The Friedman IR pre-amp pedals

supes

I tried a couple of the Friedman IR pedals a few months ago and for some reason they just didn't do it for me. Instead i bought a UAFX Lion, but needed more than 2 channels to gig so bought another Lion and ran them in 4cm. The Lion just seemed more versatile with the sounds it could achieve, although it took some dialling in. On it's own it was a bit limited when gigging as i had to change the dials for different types of songs (cover band), hence needing two of them. 

Then a thread on here and a few new youtube videos made me give them a second chance.

So I tried them all. They all have 2 channels each with boost on each channel. Amp eq controls on each channel - the two channels don't share controls. Have real tube preamp, 3 on-board IR's, effects loop, many other features too.

The IR-X - 2 channels, plexi channel and high gain channel (Jcm 800 and then some)
The IR-D - 2 channels, both idential and based on hot-rodded Jtm 45
The IR-J - 2 channels, clean channel and very high gain channel. Based on Jake E Lee's amp

Sounds i wanted - I need cleanish, but i don't spend much time playing clean. I need Acdc tone, then a bit heavier for 80's rock, and a decent solo tone/boost.

The J - the latest pedal, and the only one i couldn't get along with. I didn't really need that much gain (although for solos it's great!) and i don't need that much clean. It was also the only one that to my ears didn't sound like a real amp. The X and D sound and feel about as close as you can get to having a real amp (to my ears). The J always sounded too glassy, a bit more digital and less tube amp - maybe less warm is the best way to describe it. Not for me.

The X - plexi channel is good, with boost on it's a decent low gain rhythm sound. It gets clean too. Dirty channel is great for gain, just about any level of gain! Leads are no problem.  

The D - my favourite probably. Each channel can go from clean to as much gain as most people will ever need. Hit the boost for leads. Set them however you like. 

I could probably gig with either one of them but i can't decide which i prefer. At the moment i still have both and plan to gig with each one to test them out. I could use both, but would need to use an a/b switcher. I haven't ruled that out yet!

If you're considering one, they're definitely worth a try. I sold all the modellers i've owned because i got tired of endless menus/options/fiddling. Kemper, Hx, Fractal, Tonex etc. The Friedmans are so simple by comparison that I'm playing guitar rather than playing with a modeller. They sound warm, and about as close to a tube amp without having a tube amp, and i've had lots!

I'

darkscarf

Thanks for the review. I have an IR-X and have been wondering about an IR-J but that glassiness I heard in demos also keeps me at bay. May get one to try to see if it can be dialed out on the unit or post.

Just wanted to add a quick note as this post is in Digital & Modelling which may confuse people uninitiated with them.
The part that's digital about Friedman IR platform is the backend (power amp simulation and IRs). So there's no simulation in preamp section. So topology-wise, they are not the same as pedals like Lion or other modellers like Tonex, Fractal etc.

flying_pie

I like my J but it gives the sounds I like. The sound I like won't be for everyone. I think they're great giving the benefits of tube and the convenience of modelling without menus or needing software to set it up.

Although regarding software, one thing I've done is to change the IRs. The included ones are grood but to my ears they were a bit fizzy and scooped. I've swapped in some YA ones that feel a bit more amp like. The other settings - presence /thump/low pass are fine as is. I also use a Petrucci influenced 7ms delay for tracks where I'm permanently on channel 1 to thicken it a bit.

Lastly I use the final pedal in my chain - a Nux Atlantic - to split the signal before returning to the J so that I can run both DI and into the FX return of my HT50. I also ended up swapping back a much maligned Celestionn 70/80 into my cab as it worked better with the DI tone. I might try one of the FRFR cabs like the Fender, but it's useful to have an amp as backup.

It'll be interesting to hear how you get on gigging the X and the D

digitalkettle

If it's useful to hear the J in a non-promotional context, my last two SotM entries (and the backing tracks) were 100% IR-J.

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/276556/solo-of-the-month-sotm-112-challenge/p1
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/279287/solo-of-the-month-sotm-113-challenge

flying_pie

If we're sharing our own Friedman sound clips then here's one of mine.

I recorded it for the cover challenge and it's intentionally a rough tone and single take scrappy lead playing as I felt that approach suited the track. There's only a smidge of high pass/low pass to the guitars in EQ and no other processing

All guitars are IR-J channel 2. Lead is York Audio V30 IR and so is one rhythm, the other is a YA blackback IR

https://on.soundcloud.com/DQLcCgohB1QAJwFV7

grungebob

I’ve tried all 3 and currently have the J. 

All 3 are good but none are 100% ideal for me. 

If they did one with one channel of the D with the X’s gain channel but with the TS boost of the J rather than the boost fitted in the rest that might do it for me. 

I can’t seem to get the compression in the high gain sound that I’m looking for but I completely agree that they are the most amp like feel and interface wise of anything I’ve tried. 

I think I let my Lion 68 go too soon though. I had it the same time as I got the J and the familiar interface and valve like immediacy of the J made me perhaps dismiss the lion too soon. I found the lion a little dark and woolly sometimes though so I guess I’m in no man’s land. 

guitargeek62

@DrBob ;

supes

@grungebob is the D with a drive/boost pedal in front an option? I'm thinking i might not need the X with the right pedal pushing the D for high gain only.

The Lion is definitely worth persevering with, it really cuts through the mix live. If it had separate channels it'd be far more versatile.

grungebob

supes said:

@grungebob is the D with a drive/boost pedal in front an option? I'm thinking i might not need the X with the right pedal pushing the D for high gain only.

The Lion is definitely worth persevering with, it really cuts through the mix live. If it had separate channels it'd be far more versatile.

The D has a certain midrange frequency that works fantastically for edge and crunch tones but for me got a little mushy when pushed to the limits. 

Perhaps an EQ pedal drive like the Ibanez Paramore(sp?) one would work well. 

I’d even consider setting the D to clean one and edge on 2 and use a different pedal for gain maybe?
im thinking perhaps I’ll go back to the X. 

The Friedman’s format I think is the answer for me but I seem too picky or in a rush to find my sound. 

supes

I think the sound you get relies very much on the speaker/PA you're playing through. Playing through my Behringer speaker at home they sound great. Playing through the band PA today (Mackie tops) it didn't sound as full, and a bit fizzy top end. As soon as i got in I played direct into our Yamaha tops and it sounded great again! 

I've ordered a TC Spark Booster to try with them too. I think i've got a different problem to you - I like the IR-D and IR-J, and also the Lion, but can't have them all on my board! As much as i like the Friedmans I keep plugging the Lion back in. It's so good but not practical live.

flying_pie

supes said:

I think the sound you get relies very much on the speaker/PA you're playing through. Playing through my Behringer speaker at home they sound great. Playing through the band PA today (Mackie tops) it didn't sound as full, and a bit fizzy top end. As soon as i got in I played direct into our Yamaha tops and it sounded great again! 

The IR cab also have a big effect. I think that the IRs that come with the Friedman are a bit scooped & fizzy so they sound better at home but not so much in a band mix.

grungebob

I’ve gone back to the IR-X for now ( it’s a great so it all simple setup) but also have a Victory countess V4 arriving soon to pair with a two notes opus. I’m interested to see which one stays. 

supes

@grungebob i thought the IR-X was probably the best gain/crunch sound out of all three but the first channel just didn't have enough gain to use as rhythm channel, that's the only reason i preferred the D over it. I could probably just boost the first channel and it would work fine.

I played on Saturday and didn't turn on the Friedman! I tried the Lion first and it sounded so clear, big, and like an a Marshall amp that i used that! I think there's so little between the Lion and Friedman IR-X that you could use any and be completely happy. The Lion to my ears just has less "fizziness" but it's nowhere near as practical for gigging!

It'll be interesting to see how the Victory compares.

flying_pie

grungebob said:

I’ve gone back to the IR-X for now ( it’s a great so it all simple setup) but also have a Victory countess V4 arriving soon to pair with a two notes opus. I’m interested to see which one stays. 

If you like the Countess but want all the gain then the Kraken preamp pedal is great. The only downside is that the 2 channels, which are both ace, are voiced differently but have shared EQ. The means you can really only use single channel at a time which limits live use. Having said that I've gigged one just using the green channel with volume knob/boost for cleanish/crunch/gain and it sounded good.

newi123

supes said:

The Lion to my ears just has less "fizziness" but it's nowhere near as practical for gigging!

Still gigging my lion and finding it fine. I`ve found familiarity helps alot - so I now know what I like and where the knobs go!

I use it in one of two ways - as a single channel `amp`. Set and forget to crunchy clean. So with an HSS strat its almost clean on single coils, crunchy on bridge. The use boost on Lion for an end of chain boost and add analog drive pedals upfront. I`ve tried lots, but a way huge green rhino and an EP realistically do all I need!

I have also used it that I tweak the preset at sound check, save it, then amend the `live` setting for a bit more output - so then I have two very similar channels, both with boost. And I`m using preset for rhythm and Live for lead

I`m still really happy with the sound, both on stage and out front. And I`ve now used it completely silent stage and IEM too.

TTBZ

I just wish UA would hurry up and do a JCM800/modded version of the Lion! The Lion sounds great in the demos I've heard but would prefer something a bit tighter for what I play. 

supes

@newi123 I probably could gig every week with just one Lion pedal, but i need to keep adjusting it throughout the set. At the moment i have two Lions running in 4cm so i get 4 different sounds. That works fine, but it means having two of the same pedal on the board.

i liked the idea of the Friedman pedals because you get 2 channels both with boost, all in one pedal. More practical for gigging really. Only problem is, the Lion is the sound i really want!

@TTBZ you can get very close to a Jcm800 sound with the Lion but it takes some fiddling - easier with a pedal pushing the Lion

grungebob

So my IR-X just updated to firmware 3.0 and it includes a noise gate. Great, I like free stuff. 

Only problem is I can’t seem to find how to toggle off/on. 

Now if I change or audition a new IR it turns it on. I have to power off to turn it off. 

Anyone know where you can control this?
@supes re the lion , I reckon I can get very close to it with the x and my opus. That huge thunk the lion gives you isn’t quite there though. 

supes

@grungebob noisegate is controlled on the app, under settings i think. There's a few things you can alter on the noisegate

grungebob

Hmm do you need to update the editor app too? Wasn’t showing for me, or maybe it was and I’m being a bit thick. 

Will take another look. Thanks 

digitalkettle

grungebob said:

Hmm do you need to update the editor app too? Wasn’t showing for me, or maybe it was and I’m being a bit thick. 

Will take another look. Thanks 

Yep, update the editor.