The Engl Fireball IR (EP635) is a two-channel high-gain distortion preamp pedal that puts the sound of Engl's Fireball tube amplifier on a pedalboard. It carries three onboard, updateable cabinet IRs, a noise gate and a mid boost, and it has a dedicated headphone output for silent practice123. Engl announced it in April 2025, and it was available immediately through international dealers13.
Where a plain distortion pedal colors whatever amp you plug into, a preamp pedal replaces the front end of the amp entirely. The Fireball IR goes further by adding speaker simulation, so it can feed headphones, an audio interface or a power amp and cab directly, with the IR output switchable on and off when you want to use a real cab4.
What it is based on
Engl designed the EP635 after the Fireball amplifier, which the company describes as renowned, to deliver its high-gain aggression and clarity in pedal form2. Guitar Pedal X calls the Fireball "its most formidable amp"1, and MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley notes that Engl's preamp pedals are based on the company's tube amp heads, with the Fireball IR drawing on the classic Fireball3.
The pedal keeps the amp's two-channel layout. Each of the two channels saves its knob settings independently, so you can set up a rhythm sound and a lead sound and switch between them2.
The controls
The control layout mirrors an amp face. MusicRadar describes Bass, Middle and Treble controls aligned across the top, with Volume and Gain underneath, "just like an amp"3. Engl adds a Presence control for high-end shaping2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of distortion2 |
| Volume | Sets the output level2 |
| Bass, Middle, Treble | Three-band EQ341 |
| Presence | High-frequency shaping2 |
| IR selection | Chooses between the three Engl cab IRs4 |
| IR Output On/Off | Enables or bypasses the speaker simulation4 |
| Noise Gate / Mid Boost | Gate and boost, or bypass4 |
| Channel 1/2 | Switches between the two saved channels24 |
The three onboard IRs model Engl cabinets loaded with V30-style speakers: the E212VHB V30, the E414VSB V30 and the E4122XXL V304.
Connections and silent practice
The rear panel carries a 1/4 inch input, a 1/4 inch output, a 1/8 inch headphone jack and a USB-C port1. The headphone output is a dedicated connection for direct monitoring, which Engl says makes silent practice straightforward2; MusicRadar points out it also serves for monitoring while recording3.
The USB-C port handles IR management3, which is how the onboard IRs stay updateable1.
The 300mA draw is on the high side for a compact pedal. MusicRadar specifies a minimum of 300mA at 9V DC3, so check that your isolated power supply has an output rated for it before wiring it into a board.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's launch coverage was positive but measured, writing that "In any case this new Fireball IR 2-Channel Preamp sounds very decent," while noting plenty of range on the dials and some caution left over from the earlier Powerball pedal1.
MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley highlighted the digital functionality layered over the analog-style control set, and the fire engine red colorway, which he wrote "screams gain, gain and lots of it"3.
"there's something about the fire engine red colourway that screams gain, gain and lots of it"
Videos
Sonic Drive Studio
EytschPi42
TONE WARS
Questions
What power supply does the Engl Fireball IR need?
It runs on a 9V DC center-negative supply drawing 300mA, with the power supply sold separately. MusicRadar notes it needs a minimum of 300mA, so a standard low-current 9V output may not be enough.
Can you plug headphones into the Engl Fireball IR?
Yes. There is a dedicated 1/8 inch headphone output on the rear panel for direct monitoring, which Engl describes as making silent practice easy. MusicRadar also notes it works for monitoring while recording.
What is the Engl Fireball IR based on?
It is designed after the Engl Fireball tube amplifier, which Guitar Pedal X describes as the company's most formidable amp. The pedal packs that high-gain preamp sound into a stompbox with two channels.
How many IRs does the Fireball IR hold?
Three. The onboard IRs are updateable via USB-C and model three Engl cabinets: the E212VHB V30, the E414VSB V30 and the E4122XXL V30, all loaded with Celestion Vintage 30 style speakers.
What is the Engl Fireball IR's USB-C port used for?
The USB-C port on the rear panel is for IR management, according to MusicRadar. It lets you update and manage the three onboard cabinet IRs rather than being an audio connection.
Sources (5)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-04-29
- ENGL EP635 Fireball IR Pedal, ENGL Amplification, 2026-04-24
- “The EP635 delivers the unmistakable high-gain aggression and clarity that Engl fans love”: Engl packs its iconic Fireball head into a compact dual-channel stompbox with onboard noise gate and IR support, MusicRadar, 2025-04-25
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-12-05
- ENGL Unleashes the EP635 Fireball IR Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2025-05-12
