IR-D Dual Tube Preamp & DI

Here is the Friedman IR-D! After the success of the Friedman lR-X, the brand is expanding its catalog of pre-amps with integrated IR. Please note, here, not everything digital but a hybrid machine, powered by 2 12AX7 pre-amplification tubes and an output section equipped with a DI and a module allowing you to load your favorite Impulse Responses. With the IR-D, Friedman promises you the harmonic content, response and dynamics of its tube amps, all in an ultra-compact package, loaded with studio-quality IRs.

When handling, the IR-D is light, very compact and can fit on any pedalboard. On the program, two channels with independent 3-band EQ, Volume, Gain and Boost. Also 2 mini toggle-switches Bright and Structure. On the side, there are also 2 trim pots to adjust the amount of default Gain on channel 1 and Boost on channel 2. On the rear panel: 1 input, 1 DI output, an effects loop, a ground lift , a headphone output and MIDI / USB connectors. We will prefer to power the IR-D with 12VDC.

So how do you hook it all up?

• Directly to your MAC or PC to record or play on monitors, on a console, or to send to a sound system
• On active speaker(s)
• As an insert on your amp to use it as a pure preamplifier (the IR part will be replaced by the power section of your amp).

Test carried out on a console + QSC speakers, we start with Channel 1 or… Channel 2 because they are in fact completely identical. With everything at 12:00, we immediately find the Friedman sound signature with bass and compression. We have a very punchy attack, quite squashy, with bass, shine and a very responsive EQ although it reacts very differently to that of a tube amp. The mids are very pleasant, the controls very progressive. The highs are present, they sparkle more than on a classic tube system with a more marked presence. Of course, the interaction with the EQ will change completely depending on the IR you use. The gain knob is REALLY progressive, we can sweep through a lot of styles by adjusting this one, but, Friedman obliges, his area of ​​predilection is big sound! By pushing the gain we feel the inspiration of Dirty Shirley. It's dense, it rasps, the harmonics boom, all with a little more foundation and roundness than the IR-X which is more oriented towards high-gain and high mids.

There's something to rock in all styles from Blues to big Hard Rock. It's fat, dense, we reverse the character of the JTM45 pushed to its limits. Everything you want from a good hormone-boosted Marshall.

Let's talk a little about embedded IRs: There are 3 (and 13 via the editor):

• 6402 (Mic SM57, R-121) - the one on the left is the roundest, with the most base and a little more recessed treble.
• 1960 Green (Mic SM57, R-121) - the middle position, more open with a very Marshall midrange, very forward. A 1960 Greenback cabinet captured with an API pre-amp.
• DS112 (Mic SM57, Soyuz 1973) - the position on the right is less “tight”, higher pitched, more Hendrixian in its rendering. A Friedman 112 Dirty Shirley cabinet mounted in G12-50GL.

You are free to load your own IRs into the Friedman IR-D.

Note, the clean preamp is on the volume knob and the boosts are very effective, as are the mini-toggle switches. We also appreciate the integrated loop which will allow you to insert any effect with comfort. We won't hesitate to use pedals to work on the preamp with excellent dynamics (it's as tight as you want!) in the same way as the Strymon Iridium (for example).

Finally, the software part is not left out. MAC / PC compatible, you can go even further in the settings (Presence, dynamics, etc.) and create your presets, load your IRs via the free downloadable software. Dave Friedman offers us an ultra-easy to use preamp that sounds great and offers great versatility. Are you a fan of the Friedman sound and want to take it everywhere? The IR-D Dual Tube Preamp is for you!