs. Choose the IR per channel with the 3-way mini toggle switches or load your own quickly and easily via the IR-X editing software. You can even turn off the built-in IRs entirely to use the IR-X's tube preamp with another IR-Loader .
The IR-X software includes 12 free Friedman IRs to choose from. The first three IRs listed below are factory set on the hardware :

• 6402 57 121 : Dave Friedman's favorite 4x12 box. This is Dave's primary workshop box and has been used for the sound of his amplifier since the early days. It is equipped with four 6402 Greenback speakers and was recorded with an SM57 and an R-121 to achieve a nice balancing of brilliance and sonority.
• V30 : Closed Friedman 4x12 enclosure, equipped with four Celestion Vintage 30 speakers. Recorded with a single SM57 and API preamp for a powerful, punchy sound.
• 1980B V30GBA : Rare British 4x12 speaker model from the 80s rock era. This 1980B "Bass" box is equipped with British greenback (top) and V30 in (bottom). This mix of speakers and careful miking creates a massive tone with a massive sound with rich bass and cutting top end.

Flexible integration

The IR-X's transparent effects loop allows you to easily integrate your favorite effects into a wide variety of setups, from the simplest to the most complex digitally controlled rigs. The surprisingly compact size of the IR-X transforms your pedalboard into your entire rig. Connect your favorite dirt pedals and filter directly to the IR-X's input as you would with any amplifier and place your favorite modulation effects into the effects loop. Now you can send all those sounds directly to the board - with the compelling sonic benefits of IR technology.
Would you like to take full advantage of the IR-X's all-tube preamp section, but prefer a live box on stage? No problem! Simply connect the Send effects loop to your modulation effects and then to the power section of your amp. You can still send the IR output to the mixer to avoid the hassle of live miking the box. To use the IR-X's IR technology independently of the preamp section, all you need to do is connect your favorite preamp or pedals to the return effects loop. This is a great way to make the entire amplifier and speaker simulation usable on stage or in the studio.

midi connection and software

IR-X is midi capable. Whether you're recalling presets with a pedalboard controllers or switching channels with the laptop running your entire show, the IR-X is ready for the job. It really is the perfect combination of modern control and classic tube sound. The IR-X offers you amazing sonic control, which is taken to a new level with the included Friedman IR-X editor software . With it you can optimize the power amp simulation of each channel using the thump and presence controls , load your favorite IRs, activate the boost lock function , select loop ON/OFF and save it all in 128 midi presets .