The Friedman IR-D is a Friedman preamp pedal, currently around $377.13. Close alternatives include the Orange Micro Terror and the Ceriatone 2202H. It pairs well with the JAM Pedals Tubedreamer and the Klon Centaur.
Friedman IR-D
Friedman · pedal
The Friedman IR-D is a dual-channel all-tube preamp and DI pedal powered by two high-voltage 12AX7 preamp tubes, based on Dave Friedman's modded JTM45 circuit. Each channel features a three-band EQ, independent boost, Structure control, and Bright switch. Onboard IR cabinet simulation with 13 preloaded impulse responses enables direct recording or live DI use without a power amp or speaker cabinet. Both channels deliver Marshall-derived British-voiced preamp tones.
What stands out
“The Friedman IR-D is a dual-channel all-tube preamp and DI pedal powered by two high-voltage 12AX7 preamp tubes, based on Dave Friedman's modded JTM45 circuit”
— from the listing
“The IR-D runs both 12AX7 tubes at proper high voltage, ensuring tube response”
— from the reviews
“Onboard IR cabinet simulation with 13 preloaded impulse responses enables direct recording or live DI use”
— from the listing
“Clean tones are excellent and clear; crunch tones are rich with overtones; high-gain settings cover all Marshall plexi territory from compressed JTM-45 dynamics to high-gain plexi roar”
— from the reviews
“Each channel features a three-band EQ, independent boost, Structure control, and Bright switch”
— from the listing
- tube
- direct recording
- clean
- boost
- eq
- crunch
- response
Good for
- Live
- Silent Recording
- Silent Stage
- Studio
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Friedman IR-D is commonly used in
- Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Hard Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Friedman IR-D
JAM Pedals Tubedreamer
Jam Pedals
23% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
The dynamic tone has headroom to spare — JAM Pedals Tubedreamer leans it toward compressed to fill it in
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Klon Centaur
Klon
23% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (crunchy → mid-forward)
The Klon's transparent midrange boost pushes the IR-D's own clean, tube-driven DI signal louder without recoloring it.
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Wampler Cory Wong
Wampler
20% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Friedman IR-D's own transparent character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Strymon Riverside
Strymon
20% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Friedman IR-D leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Dunlop MXR M77 Custom Modified Badass OD
MXR
19% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Friedman IR-D leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Keeley El Rey Dorado
Keeley
16% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Friedman IR-D leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix
16% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress after Friedman IR-D in the signal chain, clear of Friedman IR-D's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Bogner Ecstasy Blue Mini Overdrive
Bogner
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Friedman IR-D leans into Marshall-style amps, precisely the platform Bogner Ecstasy Blue Mini Overdrive wants
Cheaper alternatives
Strymon Riverside
Strymon
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Revv Amplification G2-V2
Revv
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Benson Amps Portable Distortion 424 MKII
Benson Amps
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Hermida Zendrive
Hermida
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Dept. 10 Boost
Blackstar
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar DEPT10DDS Dept.10 Dual Distortion
Blackstar
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Friedman JEL-50
Friedman
72% similarityFriedman IR-D recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Marshall JCM900 2100
Marshall
72% similarityFriedman IR-D recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
ENGL Marty Friedman Inferno E766
Engl
72% similarityFriedman IR-D recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Marshall 1987 50-Watt Plexi
Marshall
72% similarityFriedman IR-D recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Orange Micro Terror
Orange
72% similarityFriedman IR-D recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
72% similarityFriedman IR-D recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Ceriatone JTM45/100
Ceriatone
72% similarityFriedman IR-D recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Ceriatone British Style 2525
Ceriatone
72% similarityFriedman IR-D recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Ceriatone British Style Plexi50 Lead
Ceriatone
72% similarityFriedman IR-D recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
72% similarityFriedman IR-D recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
See all alternatives to the Friedman IR-D (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Friedman IR-D?+
The closest matches in character are the Orange Micro Terror, the Ceriatone 2202H, the Ceriatone JTM45/100. Budget picks: Strymon Riverside, Revv Amplification G2-V2, Benson Amps Portable Distortion 424 MKII. Boutique upgrades: Friedman JEL-50, Marshall JCM900 2100, ENGL Marty Friedman Inferno E766.
What pairs well with the Friedman IR-D?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: JAM Pedals Tubedreamer, Klon Centaur, Wampler Cory Wong — The dynamic tone has headroom to spare — JAM Pedals Tubedreamer leans it toward compressed to fill it in.
How much does the Friedman IR-D cost?+
Around $377.13 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).