BOSS IR-2 Amp & Cabinet Pedal: Watch Before You Buy

[@intheblues]

This is a solid performer in some ways and pretty average in others. I hope you find this video helpful. Let me know what you think and you can it out using my affiliate links below! Thanks, everyone. 🛒 Sweetwater - sweetwater.sjv.io/vNeba3 🛒 Thomann - thmn.to/thoprod/580200?offid=... 🛒 Sky Music - alnk.to/6TAwcmN 🛒 Amazon UK - amzn.to/3ZUnvAg 🛒 Amazon Canada - amzn.to/4gV1gQy 🛒 Amazon Italy - amzn.to/3NdFvy1 🛒 Amazon es - amzn.to/3zS9jNx

[@Natural_Order]

I think the best way to use this is with stacking pedals into the clean amp. It sounds pretty great when paired with overdrives

[@ColorfieldMedia]

My favorite pedal purchase over the past year. The ability to load in your own IRs is huge. Solid playing. 🤘🏻

[@heavybrett-al4082]

I sold my pod go to buy this pedal, and I just love it, sounds great, easy to use, very practical for practice and gigging and the FX loop is so great, I've got it on my pedal board with a looper/drum machine and modulation effects and I get lost making backing tracks on the fly and just soloing over the top.👍🙏🎸

[@illi41]

Intro jam was special, Shane! Getting kinda Iommi-ish now with such fluency, love it!

[@clambin89]

Hot opening tracks as usual man !

[@brandnewyou5254]

I dig your smile at the end of the intro you know that was some pretty good stuff

[@michaelevans3852]

have tried one of these as well. I agree with you in every way. I played it through a house setup and through my Peavey Classic 50/50. The Peavey made it sound better as it does seem digital through the house. The sound man demands some sort of ir, so this may work for some who like the small platform. I am still using a Boss GT-8 as I don't see that much difference in sound quality and the ability to use two different amp sims at once is much better. I also appreciate the ability to switch patches to different amps on the fly. I just found it lacking as I am used to more options in a live situation. I think this might be better for home use. I'm sure it does have it's uses. Thanks for the review.

[@bradfuller84]

I have this pedal and I love it! I feel like most people who had one and sold it never really messed with loading in IR's to it. Bought a laney IR for it and it sounds fantastic!

[@Smart-Alex]

I tried this pedal early on and sold it, then decided to buy it again as I thought I was too harsh to judge and literally sold it again. I'm a huge fan of Boss, but this pedal "is a no from me dawg" :) And, my Gen 3 Boss Katana Artist has literally cured my amp GAS.

[@shayh.3556]

Did you use this through the powered amp input of your Katana?

[@Smart-Alex]

@@shayh.3556 actually I used it through a Fender FR12 designed for pedals like the IR-2

[@jimmyelectric]

Why so? What about it didn't you like? I'm choosing between this, a tonex one, and an ampero mini.

[@Smart-Alex]

@@shayh.3556 no, I used it at the time through a Fender FR12 powered speaker

[@Smart-Alex]

@@jimmyelectric best to try it yourself as this was my experience. Sound and usability were my two main issues.

[@NickGranville]

Thanks Shane. I’ve been considering getting one as a backup. It’s small so can leave it in a gig bag, and runs on battery! Sounds decent too and bullet proof

[@kennethc2466]

Great demo and lovely jam. Kudos.

[@muiravenue7182]

Thank you In the Blues - popped out to score an OLD Ashton 40w BA4012 Bass amp for $50 for learning bass on MY nice SX bass that will do but... He handed me a PEAVEY BANDIT 112 and it goes for nothing (ZERO $) and a couple of practice amps - TEAL STRIPE - MADE IN USA - No Complain Just had a week play - I am liking it -$25 and amp leaves me budget for a RED STRIPE - thank u - thank u - Best blues channel

[@andrewbevan4662]

1990 - this sounds just like a real amp! 2005 - this sounds just like a real amp! 2020 - this sounds just like a real amp! 3287 - this sounds just like a real amp!

[@intheblues]

🤣100%

[@eddieholmes3236]

Great demo Shane. Modellers just can't do Vox's for some reason (as a Vox user). A cranked AC30/15 is a thing of beauty and they never seem to capture it.

[@p0werp0pster]

But can Vox do it on their modeling amps?

[@eddieholmes3236]

Good question!

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

People say the UAFX Ruby does a good job but you can never tell what is just KZbin marketing hype or not.

[@jonsalvador5051]

Worth mentioning that a cranked AC15, in my experiment, is so loud, not a home amp. Loved it in rehearsals but the 24kgs of weight just killed it’s vibe

[@eddieholmes3236]

Fair point

[@toddflowers8052]

Sounds good to me overall mate , I love Boss products ..... Thanks for the demo and review Shane.

[@intheblues]

Thanks mate I hope you guys are doing okay 👌

[@toddflowers8052]

@@intheblues We're doing good thanks just waiting to go back and see what we can salvage, no power in my town yet and gas is hard to find but, thankful to be alive 🙏🏻

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Great demo. I'm going to get this since I play mostly hard rock and 80s kinda metal and that brown sound is great and so is the modded. Even though you didn't mention it, this thing allows you to put delays after the IR in its loop which is where they need to be if you ask me. Plus it can run off of a nine volt battery. What more could you want ? A couple clean boosts in front, a nice double delay, maybe the Eventide micro pitch for that Van Halen or Steve Vai crossroads tones and a reverb and a wah and I'm off to the races. ❤

[@Ari_Calamari]

Great video, Shane. I agree on your point about the stacked pots and the cramped layout. I just catch myself turning the wrong part of the knobs from time to time. 😅 Although I think a big part about this pedal, that you didn’t really touch on, is the impulse response part. The stock celestion impulse responses just aren’t amazing on all the amp models. I had an issue with all the same amps you seemed to not enjoy too. But at least for the Soldano and the Rectifier, once I replaced the impulses with the York Audio Mesa 212 pack, they came alive instantly. As for the vox, I usually only use the ac30 for chimey cleanish sounds, so this emulation of that isn’t really for me. I know you might think “well, I shouldn’t have to change the IRs out of the box”. And normally I’d agree, but since this has IR in its name I think it’s a major feature for this specific pedal.

[@brandnewyou5254]

That Lefty Paul is sweet man you best hold on to that one

[@ichibandude]

I wish it had Matchless modeling from Boss GT-1000. Other than that I love its versatility.

[@AutismRocksOfficial]

Deal breaker for me is that there isn't any bass amps built in. Too many other options that work with both guitar and bass. Jazz Hands!

[@shanewalton8888]

Loved the Roland preset. My local studio has a Roland which I occasionally jam through.

[@michaelhughes7267]

I own one and love it. Workd perfect as a preamp in the front of my pedal board. Use it to get "dumble" like voicing out of my deluxe as well.

[@megatedassaultituary6783]

pretty cool. BOSS in a box

[@peterjessop1878]

I have one purely as back up for my main digital rig, but would work also in that vain with a real amp. I agree with you on the Soldano and rectifier tones. A different IR may help I guess but I have found that only Fractal model Soldano and rectifiers particularly well. I use the Brit for crunch and backing off the volume control gives a nice mid rich clean tone. The second channel I have set up with quite a lot of gain on the crunch setting which sounds and feels awesome compared to most modellers I have used. Overall for me it’s a keeper.

[@deanoguitarguy2171]

I tried one of these. Basically an overdrive with an eq section, and presets.

[@davidknipe3536]

Except it’s not, you can’t plug an overdrive pedal into an interface or PA and get amp and cab simulations. This is designed to be used in place of an amplifier

[@deanoguitarguy2171]

I realise what its supposed to be, but I can plug into a Hi Z input on a pa and a Boss eq pedal will shape the ‘tone’. Try it.

[@stephenkennedy7347]

I use the Strymon Iridium to record and getting the Strymon Flint for matching reverb and tremolo is a big spend. That being said the 3 amp styles they offer sound very realistic and respond to playing the same as an amp - no fizzy failures and you can see and manipulate the controls easily.

[@philwren1749]

The boogie sound was dire but some of the cleans ok - not for me though- thanks Shane great review as always

[@andywatt5733]

I'm only playing through a 10w vox pathfinder practice amp, is this worth buying ?

[@buzzcrumhunger7114]

All things considered, I’m dropping Boss for amp models and gunning for a Tonex instead.

[@juanjan__]

9:34 amazing to see you enjoy yourself that much hahaha! 🤘🤘 And you can have the "larger" version you talk about at the end with the IR-200 with its bigger enclosure 🙂

[@davidknipe3536]

I made this comment too. Should have scrolled down first 🤣

[@flipjack]

Would you say this was like a Katana preamp in a pedal? I'm just looking for a decent clean amp tone for starters. I was using a Katana mini amp as a preamp for my one man band set up (need compact and easy and direct) The boss mini is actually gives me amazing tone as a simple preamp, but is messy to set up as it only has a mine 8th inch output. I have a Katana 100 and love it. I am trying to find a pedal that sounds as good as the Katana mini to use as a direct preamp.

[@shayh.3556]

This or something like the Boss ME-90 which is only $100 more with pretty much everything this pedal offers plus much more. I have a ME-90 and run it through the back powered amp input into my Katana MKII 100 and use the preamps on the unit... Sounds great!

[@flipjack]

@ yeah. I was looking for a small box to minimize space. I actually tried the Boss pedal and a Line 6 pedal. I went back to the Katana mini amp. It sounds natural and doesn’t obliterate the sound of my guitar pickups which have a lot of character. That was the problem with the modeler pedals, they erase any character of your guitar pickups. The difference between the Katana mini amp and the modelers is like night and day.

[@shayh.3556]

@@flipjack Hmmmm, interesting. Well the ME-90 in my opinion is a great pedal and doesn't eliminate any tone for me and would probably be even more awesome through a better powered cabinet but just through a Katana it sounds fine. Not sure if you tried the Boss IR-2 or the ME-90 though. Remember speakers matter a lot when it comes to electric guitar sound.

[@canaan_perry]

I don't know about how it feels to play but it all sounds pretty good.

[@Jebus000001]

Have you tried the line 6 pod express? Curious what you’d think of that as well

[@MrTech337]

Does this replace your amp, what happens when you step on the pedal?

[@iann8733]

Says on the front of the pedal. When you tap the switch it changes the channel of the amp emulation. If you hold the footswitch it bypasses the pedal completely which would be good if you were switching to acoustic

[@southernpanda33]

I prefer the Line6 Pod Express. I’ve had it for about 4 months and I love it. Now that there’s an editor for it, I don’t feel I need another amp sim pedal.

[@Smart-Alex]

Yeah it’s much better than this pedal. A little finicky with the knobs I thought though.

[@Houston123ABC]

I do love my Pod Express too -- I would like to see a video that checks how good the modeled effects are on the Pod Express. Like how good is their Tube Screamer model? I have bad ears for tone - so I need someone to tell me :)

[@fruscianteisgod1985]

You should try the IR-200 if you want more control over the sound.

[@bartvschuylenburg]

It sounds like a typical boss product. They allways seem to like those 80’s fizzynes. While most people nowadays want fuller mids.

[@DMSProduktions]

I've heard WORSE! Good demo Shane! \m/

[@ondooga]

Tokai Love Rock.

[@ondooga]

I meant to reply this to the person saying about not being told what guitar is being used😆

[@bradatherton9369]

6:43 I can't help but notice how much Ponyboy looks like Bojack Horseman

[@fistovuzi]

holy crap. hey Shane, i think i just managed to pre-order the new Bonamassa iridescent copper p90 Epi LP. it'll take a while to get the grin off my face, i think, Australia was only allocated 50 of them.

[@robinjgill]

Have you played it into a PA? Any background hum and noise?

[@intheblues]

I used this into my audio interface and it’s quiet. I didn’t notice any issues.

[@socratesla6720]

is your hoodie in your store? .. i love to get one!!

[@asmol82]

I liked a couple of presets. I won't say which ones now, because I don't remember. But so - plastic is plastic, judging by the sound. ) So it goes!

[@73prd]

How do u actually use this pedal? Pedals into it then into mixer desk or ???

[@rselp]

It has the flexibility of being able to run overdrives into in and delay/reverb in a mono/stereo effects loop. The signal then runs through the I.R. of your choice straight into your DAW/mixer.

[@satrah101]

​@@rselp how does it sound with just headphones, Will that work. Mainly just play scales.

[@slowdawnphmusic]

@@satrah101with headphones it sounds great specially if your running stereo. I run my el capistan & polara in the fx loop through stereo. Superego in front of the IR-2 and the result is heaven 😊

[@SisGuitarGAS]

Sounds good Shane (well, some of it sounds good! Not so much the vox,Soldano. Mesa!). Marshall, Brown, Tweed sounded good. I wonder how different it is from the preamp section of a boss katana?

[@7171jay]

Almost 30 years into digital guitar modeling and still the cleans are nice but the distorted sounds aren't quite there. If you are picky I guess you have to either pony up for the really high end digital stuff or stick with tubes.

[@archer__4044]

What do you recommend? Helix, Kemper, Quad Cortex? Maybe valve pedals like friedman ir x?

[@7171jay]

​@@archer__4044 I have three tube amps that I have owned since the mid 1990s. They get the sounds that I like. I don't really feel the need but I was going to drop a bunch of cash on something new to plug a guitar into, it would be another tube amp.

[@davidtait7407]

I see you changed your pickups back to the lace sensors. I’m a lefty with the same original 50s strat, must have had ten sets of pickups in it. Went back to the original pure vintage 59s 👍

[@ondooga]

Possibly filmed before the swap.

[@intheblues]

This video was filmed before the swap but I’ll no doubt be swapping them back soon. 😎

[@ondooga]

@@intheblues Interesting! Will you be covering that with a vid?

[@TheWannabeBusker-z9c]

interesting pedal

[@Ken-rh8uv]

So you have to buy 10 expensive pedals to make it sound good?

[@mywaveinwoodswoodperfumes]

Bought it few days ago, it worked for two days then, all of a sudden all I can hear is a low volume clean sound on all amps. Returned it immediately. I think it needs a huge revision for the size they offered. I,m sticking to my boss katana 50 mkii ex. I love it.

[@gabrielsposito863]

You might have turned off the amps or the cabs. Check the app to switch either back on. There’s also a procedure to do this without the app described on the manual.

[@fgoulding]

I heard that you need to swap out the boss supplied IR's for better quality ones and then it shines....

[@AAr0nM]

They are Celestion IR's, so pretty good IMO.

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

You didn’t tell us ahead of time what Guitar you’re using, and I can’t see the headstock because of the paddle

[@toddflowers8052]

Tokai Love Rock I'm pretty sure 👍🏻

[@TheSoundofForgetting]

Headstock shouldn’t matter as seeing the guitar is enough to tell you not a name

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

@@TheSoundofForgetting he has so many guitars. I never know what he’s playing. He’s as bad as I am. I got like 22.

[@fistovuzi]

it's a Tokai, probably one of the best "cheap" (cheaper than Gibson, anyway) LP copies. if it looks like a Les Paul, and it sounds like a Les Paul, and it plays like a Les Paul........ it's a Les Paul.

[@LewWelchThePoet]

🤘👍🏿

[@joshuaramirez]

Wasn't there an amp company called "Diamond"???

[@shayh.3556]

Possibly but Boss's "Diamond" is based on the VOX ac30 per manual.

[@kunkmiceter]

Diamond pedals

[@brandnewyou5254]

You're the first person that demos the thing correctly you've got the mic cut off real quick when you're playing and then cut get back on to speak I'm curious what you're listening to it through listening to it through

[@bryanbicknellduo4636]

Hi there, thanks for a great vid. I’m wondering if the level knob can be used like a master volume, allowing more or less headroom in a live PA mix? Thanks.

[@benallmark9671]

Use this pedal with any fender amp and I doubt you’ll have many complaints.

[@peterjessop1878]

Only into the effects loop return otherwise it will sound rubbish

[@davidknipe3536]

If you want everything laid out instead of compact, buy the IR-200 🤷‍♂️

[@itztik]

There's no point in hearing all of this with all that reverb

[@intheblues]

Poor bubba

[@p0werp0pster]

Has some usable sounds but man that Vox sounds horrible.

[@chopperdeath]

For the money you can't even come close.

[@papercameras]

Hard pass. Sounds like a Line 6

[@neilbeauchamp1924]

Too many digital artefacts on this for me. I just reminds me why digital pedals just can't cut it against a valve amp. These things are just a novelty.

[@Smart-Alex]

@@neilbeauchamp1924 different strokes man. I’ve owned plenty of tube amps and some digital amps sound great and just as good as “the real thing”. And the world is digital… do you still want to use a rotary phone?