Any Friedman IR-J users?

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mentoneman

mentoneman

Well-known member
Sup gang

got a buddy’s IR-J on loan to check out this weekend. plan to link it with my Syn 2 to take it for a spin, as an alternative preamp channel in my rack rig.

If it wows me i’d consider grabbing one.

questions:
1) how many think a syn be-dlx module would be a better “ampier” choice?

2) any folks here compare IR-X to IR-J?

3) the Syn 2 cab emulation doesn’t wow me. is the IR-J/X cab emulation anything special?

thanks vikings⚡️🎸
 
I was tempted to get one when I had my DSL40CR for a short time because it had such a great loop and made for a great power amp with cab. But it broke after 2.5 months so I had to send it back and ended up just getting the JEL20. I even thought about getting the SYN-1 and using it the same way. It seems from my research that people like the SYN-1 (it has an extra tube) over the IR- stuff for this usage but Synergy doesn't have a JEL module. I'm very tempted to get the new 20IR. I was really only interested in the IR-J but don't need it now.. However, Synergy has a few things I am interested in.

I'll be curious to hear what you think about the IR-J since you already use Synergy.
 
jchrisf said:
I was tempted to get one when I had my DSL40CR for a short time because it had such a great loop and made for a great power amp with cab. But it broke after 2.5 months so I had to send it back and ended up just getting the JEL20. I even thought about getting the SYN-1 and using it the same way. It seems from my research that people like the SYN-1 (it has an extra tube) over the IR- stuff for this usage but Synergy doesn't have a JEL module. I'm very tempted to get the new 20IR. I was really only interested in the IR-J but don't need it now.. However, Synergy has a few things I am interested in.

I'll be curious to hear what you think about the IR-J since you already use Synergy.
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i’m deliberately not flying off the handle devouring syn modules like pacman. i started syn life with a randall top boost module and a randall SL2 module to compliment the tones in my egnater ie4 preamp.
the modules are both great classic single channel tone machines that fill in the ie4 gaps, and bruce modded my top boost module for later breakup.

after playing through most of the new modules i decided on a DS for the JTM45 type low-mid breakup rhythm and blues solo alternate to the top boost ac sounds. it also does some interesting things with the right od pedal out front. the shared eq makes it a more useful one channel module dedicated to one great tone versus 2 decent but compromised sounds.

i’ve been thinking about one more high gain choice to round out the arsenal and the be-dlx and M2cp are two strong candidates.
 
SoooRad said:
While not the J, I had an IR-X for awhile and it sounded ok, but was kind of bland. So if you can definitely try before you buy.
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how were you using it? as a preamp in the loop of a tube amp/speakers, DI,….?
 
I've got an IR-J on my board that I use to feed my '73 Non-Master 50 Watt Marshall. It sounds absolutely killer. That head takes 'amp in a box' pedals really well, and I have had great luck with the Pinnacle, Suhr Eclipse and BE-OD Deluxe. But the IR-J just has an 'amp like' quality that is hard to beat.
 
I am interested in your comparison of the IRJ and the syn1 module setup. I had an IRJ when they first were released, it was cool but not enough to keep it. I have wanted to try a Syn1 for a while
 
PDC said:
I've got an IR-J on my board that I use to feed my '73 Non-Master 50 Watt Marshall. It sounds absolutely killer. That head takes 'amp in a box' pedals really well, and I have had great luck with the Pinnacle, Suhr Eclipse and BE-OD Deluxe. But the IR-J just has an 'amp like' quality that is hard to beat.
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It's a tube pre so I would think feeding that into a tube power amp is going to get you "that" tone. I think if people run these into another amps FX return and into a tube power amp, there is no reason to think that a Syn 1 and a module will be that much better. You either like the Friedman thing or you don't. I personally don't, but the Ir-J seems to have the bite at least.
 
PDC said:
I've got an IR-J on my board that I use to feed my '73 Non-Master 50 Watt Marshall. It sounds absolutely killer. That head takes 'amp in a box' pedals really well, and I have had great luck with the Pinnacle, Suhr Eclipse and BE-OD Deluxe. But the IR-J just has an 'amp like' quality that is hard to beat.
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oh that is promising! if the syn rack experiment is a bust, you just piqued my interest in using it out front of my peacemaker🤙
 
Detroit ABA said:
I am interested in your comparison of the IRJ and the syn1 module setup. I had an IRJ when they first were released, it was cool but not enough to keep it. I have wanted to try a Syn1 for a while
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it’s kinda funny
i have ZERO interest thus expectation in the IR side of this thing. and that’s because every IR device i’ve tried has just sucked compared to any real speaker i’ve ever used imo.
but i tell you, when Dave mentioned being able to run it with a syn, so that the syn could use the IR-J’s presumably very modern cab and speaker IRs, the eternal optimist in me thought “mayyyyyyybe they got it right this time”

but IR’s aside, i just want it to sound open, dynamic and compliment my current rack rig tones first. if it rules in front of my peacemaker that’s is icing on the cake.

super lotto jackpot is if it sounds great used direct with headphones.
 
gibsonash said:
I tried X and J ( direct to mixer) my fav is X return the J .
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from what i hear in this comparison i’m liking the extra bite/cut of the J



i’m also very interested in how it compares to my UA Lion

 
mentoneman said:
from what i hear in this comparison i’m liking the extra bite/cut of the J



i’m also very interested in how it compares to my UA Lion

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I see what you mean but the présence on my IR X (virtual amp) is set to full to add bite .
 
I had the IR-X and a Power Station to use as a backup gig rig a few months back.. It sounded great but was actually more effort to transport than a compact head so I sold it. Actually seriously considering an IR-D though. I had a SYN30 head for a minute with a Z Wreck module, that was killer until the head smoked. When I say ‘a minute’ it was literally like 5 minutes before it died. I would maybe revisit it but the IR-D has my attention first, like a fresh Leonard’s Hot Malasada
 
Owned the X and J. Both have really good plexi channels. Both also have very compressed and very differently voiced 2nd channel. To my ears fine if the plexi is used as a clean, but I boost it for a killer rock tone like on my real JEL 50 w head and then utilize ch 2 for solos so I have dedicated gain and volume boost.

Sent both back which bummed me out because I wanted them to be a great live solution :censored:
 
we had a touch and go view of the lunar eclipse tonight due to clouds here on Oahu. i caught one window with my cammy and thought i’d share…
IMG_1663.jpeg
 
I sent mine back but sort of think I’ll try it again. It can cover most music up I play up ‘til metal. It’s definitely an ‘80s machine, as expected. So far, it’s the only Friedman product I’ve touched that I actually was impressed with.
 
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