Dave Friedman's new floor-based IR-X hybrid amplifier perfectly combines a 2 x 12AX7 Dual Channel Tube Preamp with DSP Power Amp & User Definable IR's

In a fairly signifiant innovation here - David has managed to distil down two of his most popular amps - the Plexi-style Small Box 50, and Hot-Rodded Plexi / JCM800 style BE-100 - into a single relatively compact 2-Channel + Boost format. Interestingly, and differently to the full-fat Victory Amplification V4 floor-based amps (Analog Tube Preamp + Analog Power Amp), David splits the two halves of the circuit into Tube Analog (Preamp), and DSP Modelling (Power Amp, Cab Sim & IR’s). This makes his version of the same much more cost-effective - by a margin of around 36% (£499 vs £879). With a smaller footprint too.

Users of his Friedman BE-OD Deluxe pedal should be very familiar with the control topology here - which mostly mirrors that, while you have extra flexibility via the FX Loop, and how you can combine Boosts, IRs and Cab Sims together with secondary functions and features only found in the accompanying app. The App allows you to set and switch out your 3 onboard Channel-based assignable IRs (more via the App), also you have unique Thump and Presence controls which are only accessible through the app.

David states that the IR’s are the same Friedman ones as featured on the Two Notes Torpedo Series - just very slightly adapted for this new format.

Like the Victory V4 Floor Amps, this Friedman IR-X is a full-fat amp (Preamp + Power Amp Sections), not a simulation or emulation, but more of circuit rebuild of those 2 key amps mentioned - into this smaller form-factor - with the Power Section, Cab Sim and IRs obviously rendered by the DSP.

David fully intends this to be a compact floor-based stand-in for his celebrated amps - so you can totally run you rig through this unique amplifier - and get that signature Dave Friedman sound in miniature as such. The IR-X allows for all kinds of smart playback scenarios and delivers the perfect heart / core of a fully mobile and versatile fly-rig - which can directly be connected in to PA and front-of-house systems, as well as other digital interfaces and DAWs. 

Controls - CHANNEL 1} Boost Volume, Cab/IR : I / II / III, Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Bright : I / II / III, Gain, CHANNEL 2} Boost Volume, Cab/IR : I / II / III, Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Tight : I / II, Gain, Channel 1 Footswitch (Long = IR Bypass), Channel 2 Footswitch (Long = Loop Bypass), Boost Footswitch On (Long = Store), Boost Trimmer [Ch2] & Gain Trimmer [Ch1] on right-hand edge.

Rear Panel Ports / Functions - Input, Send, Return, Balanced Out, Ground Lift button, Headphones, MIDI In / Thru, USB B, Power : 9-12V DC [-] 800mA

I am still too much a fan of ’pushing air’ and I like my amp combos for that purpose - where you can feel the wall of sound reverberating in the room. It’s the different between a ’headphone disco’ and feeling the bass shake through you body - from your ribcage and diaphragm, and into your toes.

I will always prefer full reflective and immersive properly 3-dimensional sound over any form of digitisation or emulation. Meaning that even at the really handy price point of $499.99 | €595 | £499 - this product is really not for me - while I can totally appreciate its merits - and if I were in the market for something of this ilk - then this would surely be top of that list!

How about you - any of you won over by the IR-X - or does the digital half give you concerns?

I personally feel it could just be the perfect combination of those two technologies!