BluGuitar Amp1 Iridium Review & Demo! (I'm BLOWN AWAY!)

Thomann Affiliate: www.thomann.de/intl/index.htm...
Sweetwater Affiliate: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0mGvx
My personal Thomann recommendations: thmn.to/thocf/cv37zixo68
My webstore for Captures, presets etc: ko-fi.com/sonicdrivestudio
Thanks for supporting the channel!
Thanks for checking out my review and demo of the BluGuitar Amp 1 Iridium Edition. This little 100 w amp is small and lightweight but it packs a serious punch. It really sounds like a (or multiple) big tube amp heads!
BluGuitar: bluguitar.com
York Audio Impulse Responses: www.yorkaudio.co/
Thanks for watching! Please subscribe along with the bell and follow SDS at:
/ sonicdrivestudio
/ sonicdrivestudio_official
/ jon_symons
#bluguitar #amp1 #iridium
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:26 Introduction
01:49 Main Overview
02:42 Feature Overview
06:27 Clean Tones (LTD Phoenix 1000 w/Fishmans)
07:52 Clean Tone Settings
09:08 Clean Tones Isolated
09:36 Crunch Tones (Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s w/SD JB)
11:04 Crunch Tone Settings
11:46 Crunch Tones Isolated
12:21 Heavy Rock Tones (LTD Phoenix 1000 w/Duncans)
13:51 Heavy Rock Tone Settings
14:46 Heavy Rock Tones Isolated
15:17 Metal 6-String Tones (LTD Phoenix Arctic Metal w/EMG)
16:47 Metal 6-String Tone Settings
17:34 Metal 6-String Tones Isolated
18:08 Metal 7-String Baritone Tones (LTD SC-607B1H w/Fishman)
19:55 Metal 7-String Baritone Tones Isolated
20:38 Metal 8-String Baritone Tones (Ibanez M80M w/Lundgren)
22:27 Metal 8-String Baritone Tones Isolated
22:51 Conclusion

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thomann Affiliate: www.thomann.de/intl/index.html?offid=1&affid=3210 Sweetwater Affiliate: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0mGvx My personal Thomann recommendations: thmn.to/thocf/cv37zixo68 My webstore for Captures, presets etc: ko-fi.com/sonicdrivestudio Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@BluGuitar]

Wow 🤩 you made probably the best Demo of the AMP1 Iridium Edition … I’m proud of this!!! Greetings 🖖 from the designer… {Thomas Blug}

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks Thomas, that means a lot! Great product! :)

[@apoplexiamusic]

as a metal guy, i can say this amp is definitely at the top of modern metal chain! amazing tones!

[@SirVicc]

Indeed. This demo got my attention bigtime.

[@JTHarrisHF]

Congrats for the video bro!! That must be very satisfying to get the stamp of approval from the man himself, Thomas Blug!!! In my best Jeff Spicoli voice: "Alright Hamilton!!"

[@tommikkola1216]

​@@SonicDriveStudio🎉🎉o

[@grashperinafizzle3240]

I appreciate the depth and thoroughness you provide making it easy to understand!! Great content!!

[@freddywonka9539]

Your demos are always amazing but I still hope for a solo album of yours! 🥰

[@Bash_Man]

HOLY SHIRT! that sound amazing Jon. the heavy tone especially. I've been considering one of these units as a backup unit for my Splawn Tube head. I think you just convinced me to get one. Nicely done sir. keep em coming.

[@SapperRJMorgan]

As usual your classic riffs were my fave. Always dope on the mix Jon. You’re hard on my wallet but I appreciate you and your channel.

[@BaritonePapi]

You’re making my search for a new amp hard, and for no bad reason. You make everything sound fuckin great lol. Keep up the great work

[@cmartinrel]

Impressive. Great demo as always. Love your channel!

[@YoBroMan]

Dude, I've been watching your vids and I really like your riffs/playing...and your guitar collection...and, of course, the amp collection. Great Channel, instant sub.

[@dyonight]

always the best demos! love your work!

[@planzed463]

Yea he’s brilliant 👌🏼

[@KipCount]

Sounds great! I'm almost more excited for the Mercury video, because it is marketed more toward classic sounds. Can't wait to see what you coax out of it. The true main event would be Mercury / Iridium back to back comparisons. So much to explore there though!

[@michaeltaylors2456]

They are both absolutely killer, the bass however is much tighter “ modern” in the Iridium. The bass is certainly not flabby in the Mercury either. I have the Mercury, going to grab an Iridium soon. These are musician tools, not tone snob toys. That being said, do they sound exactly like a 4000.00 Friedman ? No but I’d say 95 percent there. That being said it doesn’t matter, because they are their own voice and in many cases a superior music making tool, because the tone shaping is far wider, controllable, and yet at the same time, more focused. Oh and they respond to pedals in the front end just as they should

[@MicahRenfro]

Great job man! Love your demos!

[@kelly.householder]

Great review John. Would be cool to have you create a video of how you build your tracks. Drums, your workflow, etc.

[@RKelley187]

Great video! I’ve been trying to decide between an MT-15 and this and you made up my mind.

[@nafis6668]

man is sounds so refined, smooth bright, a lot of note definition and articulation. amazing!

[@picksalot1]

The BluGuitar Amp1 first came to my attention over on the Euge Valovirta KZbin Channel. He's done several videos on it, and every time the Amp sounds amazing, like in your video. I think anyone who needs an Amp in a Box solution would be hard pressed to find another piece of gear that sounds so good/organic and is so versatile. Bonus - No need to worry about the availability and price of Vacuum Tubes. There is one video comparison that I'd love to see you do, and I think you might be able to do better than anyone else. That would be a "Blind Test" comparison between the BluGuitar Amp1, and the Fractal Audio Axe-FM3, Neural DSP, and HX Stomp (or other appropriate Line 6 Helix Modeler). I realize that would be a very big project, so maybe it could be done as a series of videos, comparing the BluGuitar Amp1 to one of the other Modelers, one for each video. In an age of outstanding gear, it would be interesting and informative to hear how these different units stack up against one another. Thanks

[@PereRevert]

Awe-inspiring tones as usual, you improves day by day Jon and you keep any guitar amp sound stellar in your hands ! What about that mixing video you promised ?

[@riglerdaniel]

Awesome demo!

[@Adam_A0]

Subscribed for all the sick riffs

[@brrblack497]

I was looking at one of these or the H&K Amp-man when I got a chance on a used ENGL Ironball 20, no regrets there. Sure, would like to try one of these though. This is a total gig machine, I'd just add Wa, tuner and a delay pedal. Great review as always, #1 source of amp information on ye' ol' You tube. Thank you.

[@jsauce666]

Sounds glorious. Great riffs.

[@MrBones105]

I own one of these and I’ll keep it as long as I play guitar. It doesn’t sound exactly like a tube amp, but it also doesn’t sound like a solid state either. It kind of has its own thing going on. But it does sound killer, and the functionality is not only expansive, but actually usable. The EQ is great. It’s just so well engineered. I could go on, but you get the idea.

[@limbubasantakumar9572]

How about in live feeding straight to guitar cabs 🙏🙏🙏

[@michaelmitchell5909]

I own it also and love it. Run it thru a 4x12 cab

[@leonemesis87]

Can you plug this thing to a foot switch controller to change channels and add fx pedals? 'cause I don't see FS input behind.

[@MrBones105]

@@leonemesis87 there is a foot switch but it is proprietary and connects with a regular ol guitar cable. It does actually unlock some functionality that isn’t accessible on the standalone unit (specifically, a “power soak” option I find very useful) but I don’t think you can use any old footswitch.

[@daveapodaca7774]

Awesome!!… does it take headphones?? I’m need a great sounding option to jam in a condo with neighbors!

[@adamstein9333]

I Love this review, absolutely stellar! I want the H&K Switchblade because of this!

[@BenvanGeest]

Nice and snarly on the low tuned guitars. This thing sounds GREAT! Well done!

[@hellsing1983]

I heard you where djentuinely impressed? But once again great demo! And as opposed to many different channels that demo high gain capable amps which almost never show the clean tones, you do show them and even go on classic gain terrain. I really love that, because beside a good high gain channel, I need a good clean channel. One of the better amp demo channels out there in my opinion.

[@jamesshafer6700]

Sounds great! Great riffs as always! Also, Every time I hear you play in 8 string it makes me want one.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! That M80M is especially awesome!

[@jcwear89]

The classic overdrive channel sounded very sum41 - love the sound of this amp and I agree with you it absolutely doesn't sound like a non-valve amplifier. It sounds like something I would seriously consider!

[@sid35gb]

Theses Bluguitar amps are massively underrated.

[@Cacodemonia]

Sounds really good, even tracks well with the extended low range of the 7 and 8 strings.

[@steveweilhart2359]

Jon you are a rhythm monster no lead work needed - love your grooves - yes this piece of equipment is amazing wow what a game changer - low Maintenace sounds great very versatile and it's midi also - fairly cheap/affordable -

[@AlexSchwartzBerlin]

great you are testing it -- I have one of those and simply love it 🤘 almost too versatile

[@illgottengains1314]

Great playing! I’ve been trying to record my guitar parts all day, you make it look easy 😢

[@danc3746]

Thanks for this video, I think I'm going to order one. I also read somewhere that these Blu amps are great power options for Helix and Kempers. Running them in 4CM would provide a power amp for Helix/Kemper profiles or use the Blu amp choices with Helix/Kemper effects.

[@majikband]

I just gigged last night with the Mercury edition into the nanocab. Show was in a huge hanger building and filled the space amazingly well with a full band and no mic on the cab. Very impressed. Thanks for the great video. Much love. Dr. Greg, MAJIK BAND guitarist.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! My demo of the Mercury is coming soon!

[@joachimlindback]

You make everything sound good.

[@-jk-2580]

Your demos always top quality! Great playing too. I thought the clean and crunch tones were great. With high gain however, I hear the same unpleasant artifacts there as with other demos online. It kind of reveals itself that it’s not a real tube amplifier. Listened through high quality studio monitors and different headphones.

[@jrlee243]

I have had mine for over a year now and still love and use it. Not for a back up rig my main rig. I use my amp1, to my captor x, and straight to front of house. No cab just my guitar and pedal board. Just waiting to see what the amp1x can do.

[@LykaonMetalMusic]

Sounds great!

[@matthewheidenreich3401]

Sounds pretty f***kn sweet 👍 Like to hear you play it thru a cab ..but ya, the technology is catching up for sure. Nice demo soloing the tracks. Listening to it in the mix is not the same as in isolation, obviously. Thanks

[@rexfordhazelton7601]

I like your guitar playing as always. I think if you wrote for a metal rock band I would be a fan. Also excellent review as well.

[@MindofYǒng]

It's sound incredible...I love it \m/

[@rk28984]

welcome to the club! When I got my Amp1 Iridium I was blown away as well. I don't see any reason to buy another amp right now. It does pretty much everything you need. Have you tried it with a 4x12 cab on full volume? It's crazy loud! I`d also try the hidden low gain setting, it makes the amp sound a bit better in my opinion. I use the same settings as you used on the crunch setting but boost that amp with a Boss OS2, sounds mean and gives a nice diry edge to the tone. I would only want a option to change how tight the low end sag is and a useable boost (right now it's not enough to push from crunch to high gain and it doesn't need a boost to tighten it up).

[@Jstall7543]

WoW! That’s sounds Great!

[@jonathanfoster100]

Damn, I had no idea that this thing sounded like that. F***ing Incredible!

[@sergioserramusic]

Honestly, I am blown away. First real amp in a pedal form that I can think of owning and using live. That’s a killer product!

[@TheMemagNeman]

You won't regret it. It's packed but small, light weight and it sounds great.

[@ErikAnders]

They look great he follows me on ig and also a great player. Maybe someday I can find one but for now the kemper is all I can afford. These demos sound great!

[@MarcoWriedt]

Incredible amp!

[@stevengoodman3498]

Absolutely incredible technology. Wish it wasn't $1000 dollars with shipping. Truly awesome sound. We can dream can't we? Great demo man!

[@sid35gb]

It’s a bargain really when you realise that it can match the tone of amps twice it’s price.

[@Caskron1]

Just bought this amplifier a couple of weeks ago to use with my band, and it sounds really good, and it already seems to compliment the other guitarist H&K black spirit 200 better than my ENGL Savage 120 mk1 used to do :) Thank you for the demo to inspire me on how to further dial it in. 🎸

[@insertanynameyouwant5311]

so you`re saying this thing is better sounding than Savage 120?

[@Caskron1]

No, I would not say “better”. The Savage sounds amazing, and so does the AMP1. It just fits my needs more, and the combination of the AMP1 and Black Spirit 200 sounds better in my opinion than Savage and Black Spirit. :)

[@insertanynameyouwant5311]

@@Caskron1 understood!

[@truthfactreality6814]

Owned one and they are Amazing !

[@punkrock75]

Niet normaal!!!! en die riffs zijn zoooo vet!!!! Man. Wanneer ga je toeren?

[@shahzebqader1268]

I think this is high time we need a comparison video from you of pedal format amps, like the ones from victory, the orange pedal baby, this one, h&k stompman, ampmans, quilter labs superblocks, etc...

[@STONERY-BAND]

Wow that sounds great 👍🏻👍🏻😎🎸💪🏻good video ⭐️😎⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@IamMusicNerd]

I love the Blug Mercury

[@paulvaden6990]

I have both the iridium and mercury. Both are fantastic!! Sold all my amps.

[@24MusicCarats]

Can the mercury be used for death metal and punk? Or would you recommend going to the iridium

[@caseydurrans521]

Bruh...EVERY TIME I LISTEN TO YOUR VIDEOS, YOU MELT MY FACE OFF. Your riffs seriously kick so much ass. Will you please compile all of your clips and make an album of your amazing music just how it is?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks so much!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

WOW! This thing rules! Let me know what you think!

[@freezingCode]

I've wanted one of these for a while. Honestly wish it came as a head though! Excellent video as always. Any chance you could get your hands on the AMT Stonehead?

[@basandi4017]

On modern setting how you blend IR's? Could you copy and paste here exact file names?

[@DanHomeAtLast]

Can you tell us the chain of recording for this demo?

[@mkbmj]

Were you sending the output to the cab and the two-notes simultaneously? I have this and had never done much with it aside from play it through my 1x12

[@monstruonegro05]

Shit! Sounds gooood! Lovely riffs!!!

[@machine-madedog5059]

I've always liked these, proof of what a nanotube is capable of.

[@peoplearestrange9852]

Great demo!! The best i have seen so far!!...i see you have the channel volume really high at 8,5 and the master at 6. In a setting with a live cab that would be crazy loud. What would you recommend? Your recording sounds way better then what i get out of the amp.(probably has a lot to do with my skills🤪😂) i use a cab with v30 speakers 4x12 or 2x12. Do you have recommendations on how to get close to your sound? I mainly use the modern channel.

[@steves12strings]

The Heavy Rock tone was AMAZING 👏 🙌

[@gergelyboros8138]

I need to try one of these.

[@perpetualgrimace]

Convincing tones!

[@cmcarley]

Sounds surprisingly good. Great demo!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@marshall5560]

great demo, as always! tbh these small boxes are not really to my taste, but this thing really nails these modern chugga chugga tones! and it would be twice more interesting if you compare it to a real big amps such as mesa, peavey, marshall etc.

[@sid35gb]

There’s videos on KZbin where these are tone matched against Friedman, Matchless amps and other boutique amps it gets to the point where they can’t tell the difference apart from a delay in the switching equipment.

[@MrJackrockerman]

Much much better than any modeler amp.. this is the answer to all guitarist.❤️🙌

[@Folk661]

Katatonia vibes on that jam. 🤘🏻

[@ssmetalrulz]

Not sure if I'll get a response now since this is an old video. But any idea how well this thing works as a pedal platform for distortion pedals if you just keep it on clean? Would they sound good?

[@StudioKoman]

Can you show how to use it in presets mode. Clean preset, rhythm preset (drive) and lead preset (with fx loop on delay pedal). Please please please.

[@leonemesis87]

Now, could I hook this with a Joyo switcher to change channels and combine with my Fx pedals? ?

[@RBHuckleberry1]

I have the Mercury Edition and I must say...I really want the Iridium as well.

[@basandi4017]

What's a different between OwnHammer and YorkAudio Mesa 212 V30 IR's??? I've got OwnHammer's IR's but wondering if YorkAudio's sounds better???

[@mikejelinek1413]

John, which one has a heavier sound this unit, or the Baroni Jeval? I have this unit already, but looking for a heavier sound, but not death metal.

[@DamienRothlis]

It’s the best amp I bought!

[@lordabortion2172]

I've always used tube heads and lean toward running pedals through the effects loop lately for variety. I'm tired of lugging around heavy tube heads and want a more portable rig. My question is, would I be better off get the iridium or buying a ksr pa50? Both are in the same price range but the pa50 is 50 watt rms tube driven. The iridium sounds awesome in your demo but does it stand up to an actual tube head? Thanks for the awesome content.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

If does stand up to a tube amp, for sure!

[@rockinguitarist1]

I want this amp!!!

[@SuperCMO79]

Hey John and chat! Oh man what a demo Sounds and looks really fun to play! I can't try one out but I recently purchased engl fireball 25 and can't stop thinking about these! Think it's worth a shot to get one instead?? :-) Ahh don't know what to do:)

[@phswildcatsfan]

I am usually an Orange guy currently running a CR120 and a 2x12 cabinet. do you need a cabinet with these or can you run it straight through the PA?

[@18JR78]

Always thought the AMP 1 was underrated. The owner is actually an amazing guitar player too.

[@gergelyboros8138]

YAAAY!

[@dankirley4507]

You write and perform amazing original music on your demos! Do you have music available to stream anywhere? Are you working with any bands or singers? If not, you should! (And great demo, as always.)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

My new project is called GhostHour! Check it out on all major platforms

[@NJTllrd]

Since you recently tested the H&K Black Spirit 200, which one of these two amps do you like the most?

[@serhat.sevinc]

We want les paul custom!!!!👍 great video.

[@ronnieredneck9162]

Man you are good.

[@mjtan6787]

Does it receive OD or Distortion pedals well? I am hoping it takes pedals well in its clean channel...

[@cycoaxe]

Great demo love the tone I only wish Thomas would build the same unit with delay/chorus etc built-in so I could have my rhythm, lead, clean tone all in one box and able to program patches. Then it would be the ultimate gigging amp.

[@hjenders]

Hi, maybe it will comes with the AmpX lounge at NAMM2022!

[@Dicktoben]

It’s called the Ampx

[@SirVicc]

I'll admit to not being wowed by the BluGuitar amps. Most demos were underwhelming and sounded solid state. But this demo was WOW! I like good SS amps, and may have to give one a try.

[@MrBones105]

I own one and I’ve found a couple of things: first, how “solid state” it sounds depends on what speaker you use. Some speakers (looking at you g12s) really accentuate the “solid state” sound. More mellow speakers I wouldn’t necessarily pick for metal sounded best to me. Second, like a real tube amp, volume matters. It sounds more tube-y the higher the master is turned up. And third, the DI is my one honest critique of the amp. Every time I’ve used it it sounds….not very good. And it’s not a good representation of what it sounds like plugged in to a cab.

[@charleswerneth4284]

@@MrBones105 How does the volume compare to a typical 100 Watt tube amp?

[@MrBones105]

@@charleswerneth4284 it’s extremely (extremely) loud. I haven’t a/b tested it with an actual amp but it has more volume on tap than I’d ever really reasonably need.

[@Nofarewell]

Unbelievable. Can this amp sound close to a Dual Rectifier/VHT amp plugged into a 4x12 cab?

[@moreguitarplease6199]

9:36 - YEAH, that´s exactly my type of tone!

[@rusty2830]

I'm deciding between this and the kraken V4 powered preamp pedal 🤔

[@musicsurfandrats]

What do you think is better this or the fireball se ?

[@ZeroPoint727]

I’ve watched various vids of this amp… this is the best one to date. Really considering getting this thing. However, the foot switch is almost half the cost of it but whatever.

[@truthfactreality6814]

Basically you can replace all those amps you have behind you with the amp 1’s. Amp X is being announce at namm too.

[@SmashAtoms]

I’m here because of Andy Williams. This thing sounds killer! Might have to pick one up soon.

Daaaaamn!

[@Burkhimself]

I didn’t notice you doing any recording clips from the recording output ? I always want to hear that because a lot of us are interested in using something like this truly direct “fractal ax8 style” I would’v also liked to have heard the guitar as a single track at least once through the tunes, then, on a 2nd pass, maybe add the overdub 2nd track. So I can hear it on its own. Cool vid regardless 🤘🏼

[@ImmyT89]

Can you do a demo of the KSE Ceres Pre-amp pedal please :)

[@michaelmitchell5909]

I own this, I run it thru a Peavy cab with a 10 band eq in the loop and a Seymour Duncan 805 in front and it gets even more brutal sounding.

[@sunshineFireIT]

So the thing I will point out in this review is the use of the Torpedo Captor X?, can we assume this is impedance matched to the Iridium?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

8 ohm to 8 ohm

[@tubeaddicted485]

This pedalamp made me sell almost all my other amps: JVM410h, Dual-Rec, 6505, JJ Junior, Kraken, Black Spirit200, FM3, Ironheart, Savage, Engl Screamer, Framus Dragon & Cobra, Peavey 3120, Laboga Mr Hector and PRS mt15, the only amp I did not sell was my Peavey 6534+.

[@sid35gb]

Yep sounds about right.