New Friedman IR-X preamp

[Jarick]

One last comparison, using the same impulse response in each device, in and out of the mix:

 

[Mongillo19]

One last comparison, using the same impulse response in each device, in and out of the mix:

B cut through better than A I think. B seemed to have more hair on it for the cleans

 

[mk5]

The comments are interesting, A is my preferred as to me it's has a little more sparkle to it (but not harsh). It's interesting how the brightness almost inverts on the heavier parts - probably just the IR differences I suppose.

Agree that A has some top end chimey quality. I don’t have an Axe to know if that’s a thing for it, but I’d say Friedman is B.

 

[Blix]

The difference is tiny really.

 

[norminal]

One last comparison, using the same impulse response in each device, in and out of the mix:

Like the last one, I prefer A for the cleans and B for the dirt. A seems to have a little more top end, but B sits in the mix better when the drums and bass come in.

Not sure which was which, but they’re close enough for rock ‘n’ roll.

 

[mavrick102000]

A is Fractal in this version of the Clip. I like both tones.

 

[ejecta]

1) both sound great and awesome track!
2) A maybe sounded darker and possibly fuller? But really splitting hairs

Yeah which is which I’m not super sure but that’s what what I heard as well. Top end on A is a bit rolled off compared to B and the mids shift a bit too comparatively. I’ll throw out a guess of B is modeler and A is IRX. Passive listening B seems to have a top end “sheen” that I sometimes associate with modeling and or some IR’s. But in a mix a lot of that disappears. I’d choose A depending on the mix because there was a bit more body to it in the mids. All that said they both sound good and cool tune.

 

[Mongillo19]

Yeah which is which I’m not super sure but that’s what what I heard as well. Top end on A is a bit rolled off compared to B and the mids shift a bit too comparatively. I’ll throw out a guess of B is modeler and A is IRX. Passive listening B seems to have a top end “sheen” that I sometimes associate with modeling and or some IR’s. But in a mix a lot of that disappears. I’d choose A depending on the mix because there was a bit more body to it in the mids. All that said they both sound good and cool tune.

Yeah I'm guessing A is IRX as well

 

[2112]

Nice work @Jarick. Figured I'd record something comparing what I dialed in on the Axe against the IR-X with the same IR. Switching between them throughout the clip. The low end response is a little different since the Friedman has a set depth and I'm not sure what type of impedance curve (if any) the power amp sim has. Close enough for rock'n'roll anyway.

 

[aivoryuk]

One last comparison, using the same impulse response in each device, in and out of the mix:

I would be surprised if A is not the Friedman - with B I can hear the mid range overtones

 

[aivoryuk]

Nice work @Jarick. Figured I'd record something comparing what I dialed in on the Axe against the IR-X with the same IR. Switching between them throughout the clip. The low end response is a little different since the Friedman has a set depth and I'm not sure what type of impedance curve (if any) the power amp sim has. Close enough for rock'n'roll anyway.

From listening I would say the first time the riff is played is the Fractal than the Friedman

 

[Sascha Franck]

There is a slight audio dropout when switching channels or engaging the boost, for those who are curious.

That's pretty bad - shouldn't happen on a pedal that is merely analog.
Also, what would be absolutely cool was if the loop was assignable to the boost switch (or to any of the switches, for those into different things). Along with an MS-50G that would make up for the most compact setup ever (basically, all I need to get through pretty much any gig is 4 sounds: clean, driven and a lead variation of each with some spatial FX on the lead sounds only).
I really dig the absolutely clever boost circuit, because, yeah, for clean leads I always only want a level boost whereas for driven sounds I also want some bits of gain boost.

Really, too bad, the pedal itself seems to sound just fantastic.

 

[saarangnarayan]

shouldn't happen on a pedal that is merely analog.

I promise you wouldn’t even notice the gap. Tube amps have the same amount of gap fwiw.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I promise you wouldn’t even notice the gap.

Ok... but even if, in case the loop was switchable, I'd possibly buy it pretty soon. That would significantly upgrade the unit's value for me - and fwiw, I'm not sure why that isn't a function. I'm sure many people would just absolutely dig it for smaller setups.

 

[saarangnarayan]

Ok... but even if, in case the loop was switchable, I'd possibly buy it pretty soon. That would significantly upgrade the unit's value for me - and fwiw, I'm not sure why that isn't a function. I'm sure many people would just absolutely dig it for smaller setups.

The loop is switchable. If you hold down the channel 2 switch, that toggles the loop on and off. Also I’m pretty sure it is MIDI assignable, too.

 

[Sascha Franck]

The loop is switchable. If you hold down the channel 2 switch, that toggles the loop on and off.

Well, I'd rather love to see it assignable to a function (channel or boost). But in case it's switchable already, that could possibly be added in an update. MIDI would be of no help for the minimum setup I have in mind.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

On the clip with the same IR, I like A better throughout - a bit brighter and chimier. and on the examples with different IR's, I also like A slightly more (partly down to the IR though).

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Nice work @Jarick. Figured I'd record something comparing what I dialed in on the Axe against the IR-X with the same IR. Switching between them throughout the clip. The low end response is a little different since the Friedman has a set depth and I'm not sure what type of impedance curve (if any) the power amp sim has. Close enough for rock'n'roll anyway.

pretty close! although you can hear the low end heft disappear on one of them, kind of like a HPF kicking in. Overall character and vibe is there, curious if its possible to get any more chunk out of it.

 

[Whizzinby]

I’ve decided I’m leaving it in The Gods hands. If my local shop gets one in the next week I’m gonna buy it, if not I’ll pass. (Just sorta waffling about, deciding if I “need” it)

This is the most sensible way to make a gear decision, based on a random UPS delivery over an arbitrarily short period of time.

 

[Jarick]

Nice work @Jarick. Figured I'd record something comparing what I dialed in on the Axe against the IR-X with the same IR. Switching between them throughout the clip. The low end response is a little different since the Friedman has a set depth and I'm not sure what type of impedance curve (if any) the power amp sim has. Close enough for rock'n'roll anyway.

That sounds basically the same for all intents and purposes.

I didn't make any effort to dial in the exact same tone as much as dial in something that sounded good. This shows you can get there, and I dunno if that's kudos to Fractal, Friedman, or both.

For me the bottom line is it sounds really good out of the box without any tweaking or fuss, and can drop into a pedalboard or recording situation no problem. The build quality seems good and the price for what it does to me is very reasonable. I would have expected $800-1000 honestly.

Probably the only complaint I have is no off switch. That would be nice to save the preamp tubes and not have to unplug it.

Today's adventure, I'm hooking it up in the loop of the Axe 3 to try it in four cable method, and I'm going to see if I can figure out how to send MIDI signals to it.