IR

An IR pedal, short for Impulse Response pedal, recreates the sound of real speaker cabinets, microphones, and rooms by using digital snapshots of their acoustic characteristics. When you run your guitar or preamp signal through it, the IR file shapes the tone to sound as if it’s coming from a specific amp and cab setup. This makes IR pedals incredibly useful for direct recording, silent practice, or live gigs where you want consistent, studio-quality sound without miking an actual amp.

Modern IR pedals often allow you to load multiple impulse responses and switch between them instantly, letting you go from a tight 1×12 combo tone to a massive 4×12 stack in seconds. Some include EQ, reverb, and mic placement controls for further fine-tuning. For players using modelers, preamps, or amp-less rigs, an IR pedal is the final piece that makes your setup sound natural, dynamic, and ready for any stage or studio environment.