I updated my IR-D and my IR-X a few weeks ago and they both got the IR-J cabs and the new EQ filter switches. So if you buy any one of the three models you get all the cabs and the updated filters.
I played it on the Guitar Summit in Mannheim (Germany) next to the new JEL-50 Watt Head. It is literally exactly (not just close) same sound an feeling. ABSOLUTE INSANE! Dave Friedman is the King!
It sounds exactly like it’s supposed to and the IR is excellent. Very natural sounding. Definitely sounds like Jake. The playing demonstrated that perfectly.
Sounds great as always! Got mine on the way to try out on the channel. Dave doesn't know how to build a bad product so I have high hopes for this after really enjoying the IR-D/X. The IR-D in particular sounded REALLY good with the IR disabled running to my power station and splawn 4x12.
Would be interesting to see this as a Synergy module, this or the Phil X head. I like Friedman when he goes for a less polished, more raw tone, but with more punch than a traditional Marshall.
Sounds absolutely fantatstic, sadly though news just released that Jake has been shot multiple times taking his dog for a walk in Vegas, the good news is hes expected to make a full recovery!! All our thoughts are with him and his family!
Thank you kindly. Yes, the IR-J has a distinct top end. It's definitely different than the IR-X. The J is more vintage Marshally + mods, the X is more Friedman... if we can split hairs. Both killer.
Sounds great Michael! Nice Drop-D riffing. I can tell you spent as much time jamming along with Nuno as I did, haha! These IR series pedals from Friedman are amazing feats of engineering. I'm waiting patiently for a possible "clean tone" focused version. Imagine one of these Friedman pedals that brings together two clean channels - Vox AC30TB / Fender Twin Reverb. That would sell more units than any of the hard rock focused models I think and be fantastic alternative to things like the ToneX, Nano Cortex, Iridium and UA amp pedals, especially if it offered stereo I/O on the two channels for a fully stereo amp sound.
Oh yes another killer tune... How do you always come up with such killer riffs and compositions? Sure the preamp sounds inspiring. But you always surpass all my expectations with the demo tune at the beginning. Thanks for this video.
Hi! Thanks SO much! I really appreciate that! I always phone video when I try a new piece of gear... usually (sometimes 🤣) a little riff or idea will pop out. Then I expand on it. I did a video class about my process, if you're interested www.michaelnielsenmusic.com/store
Great video! Like Jake’s tone. Like Mikes tone. What’s not to like? No sims baby! (Cept backend). I have the IR-X which is good…but this box seems to deliver more harmonic content. Michael’s gear and fingers don’t hurt either.
Perfect distorted tones!!! That's what I'm saying EVERY friedman amp I've ever heard was totally COMPLETE!!! Man I'd love to see dave build an amp around brian mays heavy tones...via GIMME THE PRIZE
This got to be Best sounding Pre in a pedal ....awesome vid mate \-/ ...this sold me . I got Tonex with bunch of your captures as well love it .But this just really shines :) plus form factor is great.
Bloody hell. You can't just take a stroll and walk your dog anymore. And stay safe. Poor Jake. He's had health issues of his own, this will push him further back and he wanted to go on tour with the band again. But what's most important, he survived and is alive at this point. I hope he fully recovers physically. But mentally? Probably never.
I just read that this morning in Las Vegas, Jake E. Lee was shot multiple times in a random shooting, but is conscious, okay and expected to recover. What on Earth is going on this world. Anyway, positive thoughts for Jake and you make this sound amazing as usual. Starting to think it is you and not the gear.
Looks and sounds amazing! Thanks for the demo! The price is pretty steep tho in a world with Nano Cortex and Tonex pedals that can do so much more in terms of effects and variety of tones. I think the other Friedman ir pedals at 500 bucks are more reasonable. Will be interesting to see if they keep the price this high.
My JEL 20 has a baby brother! But seriously that pedal is so flexible, even more so than my amp. I wish I had the low pass filter on my amp, the high end "zing" can be a bit much, I try to dial it out with my eq pedal and the Wampler Tumnus.
Great review! Question: For our favorite 80’s rock/metal tones, in the room with a cab, what do the JEL products (100, 20, IR-J) do differently compared to a SLO (100, 30)? They seem close. What do your ears pick up? Thanks!
They're actually very different. The JEL are super fast, and tight, and has a real edgy but airy top end. The SLO are thicker, have a lower top end, and are a little slower/fatter.
I know this is so high maintenance, but i wish we could get an ir-whatever that has 1 channel of marshall mid gain flavor and 1 channel of fender low gain flavor. I play a marshall sounds 90% of the time with occasional needs for a fender and these sound awesome. I dont want a tonex for that occasional fender sound. 😢
Thank you for addressing the ‘stereo/mono’ issue. I’m a bit ignorant about these things, how much difference would it make roughly, to put a Friedman before the Ventilator stereo rotary pedal? As opposed to in the fox loop (which is obviously mono)?
Great tones Mr Nielsen as ever. Does that Burning Water Tyler have the full Dann Huff JB / Hot Strat Stack, series / parallel, buffered preamp set up? Sounds mighty.
I'm curious what the effects loop is for? Why would I not put delays and reverbs etc right after the output of the IR-J, and before the effects return of my amp head?
Hi Master! May i aks something a bit weird? Say you have an ADA MP1 (say! 😁) preamp sitting around (or other rack preamp), can you go from the ADA out to the return of this pedal and use only the power amp/IR simulation of the pedal?
As per usual… killer demo and opening track!!! Are the IRs that come with this able to migrate into the IR-X and D ? Gonna be fun to compare them all when mine hits the doorstep!!
I mean it sounds awesome. Now how am i supposed to decide which one to get? Lol. Strange, but Jake doesn't use a tube screamer in his rig, but I liked the way it sounded. I would have to compare it to the First one he brought out. But it definitely makes me thinking of selling some pedals to get this, may not need any drives anymore!
@@hiyeja I have the irx and it's the best for modern high gain IMO. IRJ is drier ,more percussive, more aggressive .. totally 80s heavy/thrash metal while IRX is fuller and more saturated . But I'd wait for a future release of a Ir-ss(Steve Stevens) because that amp take a step further into high gain ... Would be the perfect choice for modern high gain !
@@zancoex91 Thank you very much for your detailed answer ! I do in fact already have the IR X and since the new update i noticed a dramatic loss in high end and clarity.(presence and low pass are of course in the brightest setting) Did you experience a similar thing? The IR J seems muuuch brighter in the Videos, so i was wondering if it might be better suited for me I am pretty unhappy at the moment with the sound of the IR X
@@hiyeja I can't help you cause I am running it through a marshall 9200 PA , which is already bright af 😅 I think they did the update because people were complaining about irx being too bright... Normally you choose Friedman for the Marshall sound without the harshness on the high end... If this is not of your liking it means you want to hear that Marshall roar and I think IRJ can deliver it! Other things I'd try in your case, before thrashing the irx, are: a V30 speakers IR to maximize the brightness A boost pedal like the Friedman buxom boost with EQ and thighess controls
@@zancoex91 Thanks very much for your help! I am going to tweak some more tomorrow Hopefully i will get it right, since the basic idea of the IR X is exactly what i always wanted! Rawk on
I thought of a way to do want I want if I got one. Ex. Use midi with a modeler, bypass it and use a clean amp model. I wonder how it will work infront of a clean only amp.
They're VERY different. The D is fatter, warmer, darker solid. It's BIG tones, with a beautiful fat clean tone. The J is fast and cutting, tight, did I mention tight? and brighter.
@BigHairyGuitars - Michael, I've been looking forward to you doung this video; ever since watching the recent Tone Talk with Jake and the announcement that the IR-J was 'coming soon'! Thank you for the stellar video and intro tune, the IR-J sounds great! I need to get one of these. Also, I second another comment I read about someone wanting a Steve Stevens IR-S (or IR-SS).
Speaking of Jake, godspeed on his recovery. Got shot not far from his home last night in Vegas. Supposed to be able to recover fully though.
Shot in the dark I heard...
This might be the best sounding Friedman IR pedal yet. Perfectly captures that Plexi and 2203 tone. Maybe the best "Marshall"-in-a-box pedal yet?
Once said everyone under every plexi / 2203 emulation video
I updated my IR-D and my IR-X a few weeks ago and they both got the IR-J cabs and the new EQ filter switches. So if you buy any one of the three models you get all the cabs and the updated filters.
“More Marshall than a Marshall”
-Danish Pete
Here i was last week tossing up between an IR-X and and IR-D....glad i paused that decision!!!
Go for an exotic wet/dry/wet rig and get all three!
I played it on the Guitar Summit in Mannheim (Germany) next to the new JEL-50 Watt Head. It is literally exactly (not just close) same sound an feeling. ABSOLUTE INSANE! Dave Friedman is the King!
Bcoz of your comment. I order this IRJ😂
As a huge IRX user, I'm glad there's one that's even closer to that 800 sound now.
I want them all!
It sounds exactly like it’s supposed to and the IR is excellent. Very natural sounding. Definitely sounds like Jake. The playing demonstrated that perfectly.
I’ve been gigging with an IR-x and love it but I’m probably going to add this to my arsenal. Thanks for all the hard work!
This sounds great. I hope he does a Jerry Cantrell one too. That would be awesome.
I have to admit, I come here more for your playing than for your reviews. I love this channel!
Michael always bringing out the best in gear! The harmonics in that opening track are outstanding!!
That modded 800 setting makes me think this thing could do AiC Facelift era tones no problem. Awesome. 🤘🏼
Sounds great as always! Got mine on the way to try out on the channel. Dave doesn't know how to build a bad product so I have high hopes for this after really enjoying the IR-D/X. The IR-D in particular sounded REALLY good with the IR disabled running to my power station and splawn 4x12.
It does sound awesome. Even better than I expected it to be
Would be interesting to see this as a Synergy module, this or the Phil X head. I like Friedman when he goes for a less polished, more raw tone, but with more punch than a traditional Marshall.
The intro track reminded me of a Jake E Lee riff and then it went in more of a George lynch feel. Great stuff.
Sounds absolutely fantatstic, sadly though news just released that Jake has been shot multiple times taking his dog for a walk in Vegas, the good news is hes expected to make a full recovery!! All our thoughts are with him and his family!
Such odd timing of this shooting. Just goes to show that horrible random events can happen, but at least they said he is expected to recover.
I can’t believe Jake E Lee was shot multiple times today in Vegas, the same day this came out.
The gunman plays digital
Thanks Michael for demonstrating the new JEL box from Friedman. I think it sounds great.
Thanks B!
I adore that SPLUTTY top end. Really great tones. And, as usual, top tier playing.
Thank you kindly. Yes, the IR-J has a distinct top end. It's definitely different than the IR-X. The J is more vintage Marshally + mods, the X is more Friedman... if we can split hairs. Both killer.
leaner in the low mids than most Friedmans, which I prefer. sounding great as always.
It must get wearisome kicking this much ass every single day. Between Michael, Jake E Lee and Dave Friedman . . . it's like the friggin' Avengers.
Dave is killing it!!! This sounds great!!! We need an IR-D vs IR-J shootout! 🥸😆
Sounds great Michael! Nice Drop-D riffing. I can tell you spent as much time jamming along with Nuno as I did, haha!
These IR series pedals from Friedman are amazing feats of engineering. I'm waiting patiently for a possible "clean tone" focused version. Imagine one of these Friedman pedals that brings together two clean channels - Vox AC30TB / Fender Twin Reverb. That would sell more units than any of the hard rock focused models I think and be fantastic alternative to things like the ToneX, Nano Cortex, Iridium and UA amp pedals, especially if it offered stereo I/O on the two channels for a fully stereo amp sound.
There is something coming that will make you very happy. I think that's all I can say. 👀
@@BigHairyGuitars Schwing!!!
Oh yes another killer tune... How do you always come up with such killer riffs and compositions? Sure the preamp sounds inspiring. But you always surpass all my expectations with the demo tune at the beginning. Thanks for this video.
Hi! Thanks SO much! I really appreciate that! I always phone video when I try a new piece of gear... usually (sometimes 🤣) a little riff or idea will pop out. Then I expand on it. I did a video class about my process, if you're interested www.michaelnielsenmusic.com/store
Sounds really good. I'd really love to see a video comparing the tones between the 3 Friedman IR pedals with the same firmware and the same IRs.
Great video! Like Jake’s tone. Like Mikes tone. What’s not to like? No sims baby! (Cept backend). I have the IR-X which is good…but this box seems to deliver more harmonic content. Michael’s gear and fingers don’t hurt either.
The makes me want a Jake E. Lee Synergy module!
Jesus man your playing is so great…
Ugh! I had just decided on the IR-X over the IR-D. Now it’s time to rethink this. 🤨
you need all, don't torture yourself, buy it and be happy af!
IR-X is good, but I sold it bc I like synergy module more but this I must try
Tbh they’re all much the same. The cleans on all of them aren’t great.
@@Ibanezguy2007 I get it, but I’m not buying it for the clean. Edge of breakup is more my thing.
@@Ibanezguy2007 that are hotrodded Marshall, nobody really NOBODY wants cleans from it. Do you know what a plexi is?
Perfect distorted tones!!! That's what I'm saying EVERY friedman amp I've ever heard was totally COMPLETE!!! Man I'd love to see dave build an amp around brian mays heavy tones...via GIMME THE PRIZE
This is really cool for guys who like this. I'm happy for you!
great demo, another great product from Dave. Love your playing, Michael.
You always play and sound so good!
Excellent! I can't afford one of the heads but one of these paired with my Marshall power amp would be possible.
This got to be Best sounding Pre in a pedal ....awesome vid mate \-/ ...this sold me . I got Tonex with bunch of your captures as well love it .But this just really shines :) plus form factor is great.
Dude that intro was KILLER!!
Bloody hell. You can't just take a stroll and walk your dog anymore. And stay safe. Poor Jake. He's had health issues of his own, this will push him further back and he wanted to go on tour with the band again. But what's most important, he survived and is alive at this point. I hope he fully recovers physically. But mentally? Probably never.
Great job as always my friend!! Cheers!!
THANKS Ben!!!
Great demo as always!
I just read that this morning in Las Vegas, Jake E. Lee was shot multiple times in a random shooting, but is conscious, okay and expected to recover. What on Earth is going on this world. Anyway, positive thoughts for Jake and you make this sound amazing as usual. Starting to think it is you and not the gear.
This thing sounds killer. Covers alot of ground. Great video 👍🏻
The IR-J is has been shipped! So can you please do an 80's pedalboard build like your earlier 90's one? I'm also going to use a Friedman 1524 :)
Great, now we will get IR-JJ (Jerry Cantrell), IR-BB (Buxom Betty), IR-SS (Steve Stevens), IR-BUTTERSLAX (Bill Keliher)…
Avi El Kiss cuts Jake an advance check on this product, Jake buys an other product late at night that you put in a glass pipe. Shots fired.
Looks and sounds amazing! Thanks for the demo! The price is pretty steep tho in a world with Nano Cortex and Tonex pedals that can do so much more in terms of effects and variety of tones. I think the other Friedman ir pedals at 500 bucks are more reasonable. Will be interesting to see if they keep the price this high.
The Friedman IR series is high-voltage tube design with dual 12AX7s
Makes me think about the 100’s of lbs of gear I used to lug around to get this sound. Sounds great
so far the best sounding video of this piece of gear!! Are we going to see an IR-S for Steve Stevens???
We need to wait 6 more months I hope🔥
@@zancoex91 Why Wait? More is More!!
That would be amazing!
I'd love to see an IR-N (Naked), and and IR-SS (Steve). 🤞 I'm sure Dave has thought of that, so, hopefully!
So is the IRX Phil X or the be-100? Or both
It's sounding so magical! 😮
Dave just keeps knocking them out of the park. How many kidneys does this one cost… Great demo!
This one comes in at 1/5 kidneys. Much better than the 2.9 kidney priced amps.
Been playing my IR-X with updated editor until this come out 🤩
My JEL 20 has a baby brother! But seriously that pedal is so flexible, even more so than my amp. I wish I had the low pass filter on my amp, the high end "zing" can be a bit much, I try to dial it out with my eq pedal and the Wampler Tumnus.
Pure IR-Awesome!
Great review! Thanks a lot Michael!
Great playing. You really looked inspired.
Great review! Question: For our favorite 80’s rock/metal tones, in the room with a cab, what do the JEL products (100, 20, IR-J) do differently compared to a SLO (100, 30)? They seem close. What do your ears pick up? Thanks!
They're actually very different. The JEL are super fast, and tight, and has a real edgy but airy top end. The SLO are thicker, have a lower top end, and are a little slower/fatter.
@@BigHairyGuitars I appreciate the input! 🤘
I know this is so high maintenance, but i wish we could get an ir-whatever that has 1 channel of marshall mid gain flavor and 1 channel of fender low gain flavor. I play a marshall sounds 90% of the time with occasional needs for a fender and these sound awesome. I dont want a tonex for that occasional fender sound. 😢
This thing sounds soooooo dam good 🎉
intro track was very cool! You should drop in some green knobs or a green trem bar and call your guit Joker.
Thank you for addressing the ‘stereo/mono’ issue.
I’m a bit ignorant about these things, how much difference would it make roughly, to put a Friedman before the Ventilator stereo rotary pedal? As opposed to in the fox loop (which is obviously mono)?
Great tones Mr Nielsen as ever. Does that Burning Water Tyler have the full Dann Huff JB / Hot Strat Stack, series / parallel, buffered preamp set up? Sounds mighty.
Sounds amazing!! 🤩🤩🤩
loving it. gotta try this out.
Hi Michael
To record in a home studio, just connect friedman ir-j to the audio interface? or do I need a noisegate?
Dude this thing sounds great!!
Really good and awesome video Michael. Could you please compare the IRJ and the IRX? Cheers!
I want to hear someone crank the plexi channel like Jake does 😂
If they decide to come out with a naked version Billy howedale I’ll definitely be buying that. One can dream.
SOUND AWESOME GREAT REVIEW,THANKS
1:25 AWESOME PLAYING
I'm curious what the effects loop is for? Why would I not put delays and reverbs etc right after the output of the IR-J, and before the effects return of my amp head?
Anything Friedman is good
Sounds great.
Hi Master!
May i aks something a bit weird?
Say you have an ADA MP1 (say! 😁) preamp sitting around (or other rack preamp), can you go from the ADA out to the return of this pedal and use only the power amp/IR simulation of the pedal?
As per usual… killer demo and opening track!!!
Are the IRs that come with this able to migrate into the IR-X and D ?
Gonna be fun to compare them all when mine hits the doorstep!!
Get well soon, Jake E Lee!
I mean it sounds awesome. Now how am i supposed to decide which one to get? Lol. Strange, but Jake doesn't use a tube screamer in his rig, but I liked the way it sounded. I would have to compare it to the First one he brought out. But it definitely makes me thinking of selling some pedals to get this, may not need any drives anymore!
Would love to see this in a synergy module!!
Great Video !
Any opinions on IR-X vs IR-J for modern high gain tones ?
@@hiyeja I have the irx and it's the best for modern high gain IMO.
IRJ is drier ,more percussive, more aggressive .. totally 80s heavy/thrash metal while IRX is fuller and more saturated .
But I'd wait for a future release of a Ir-ss(Steve Stevens) because that amp take a step further into high gain ... Would be the perfect choice for modern high gain !
@@hiyeja ua-cam.com/video/qsPmjI6OtYY/v-deo.htmlsi=beuAl11PvPlbuqTM
@@zancoex91
Thank you very much for your detailed answer !
I do in fact already have the IR X and since the new update i noticed a dramatic loss in high end and clarity.(presence and low pass are of course in the brightest setting)
Did you experience a similar thing?
The IR J seems muuuch brighter in the Videos, so i was wondering if it might be better suited for me
I am pretty unhappy at the moment with the sound of the IR X
@@hiyeja I can't help you cause I am running it through a marshall 9200 PA , which is already bright af 😅
I think they did the update because people were complaining about irx being too bright... Normally you choose Friedman for the Marshall sound without the harshness on the high end...
If this is not of your liking it means you want to hear that Marshall roar and I think IRJ can deliver it!
Other things I'd try in your case, before thrashing the irx, are:
a V30 speakers IR to maximize the brightness
A boost pedal like the Friedman buxom boost with EQ and thighess controls
@@zancoex91
Thanks very much for your help!
I am going to tweak some more tomorrow
Hopefully i will get it right, since the basic idea of the IR X is exactly what i always wanted!
Rawk on
Damn you Michael… 🤘🏼
This, the IR-X, or Tonex/Nano Cortex?
Loving the neural SLO, want more feels…
Possible hot take!
This unit is the ADA MP-1 of the 2020s.
One thing tho, it's got built in screamers.... but what if you have say a plumes, a bonsai or a ghoul screamer, how well does it take those?
That's one big hairy pedal!
What? WHAT ? WHAAATTT !?!?
I like how the tempo… speeds up
favorite IR pedal out of the Friedman offers?
I thought of a way to do want I want if I got one. Ex. Use midi with a modeler, bypass it and use a clean amp model. I wonder how it will work infront of a clean only amp.
Sound great! If you have to choose one between the J and D?
They're VERY different. The D is fatter, warmer, darker solid. It's BIG tones, with a beautiful fat clean tone. The J is fast and cutting, tight, did I mention tight? and brighter.
@BigHairyGuitars - Michael, I've been looking forward to you doung this video; ever since watching the recent Tone Talk with Jake and the announcement that the IR-J was 'coming soon'!
Thank you for the stellar video and intro tune, the IR-J sounds great! I need to get one of these. Also, I second another comment I read about someone wanting a Steve Stevens IR-S (or IR-SS).
Wow!
IRJ sounds awesome.....but U$ 599? no way!!! I'll wait for this hype phase gone.....
Started seeing a girl, was about to ask her what that Kanji stood for... and just before texting realized its J E L. Jake E Lee. lol
Does the midi give you presets in addition to the wyswyg? Or is it just the added features switched in an out?
I couldn't figure out the 1st one so I sold it lol
Sad news….Jake just got shot here in vegas😢 supposed to make full recovery tho
Always killing it Michael. Great playing!!! I've been waiting for this since the IR-X which i love. This is already ordered!
How would you compare channel 1 to the sounds on the IR-D?
Massive flexibility ! Love that thing.