How to Import Impulse Responses
IRs, also known as impulse responses, are very popular for use in guitar amplifier simulation and guitar multi-effects pedals, both in the studio and onstage. They allow you to emulate different guitar speakers, cabs, and microphones without physically using them.
NOTE: While the concepts discussed are relevant to all IR loader devices, please refer to the manufacturer’s manual, as this article will specifically address the Line 6 Helix, the IK Multimedia TONEX, the Neural DSP Quad Cortex and Nano Cortex, the Kemper Profiler, and units with a Two notes digital module. Follow the sections below to get started.
What Are IRs?
Before importing impulse responses, you need to understand what they are and how they work. At its core, an impulse response is a digital copy of acoustic characteristics, such as a room’s reverberation, a guitar cab, mics, and mic positions. A high-quality IR file can make any guitar tone sound professional!
How to Upload IRs
IRs are .WAV files that you import into your guitar processor, so unless you are creating a guitar cab impulse from scratch, it’s just a matter of connecting the guitar pedalboard to your computer and importing the file.
Upload IRs on the Line 6 Helix
To upload IRs, you must download the IR .wav file and import it in the Line 6 HX Edit app.
- Go to the Line 6 download page. Use the dropdown boxes to select your Helix device, HX Edit, and your OS to download HX Edit.
- Launch the HX Edit installer. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Connect the Line 6 Helix directly to your computer, then launch the HX Edit application.
- Click the IRs tab in the app, then drag and drop the impulse response .wav files from the folder from which they’re stored.
- Press the Actions button on your Helix, and add an IR block after an Amp block.
Upload IRs on the IK Multimedia TONEX
- Download and install the TONEX Librarian software.
- Launch the software, click the red Cab’s name, then choose Custom IR.
- Click Add IR, navigate to the folder where your IR files are located, and select the IRs you wish to add. They will now be stored there for future use.
Upload IRs on the Neural DSP Quad Cortex and Nano Cortex
On the Nano Cortex, you can import IRs to your unit using the Cortex Control app on macOS or Windows, or using the Cortex Control app on iPhone, iPad or Android device.
On the Quad Cortex, you can import IRs directly to your unit over the Wi-Fi connection when you log in to Cortex Cloud on your computer’s web browser. You also have the option of using the Cortex Control app.
Cortex Control (Nano Cortex and Quad Cortex)
- Connect the Quad Cortex or Nano Cortex to your computer via a USB data cable.
- On your computer, go to the Neural DSP Cortex Control page. Download and install the app for your OS.
- Launch Cortex Control and log in to your customer account.
- Click Directories, and click Impulse Responses.
- Drag-and-drop your IR files into the Impulse Response Library pane.
The IRs will now be available in your Quad Cortex or Cortex Cloud account, and you can place one in a preset.
Learn more in the Cortex Control User Manual.
Cortex Cloud (Quad Cortex)
- Connect your Quad Cortex to Wi-Fi.
- On your computer, go to the Neural Cortex Cloud login page.
- On your profile page, click Impulse Responses.
- Drag and drop IRs from your computer into the blank field on the web page.
- On your Quad Cortex, open the Quad Cortex Directory, open the Impulse Responses category and tap Cloud IRs. Tap next to the IRs you’d like to download. You can now place them in presets.
Learn more in the Quad Cortex User Manual > Cortex Cloud > Importing Impulse Responses.
Upload IRs on the Kemper Profiler
TIP: Since IR files are being converted, we recommend creating dedicated folders for both the original IR files and the Kemper .kipr files.
To import an impulse response on your Kemper Profiler, you must first convert the IR .wav file to Kemper’s proprietary .kipr file. You will need a USB thumb drive formatted to FAT32 to transfer the impulse responses from your computer to the Profiler.
- Connect a USB thumb drive to your computer. Ensure it’s formatted to FAT32.
- Go to the Kemper download page, select Utilities from the dropdown box, and download and install the latest version of Cab Maker for your OS.
- Open the folder where your IR files are stored, then launch Cab Maker.
- Choose all the IRs you wish to convert, click Import, and click Start Conversion.
- Once the files are converted to .kipf format, transfer them to the thumb drive.
- Safely eject the thumb drive from your computer, then connect it to the USB-A port on your Kemper Profiler.
- Press the third button above the display (External Storage), followed by the second button (Import/Export), then the first button (Import).
- Select a rig, press and hold Cabinet, then use the Browse knob to select the IR you wish to load.
Upload IRs on Two notes Gear
Two notes makes their own gear that supports loading your own IRs, and they also provide digital modules in amplifiers made by other manufacturers.
You load IRs using the Two notes Torpedo Remote app on Mac and Windows PC. Certain piece of gear also support a Bluetooth connection to the Two notes Torpedo Wireless Remote app on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
Two notes devices:
Guitar amplifiers with Two notes:
Using Two notes Torpedo Remote
- Connect your unit to your Mac or Windows PC using a USB data cable.
- On your computer, go to the Two notes Torpedo Remote page. Download and install the app for your OS.
- Launch Torpedo Remote and log in to your Two notes customer account. (You will be prompted to register your device to your Two notes account in the “Declaration of Ownership” if you have not already.)
- Click on the IR Loader tab. Here you can drag and drop IR files from your computer into the Torpedo Remote app’s library.
- You can upload files from this library to your hardware unit in the pane on the right. You can now edit the parameters and place an IR into a preset.
Related Articles
When you need help, Sweetwater has the answers!
Our knowledge base contains over 28,000 expertly written tech articles that will give you answers and help you get the most out of your gear. Our pro musicians and gear experts update content daily to keep you informed and on your way. Best of all, it’s totally FREE, and it’s just another reason that you get more at Sweetwater.com.
