Is Friedman IRX X Really Worth the Hype?
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- čas přidán 15. 11. 2023
- In today's video, Paul Drew from The Studio Rats is joined by Lee Abraham who has just purchased the Friedman IR-X.
We tear into this valve-driven guitar preamp to see if it is really worth the hype.
Here is what Friedman say about the Friedman IR-X
ALL-TUBE FRIEDMAN TONE
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.
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs. - Hudba
I must say Paul you and your chanel are the most credible review source. As well as your playing technique is very inspiring! Greetings from Switzerland
Thanks Ivic that really means a lot!
for an old fart like me, that hates menu's and the never ending unhappiness tweaking digital units, and more than happy with a two channel amp, this screams perfect for compact and amazing sounding. I love it.
Completely agree, I love mine and it is perfect
well if your an old fart you must have time to fiddle with modellers cause they sound better than this thin sounding Friedam
@spada60 this friedman sounds absolutely amazing! Exactly the tone I love. Modellers are great too, but like many others I hate menus. This thing is for me for sure, was waiting it for years.
I got the Boss IR-2 for this exact reason.
@@Smart-Alex yes, been eyeing that off. Pretty damn fine tones out of it. great if you gig with amps and want a back up or option to go direct to desk for small gigs. can live on your pedal board.
After several hours with the IR-X and the OX Stomp, I think this is a definite step up over my Strymon Iridium. The key to a good clean sound/ broken up sound is to go into the IR-X menu via the comptuer app and turn the presence all the way up (3 settings) and the thump all the way down (3 settings). That voices it a little more chimey for the clean/ edge of breakup I was looking for. Before I could never quite get rid of the low-mid/ deep resonance to the sound that was just too much/ not clear enough for a clean tone.
Update: Tried the new IR-D - far more musical and versatile for my tastes.
Thanks for spending some time on the cleans and clean + mild boost! Other demos are lacking in that department.
I like your review of the pedal and how you actually showed how it works saw a few vids that didnt do it justice
Ah, been waiting for your guys review on this.. TY!
This is one of the rare reviews where I don´t get the impression of a total hype. Very credible, biased and fair.
I have got one recently and it is not a game changer however channel 1 crunch options are good and if you purchase good IR’s from celestion or others you get nice tones.
you opened up my mind with this video great tones liked and subscribed
There's a video on Facebook with the IRX going into the effects loop of an EVH III amp head and it sounds glorious.
Just picked it up I love it ! Channel one does perfect plexi AC/DC for me especially with a humbucker guitar and channel 2 is great for high gain which rarely is needed
Would be a great video to A/B this against the big boy Friedman BE, both through an IR studio monitor setup and a power amp set up. Paul says he can hear a difference, be cool to see if this is apparent when they are played back to back.
Definitely agree - would be great to see
Indeed… and the IR-X through the poweramp of the BE…
@@eskemeldgaardkrogh4145 its' been done
@@JasonSmith-wj2htCool - could you point me in the right direction?
Nice review, good to see someone not just saying its amazing and actually being sceptical.
9:40 fantastic legato Paul!! More lessons and tab please I'd love to play that smooth...excellent demo 👌
I love it. Its replaced my trusty half stack. I use the friedman. A powerstage 170, and a 1x12, super light weight and sounds great
It did sound good Wyeth your Fender Tele...cuts through. But which Tele model are you using? Pickups stock?
🎸
Pretty amazing piece of gear.
I love your channel. I do have a question. When you record for these videos are you using the same IR or do you mix it up?
I've had mine for about a month now. I agree the feel not being a big deal at first, but it does beautiful Fender, Marshall, and Friedman tone through a quality PA, or FrFr. Now that I've had it a month and the tubes have burned in and I've got my settings as I like, it definitely has the feel and tone of an amp. I'm playing through two EV evolve 50s behind me and I would swear I have two marshall stacks in channel one with boost on. The Friedman channel takes you into nowhere land. Absolutely great. It's like having four great amps. I've owned, BadCat, Carr, Dr Z, VHT, and many vintage Fenders and Marshall's. Give it time and you will love it. PS. I run it into the power amp in on my Katana artist for practice. I'm blown away what it sounds like through the Waza speaker.
I have the Artist mk2. You have got me thinking now.
@ScreamingStevenHoward That's the same amp I have. It's great, but I don't love the foot switch. I plug into the Katana power amp in and run my pedal board modulation, delays, and reverb into the IRx effects loop. I was amazed at the tone. Saved me from buying a frfr.
@@greggerjets9477I’m late to the party but this is the set up that I have. I have the Katana artist mk2 and the Friedman IRX. So the way to set it up is out of the send on the effects loop of the Friedman and into the Katana power amp in? I know this may be a dumb question, but I need guidance since I’m confused on how to get this set up sounding great. Thanks!
Thank you for the video Paul. A comparison with the amp1 would be great. If not a video how would you compare them with just a comment? Thank you
I've had this for a month and have been enjoying it, it did kick the origin revival off my board...which had been there for 3+ years.
Fyi, when you were searching for more girth on the heavy sound and you turned up the mids and bass, you had the 'tight' switch enabled on the heavy channel the entire demo. The tight switch cuts significant amounts of bottom end. If you disable the tight switch, you will end up with the bass knob way down.
Also, switching IR's makes a huge diff...load some ones you know you love in there. The stock ones are good but you can def do better. Also,,, part 2,,, swapping the the 12ax7 in the V1 tube slot for a 5751 backs down the gain a bit and opens up the sound of the whole unit. The 'clean' channel one also sounds great gained up and pushed, diff voice than ch 2, more of a traditional straight cranked plexi vibe. 🤘👍
Did you use the standard RD or Hot Rod? I’m looking to downsize to a pedalboard rig and am stuck between this and the RD Hot Rod. What made you switch?
@@tylerkeyser1101 hi, I had the full size RD custom. And it's a great unit and I would still be happy with it if I had it. The biggest difference is (making an effort to not use buzzwords...) hitting a chord and getting a clear fatness that rings forever with the ir-x. The RD sounds 'smaller' by comparison. When I'm playing and laying back, then digging in, the ir-x is just more fun to play...I know that's hard to quantify, but it responds like something that's alive. Also, when playing with a band or within a multitrack mix the ir-x is easier to hear at the same volume level, it has a clarity. Like, if I had 2 gtr tracks at the exact same metering level, you would say the ir-x track was louder. A more clear and forward sound. If you get one, def take the time to find an IR that works for you, it makes a major diff. If you care, I ended up using an ownhammer rock box celestion 1977 (the blackbacks), Modern #4.
Hope that helps. 👍
@@livingabovethe12th Thanks for the in depth response, I’ve been noticing on forums that the consensus on the RD is that it’s a little thin sounding. I’m mainly playing 80s hair metal so I think I’ll give the IRX a shot!
Fellas does the Tonex pedal even come close to this or no ?
I just picked one of these up and I really like it. I have been playing with a Boss GT1000 Core for the last few years but found that 90% of the time I was only using a few different patches. I even followed along here and programmed in the ultimate dual amp setup in the Boss. It sounds awesome. I will say that it did get tiring having to go through menus and / or plug it into the computer every single time.
Nice playing sir❤😊
This is so fantastix at both EQ, amd full bore drive, that its almost unmatched.
Awesome video Paul, currently trying to decide between this unit and a RevivalDrive Hot Rod with a power amp/cab setup
I’ve never tried the revival I’m afraid.
Great pedal... but why not just grab a decent marshall'esque combo for the price of the R Drive alone? Throw in a cab, power amp and you are spending nearly a $1400 usd for something 'decent'. A good cab, speaker and power amp (excluding tube I assume) will cost far more than just grabbing an amp...
This review aligns with my thinking - it's good, but I wasn't blown away. Going to be trying it with UA OX Stomp to see if those cab/ room sounds give it more dimension and versatility. One minor thing - there is a limited menu to adjust thump, presence, and add'l IRs beyond the main 3.
Let us know how it sounds
@@TheStudioRats I was able to try it out for a bit with the UA OX Stomp. I think using the UA technology steps up the sound, particularly the clean sound, over the stock IRs. It'll be interesting if that difference comes through in a live setting, but the UA OX Stomp does sound better isolated in my in-ears as compared to the stock IRs. The improvement in sound seems to be similar to what I would expect any modeler sound to improve through the UA versus a basic IR. It's still a modeler, just maybe with a little more depth to the sound.
Hey Paul, this compared to the Amp1, which would you pick?
It improves its butteryness through a fryette power station and makes it very close to a BE deluxe
I’ve us d one for a few gigs now with my helix going into a Seymour Duncan power stage. Live and in a band mix this things is killer!
Funnily enough ‘modern metal’ really relies on that note separation for chords and this thing is perfect for it
I was going to ask anyone if pairs well with the Helix!
My setup is only different to yours by using a palmer stereo power amp.
Think I may take the plunge 😁👍🏼
@@Widdy5150i treat mine like a real amp, use individual pedals, pitch, wah, od, compression before it. Volume delay and reverb in the loop. Works great with the 4 cable method
@@Ottophilbut where is the Helix relative to all this?
I look at it as just a portable amp option for taking with me when I'm travelling so I'd have something to play through in my room. Currently I bring a CaptorX with me and have to haul a tube head as well. I would also love the DS version of it as I'm more inclined toward vintage tones.
The Traynor YCV 80 increases Volume and Gain on the boost switch...very interesting...It's my favorite amp as well.
I have one. The clean and crunch are great. However, for high gain, i prefer my Boss GX100.
You should have tried it into the loop of your Two Rock. I'd really like to know the latency of the IR output from input to the balanced output. I might like to use this as a second amp for a live stereo rig with my ox box on my AC30TB6. If the latency is too great though, it would be a problem.
Thank you so much for being honest. You’ve convinced me to not buy it, saving me tons of cash. I loved the tones and playing, but how refreshing to hear an honest opinion. Liked and subscribed.
Thanks!
How does this compare to a kemper tone wise? Not considering the number of sound but just the core cleans and dirty sounds? Seems warmer than a kemper...
It’s hard to experience what it really sounds like in the room. Through my phone and headphones it sounds pretty good.
For ease of use with all the knobs it is a winner. In terms of tone vs other similar products or cheap modellers I don’t know.
I would love to try one in the flesh to see
Sounds amazing - even if you're saying that it sounds "thin".
Why don't they turn up the bass?
This sounds as good as anything you've had on this channel. Friedman does modded Marshall tones, that's his speciality, so expect high gain. I think it's probably the best modded Marshall tone you can get without an actual tube amp. Do you need two channels or the endless amps of a Tonex? This is a bit pricey but it sounds great and has great functionality.
Evening S.R’s would you recommend this over an Walrus Audio ACS1? I’m pretty heavily pushing towards the ACS1 because I can run stereo FX into it and it’s only really for headphone playing at night.
Out of all the boxes that do similar things like the ACS1, strymon iridium ect which one does feels and/or sounds ? Much appreciated
In my honest opinion, I would rather the IRX. The ACS1 is great but the boost and gain feature on the Irx takes the prize.
@@TheStudioRatsinteresting indeed. . I felt from watching both this video and AC1S v2 vid you made that you were more impressed with latter, however this IR-X wasn’t released then and it isn’t a direct comparison…. I do typically gravitate to Marshall territory…. Cleanish more Edge of break up and everything heavier coming from pedals …If only the IRX took stereo pedals though or had a stereo fx loop. 🤔
Don’t count out that new update that walrus just made I’ve heard it’s really really good I’m in the same boat dude I want stereo headphone and direct. Only 2 that have got my eyes are the walrus and the simplifier mk2. Or do we wait I think this Friedman has opened a big can of worms
Boss GT 1000 core also have two inputs and you can use two Amp, 2 effects loops and all effects you ever need :)
@@tonedragon8616 I’m not sure if to wait or not to be honest.. luckily I’m in the process off building a dream pedalboard which will take a few months to build… I would only need the AC1S for late night jams.
Finally ! It’s epic
Finally some honesty on youtube!
Subscribed on the back of this.
Lovely piece of gear but not really noticeably worth it.
If you do loads of O2 type club gigs like me you want no fuss and reasonably priced gear as stuff gets nicked and bashed.
The Boss ir-2 is ideal for my kinda real life stuff.
This is lovely on a board somewhere tho
Also 100% agree on batteries for gigs - no buzz and no wires and plugs etc
I wished more companies would build preamp versions like this of their popular full valve amps. Most heads are completely oversized, you pay thousands of pounds for the sound you want and then you still need an attenuator. It's a mess.
I have a Friedman Twin Sister top/cab which is fenomenal. This is obviously voiced to the BE and I would definitely choose a Twin Sister over this. HOWEVER... I have compared the OD pedal versions (BE-OD and Dirty Shirley pedals) and voicelike I found them quite similar... only the BE-OD had significantly more gain on tap. So I hope this is the same... that a low-gain setting on channel 2 will be perfect. Yeah... I've ordered one... see if lives up to the hype :)
Dave has indicated that the IR-X has been so successful, there will quite possibly be more IR-X “versions” down the line. I’m hoping for a Twin Sister pedal!
@@taylormesaI hope so and my wallet and wife hope not 😄 But, yeah… a TS IR-X would be perfect… 🤘🏻
@@taylormesa A twin sister IR-X would be so cool, that is one of my favorite amps he makes.
@@progpogs yes, me too!! 🤞
Check out the Hughes & Kettner AmpMan
there are more included IRs if you fire up the software and you can load your own. Seems odd that you don't discuss the whole solution. There are also presence and thump controls on the software that are not available on the pedal. this review was not very thorough
Haha, the best open line from Lee.
It’s not cheap 😊
I sold my ToneX after getting the IR-X. Not as versatile as ToneX, but playing them side by side, it is apparent which is a tube preamp and which is a digital amp.
@@benallmark9671 for me, the clean channel is much better than anticipated! Loading some York Audio Fender 1x12 ir’s got some convincing blackface tones. So it’s quite versatile. I’ve had Kemper, Quad Cortex, ToneX and Now IR-X. IR-X has a great clean and the only overdrive/BE tone I needed, with near zero latency, and volume cleans up just like a tube amp because it is one basically. If you NEED Vox, Mesa, Matchless etc tones, then ToneX may be for you. After all the “profilers” I hit fatigue with trying to navigate hundreds of different profiles. A good clean and a good drive channel with a boost is all I really need. Dave has indicated that the IR-X has been so successful that it is likely more pedals will follow. The IR-X, then a Twin Sister IR-X pedal, pretty much covers everything except super aggressive metal stuff.
Fella, you are comparing apples to oranges. Both are ENTIRELY different beasts. One is a modeler based hardware/software which recreates an amp (far better then just about anyone else) and the other is a preamp into a DIGITAL simulated power section. Both are digital in the 'amp' sense when not run into an actual powersection.
@@benallmark9671 They shouldn't be compared to begin with
@@user-by6eb6zo7gwell Fella, they compare the IR-X to ToneX in the video, so….😂 17:20
Those p90's sounded epic
This or UA pedals? Or the Ole Iridium
I’ve tested nearly all of them, including the Walrus ACS1 and Boss IR-2, and IMO the UA Dream and the Friedman IR-X are the absolute best. The Dream is more versatile because it can be run in stereo. The Friedman is mono only, not to mention it has no bypass switch.
Can you maybe do a video of this through a Katana Mkii 100 head? :)
I’ll look into it
@@TheStudioRats Ive been looking for awhile, and dont see one on youtube. Would love to hear it through the front and through effects loop. Thank you!
Sounds fantastic through youtube.
I had one for a few weeks and although I liked it, I felt like it did not pair nice with my other pedals, I feel like this pedal needs to be on it’s on with maybe a bit of reverb. I much more prefer the the DLX simplifier. Much more versatile, can get you the fender cleans and Marshall gains, and has some very good reverbs. This to me feels more like a US$300 Pedal.
Its not a pedal, its a preamp. Sounds like you wanted this to be a distortion pedal
Can you do a tone capture for the tonex? 😂
Yess please a tonex capture!
@ The Studio Rats : Soooo, this or the UAFX Lion? ....Or other?
Lion review coming soon. When it arrives.
I did an A/B comparison and returned the Lion. Friedman IR-X by a long shot IMO. I would watch John Nathan Corey’s demos - he also chose this one over the Lion.
Mwoh. I wish matchless made something like this. Or Cornell :)
Yeah wouldn’t that be great
Sounds fantastic but would be nice to not have the ton of reverb on all the time..
I think it sounds good, but personally the price tag (for me) doesn't warrant the purchase. I can grab a decent tube combo for the price or better yet use my Amp1 which has a power section. I still think it is a good piece of gear, but between owning some tube amps and a loadbox (and the affordability of dsp software) I have no need
I was able to sell my Two Notes Cab M and BE-OD pedal to get this and feel like I’m way ahead.
Thank you for not using a tele for the entire review 😄
5:58 lol
6:17 - 6:33 beautiful
Owned this, Very great product but really don't like channel one. Channel two is very good but 600 euros just for one very great channel to me was too expensive. Sent it back.
What ever you play sounds always awesome . What is your secret?
Practice
You must have some really good pickups. I have some really good guitars and among one of them is a fender Stratocaster American pro 11 and I’m considering changing the pickups any suggestions. I would like your sound 😀
@@user-by6eb6zo7g Practice, good gear, and superior recording and production. Tests like these are rarely pure indications of what is being tested.
But how does it sound in a gig? We ca not tell from these videos, live everything is way different
I just don't really see why you'd get this instead of a 20W Marshall. This is almost the same price as a Marshall. Obviously this has positives compared to an amp (even a lunch box one), but for this price it's just.. I don't know. Too expensive IMO.
Because Friedman hype and most people that live in 'gear sphere' aren't competent players who play out, gig and so forth
Friedman demonfx sounds better for $50 but hay great video
You lost me as soon as I heard APP not for me but great post 👍
You don’t need the app to operate it. Only if you want to swap out the stock IRs
More gain. Always more gain.
Nah. Gain brings mush.
Lee. Legend . Like M&S extra special when you're on .
Nice of you to say mate
“That’s what she said” 😂😂
It sound very similar to BluGuitar Amp1
I think the amp 1 is a more useful unit.
@@TheStudioRatsyes I agree, but does it sound similar??? I used to own Amp1 mercury edition…
Don’t shit on Lee’s new gear, Paul! 😂
I’m not shitting on it, it was more of a fart.
He says “you hear the difference in IR’s more on channel 2” , then he doesn’t touch them. “Too much trebble” he twiddles the knobs, instead of changing the IR…
Only so much you can pack into a video …..
@@Docksidestudio1 one switch between the mediocre review and “ah, now I get it”. The IR’s do make a big difference with this unit.
Christ that goldtop sounded immense under gain
It did. The review came alive when that baby went through it.
Concerning the title of the video: there is no hype. There is so much gear out there, it is overwhelming and no single piece of gear gets hyped anymore. At least not longer than for a week or so, then the next thing comes along. I feel a certain over saturation in the guitar community.
Saturation. Haha.
if you are playing this pedal and listening through a set of computer monitors, then I’m sure a real app sounds better. But for recording I bet it would be hard to tell the difference. I do not own this. this is just my opinion after watching a bunch of videos.
it should cost at least 500 pounds more to be appreciate by the bold one
The Spelling should be 'Bald One'. If your going to insult me, at least spell it correctly.
my bad @@TheStudioRats
“It’s thin sounding”, off course playing with a single coil telecaster, you expect what?
I was thinking the same thing
I have both the IRX and IRD. You can easily get the pedals as thick as you would ever want.
Paul's never completely happy with anything
Hahaha hahaha
I have to say I love your channel but most of your guitar tone sounds the same to me whatever you're reviewing anything. Boss stuff whatever. You're a great player but it's just my opinion. You always seem to go for the tele which always has this very thin sound. It's not a criticism, it's just your sound. I heard other players use this Unit and sound big and amazing. Example: The freedman demo where he's showing the unit.I have this unit and it sound nothing like your review. Where this shines is through a power amp. and a 4X12 Cab.I've recorded tons of tracks with this, & used it live. People always ask me what I'm using and I love it! No pre-amp pedal is going to sound like an amp head, but this is pretty damn close! To me it's the best pre-amp pedal out here. And I have most of them Plus every amp that's out there. This is not a put down just my opinion.
Sounds fizzy.
Dude, I need this box! How many watts is it? Does it have a sweet spot? Is it transgender friendly? Nonbinary? Can it get Eddy's "Smells like teen spirit" tone? Asking for a friend
Guitar circle jerk worthy comment lol
It's fruity delicious 🤤
It's a pre-amp, not a power amp, so it doesn't have "watts". You need to run it through a power amp if you want to power speakers.
Not digging the sound imo
Maybe not the proper guitar to taste this pedal…my opinion…
*Sounds real good! it is a bit on the THIN sound and lacks that UMF/WOOMP. I say a BluGuitar AMP-1 MERCURY is $370 more and you get everything you could ever need UMF, WOOMP and all LESS of the I/R.*
I understand Friedman uses chinese tubes in his overpriced junk.Generic sounding stuff.Go get you a UA LION.BETTER MADE,BETTER SOUND,MORE OPTIONS. FRIEDMAN SUB-CONTRACTS HIS GUITARS,AMPS.AND PEDALS....BLAH
Not sure which tubes are in other products but I opened my IR-X up and found JJ’s which last I researched are Slovakian.
And NO.ITS NOT WORTH 500 ANYTHING.GET REAL DAVE.
Well, I liked the tones and also they are not that different from other tones I hear in this channel from other equipments. Also, I have hear a lot of other tones from other IRX YT channel especially where they played with the other preloaded IR options and booster and fat/tight switches. So I think there's much more than 4 channels..
You know just two chords ?????? with distortion , Play some music not a shit !
Play with aut distortion !!! distortion is for idiots !