Friedman launches IR-D twin tube preamp pedal

April 30, 2024 · 2 sources

Friedman Amplification launched the IR-D, a preamp pedal that MusicRadar reported on April 25, 2024 as packing "all the modded JTM45 tones of its Dirty Shirley and Twin Sister tube amps into a compact pedalboard-friendly format"¹. Guitar Pedal X covered it on April 30, 2024 as the follow-up to the IR-X, which it said launched in September 2023²¹.

The pedal runs two high-voltage 12AX7 preamp tubes²¹. It has two identical footswitchable channels, each with its own footswitchable boost circuit, a three-band EQ, Volume and Gain controls, a two-way Bright switch and a three-way Structure switch²¹. Mini knobs on the side set the boost gain level¹. Guitar Pedal X listed the circuit as based on the Dirty Shirley/Twin Sister design, with the IR-X covering the Brown Eye².

Onboard DSP provides power amp and cabinet simulation, with 13 Friedman cabinet IRs included and the option to load others through the Friedman Editor software²¹. Each channel has a three-way CAB/IR switch, and the IRs can be bypassed for use with a third-party loader²¹. Power amp Presence and Thump are editable per channel in the software²¹. Connections include a TRS balanced output, a 1/8-inch headphone output, a bypassable series effects loop, a five-pin MIDI connector, USB MIDI and a USB editor²¹. MusicRadar reported MIDI can handle channel and boost selection, IR management and effects loop switching¹.

Guitar Pedal X listed the IR-D at $499, with dimensions of 165 x 140 x 58 mm and a weight of 0.7 kg, powered by an included universal 12V supply drawing 800mA². MusicRadar reported it available now at £/$499¹. The two outlets differ on the US price: Guitar Pedal X gives $499, while MusicRadar's figure is a combined pound and dollar price.

Friedman described the IR-D as "a genuine preamp in every way," according to MusicRadar, with the tubes offering "all the tone, response, gain characteristics, and harmonic complexity you expect from a Friedman design"¹.