The Friedman IR-D is a Friedman preamp pedal, currently around $392.17. Close alternatives include the Strymon Riverside and the Marshall Jmp Master Volume 1970s. It pairs well with the Klon Centaur and the Nobels ODR-1.
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.
- preamp
- tube
- direct recording
- clean
- boost
- eq
- crunch
- overtone
Good for
- Live
- Silent Recording
- Silent Stage
- Studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Friedman IR-D is commonly used in
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Friedman IR-D
Klon Centaur
Klon
34% matchThe Klon's transparent midrange boost pushes the IR-D's own clean, tube-driven DI signal louder without recoloring it.
Nobels ODR-1
Nobels
34% matchThe ODR-1's transparent, mid-thick drive stacks cleanly into the IR-D's boost and eq, adding grit without fighting the preamp's own clean voicing.
MXR Dyna Comp
MXR
23% matchRun the Dyna Comp's fast attack ahead of the IR-D's clean tube preamp and transients get evened out before that boost stage ever sees them.
Maestro Orbit
Maestro
23% matchRun this bold, open-voiced phaser after the IR-D's clean, direct-recording tube preamp and the sweep has plenty of headroom to color.
Dawner Prince Boonar
Dawner Prince
17% matchFeed the Boonar's vintage studio delay with the IR-D's clean, direct-recording tube preamp and the echoes stay well-defined. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Catalinbread Epoch-Set
Catalinbread
16% matchThe IR-D's clean, direct-recording tube preamp gives the Epoch-Set's warm tape echo a well-defined signal to work with. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
SolidGoldFX Commodore Bluesbreaker-Style Overdrive
Solidgoldfx
9% matchWhat Friedman IR-D brings here leans toward transparent — that's worth building a pairing around
Truetone V3XO
Truetone
8% matchWhat Friedman IR-D brings here leans toward transparent — that's worth building a pairing around
Cheaper alternatives
Blackstar Dept. 10 Dual Distortion
Blackstar
69% similarityShared character: two_channels, response, high_gain_settings
Amptweaker Big Rock Pro II
Amptweaker
69% similarityShared character: studio, high_gain_settings, recording
DSM Silver Linings Drive Preamp Engine
Dsm Humboldt Electronics
68% similarityShared character: studio, preamp, recording
Mooer Micro Preamp 003 Power-Zone (Koch PowerTone)
Mooer
67% similarityShared character: crunch, high_gain_settings, preamp
Benson Amps Portable Distortion 424 MKII
Benson Amps
94% similaritysimilar tone character
JHS Overdrive/Preamp
JHS Pedals
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Strymon Riverside
Strymon
75% similarityShared character: studio, high_gain_settings, sweet
Marshall Jmp Master Volume 1970s
Marshall
72% similarityAn amp-in-a-box take on Marshall Jmp Master Volume 1970s's tone
Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head
Marshall
72% similarityAn amp-in-a-box take on Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head's tone
1977 Marshall 2203 JMP Master Volume
Marshall
72% similarityAn amp-in-a-box take on 1977 Marshall 2203 JMP Master Volume's tone
Marshall Super Lead 1970s
Marshall
72% similarityAn amp-in-a-box take on Marshall Super Lead 1970s's tone
JHS Colour Box
JHS Pedals
71% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, studio, response
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 Strymon Riverside, the Marshall Jmp Master Volume 1970s, the Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head. Budget picks: Blackstar Dept. 10 Dual Distortion, Amptweaker Big Rock Pro II, DSM Silver Linings Drive Preamp Engine. Boutique upgrades: Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster.
What pairs well with the Friedman IR-D?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Klon Centaur, Nobels ODR-1, MXR Dyna Comp — The Klon's transparent midrange boost pushes the IR-D's own clean, tube-driven DI signal louder without recoloring it..
How much does the Friedman IR-D cost?+
Around $392.17 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
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