Jake E. Lee’s Tube-driven Tone — in a Pedal!
Driven by two glowing-hot, high-voltage 12AX7 preamp tubes, the Friedman IR-J packs the preamp section of Jake E. Lee’s signature JEL amplifiers into a streamlined, pedalboard-ready stompbox. You get two JEL-voiced channels, equipping you with everything from crystalline cleans to Plexi-style crunch to British-inspired high gain. The IR-J’s amp-like controls comprise a 3-band EQ, TS-style boost, a Bright switch on each channel, and a high/low Gain switch on the drive channel. With or without a cab, the IR-J will transform your guitar rig into a potent war machine, thanks to its built-in power amp simulator and IR loader, which are bolstered by 18 onboard Friedman cab impulse responses. You also get a transparent-sounding effects loop and comprehensive MIDI control. Moreover, you can use the included Friedman Editor software to tweak the power amp simulation, load your third-party IRs, and more. The IR-J is a formidable DI solution enabling you to achieve legendary levels of tube-fired hard-rock muscle right from your pedalboard.
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Two channels of hard-rock and metal tones
The IR-J houses two glowing-hot 12AX7 preamp tubes, running at 300-plus volts, to fully realize Jake E. Lee’s metallic, ’70s-inspired hard-rock tones. Channel one invokes the sweetness and warmth of a classic British non-master-volume amplifier. This channel can deliver sparkling clean tones, juicy edge-of-breakup textures, or full-on hard-rock crunch. Channel one includes a 3-band EQ for sculpting your sound, Volume and Gain knobs, and a 3-way Bright switch. Channel two is the IR-J’s higher-gain channel. At lower gain settings, it’s crunchy as all get-out. At higher gain settings, it’ll have you barking at the moon. Channel two also features a 3-band EQ, Volume and Gain knobs, and a 3-way Bright switch, as well as a high/low Gain switch that enables you to go from a thunderous growl to all-out high-gain metal territory. Finally, a footswitchable per-channel TS-style boost with dedicated Tone and Volume controls expands your sonic palette with screaming, green-machine-injected flavor.
Potent cabinet and power amp simulations
With the Friedman IR-J on your pedalboard, you can achieve rafter-shaking, arena-worthy tones at any volume — no cab required. For starters, a faithful power amp simulator with software-editable Presence, Thump, and Lowpass Filter controls provides a solid, tube-flavored foundation for your direct-injected tone. The IR-J also includes a state-of-the-art IR loader, which is bolstered by 18 Friedman cabinet impulse responses developed in cooperation with OwnHammer. Each channel includes a 3-way mini toggle for IR selection, or you can load your favorite third-party impulse responses via the included Friedman Editor software. When we pressure tested the IR-J here at Sweetwater, we were impressed with the low-latency performance afforded by its oversized 500MHz ARM processor; its near-instantaneous response is almost like playing through a real amplifier — even with extra-long impulse responses!
Contains all the features you need
The Friedman IR-J includes all the features you’d expect from a high-end preamp, and we’re confident that every guitarist who plugs in will appreciate what this amp has to offer. Features like an ultra-transparent series effects loop to accommodate your pedals and external effects and comprehensive MIDI control brand the IR-J as a true top-tier performer. So, if you’re searching for a rock-solid DI solution with authentic tube-infused aggression, don’t take a shot in the dark. Plug into the IR-J and prepare yourself for some of the best rock and metal tones you’ve ever heard.
Your source for muscular, articulate rock tones
“Dave has an innate understanding of where I’m coming from as a player, and we’re alike in the way we hear tones. Dave doesn’t hear things as a technician; he hears things like a musician, and that made him really easy to work with. I grew up in the ’70s, and those muscular, articulate rock tones were the tones I always sought, but I made a name for myself in the ’80s when you needed a little more aggression and a little more scream. I’ve always tried to retain a little of that ’70s heart and I still do, and that’s what this preamp does — though it’s got plenty more on tap if you need it!” — Jake E. Lee
Friedman IR-J Features:
- Signature preamp pedal of Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands, Red Dragon Cartel)
- Packs the preamp section of Jake E. Lee’s signature JEL amplifiers into a streamlined, pedalboard-ready stompbox
- Houses 2 glowing-hot 12AX7 preamp tubes running at more than 300V
- Channel 1 invokes the sweetness and warmth of a classic British non-master-volume amplifier
- Channel 2 yields the aggressive, higher-gain tones that Jake is famous for
- Both channels include a 3-band EQ, a 3-way Bright switch, and a footswitchable TS-style boost with Tone and Volume controls
- Drive channel brandishes a high/low Gain switch that ranges from a thunderous growl to all-out high-gain metal territory
- Power amp simulator provides a solid, tube-flavored foundation for your direct-injected tone
- State-of-the-art IR loader bolstered by 18 Friedman cabinet impulse responses developed in cooperation with OwnHammer
- Oversized 500MHz ARM processor certifies low-latency performance — even with extra-long impulse responses
- Friedman Editor software allows you to tweak the power amp simulation, load 3rd-party IRs, and more
- Ultra-transparent effects loop accommodates your pedals and external effects
- Comprehensive MIDI control
