This is so awesome! Back in the 90s, I used to run a Hughes and Kettner Tubeman 2 pedal into the effects return of my Marshall 3203. This is just next level. Thanks, Fluff! 😊
Bought it the day of release and it's been my tone ever since. A Friedman IRX tube preamp pedal mated to a Line 6 HX Effects is a super compact and versatile pedalboard based rig that just sounds killer. Yep, the tubes make the difference.
When Friedman launched the IRX I got excited and knew one day I'd get one. Tried it out and knew I have to get one ASAP, so I got one and literally found nothing that sounds better and functions to my liking than this!
I've been loving this. It really fills in the gaps that modelers are missing for me. All those mid gain tones are so good on it. It can get pretty metal too, but an additional boost and noise gate help get the rest of the way there.
I don’t even know why we have tube amps at this point. Big waste of materials and power. Every one should throw them out and let me know when and where I can find them.
Ive been gigging mine a couple times a month since i got it in october. It replaced my 6505+ i use it with a powerstage 170 and a 1x12 very light rig with heavy tone I can show up to a gig with a guitar, backup guitar pedalboard and speaker. Which digital guys could do for a while, but all this is new for me. Ive ran direct with IR’s and that is cool, but I’m taking this move away from half stacks one step at a time
@ close. But not quite. How close? Maybe 90% one thing that makes a difference is if i would use a tube power amp. I just can’t justify that for the 10% difference. Once I’m in the band in ear mix, I really can’t even tell I’m using pedals for amps
@ the irx is a different flavor of high gain, but between built in boost and a tube screamer, i can get the IRX to do full saturation like the 6505, but it sounds more “british” ? In the mid range. I still love it. But it feels more marshal-than peavey. However, the clean channel is really good too. Much better than the 6505+ . I have used both the 120watt head and the 60 watt combos. And don’t use either live or at home anymore. Its just easier to use my regular rig to jam
This thing sounds great! It's a bit too expensive in comparison with other preamp pedals. Of course you will find more expensive gear, but also way cheaper and still good preamp pedals. I like the Victory pedals just to get the flavor I need. But the Friedman IR-X gives you more options and the sounds are really good.
I love my IR-X. My main amp is a BE-100 Deluxe and I bought the IR-X as a backup to run to front of house if my amp went down. I ended up using it to write and record guitars for my band. I will say that I’m not the biggest fan of the stock IRs, but that’s such a specific matter of taste thing. I swapped them out for other options and now I’m 100% stoked on it.
This is a great demo of this pedal! The IR-X sounds great and feels amazing. More people need to check it out. I pair mine with an hx stomp for effects and an mc6 for preset recall.
Ya this is the next piece of gear I'm getting no doubt 1000%. I'm gonna run it to the effects return of my amp 1 iridium pedal, shld be killer! Great video man. Been a sub a long time
The modellers nowadays get even smaller so you can fit your sound in a pocket. But this little guy sounds real. A solution for an old man playing some hard rock stuff who already has back pain and can't take his big ass 100-watt amp with him anymore. Would consider buying this when I switch from superstrats to jazzmaster :D
This pedal was my last hope on a 4 year journey to make peace with ampless rigs. What it did is affirm my need for full tube amps and real cabs pushing air.
@@DigitalDZ7 Some people do great with modelers and IRs. I’m happy for them. It’s so much cheaper and easier to pack. I can’t get into IEM or FRFR speakers with a cloned sense of connection. To be fair, I prefer being in the room with my amps while recording too, so my amps and pickups share that harmonic relationship with all the sustain and pleasant resonant feedback.
@@briantost7125 To each their own..though I honestly believe guitarists are clinging to tube amps rigs out of stubbornness more than anything else. It's definitely not out of practicality. Can't be out of sound quality either, as digital technology has already caught up to, and even surpassed tube amps in some instances.
Since we see pre-amps like this more and more to accommodate how we record and perform in the modern world, why don't amp makers make modular systems? Imagine this sitting on top of your power amp and cab of choice, and taking with you only which component you need to the studio or gig. If the house has a great PA, you only need the pre-amp. The power amp and cab can live at the practice site while the pre-amp comes home.
This might be a dumb question as I'm very old school when it comes to gear.. but, do you need a computer to use this pedal? or can you just use a small combo amp for example and just use this on your pedal board ? I do not use computers and i typically mic my amps for gigs. Thanks for any help !
Nope you don't need a computer. You can run the pedal straight into a PA or your audio interface and use the pre-loaded impulse responses for your "cabinet" tones, or you can bypass the IR's and run the pedal in the FX loop of your amp and use your amps actual cabinet with it. The tube pre-amp is really what you're paying for. The IR-X manual on their website is very helpful and straightforward to learn the different uses of the pedal.
@@b__wenner thank you for your reply. Do you think it's necessary to have one of these if I already own friedman amps? Why pay for a tube amp pedal if I own friedman tube amps? Lol
@@neilnolin823 It kinda depends I guess, but the IR-X could be a good backup option to bring along to gigs in case your head breaks or something. The IR-X is also nice for direct recording or playing silently if volume is a concern when practicing.
I can't mesh with the direct sound from our QSC K12s we use for our PA mains. It sounds too shrill. I need to put more time into quality IRs. However, using this with a Fryette PS-100 and cab is amazing.
I wanna be excited about this one but at its price point and what it offers…. It’s just not worth it unfortunately. This has great features but it’s massively overpriced for what it offers imo. You know, since I’m a professional and my opinion matters so much and all. iM a pRoFeSsIoNaL
@@aaronhiggs I mean, there’s just so many options out there now, you really gotta bring something special to the table to charge premium prices. Yes this is likely a solid unit that will last many years. But that’s not all that matters. And when I’m 4 songs in and sweating balls on stage and some dude is across the bar vomiting will trying to pickup chicks, no one cares that my tone is coming from a friedman pedal. So personally I don’t need to purchase the name brand for that premium. I need something that I can rely on but when that dude puking at the bar hitting on chicks decides to walk over to the stage and spill beer on my gear it won’t break my bank or his face.
@@Ottophil hell yeah! That’s fantastic! I mean if it suits your needs perfectly, I mean by all means run the hell out of it! For folks like me, gonna have to pass on this one. Just a bit too far out of my reach for what it does. I would look to place my investment elsewhere. This only highlights preferences. What works for you may not work for me. What works for me might drive you bonkers. I may be able to get what I need out of your gear for a show and you may be able to get what you need out of my gear for a show. But we may struggle a bit with it all. That’s where preferences really matter. And that’s what makes the world go round!
This is so awesome! Back in the 90s, I used to run a Hughes and Kettner Tubeman 2 pedal into the effects return of my Marshall 3203. This is just next level. Thanks, Fluff! 😊
У меня есть Friedmam ir-x и он лучше всего звучит в линию, в усилитель в разрыв петли звук так себе, подключал и в SLO30 и BE100
Bought it the day of release and it's been my tone ever since. A Friedman IRX tube preamp pedal mated to a Line 6 HX Effects is a super compact and versatile pedalboard based rig that just sounds killer. Yep, the tubes make the difference.
I’m using the same setup and my Friedman JJ Jr. stays at home now.
Same here! It’s just awesome!
I use this with an hx effects and an h90. Super powerful rig
When Friedman launched the IRX I got excited and knew one day I'd get one. Tried it out and knew I have to get one ASAP, so I got one and literally found nothing that sounds better and functions to my liking than this!
I've been loving this. It really fills in the gaps that modelers are missing for me. All those mid gain tones are so good on it. It can get pretty metal too, but an additional boost and noise gate help get the rest of the way there.
His Small Box pedal is fantastic. Only gain I need. The best pedal I've ever owned and I'm 54.
I don’t even know why we have tube amps at this point. Big waste of materials and power. Every one should throw them out and let me know when and where I can find them.
And me, the studios love them
Me too. I hope that the bottom falls out of the tube amp market so that I can finally afford an awesome tube amp.
There are tubes in this thing 😂
Ive been gigging mine a couple times a month since i got it in october. It replaced my 6505+ i use it with a powerstage 170 and a 1x12 very light rig with heavy tone
I can show up to a gig with a guitar, backup guitar pedalboard and speaker. Which digital guys could do for a while, but all this is new for me. Ive ran direct with IR’s and that is cool, but I’m taking this move away from half stacks one step at a time
If it was purely in terms of tone and that there's no draw backs in using half stacks, would you still say the ir-x can compete against them?
@ close. But not quite. How close? Maybe 90% one thing that makes a difference is if i would use a tube power amp. I just can’t justify that for the 10% difference. Once I’m in the band in ear mix, I really can’t even tell I’m using pedals for amps
@ the irx is a different flavor of high gain, but between built in boost and a tube screamer, i can get the IRX to do full saturation like the 6505, but it sounds more “british” ? In the mid range. I still love it. But it feels more marshal-than peavey. However, the clean channel is really good too. Much better than the 6505+ . I have used both the 120watt head and the 60 watt combos. And don’t use either live or at home anymore. Its just easier to use my regular rig to jam
I have this preamp and I really enjoy it.
I love mine and the best thing about it is its simplicity. Just plug it in and play.
This thing sounds great!
It's a bit too expensive in comparison with other preamp pedals. Of course you will find more expensive gear, but also way cheaper and still good preamp pedals. I like the Victory pedals just to get the flavor I need. But the Friedman IR-X gives you more options and the sounds are really good.
Love this video!!! Sounds awesome! Thanks Fluff!!!! 🎸🔥🎸🔥🎸
Mine is getting delivered today. I can't wait!!!!!! B-day present to myself!!! Cheers man...
I love my IR-X. My main amp is a BE-100 Deluxe and I bought the IR-X as a backup to run to front of house if my amp went down. I ended up using it to write and record guitars for my band. I will say that I’m not the biggest fan of the stock IRs, but that’s such a specific matter of taste thing. I swapped them out for other options and now I’m 100% stoked on it.
Which IR’s do you like best with it?
I really like the York Audio IRs. I have their Friedman pack and Mesa pack.
Got one of these recently, nice pedal with a great sound. Couldn't afford the BE100 so this os a no brainer. Cool review as always, cheers.
Got the Milkman 100 and Tubesteader Lightkeeper V2 so I'm covered. These are great. My bank accounts hate me nowadays
what do you suggest Friedman IR-X or Boss IR-2?
This is a great demo of this pedal! The IR-X sounds great and feels amazing. More people need to check it out. I pair mine with an hx stomp for effects and an mc6 for preset recall.
Ya this is the next piece of gear I'm getting no doubt 1000%. I'm gonna run it to the effects return of my amp 1 iridium pedal, shld be killer! Great video man. Been a sub a long time
Great demo! However the video doesn’t show the changes in knobs or I may be missing something. Thanks for all the content you release!
The knobs/pots are standard and not encoders....so the editor does not control their settings.
@@christopheranderson2158 thanks for letting me know!
Got this and Strymon Big Sky, end game compact setup for me.
Can I get a feedback from this preamp when I play thru my computer with headphones on? Is it possible?
Nope. That's not how feedback works, mate.
I don’t know if you actually mean feedback or not. Do you just want latency free monitoring? Then heck yeah
I would love this with an SLO voicing/eq, the most well thought out guitar pedal in ages if not ever.
The modellers nowadays get even smaller so you can fit your sound in a pocket. But this little guy sounds real. A solution for an old man playing some hard rock stuff who already has back pain and can't take his big ass 100-watt amp with him anymore. Would consider buying this when I switch from superstrats to jazzmaster :D
This pedal was my last hope on a 4 year journey to make peace with ampless rigs. What it did is affirm my need for full tube amps and real cabs pushing air.
Sorry that happened to you.
@@DigitalDZ7 Some people do great with modelers and IRs. I’m happy for them. It’s so much cheaper and easier to pack. I can’t get into IEM or FRFR speakers with a cloned sense of connection.
To be fair, I prefer being in the room with my amps while recording too, so my amps and pickups share that harmonic relationship with all the sustain and pleasant resonant feedback.
@@briantost7125 To each their own..though I honestly believe guitarists are clinging to tube amps rigs out of stubbornness more than anything else. It's definitely not out of practicality. Can't be out of sound quality either, as digital technology has already caught up to, and even surpassed tube amps in some instances.
@@DigitalDZ7absolutely wrong
Any way to record di and ir at same time, perhaps via usb?
Hey buddy, I use for many years great hughes kettner tubeman plus, do you think that friedman could beat it?
This thing is rad
Does this have a clean tone that does not distort?
Yes, if you turn the gain down and MV up on the Plexi channel it’s really clean. I use that side for my cleans and for my OD pedals and it slams.
Since we see pre-amps like this more and more to accommodate how we record and perform in the modern world, why don't amp makers make modular systems? Imagine this sitting on top of your power amp and cab of choice, and taking with you only which component you need to the studio or gig. If the house has a great PA, you only need the pre-amp. The power amp and cab can live at the practice site while the pre-amp comes home.
Pretty sure that’s what synergy does
Does it go directly into pa?
Yes
It sounds killer - yes I agree
Where can i get that shirt, Fluff??
"We are gona check out the very cool IR-X dual tube preamp from Breeban!" xD
This might be a dumb question as I'm very old school when it comes to gear.. but, do you need a computer to use this pedal? or can you just use a small combo amp for example and just use this on your pedal board ? I do not use computers and i typically mic my amps for gigs. Thanks for any help !
Nope you don't need a computer. You can run the pedal straight into a PA or your audio interface and use the pre-loaded impulse responses for your "cabinet" tones, or you can bypass the IR's and run the pedal in the FX loop of your amp and use your amps actual cabinet with it. The tube pre-amp is really what you're paying for. The IR-X manual on their website is very helpful and straightforward to learn the different uses of the pedal.
@@b__wenner thank you for your reply. Do you think it's necessary to have one of these if I already own friedman amps? Why pay for a tube amp pedal if I own friedman tube amps? Lol
@@neilnolin823 It kinda depends I guess, but the IR-X could be a good backup option to bring along to gigs in case your head breaks or something. The IR-X is also nice for direct recording or playing silently if volume is a concern when practicing.
@@b__wenner thanks for the replies . Much appreciated
Since i've been thinking about getting this suddenly my amp sounds not so good😅😅
I didn't watch the video yet.... But can this drive my 2x12?? If can.. Then it might be awesome 💪
I can't mesh with the direct sound from our QSC K12s we use for our PA mains. It sounds too shrill. I need to put more time into quality IRs. However, using this with a Fryette PS-100 and cab is amazing.
This is cool with all the features but purely from tone perspective the Driftwood Purple Nightmare tube preamp can't be beat imo.
Love mine
Im going to jack this up to my fender hot rod deluxe Effects input.
Pick your color, Friedman's got an IR pedal too now. Whoop De doo.
The other ones are all digital preamps. This ones better than the rest and worth the price
I guess you weren’t paying attention. This is a TUBE preamp, not a modeler. It has the IR functionality behind an amazing preamp.
I'd rather have that and a DI than a digital modeler
I wanna be excited about this one but at its price point and what it offers…. It’s just not worth it unfortunately. This has great features but it’s massively overpriced for what it offers imo. You know, since I’m a professional and my opinion matters so much and all. iM a pRoFeSsIoNaL
Mostly when you can get a UA lion for 349 bucks now.
@@aaronhiggs I mean, there’s just so many options out there now, you really gotta bring something special to the table to charge premium prices. Yes this is likely a solid unit that will last many years. But that’s not all that matters. And when I’m 4 songs in and sweating balls on stage and some dude is across the bar vomiting will trying to pickup chicks, no one cares that my tone is coming from a friedman pedal. So personally I don’t need to purchase the name brand for that premium. I need something that I can rely on but when that dude puking at the bar hitting on chicks decides to walk over to the stage and spill beer on my gear it won’t break my bank or his face.
I think its worth every penny, no regrets
@@Ottophil hell yeah! That’s fantastic! I mean if it suits your needs perfectly, I mean by all means run the hell out of it! For folks like me, gonna have to pass on this one. Just a bit too far out of my reach for what it does. I would look to place my investment elsewhere. This only highlights preferences. What works for you may not work for me. What works for me might drive you bonkers. I may be able to get what I need out of your gear for a show and you may be able to get what you need out of my gear for a show. But we may struggle a bit with it all. That’s where preferences really matter. And that’s what makes the world go round!
“Real nice midrange that you can chew on…” Dafuq does that even mean? Someone explain it. 😐
It's when you buy a blanket that you call binky, that did cost some money as it wasn't entire chinese cheap, then you chew on it while you sleep 😂😂😂
As funny as that is, I'm kinda curious myself
It means really spongy, thick sounding midrange. It's hard to explain but if you hear it, you'll know
@@ryand.5857 - And ‘spongy’ means what? Using a physical object to describe sound makes no sense. A song example might help.
It's probably a nice piece of gear, but for the price it sounds really boring.
Line 6 express pod sounds better and is half the price.
ok
I don't have this preamp and I am not sad at all.
I have one and I’m very happy about it 😂
I have the Bluguitar Amp1 Mercury and it's just as good even better Marshall tone
I'd rather have that and a DI than a digital modeler