In today’s fast-paced music world, you need gear that’s portable, powerful, and delivers the tone you’ve worked hard to perfect. Enter the Friedman IR-D — a no-compromise, dual-channel all-tube preamp & DI solution that captures the essence of a full Friedman rig in a format that fits on your pedalboard.
From vintage British cleans to thick, harmonically rich overdrive, the IR-D is more than a preamp pedal — it’s your new rig.
All-Tube Friedman Power, Not an Emulation
Let’s be clear — the IR-D doesn’t simulate a Friedman tube preamp. It is one.
Powered by two high-voltage 12AX7 tubes running at proper amp voltages, the IR-D delivers the real touch sensitivity, sag, and harmonic depth of Friedman’s classic Dirty Shirley/Twin Sister circuit — a Dave Friedman-modded take on the iconic JTM45.
Whether you’re running it into a DAW, front-of-house, or a power amp and cab, the IR-D gives you the genuine British tone that’s made Friedman amps legendary.
Two Independent Channels – With Boosts Onboard
Each channel of the IR-D is identical and fully footswitchable, giving you:
- Classic to cranked British cleans and crunch
- Full three-band EQ per channel
- Independent Boost, Bright, and Structure switches
- A tone platform that covers vintage blues, British rock, and modern edge
With a Boost circuit per channel, the IR-D essentially gives you four distinct voices. No tap dancing required.
IR Technology That’s Studio-Ready
At the heart of the IR-D’s direct-out magic is a high-performance DSP engine that handles impulse response (IR)cabinet and power amp simulation with incredible clarity and almost zero latency.
Whether you’re recording straight into your DAW or sending FOH at a gig, you’ll have access to Dave Friedman’s personal collection of perfectly mic’d-up cabinet tones — no mics, no guesswork.
13 Premium Friedman IRs Included
Here’s a taste of what’s onboard:
- 6402 57 121 – Dave’s personal 4×12 with Greenbacks, mic’d with SM57 & Royer 121
- 1960 GREEN 5757121 – Classic ‘80s 1960B cab with British Greenbacks and vintage warmth
- DS112 57 1973 – Open-back Dirty Shirley 1×12 with lush, articulate cleans
Of course, you can load your own IRs using the intuitive Friedman Editor Software.
Friedman Editor Software – Total Control
The IR-D is simple on the surface, but with the Friedman 4.0 Editor, you unlock deep customization:
- Thump and Presence control per channel
- Load and organize your favorite IRs
- Activate Boost Lock, switch loop ON/OFF
- Save it all into 128 MIDI presets for seamless integration into complex rigs
It’s the perfect balance between plug-and-play simplicity and pro-level tweaking.
Three Ways to Integrate the IR-D into Your Setup
Whether you play live, record in a home studio, or rehearse silently with headphones, the IR-D adapts to your rig:
1. All-In-One Rig
Plug your guitar and pedals into the IR-D, run your time-based effects in the FX loop, and go direct to the board or headphones with pro-grade tone.
2. Standalone Preamp
Run the IR-D into your favorite power amp and cabinet. Still send a DI signal to the front-of-house — no need for mics on stage.
3. IR Loader Mode
Love your current preamp or drive pedals? Plug them into the loop return, and let the IR-D handle cabinet simulation with its world-class IR section.
Feature Rundown
- 2 x high-voltage 12AX7 tubes – Real tube tone
- Two independent identical channels based on Dirty Shirley/Twin Sister
- Boost, Bright, Structure switches per channel
- Full EQ (Bass, Middle, Treble) per channel
- IR cabinet & power amp simulation, bypassable
- 13 factory Friedman IRs, load your own
- Friedman Editor Software (PC/Mac)
- TRS balanced DI out, headphone out
- USB + MIDI control (5-pin DIN and USB MIDI)
- Ultra-transparent FX loop
- Compact: 5.5” x 6.5” x 2.3” | Weight: 1.5 lbs
- Universal 12V power supply & USB cable included
- Limited 3-Year Warranty
Final Thoughts: Friedman Tone with Zero Compromise
Whether you’re a gigging pro, studio warrior, or bedroom tone junkie, the IR-D gives you everything you need: real tube tone, stunning IR simulation, and modern flexibility — all in a pedalboard-sized box.
If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing Dave Friedman’s legendary tone without lugging a full stack around, the IR-D is your dream come true.
