Lots of great amps sounds and easy as pie to use. Garrett, my sales rep was most helpful in figuring out my needs and this baby hit the mark. Thanks, Garrett!

The amps in this are pretty nice. The IR's are pretty severely lacking.

Once I loaded in some good sounding IR's (I grabbed York audio), this thing came alive. It's a night and day difference.

I'll be brief: It's mostly great. I use it constantly. I'm glad it exists. It changed my workflow. It has a silly flaw, something I just can't believe they let pass: the effects loop is AFTER the speaker emulation. WHAT amp has that? What a ridiculous way to route the signal! Most of the time, it makes virtually no difference. Here's three great examples of when it makes the effects loop kind of unusable: First, if you purposely put a dirt pedal in the loop, like a Metal Zone, it obviously sounds like straight into a console and therefore fizzy. Secondly, any analog modulation pedal that might clip a bit on its own, like my DC-2w, become impossible to have in the effects loop; that gentle clipping sounds like digital noise if it doesn't go though a speaker before the ears. Thirdly, where do they expect to the new Rotary Ensemble to go with its built-in drive? I can't put that in the loop for the same reason! Come on, speaker emulation coming before the effects loop is absolute nonsense! Fix this!

He was looking for a pedal that would allow him to connect his headphones to be able to play but not be a distraction to the family or even late at night when the kids are asleep. When he came across this, he was excited to hear something was available. I dont know all the ins and outs of what it does. However, he raves about how awesome it is.

I love this thing! I wanted something compact but with a good 5150 tone and not a lot of bells/whistles. The IR-2 checks all the boxes. I was able to dial in my sound in just a few minutes and I like that the IR-2 auto saves the settings. All the amp models sounds great but I stick with the "Brown Sound" for heavier stuff. I'm running it through a Headrush 1x12 and love the tone! Lots of tight low end and crunchy mids! For the price, you get an 11 amp models with their own cabs, 3 different reverbs ("Ambience"), 2 channels, effects loop, headphone jack for silent practice, and a USB audio interface. Get it!

I plug this into a tascam recorder when I perform live. If you're not going into an amp the effects out sounds great.

Very good pedal , really versatile sounds you can get besides the ones you can customize, very pleased with purchase from Sweetwater Music

Let me start by saying this was my very first IR/Amp Sim experience and this review is a little jilted by the fact that I know also own a much more versatile and higher priced Hotone Ampero multi effects with many more IR's and amp sims. This pedal is fine, and you can get some good tones out of it, I just feel it is very limited and the cleans and crunch are pretty good, but when it is time to go metal, I had to put an overdrive in front of it to get it to really scream and crunch. I just don't love how Boss does the high gain and heavier tones. If you don't play metal or hard rock, all good. Also, the "ambiance" which is reverb is barely there even when cranked. It is a good introduction to amp sims, but for not much more, you can do a lot better.

I got an open-box special from Sweetwater about a year ago. The pedal is fantastic for what it is. No, it will not replace my Dr. Z amp, but I use it almost every day: silent headphone practice with backing tracks, practice at home with studio monitors, and travel practice in hotels. I also run my harmonica through it during rehearsals and gigs (I use the green channel as live, and the red as a mute for harmonica). Perfect in every way for the price.

I've preferred tube amps for decades. Plain and simple. Then I got a pair of kitties who don't care for the Strat all day every day- enter the search for an emulator pedal/headphone interface. I checked out the Strymon Iridium and a couple others. I went for the IR-2 for its compactness and familiar BOSS user experience. I'm blown away by the quality of this pedal. It's got the modeling down to the amps' hiss. It's awesome. It's super responsive, goes inline with my board with the effects loop and is just fire. I love this thing.

I think this is a really great idea for a pedal. It has really good sounds across the board, and functions as a full preamp.
I've found it useful for essentially turning a pedalboard into a full rig. For home practice, the headphone jack is awesome, and for gigging, it can be plugged into just about any clean amp for a good sound.
The only downside for me is the tiny stacked knobs, since I have big hands. But it's really just a nitpicky thing, compared to the convenience of the unit.

Great pedal! The deal was made better by the free Celestion amp and cab pack.
Excellent delivery with notifications along the way. Seamless transaction with Apple Pay.
courteous follow up by Dylan White.
Will definitely order from Sweetwater in the future.

PROBLEM: I'm a songwriter who uses distorted guitars and many other instruments to record rock/pop/metal/folk tunes for my own enjoyment. While I have played live in a past life, it's not something I do now or have real expertise in. Although I have a fine ear and formal music education, I'm barely competent when it comes to dialing in a great dirty guitar tone that does what I want it to in a full mix, especially when actually miking a real speaker cabinet. That is an art of its own to master. The only amp I have is a little Roland JC-22 Jazz Chorus as a pedal platform for my many Boss pedals. Unfortunately, yeah, Jazz Chorus amps and distortion aren't exactly two things that go together easily. The JC-22 has a very flat, transparent sound that makes for fizzy and unconvincing metal and rock tones, while excelling in cleaner and more experimental tones. I just want to plug a distortion pedal into the front of my amp with a flat EQ on it and have it sound pretty good. SOLUTION: When I discovered that the Boss IR-2 had a mode specifically for outputting into a JC-120 Jazz Chorus, I had found my solution for having one amplifier for all the tones; one small amplifier to mic up if I ever returned to a band. I'm rather old school and prefer to twist knobs on Boss pedals rather than load IRs in a plugin, especially when I'm married to Linux and will never go back to anything else. Having a bonus set of Eminence IRs come for free from Sweetwater was icing on my cake of new guitar tones; I was excited to try the Governor specifically. I got my IR-2 after my wife ordered it during the recent special financing. REVIEW: I plugged it into the input of my JC-22 after setting the output mode to JC-120 input. I initially had only a few minutes and ran through the amp models. I found the Soldano and Rectifier models to have the quality of distortion I expected from famous records with those amps. Nice. Fast forward to my first song I'm producing using the pedal on rectifier with low gain and a distortion pedal running into it: the tone I got out of my JC-22's cab-emulated line out was not quite what I expected. Useable for sure, definitely punchy and present, but kind of unclear and ill-defined. I re-amped the DI track through an old cabinet with an Eminence Ramrod and got a better tone. I begrudgingly flipped the IR-2 output mode back to its default flat, line out and sent it straight in the interface and BOOM there's the way it all *should* sound! I know that a few of you are yelling "DUH!!!" at me but, really, I was kind of surprised there was such a huge drift. I know there's a difference between Boss's model on what a JC-120 sounds like vs what the emulated output on my JC-22 actually sounds like, but I still was shocked how much of a mid-hump I net had. Hitting the bright switch on the amp was better, but still a bit too fizzy. It all speaks to how fickle the color of any amp or cab emulation can be. Also, it has to be mentioned, the ambience knob on the pedal is delightfully subtle. I was thinking it would be really wet like a reverb pedal, but it's just a little space for the amp to breathe. As well, I really wish Boss had hadn't been lazy and modeled four of their own amps, not to say they're not good. There was space for other classics like an Orange or a 5150 or anything else. I will say, though I have found the Soldano to be my favorite and I haven't played much on the others, the Tweed has a great feel to play into, a really satisfying breakup. I also really would have appreciated if the A and B outputs could be split into a line out with IR and a inst out without IR: this would make for a great live tool for sending your pure IR-2 tone straight to the sound engineer and send the other to an amplifier for stage monitoring. A huge missed opportunity, and something those shoddy Behringer V-amps were capable of back in the dark ages of Line 6 Pods. CONCLUSION: I'm disappointed in the fact that the pedal is not going to work the way I planned, at least not without some additional experimentation on the output modes. Maybe I can find one that's a closer invert to the EQ curve of my JC-22's line out. Either way, it does solve the problem I had of needing nice impulse responses that aren't dependent on a computer; I can still get legendary amp tones when sending the pedal out my studio monitors, all without booting up the machine and opening a DAW. Unfortunately, when I was using the pedal to go straight in the amp, I didn't need to use the pedal's effects loop; now that it has to be used at line level, I have to use the effects loop. I'm also excited to eventually make my own IRs and have them in a pedal be done with tone-hunting in this studio or any other forever. This is a big first step for me to simplify my workflow for distorted guitars, especially since the pedal includes IRs of some classic speakers like the Vintage 30. BONUS DISAPPOINTMENT: I never got my free Eminence IRs from Sweetwater. I was expecting a QR code for download or something in the box, but nope. Nothing. Classy move. Anyways, thanks for reading. Hope you have a great day!

If you live in an apartment, this is your best choice for an amp. It provides headphone and DI support, and it allows you to go directly into the mixer for your stage monitors when you need to get your jeans buzzing.

But also, it's a great choice if you just want to have complete control over your sound wherever you go. And it might be the cheapest amplifier out there with an effects loop. As a result, if you're using another modeling unit for effects like I am (yes, that's an HX Stomp XL and a Mission Engineering expression pedal also on my board), it can help save on patch space.

I purchased the BOSS IR-2 in order to create a compact, highly portable recording setup that I could carry in three bags: my laptop and Scarlett interface in one bag, my pedalboard in another, and my guitar in the third bag. I can easily carry all three with me on the train, in an uber, or even walking to the studio/rehearsal space.
Wherever there is power, I can demo, write, do re-records...I was hoping for a guitar rig in a compact box, and the IR-2 more than delivers on that hope.

As soon as I plugged it in, the amp and cabinet models ALL deliver punchy, nuanced, extremely PRESENT sound. The IR-2 is clean, loud, and harmonically rich. In my first hours playing on the IR-2, I fell immediately in love with the BROWN, RFIER, SLO, MODDED, and BRIT amp models. On each of these models, both the clean and drive channels sound incredible. Saving your amp settings between clean and drive is so simple - just press the pedal.

Playing with it more, I tried the remaining models, and found each one to have unique and extremely viable tonal characteristics. It is difficult to dial in a bad sound on this pedal.

Hooked up to my Scarlett interface and DAW (Pro Tools), the IR-2 is ready for a take in seconds, and I feel my playing sounds just as good or better than when I spend hours moving mics in front of a cabinet. Paired with the other pedals on my board - DS-1, Golden Plexi 2, Super Fuzz - I have been able to quickly dial in absolutely monstrous tones that span the low mids to the sparkliest highs. I am making melodic post-punk/gothic pop rock.

The amp models are exceptional; if you are experienced at listening to different amplifiers, you can tell that the IR-2 is NAILING these models. Particularly the BRIT, RFIER, and BROWN amps so accurately capture the character and tonal complexity of those amps. Purists may be able to hear the slight differences between the IR-2 and the real thing, but to get THIS close to those classic tones without the cost, weight, and time investment of owning all those amps is priceless.

I was excited by the many demo videos I watched on YouTube when the IR-2 released, but my excitement is beyond delivered upon by actually playing and working with the IR-2. I am so completely enthralled with the sonics and playability that this pedal provides that I have been on a writing spree. Riff after riff started pouring out of me each time I switched to a new amp model. The IR-2 sounds incredible, but most of all, it is deeply inspiring to play it.

For recording, I am easily able to set my rig up to capture at around -12db, then mix up to -6db, then master up to -3db. All the way through the process, my tracks are thick, easily mixable, and play so well with the other instruments in my arrangement. The IR-2 really feels like a hack. A plug-and-play solution that feels too good to be true, but is true, nonetheless.

I replaced my Strymon Iridium for this on my live rig. The models are great and I don't like going through a million menu settings or plugging it into my computer to tweak for ages. I prefer the tactile analog style setup, then leave it there so this pedal is perfect for that. It does the job for live settings, just find where I like the settings and leave it. Sounds great, lots of models, and I love the effects loop. Compact size is huge bonus for a live-setting pedal board. The downside of course is trying to pack a lot into a small form factor, so other settings are difficult to access, but again I generally set it up as needed and don't touch it. I wish I could access more than just 2 models with foot switches.

The 2 channels and memory setting makes sense, but on the other hand if I need to tweak 1 setting you have to be careful of the channel you have selected before you start spinning knobs. Generally speaking when I power up for a gig, I don't have time to check the settings on 2 channels so I hope the memory is locked in and not accidentally changed. It will stay there until I accidentally bump a knob while it has power, which thankfully hasn't happened yet. The clean channel(s) (e.g. Vox and Fender twin reverb) take pedals very well too.

Very usable. I used it at my last 6 or 7 gigs. My first time going amp-less. I find the twin sound to work great - but there is a problem with the way it saves your presets. If you touch a knob at any time it saves your preset. I have my two presets saved which I like but now I can't go explore the other sounds in the pedal without erasing the sound I worked on. I could have some fun exploring Vox and Marshall sounds but my fender presets would then be gone. I wish you could explore the pedal more and still recall your presets. It should also have an XLR out imo.

Nice piece of gear, easy to use, preloaded IR's sound amazing, and it's easy to change if you seek more. Worth the wait. The hype is real.

I'm the old guy that forever said, 'nothing will replace a great tube amp' and that's mostly true. Nothing will replace heavy tube amps with 100 year old technology and yes they do sound great. But they've got nothing on the myriad of great simulation pedals now available. This is the IR2. I plugged in Bose L1 Pro 32, set a Marshall-ish tone and a Fender-ish tone and that's it. Tone-tweaked and through the Bose it sounds natural and delish, tube amp forgotten. Methinks this tone engine is akin to the Katana?
Hit the pedal to turn on, switch channels and bypass. One dislike is since the same treadle pedal does channel switch and bypass you've gotta hold the pedal down for bypass, it's not instantaneous and briefly switches to the other channel before the bypass takes effect. This makes it unusable for the quick bypass. There's an external connection for aux channel footswitch and I've not messed with that yet. I would've used the CH SEL jack for instant bypass and make the treadle pedal channel switch but, opinion, opinion. Have not messed with UI. A nice way to change your life and thinking about heavy tube amps

Just got it - have not gigged with it yet - but I will!

My reasons for buying the Boss IR-2:

Incredible back-up to my gigging amps (Sorry, I will always prefer great amps in live settings – but the IR-2 is gig worthy!)

Small footprint easily fits at the end of my pedal board

Analog dials on front of pedal verses digital screens – much easier to tweak / fix sounds in a live setting

The older I get the harder it is to haul heavy crap, especially in down town alley parked settings with horrible "load ins", etc.

Of course I have other digital solutions. This is latest 2023 technology updated with modern features in a Boss pedal format, too easy!

More and more venues are requesting "silent / in ear" stages. For "no amp" gigs - I plan on using the Boss IR-2 with a direct box and go straight to the house

My long time amazing Sweetwater Engineer Chris McCown said for $ "it was a great buy" – I agreed to get on the "wait list" and pre-ordered this right away

The IR-2 can also be used as a standalone practice device


Initial thoughts after spending a few minutes "dialing it in":

- In about 5 minutes - found 2 very usable settings; a great twin clean tone and a saturated lead rip your face off setting.

- A couple of hours later, had put it on pedal board, looped delay and phaser into the send / return on the IR-2; time delayed effects took perfectly to effects loop and sounded great.

- Added a Timmy overdrive to be used before the pedal to "goose" the input, greater tones / options - sounded even better!
- Unlike earlier digital "things" – my guitar and hands felt attached to the pedal – on older digital units' "latency" lost playing feel for me. After pushing the IR-2 with the Timmy before input, really bonded well with the pedal – great sound – but better playing feel…

- Have not tried the new plethora of digital $ pedals – I am sure they are also great, but I own several older models which were best in class in 2010, the IR-2 sounds better to me, at a fraction of the cost.

Chris was right again, for $ this is a GREAT buy. Might be better solutions if you want to spend $ (probably just a lot more features?) but if you are looking for an inexpensive stage ready pedal - that will provide great FOH sounds – this gets it done!

Absolutely stunned at this little guy. Punches way above its weight for the price. If you're looking at something like this for your rig, but don't want to spend $ for one sound, get this you won't be disappointed.

Great features but lacking in sound quality.

This is the bang for the buck perfect purchase for anyone who loves their pedal boards and would like to have flexibility of a hybrid setup. It's also perfect for anyone prefer to using knobs instead of graphic user interfaces. However, this might end up in the storage cabinet for anyone who already own Amp modelers and amp plugins. For me it really depends on your use case. This is perfect for small gigs as the last pedal in the pedal board chain. But for home use, the amp modelers still have tons more features. And for demo recording, the amplitube plugin went on sale for half the price of this pedal which turned out to be a better deal for me.

This pedal would have been perfect if they added an aux in.

If your a beginner or on a tight budget and need all the options for recording, stereo and an audio interface then this pedal may be worth it otherwise its a mediocre sounding pedal at best and for just a little more money there are much better options out there , tonally. If you want a better sounding pedal and all the same options this pedal has then your in the 500 or more range.

I am blown away by this pedal. Great job Boss!

The only feedback I have is that it would be nice to be able to turn the noise gate off completely. I talk about it in my YouTube review.

This is the first pedal I've purchased with almost no research. Saw it was introduced, came straight to Sweetwater and hit pre-order.

NO regrets. It was easy to set up right out of the box. Threw it on my board, set up a clean sound using the Twin and a Marshall tone for the second channel got right back to playing guitar.

The sounds are touch responsive, easy to set up edge of break up, and take pedals like an amp should.

My one concern had been "what happens to the pedals in the effects loop when the pedal is bypassed?" Answer. The loop stays on! So when I want to run into my real amps, I just bypass the IR-2 and everything else stays the same.

Headphone out sounds good too!

EXACTLY what I needed.

For $ and only taking up be pedal space, this is a no brainer!

This feels and sounds like a real amp and can get you Megadeth, Greenday, Blink 182 or anything in between. The fact its a recording interface, headphone output and dual channel is icing on the cake!

You'll want to sell everything else you own because it's just that awesome. Buy it while it's cheap!