New Friedman IR-X preamp

[Baba]

Got to finally unbox the IRX. Switches were loose and one had completely come loose and was inside the pedal. It was easy to open up and put back and tightened up the the other two. This is my luck sometimes.

Just a quick 30 minute play direct into it no pedals or anything as all I’ve done but first impressions is… good not great. I’m still going to play with it more and try maybe some other IRs. Also got the OX Stomp so may try it with that. Again it’s good I’m just not blown away. Still good enough considering seeing where I can get it to be.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

The IR-X has been the thing I've been looking for to run gain pedals into for years. I tried Fender based stuff numerous times over the years and it was just okay to good, but I find I prefer Marshall style cleans. I had a Peavey Rockmaster amp head for years, which was based on the JCM800 I believe, but had 6L6 tubes. This is not to be confused with the preamp, which was much different. I used it much the same way. A little breakup from the amp, but mostly getting the gain from my pedals. So far I have used Marshall reissue pedals and love it. Next, I need to try the Bogner (mini and full size Ecstasy) and Friedman (BE-OD Deluxe, DS, Smallbox). I love it a ton!

 

[cragginshred]

Mine arrives tomorrow, I will NOT post pictures of it but rather give you tone samples in a video!

 

[aivoryuk]

Just ordered one today - I'm looking forward to trying it out with various combinations with my Fractal FM3.

 

[cragginshred]

I will this unit will put a huge dent in the modeler industry. Push in the front end with an OD it can get every bit as good as any Friedman real amp i have owned. I would venture to say it is better than the real BE because it is not as compressed or dark.

I got my IR X 2 days ago and within 20 minutes I had a killer tone dialed in. Had a gig last night and took the new board as a back up. While routing all my cables I was thinking this is the last time I will do this for a while. New rig is IR X with Line 6 HX FX routed in 4cm for pre/post effects and send goes to Atomic CLR then linked to FOH bam easy and sounds killer!!

 

[Mongillo19]

I will this unit will put a huge dent in the modeler industry. Push in the front end with an OD it can get every bit as good as any Friedman real amp i have owned. I would venture to say it is better than the real BE because it is not as compressed or dark.

I got my IR X 2 days ago and within 20 minutes I had a killer tone dialed in. Had a gig last night and took the new board as a back up. While routing all my cables I was thinking this is the last time I will do this for a while. New rig is IR X with Line 6 HX FX routed in 4cm for pre/post effects and send goes to Atomic CLR then linked to FOH bam easy and sounds killer!!

Did you sell the FM9 for this

 

[cragginshred]

Did you sell the FM9 for this

It has not sold yet but is listed. Reasoning that I will never use it live with the IR X in the picture. Two rigs could not be be more different.

 

[Mongillo19]

It has not sold yet but is listed. Reasoning that I will never use it live with the IR X in the picture. Two rigs could not be be more different.

That's wild! Glad you found something you like.

 

[Jarick]

I will this unit will put a huge dent in the modeler industry. Push in the front end with an OD it can get every bit as good as any Friedman real amp i have owned. I would venture to say it is better than the real BE because it is not as compressed or dark.

I got my IR X 2 days ago and within 20 minutes I had a killer tone dialed in. Had a gig last night and took the new board as a back up. While routing all my cables I was thinking this is the last time I will do this for a while. New rig is IR X with Line 6 HX FX routed in 4cm for pre/post effects and send goes to Atomic CLR then linked to FOH bam easy and sounds killer!!

I'm probably going to get a Metro 20 to mount this on, and I just got a second Voodoo Lab current doubler so I can run both off the same power supply.

Only other thing I may do is mount my Polytune on there, if I can squeeze it on.

Are you planning to run MIDI from the HXFX to the Friedman?

Reason I ask is one small issue, the channel change is a split second after the preset change, so the levels jump slightly.

 

[cragginshred]

That's wild! Glad you found something you like.

I like everything I use -for a while!

 

[cragginshred]

I'm probably going to get a Metro 20 to mount this on, and I just got a second Voodoo Lab current doubler so I can run both off the same power supply.

Only other thing I may do is mount my Polytune on there, if I can squeeze it on.

Are you planning to run MIDI from the HXFX to the Friedman?

Reason I ask is one small issue, the channel change is a split second after the preset change, so the levels jump slightly.

I was able to use the midi function in the HX to change channels and hit the boost. I did not notice an latency.

 

[Mongillo19]

I like everything I use -for a while!

Hey, I imagine sometimes simplicity is best for gigs. You can get some killer tones with this thing fast

 

[aivoryuk]

I got mine today and really enjoying it so far. Early days but very good sounds in the scenarios I've tried so far

 

[Jarick]

I was able to use the midi function in the HX to change channels and hit the boost. I did not notice an latency.

Did you do CC or PC midi?

 

[Whizzinby]

That H90 (and Syn) setup

 

[bgstudio]

I heard a potato recoding clip off of a dude's phone who ran the IR-X into an Engl power-amp section, and it sounded killer even through his phone recording. I think running most modelers/preamps through a tube power-amp tend to give them a little more of an organic sound and feel. I have heard tube-based preamps sound stale and muddy through SS power sections, and I think modelers do better through class D stuff... but anytime you get something through a tube power-amp it seems to kick it up a notch.

 

[aivoryuk]

I've spent a few hours with this product and it sounds really good.
I extracted the IR's from the unit to use with the Fractal FM3 - I believe they are at 48 kHz - not sure what length.
I really like the a green IR on channel 2 with little bit of low and high roll off in the fractal

Both channels are really open and dynamic and you can use a little boost for a more compressed sound.

 

[ejecta]

After spending more time with the IRX I’m sending it back. It sounds good not great and just not what I’m looking to do for the purposes I need. It doesn’t really get any better results that I can get just with modeling. The most head scratching thing is I also got the Ox Stomp and it really didn’t pair well with he Friedman. Now all my other amps loaded down into a Suhr or Fryette load line out into the Ox sounded awesome.

 

[aivoryuk]

I posted this to the fractal forum but here are my thoughts after a few days use

I've had mine a few days and overall I really like it.

I've tried a few combinations with it and the FM3.
Guitar->Friedman Ir-X in-> FM3 input 2 for IR and post effects (I extracted the IR's from the Friedman into the FM3) - sounds great very easy to dial - IR Choice is key of course and I would say you need a different choice for the 2 channels.

Guitar->FM3 just using the preamp of the model (output 2 send) -> Friedman Return for the power amp simulation - sounds really good to me - obviously works better for those amps that don't rely on the master volume for the sound. I switch back between the preamp only model and using the PA simulation and there was definitely something pleasing going on.

Guitar->FM3 for pre effects (output 2 send) -> Friedman in (full amp) - FM3 input 2 return - sounds good but was quite noisy in terms of hiss so not sure if I'm doing something wrong in terms of 4 cable method - i can hear the hiss when playing so a gate doesn't seem to solve it.

Guitar-> Friedman just using Pre -> FM3 input 2 into the Tube Pre model for power amp simulation - sounds ok need to do a lot more tweaking on the fractal Tube Pre

 

[Whizzinby]

Side note, on the last Tone Talk, Dave mentioned they do have ideas or something in the works for another IRX type pedal. I figured if this proved popular they’d expand the line, but the way he said it seemed to indicate the ball was already rolling.