Friedman IR-X Preamp

The Friedman IR-X dual-channel tube preamp is an entire Friedman rig in a compact pedalboard-friendly package. Powered by two high-voltage 12AX7 preamp tubes, each channel delivers the harmonic richness and touch response of Dave Friedman’s finest designs. DSP IR cabinet/power amp simulation sends a studio-quality mic’d-up tone to your DAW or Front-of-House. The IRX provides easy-to-use controls without complex menus and 100-page manuals

IR-X isn’t simulating a Friedman tube preamp. It is one. While many available preamp pedals utilize tubes to ‘warm up’ their digital or solid-state circuit, two glowing hot 12AX7 preamp tubes, running at the proper high voltage, are this pedal’s beating heart. A genuine preamp in every way, IR-X delivers all the tone, response, gain characteristics, and harmonic complexity you expect from a Friedman design.

IR-X boasts two fully independent foot-switchable channels. Like the famed Friedman flagship amps, channel one takes your tone from bluesy, British-voiced cleans to a muscular Plexi-style roar. Engage channel two for the Friedman signature higher-gain voice and all the percussive punch, note clarity and singing sustain that comes with it.

Both channels feature their own independent and highly tweakable Boost circuits. This essentially gives you four channels, accessible with the tap of your toe.

All great tube amps need a great speaker cabinet, and whether sending your signal straight to the board or silently playing through the onboard headphone output, IR-X gives you a selection of Dave Friedman’s favorite IRs. Select the IR per channel using the 3-way mini toggle switches or load your own quickly and easily via IR-X’s editing software. You can even disengage the onboard IRs entirely to use IR-X’s tube preamp with another IR loader.
12 Friedman Cabinet IRs Included: The IR-X software includes 12 free Friedman IRs to choose from. The first three listed below are the ones which are factory set to the hardware:

1. 6402 57 121
Dave Friedman’s favorite 4×12 cab in bare wood. This is Dave’s primary workshop cab and has been used to voice his amplifiers since the very beginning. It’s fitted with four 6402 Greenback speakers and was captured with an SM57 and R-121 for a nice balance of cut and body.

2. V30
Stock Friedman 4×12 closed-back cabinet, loaded with four Celestion® Vintage 30 speakers. Captured with a single SM57 and API preamp for a pure, punchy sound.

3. 1980B V30 GB
A rare UK model 4×12 cab from the 80’s rock era. This 1980B “Bass” cabinet is loaded with British Greenback in the top and V30’s in the bottom. This blend of speakers and careful micing creates a huge tone with a massive sound with big bottom and cutting top end.