In the ever-evolving world of guitar gear, there are a few names that carry real weight. Jake E. Lee is one. Dave Friedman is another. Put them together and you get a legacy of searing tone, unmatched craftsmanship, and now — the next evolution of direct amp solutions: the Friedman IR-J.
Designed as the signature dual-channel tube preamp & DI for Jake E. Lee, the IR-J packs the tone of a full Friedman amp stack into a compact, pedalboard-friendly format — no menus, no fluff, no compromise. It’s all killer, no filler.
The Heart of a Rig: 100% All-Tube, 0% Emulation
While other preamp pedals might dabble in hybrid tones or “tube feel,” the IR-J is the real deal. At its core are two high-voltage 12AX7 tubes running at over 300 volts — not for warmth or aesthetic, but because this is a real tube preamp. Every note you play benefits from the rich harmonics, touch sensitivity, and dynamic response that only high-voltage tube circuits can deliver.
Inspired by Legends: JEL-100 and JEL-20 In Your Hands
The IR-J channels are based on Jake’s beloved JEL-100 and JEL-20 signature amps — themselves deeply rooted in Dave Friedman’s hot-rodded Plexi and JCM800 heritage. Each footswitchable channel gives you classic British grind and thick, articulate punch — but with modern tweaks that make it endlessly versatile.
- Channel 1: From clean to classic crunch — think ’70s muscle with a refined edge.
- Channel 2: Bring the fire. Jake’s signature high-gain voice delivers percussive punch and soaring sustain, with a 2-way gain switch that lets you toggle between a screaming lead tone or classic 800-style bite.
Built-In Boosts: That Green Machine Magic
Each channel includes its own independent TS-style boost — with dedicated Volume and Tone controls. It’s like having two Tubescreamers always at the ready, designed to stack perfectly into these channels. That’s four distinct gain stages available at the tap of your foot. From bluesy sag to full-on ‘80s shred, the IR-J can take you there.
DSP That Doesn’t Suck: IRs and Latency-Free Magic
Let’s talk about IR and power amp simulation — because Friedman didn’t just bolt on some basic cab sim tech. The IR-J features a dedicated 500 MHz ARM DSP, handling only IRs and power amp emulation. The result? 50ms IR lengthwith under 1ms latency — giving you tight punch and studio-grade depth in the critical low-end frequencies where most IR loaders fall short.
Want to go deeper? The Friedman 4.3 Software Editor lets you:
- Load your own IRs
- Dial in Thump, Presence, and Low-Pass Filter per channel
- Save up to 128 MIDI presets
- Toggle FX loop, Boost Lock, and more
Record, Perform, or Practice Silently
Thanks to an onboard headphone output, balanced TRS out, and studio-grade IRs (including custom ones by OwnHammer featuring the legendary BE-412 cab), you’re always ready to go — with zero mic hassle.
From home studio sessions to live gigs, the IR-J lets you leave the amp at home without compromising one iota of your tone.
MIDI + Effects Loop = Modern Rig Ready
With full MIDI control, you can automate everything from channel switching to IR selection and Boost toggling — perfect for modern rigs, wet/dry/wet setups, or software-controlled stages. Plus, the transparent, programmable effects loop makes it simple to integrate your favorite pedals or rack gear.
Key Features at a Glance
- Jake E. Lee Signature All-Tube Preamp & DI
- 2x High-voltage 12AX7 tubes
- 2 Fully Independent Channels
- TS-style Boosts w/ Tone & Volume (per channel)
- Based on JEL-100 & JEL-20
- Power Amp Simulation (software adjustable)
- 18 Friedman IRs included + Load Your Own
- OwnHammer BE-412 custom captures
- Ultra-low latency (under 1ms!)
- Full EQ, Bright, Gain, and IR selection switches
- Friedman Editor Software w/ 128 MIDI Presets
- FX Loop (programmable), Headphone Out, USB, TRS out
- Rugged, pedalboard-sized chassis
- Universal 12V Power Supply Included
The Final Word: Signature Tone Without the Signature Headache
Jake E. Lee helped define the sound of ‘80s hard rock — but he never left the raw attitude of the ‘70s behind. The Friedman IR-J captures both worlds in a way no other pedal can. Whether you’re recording at home, gigging direct, or building a MIDI-controlled monster rig, this preamp is the real tube tone solution you’ve been waiting for.
In Jake’s own words:
“Dave doesn’t hear things as a technician. He hears things like a musician… That’s what this preamp does — though it’s got plenty more on tap if you need it!”
