A Full-blown Pedalboard-ready Tube Preamp
The Friedman IR-X is a feature-laden guitar preamp that fits right on your pedalboard. And since it's loaded with two high-voltage 12AX7 tubes, this stompbox delivers the harmonic richness and touch response you'd expect from a full-sized Friedman amplifier. The IR-X's two channels cover everything from warm cleans to high-gain overdrive, and each channel includes a boost to push your drive to the next level. Per-channel 3-band EQs and voicing switches are onboard. You can plug the IR-X into a power amp and cab for a genuine air-pushing experience or use the onboard power amp simulation and low-latency IR loader to go direct. The IR-X includes an ultra-transparent effects loop, three multifunction footswitches, MIDI programmability, USB MIDI for DAW integration, and a headphone output. Friedman aficionados searching for the ultimate grab-and-go guitar rig will positively flip for the IR-X. It delivers killer Friedman tone — no amp required.
Related Videos: IR-X Dual Tube Preamp and DI
Two channels of tube-infused tone
The IR-X includes two fully independent, footswitchable channels. Channel one ranges from squeaky-clean British-voiced chime to Plexi-style crunch. Channel two yields Friedman's trademark high-gain tone, chock-full of percussive punch, note articulation, and searing sustain. Best of all, the IR-X isn't an emulation or a starved-plate "tube" amplifier — it's a genuine high-voltage, 12AX7-loaded tube preamp. The guitarists here at Sweetwater concur: When you plug into the IR-X, you'll experience the same harmonic-rich tone, expressive touch response, and complex gain characteristics you'd get from a full-sized Friedman tube amplifier.
All the sound-shaping controls you need
No matter how you want to sculpt your tone, the Friedman IR-X is willing to oblige you. Each of its two channels includes a 3-band EQ, Volume and Gain controls, and a footswitchable boost. The clean channel boasts a 3-way Bright voicing switch and the dirty channel features a 2-way Tight voicing switch. Got pedals? Who doesn't! That's why the IR-X includes a bypassable effects loop.
Power amp simulation and IR loader
While you can plug the IR-X into a power amp and guitar cabinet, this stompbox-style preamp also includes a power amp simulation with tweakable Presence and Thump parameters and a full-featured IR loader for sending your signal straight to the board. You can use the 12 Friedman cabinet IRs that come free with the IR-X, or you can use your own custom IRs. Selecting an IR is as easy as flipping the top-panel 3-way toggle switch or loading a custom file via the IR-X's editing software.
Friedman IR-X Dual Tube Preamp and DI Features:
- A feature-laden guitar preamp that fits on your pedalboard
- 2 high-voltage 12AX7 tubes deliver the harmonic richness and touch response of a full-sized Friedman amp
- Channel 1 ranges from squeaky-clean British-voiced chime to Plexi-style crunch
- Channel 2 yields a high-gain tone that's chock-full of percussive punch, note articulation, and searing sustain
- Per-channel 3-band EQ, Volume and Gain controls, and footswitchable boost
- Bright and Tight voicing switches provide added sonic flexibility
- Bypassable effects loop makes integrating your pedalboard simple
- Power amp simulation with Presence and Thump parameters
- IR loader includes 12 free Friedman cabinet IRs, or you can load your own custom files
- MIDI programmable with up to 128 presets for integration with pro-level rigs; USB MIDI for DAW integration
- 3 multifunction footswitches make real-time operation a breeze
- TRS balanced output; headphone output
