BluGuitar Amp1 Iridium Edition - Not Just For Metal??

I loved the BluGuitar Amp1 Mercury Edition when I reviewed it a few weeks ago and was sad to see it go back to BluGuitar. But the nice guys at BluGuitar have loaned me the BluGuitar Amp1 Iridium Edition. The BluGuitar Amp1 Iridium Edition is the high gain and metal version of their fantastic 100 Watt pedalboard amp, and as a non metal guitarist, I even prefer it to the original. In this video, find out why. The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@dennispost7903]

I was literally thinking that everytime you pushed the amp switch button, it couldn’t possibly get better but it did! The tones are out of this world and this piece of witchcraft is absolutely mindblowing🔥 I’m freakin getting one

[@glennsteen4249]

This sounds awesome! By far the best demo of it! 👍 love to watch your videos!

[@robertclarkguitar]

Oh man that's killer my friend !!!!! And again I thank you for stopping by the other day. Truly made my day!!! Peace man. I'll be keeping eye on this !!

[@jancreighton]

great review - this thing is a box full of awesome lead guitar tones with some really rockin' rhythm tones thrown in

[@TSRThom]

Thank you so much. This is definitely the best review on this amp.

[@MrGuerillaVideo]

Thanks man! Great demo! Great playing!

[@jorgevanpeeters9008]

Superb playing! That Iridium Edition is my main-amp with an UA OX-Box and two monitors and headphones at home. Fantastic tones anytime. And Iˋm also a non-metal player. Thanks & a nice weekend!

[@jorgevanpeeters9008]

@@jumpbackgeno Hmm, Iˋ d say you ˋre using the normal speaker out from the Amp 1? Afaik, cab sim is only one the recording out active. Cheers

[@davidsavoie1779]

Great demo Paul. This demo pushed me over the line. I bought the Amp 1 Iridium and can’t quit grinning! It is now my gigging amp paired with a Helix LT in 4 cable methodand a Two Notes Cab M + for an DI/IR to the P.A? Absolutely brilliant piece of kit! Never been happier with my sound!

[@TheStudioRats]

Great to hear!

[@UndeadTusk]

Seriously Paul?!?! I can't believe you man!!! I have been watching hundreds of reviews of the different amp 1s and I was FINALLY settled on the Mercury edition.... Then I find this vid after subbing to your channel... Seriously mate?!?! Now I have to start over with my deliberation that took me months to settle on. Such a great review! Such great playing! Well done!

[@sciencemadeusrobots]

Exactly what I was wondering! So glad to hear a non-metal player through this amp!

[@mr.mikehunt4286]

It was made for metal players in mind genius.,and btw the marshall jcm800 2203 is more rock then the plexi metal tones in mercury..so y boring blues rock?

[@sciencemadeusrobots]

@@mr.mikehunt4286 did you mean to reply to my comment?

[@TreyB.]

This is an amazing sounding Amp. Running it into an Orange 212. It has blown my mind that it's a 100 watt tube amp... Love it. Yes, just buy it!

[@cortviva69]

Splendid review! Thx a lot!!!

[@dver4624]

That LP sounds glorious! Great tones.

[@sixslinger9951]

90% in his fingers. This dude can flat out play.

[@truthfactreality6814]

Bluguitar is so good. Looking forward to seeing the amp x he showed

[@ilmisxx2]

If I were a gigging guitarist who doesn't tour with 2+ guitar techs who lug everything around and BonJovi type of budget this would certainly be my amp of choice. Grab this and something like surh reactive load or torpedo and you are set, either go into PA or whatever cab you find. When I watched Thomas demo the thing had massive range in terms of eq and you could dial it in for pretty much any cab. Brilliant peace of kit and every demo I see people say it feels great too, never had a chance to try it myself but it certainly sounds big and full in all the demo's. I see someone has a suschorditis too, ever since I learned sus2 and sus4 chords I keep putting the damn things everywhere

[@lewisstorer89]

I put a BBE sonic stomp (yes THAT Pedal) in the FX loop for a laugh and I can't believe it. It's made the Iridium sound amazing. When you turn it off now it almost makes the stock tone sound lofi. Turning it back on brings everything to life. It's a match made in heaven. I'm leaving it on my board as an always on pedal. If you happen to have a sonic maximizer or a sonic stomp floating about, give it a go. I'm never going back.

[@HooViGSE]

Yes - a device like this can help to add low end if the cab does not provide enough punch. 🥊🥊💥😃 I have done several videos for the Facebook BluGuitar Group on my channel like "EQ on same value" or "Clean vs Vintage Low Gain". I have this special topic "Lowend -punch" on my list and will make a video about it. There are some tricks and do's&dont's you can do ... 🎸🔊_/ 😃 HooVi

[@BenJ2827]

Sounds awesome Paul, got me considering one now!

[@TheStudioRats]

You won’t regret it.

[@jerrymckenzie6205]

Sounds great as usual!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Jerry.

[@truthfactreality6814]

Just ordered mine. So many People don’t know about these amps. They are incredible

[@VelhosNovos]

Great tone! Congra!!!

[@TVoltG]

I just got mine yesterday. I hooked it all up.. Hated it.. Immediately said, sending this back.. Off work today. Tried it again... hated it.. then I unplugged it from my pedalboard. Threw to the side. Then I tried it one more time. Just my cord in and damn!! Was blown away! Come to find out, I had a bad cord in the mix that was, and I will admit was a cheap one that I threw into the mix the other day and didn't really test it. This Iridium is staying. Wow!!

[@uwefromlotte4248]

Thank you Paul, for this video. I was specifically looking for the clean sound with the Iridium. Your video helped me once again to realize that this Amp1 is the right choice. What is your experience with the P90. Regards from Germany….Uwe

[@rikshredder]

Sounds fantastic!

[@TheStudioRats]

I was really impressed with it.

[@KipCount]

Wow. This video was incredibly helpful to me. I've been looking at the Mercury and Iridium and I was fully convinced the voicing on the Iridium was wrong for me and the Mercury was the right call. But based, on your tones here, I think the Iridium might be the one. One big benefit on the Iridium, from what I understand, is you can defeat the Cabsim on the Record Out and then use Wall of Sound on your computer for direct recording. Again, thank you. I'm a pretty new subscriber, and your videos always seem to be just what I'm looking for, this one being particularly timely for me personally. Cheers! - Oh, and would you considering doing another video showing some of the features, like running it at half power, and how to defeat the ampsim? Thanks again.

[@michaeltaylors2456]

I have the Mercury and love it .. but this is the first I was able to hear an Iridium set to less brutality... hmmm well I guess I’ll be having both soon

[@truthfactreality6814]

The amp sim defeat option is part of the reason I got iridium too. I prefer the tightness too. I’m not a metal player either but iridium rocks!

[@truthfactreality6814]

@@jumpbackgeno should be on the Manuel info online

[@pwnEdge1]

I did get something out of it ,I want one :-) sounded great and nice playing

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Mark!

[@LevitatorMusic]

First glance at the thumbnail and I thought you were Dean Norris. I love Dean Norris lol

[@Sadowsky46]

Great sound!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Pavel.

[@rikshredder]

Hey man! Have you tried the Iridium through a real cab? Would love to see a video on that and also using the internal IR/cab. Thanks!

[@johnboy10]

Great demo Paul. Would have been nice to hear this with some nice delay ,comp in a mix 🤟just to get the full picture Although I understand why you did it his way.

[@56brever]

Agreed! A quick run through with single coils would be useful also.

[@dereksweeneykesler2108]

I hear similarities to the H&K tubemen that blug also designed. A smoothness in its crunch and aggression and a super malleable and agreeable EQ.. and gorgeous cleans

[@TheStudioRats]

He sure is a cleaver man.

[@chasingtone5748]

I really like how you do your videos. On saving the presets for each channel! Will it also save the tone controls also?

[@TheStudioRats]

I don’t think it saves tones. Just the channel switching.

[@chasingtone5748]

@@TheStudioRats That would be tough doing a live show. Thanks

[@artokorhonen4982]

Ir sounds awesome. Is It possible to load somewhere?

[@steviesedge]

Been looking at these amps for years, and wondered and wondered. I'm very very close to pulling the trigger on this particular one just because the modern voicing is more an extension of the classic and vintage.

[@TheStudioRats]

For my style of playing I prefer the clean and the classic channels. It’s a great amp you won’t be disappointed

[@cortviva69]

Stevie, pull that trigger! Waiting longer would be a waste of time!!! Promised!!!

[@sixslinger9951]

@@cortviva69 but AMP X is coming soon! I'm waiting, tough but it looks to be a complete game changer.

[@LaDrouille64]

@@sixslinger9951 it will be a little bit more than 2000€... I'd personnaly go for an Iridium + FX something as Line 6 + Torpedo ans you'll be under by far. Don't know what go think. I don't think that the amp X will blow me more than this one avec 4 different sounds

[@darryldoesit966]

sell you mine....lol.

[@sb6232]

Wow..just wow!! I have a Kemper Powerhead, but I kind of want this... Wish it had delay and chorus (..I know there'a newer version coming out..) ...But man, this sounds sooo good. What else would you need?

[@sixslinger9951]

the new AMP X will have tons of effects in it and will also do the cabinets , so I've heard.

[@truthfactreality6814]

I use mine with a quad cortex. Sounds absolutely epic and I’ve got all the switching and effects I need with a proper amp in one small lightweight board.

[@Siam_Thai.]

If the Blue Guitar Amp 1 Iridium has a Resonance and Presence control, it will work very well.

[@dannyveras]

Love it but I got way too much stuff already that sounds good! I might buy it in the future we’ll see

[@rockstaradventures1]

curious what pickups are in the les paul? thanks!!!!!

[@bustanorms2028]

Can it be use with out cabinet speaker ? Direct to mixer for live gig?

[@JasonWadeGuitar]

I'm wondering what the AMP X is going to sound like whenever it's released, but the Iridium Edition would also be my choice if purchasing one in the near future. Paul - #HelpsavetheSuhrClassicS hahahahaha!

[@TheStudioRats]

Yeah looking forward to the X.

[@HooViGSE]

As far as I know from talks with Thomas AMP X will follow the same red line like the Silver, Mercury and Iridium => create amps that are inspired by classic tones - but with the special Blug-Spice! I would be surprised if you cant get the sound of the 3 amps and some more … 😃

[@sixslinger9951]

@@HooViGSE plus it will have speaker ir's too , right?

[@HooViGSE]

@@sixslinger9951 ... yes - of course - programmable for each preset.

[@truthfactreality6814]

Amp x will have effects and dynamic ultra high definition speaker IR’s. Basically you will be able to create any amp on the planet. I’m sure he said it will have an 8 core processor too. It will be pretty expensive. But in reality cheaper. Also the floor unit etc is all built in as one

[@stormblessed1794]

Fantastic video - thank you! I know Amp 1 Iridium was designed with humbuckers in mind, but how well does it play with single coils?

[@ronikinnunen298]

This link is all you need: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWimlaqqZtN_j5I

[@stormblessed1794]

@@ronikinnunen298 Thank you! Watched the video - you are absolutely right!

[@jayl5941]

So honest question. I bought a Quad Cortex and as an aside love your Divided by 13 pedalboard capture but I'm also fighting through some of the early adopter QC issues and am contemplating keeping it. Although this unit is much simpler do you feel one in particular sounds or feels better than the other? Ps no pressure either way just curious if tone/feel wise you prefer one.

[@TheStudioRats]

If your looking for simplicity then without doubt I’d rather use the Blug amp. You can’t get past latency in digital modellers, they don’t feel like a standard amp, it subtle but to me I can feel it. It’s a very different unit, if you don’t want the effects especially stereo effects, I would definitely buy the Blugamp 1.

[@jayl5941]

@@TheStudioRats thanks for the response!

[@truthfactreality6814]

Use your quad cortex with the amp 1. That way you have effects and real amp. It’s lightweight as a board too and you can rig all cabling underneath. I did it with my helix years ago. I’m going to do it with my quad cortex soon too

[@mr.mikehunt4286]

The dork Thomas who invented this had improved the mercury edition to a 2203 1980s el34 tone better then the Iredium edition but hs still not implimented it or will until the next iOS controller version

[@VictorEMusique]

I notice that you have it quite loud on the master - are you attenuating? going through an ox-box or something?

[@jeffboyd7719]

Would like to hear more clean stuff.

[@wodenoftheangles3339]

Nice to see you off all that digital cr7p! lol

[@TheStudioRats]

I love real amps and would always prefer, but the digital units are the future. BluGuitar have the perfect answer to this coming out.

[@wodenoftheangles3339]

@@TheStudioRats BluGuitar will never digitise, thankfully.

[@dcldcl8054]

Paul, is the sound that we're hearing coming through speakers, and if so what speakers do you use?

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi DCL, in the vid I said I was using a Two Notes Torpedo studio, which is an attenuator/ load box. Hope that helps.

[@dcldcl8054]

@@TheStudioRats Paul, Thanks so much for your response. Can I put the question another way? When you strum the guitar, are you (and us) hearing the sound through studio monitors or are you running the sound from the torpedo back to a cab, or something else? If your using studio monitors, which ones do you use?

[@SJ-kk4bm]

Hi Paul, so you would use this live through a speaker cabinet or Direct to PA..and can you add you pedals to it?

[@kuhboom22]

Yes to all. Go direct to PA, run through a cab, record direct out, pedals sound great with it in front and though the loop. It has an fx loop that you can select series or parallel with a switch.

[@truthfactreality6814]

It’s best to run into something like a captor x and then to your cab if you want to do it this way. It’s sounds amazing. I have a rack of Marshall amps in my studio that are collecting dust since having amp 1

[@rikshredder]

@The Studio Rats how does it feel under the fingers? Does it have some squish, some spongyness?

[@TheStudioRats]

It feels great, just like my valve amps.

[@rikshredder]

@@TheStudioRats Is it immediate or some give? I prefer a little give.

[@rikshredder]

@@TheStudioRats Now your video has got me thinking about purchasing one! Preferably this Iridium version.

[@blessedheavyelements8544]

Hey Boss. You still using the Iridium? If not, why and what did you move on to? Thanks if you can answer and Best Regards!

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi. Yes still have the Iridium.

[@tman6495]

Sorry late to "the Party" here...but do you gig with this amp?....small club to maybe medium size? 75 to 150 people?

[@TheStudioRats]

Yes you could

[@TheForce1972]

Hi, is the boost function loud enough as a solo boost when playing live?

[@HooViGSE]

No - the boost is pre-distortion - it adds more gain. To add volume use a "always-on negative booster" as insert (set to serial), volume pedal or compressor. If you add volume in the insert you will get more volume and poweramp distortion - like with a real tube amp.

[@TVoltG]

Add a boost after the pre.. in the loop.

[@liys540]

@@TVoltG aka fx loop

[@TVoltG]

@@liys540 exactly boosts work great there as well. Adding an Eq as boost in the effects loop is great as well.

[@toddp.7936]

Paul, great demo and nice playing . Have you had a chance to use this rig in a live situation and if so how would you compare it to a hi-gain amp like Marshall as a bench/mark. Was the BluGuitar Amp1 Iridium Edition able to cut through the mix of the bass, drums and other guitar. Would Love to hear your thoughts on this. Cheers

[@truthfactreality6814]

I can confirm that they are great live. In fact I can’t tell the difference. Just a lot lighter to transport.

[@Izya__]

What about playing on strat?

[@user-hb7ej6sx9l]

so what pickups are in the Les paul?????????? Custombuckers? Thanks much!!!!!!!

[@TheStudioRats]

Yes they are custom buckers

[@MrScrab13]

Hello! Does it feel as real tube amp when you are playing?

[@truthfactreality6814]

Yes. I’ve got both iridium and Mercury. Hook them up to a 4x12. It’s bloody glorious !!

[@liys540]

this is my kind of amp

[@useless7211]

Can the level be stored in preset mode, so You can use one preset to boost Your volume for solos?

[@TheStudioRats]

If you have the remote yes you can do that

[@useless7211]

@@TheStudioRats Thanks man! And putting a booster in the effects loop, would that do the trick?

[@TheStudioRats]

Yeah that’s another way.

[@nevenlisica]

Which one should I go with, the mercury or iridium. I mostly like classic rock sound, not modern metal tones. You get those classic tones even with iridium…

[@sixslinger9951]

wait for his new AMP X coming in July 22 (hopefully)

[@rikshredder]

How is the cab sim on the Iridium?

[@TheStudioRats]

To be honest I haven’t tried it. I’ll see if I can get a chance before they pick it up.

[@rikshredder]

@@TheStudioRats Great thanks

[@podxtv]

Is there anything you touch Paul that doesn't sound amazing with those magic fingers :-)

[@TheStudioRats]

You should see the outtakes, you might change your mind. 😅

[@sixslinger9951]

that is the closest to a real tube amp I've heard. I can't wait till AMP X comes out. looks like it will be awhile.

[@HooViGSE]

Thomas said, the deadline will be the next NAMM in Summer 2022 ...

[@darryldoesit966]

It's still a metal amp...i own one. Too bad Thomas didnt design the clean channel as he did the other three tho. To ME thats the biggest drawback is the clean channel with limitations...and the high gain channels are to much gain for me.

It's not fair. You could plug into a bag full of wet toilet paper and still sound amazing.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Geri.

[@slickfrictionless]

Damn bro, your a good player but you need to get a different lick!

[@simonhumby323]

'kinhell metal is so boring!

[@fuckthecoruptcunts]

I want to see someone do wet dry wet wirth 3 of these