Walrus Audio ACS1 vs. Strymon Iridium vs. Tube Amps and miked Cabs - Audio Comparison (no talking)

[@GuitarBonedo]

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[@NOIZ-]

0:00 1:47 Fender 0:35 2:19 Iridium 1:10 2:51 ACS1 3:23 5:17 Vox 4:00 5:57 Iridium 4:38 6:36 ACS1 7:17 9:31 Marshall 8:01 10:05 Iridium 8:45 10:41 ACS1 Vote up if useful. Thumbs up for OP for excellent demo!

[@seitsen]

Regardless of the Room control setting and based on KZbin comparisons, i feel the biggest difference between the two is that Iridium sounds "in your face" and ACS1 lets you "breathe" a bit more. Which do you like more, a matter of preference, i guess. I know i prefer the ACS1 in that sense.

[@_sirreginald]

Great comparison! It was nice to hear them all done up with similar tones to each other! So many of the shootouts for these have them set to the same knob position as each other rather than actually taking the time to properly dial in tones. This is much more helpful. Thanks!

[@ragnadrabinowitz7629]

they all sound great as long as the musician is inspired by the sound it doesn’t matter what you use. the audience and even most musicians would not know the difference in a mix.

[@dfifty2]

Exactly, it depends how to use it

[@soljaime]

True. Gear is for the musicians. Audiences couldn't care less.

[@brooklynboy1000]

When something sounds bad everyone feels it. Too easy today with all the cheap tech.

[@zachshipstead5247]

Thank you for playing multiple styles and not just the blues.

[@Okla_Soft]

Amen, I’m so tired of Pentstonic scales and the blues on Guitar YT

[@shorerocks]

Let me just take a second and say THANK YOU. What wonderful comparisons, where I am forced to listen and make up my own impression on what I think sounds good to me.

[@DSeN7]

For the Fender comparison I liked: 1. The real amp (surprisingly) 2. The ACS1 3. The Iridium. For the Vox comparison: 1. The real amp. 2. The Iridium. 3. The ACS1. For the Marshalls: 1. The real amp. 2. The ACS1. 3. The Iridium.

[@palodine1]

Strymon was good but always sounded like it had a blanket over the tone, not quite open enough. Maybe the settings or internal compression? Super impressed with Walrus ACS1. Really open. Maybe a little bright for my taste at times (settings?), but more realistic sounding to my ears. Would like to compare to the Milkman.

[@Mathcartney]

i suspect that they did this on purpose to make the amp sound better?

[@khktgnk57]

Exactly my thoughts. In every video i've seen the iridium always sounded a bit muffled, at least when played clean

[@DaveBloomDrumsOnline]

I have played the iridium, AC S one, and the simplifier all side-by-side both by themselves and with a full paddleboard, while running into a good set of headphones. Before dialing anything the iridium definitely sounds a little bit more muffled. The ACS1 sounded the best in person to my ears.

[@palodine1]

@@DaveBloomDrumsOnline thanks for the firsthand experience. I'm still eyeing the Walrus but taking my sweet time on deciding,

[@DaveBloomDrumsOnline]

@@palodine1 Any good shop that sells one should have all three that I tried and now hopefully the IR 200 would be available in the same shop as well. This way you can compare all four and make the best decision. I am still considering checking out the IR200 because it has more cabs and an FX loop. It also splits like the ACS1 does.

[@TalleyWacker1000]

Wow, fantastic representation of all the gear. The amps sound the best. I've had the Iridium and ASC1 and I prefer the Iridium by a small margin. I also load 3rd party cabinets into the Iridium as well (York Audio).

[@razonian]

That’s the key right there. I run the chime amp and load a York matchless into the L and a York bassman into the R on the iridium.

[@mikem.1203]

@@razonian Do you use single mics or mixes on each side? How do you balance them to avoid one side being brighter than the other and sticking out?

[@TheJamison76]

They all sounded great but the ACS1 sounded mix and band ready. ACS1 seems like the better option if you don't have a long sound check.

[@deaneaxboy]

Excellent demo, lots of work to produce this. Well done

[@trevorwyatt3294]

I have both pedals and they are both excellent. Currently it is hard to beat the spatial imaging that two amps and cabs creates (ACS1) so the Iridium is currently off my board. The Walrus also feels more like a real amp (analog). I love both. The Iridium is like driving a Tesla, and the ACS1 is like driving a Mustang.

[@eeeejcicjn]

Are they useful with headphones?

[@ArtyShat]

@@eeeejcicjn They are best in headphones and silent guitar recording

[@clintwhite3021]

So the Iridium is like Kemper profile and the ACS1 is more like an actual tube amp feel?

[@trevorwyatt3294]

@@clintwhite3021 they both have the tube amp feel. The Iridium is a bit more pristine while the ACS1 feels more analog to me

[@clintwhite3021]

@@trevorwyatt3294 Thanks for the reply. Sounded like the other way around on KZbin but have heard the walrus has a but more touch sensitivity.

[@thepatzer]

The real AC15 has such a great tone and was the star of the show. Blind test would have been interesting. I'm not sure my eyes aren't influencing my ears. Both pedals did a good job on the Marshall tones IMO.

[@DaveBloomDrumsOnline]

Every time I read comments with Strymon involved I can see their hardcore fan base. I was shocked because in all but one of these demos the ACS1 always sounded closer to the amp. I have played the Iridium, ACS1, Sinplifier, and soon will do the IR200 with them, all side by side at The Guitar Sanctuary. The ACS1 definitely won it out in authentic sound where the Iridium sounded a bit more polished like their pedals. I want my amps sounding more analog, not HiFi. When you use a good pair of headphones you really hear the authenticity of the ACS1 when plugged into its headphone Jack. The headphone amp for the Iridium is also not as good as what Walrus used. The Simplifier has a really nice headphone amp and is completely analog with an FX loop for anyone looking to go that route. But, in this the ACS1 definitely won me over.

[@jaribu2758]

You are correct. I tried to favor the Iridium because I already bought one. I can only lie to myself for so long. The only problem I have with the ACS1 is that it didn't come out first. It's like thinking your date is beautiful until you see her sisters.

[@derekneu6524]

I married the hot sister. Got the acs1

[@davidpechene5833]

@@derekneu6524 🤣

[@rayzorback88]

Strymon fan boy here - but yeah, you're right, the ACS1 sounds more like a real amp. It has more of that "messy around the edges feel" that tube amps give you. There something a little too on the nose or polished about the Strymon, especially when driven with pedals (which is essential for my rig). Not to say that it's bad. Lot's of player love the Iridium and with good reason.- it's an awesome piece of kit.

[@bungopony]

Might have just been the settings, but the ACS1 cut through better and sounded great in the mix. At this point, no one could tell which is which in a studio or live setting. I know I'm in the minority, but I'm glad tube amps are being phased out and that modelers have caught up or surpassed them. It sucks you have to dime a tube amp to get the flavor. Modelers will save peoples hearing as they age and less road crew needed/ backs broken to cart the beasts around. Also tube amps are a pain in the ass to keep up with. I wish they had these modelers and multi-effect pedals 20 years ago. They allow you to play more styles of music and be more creative at any volume.

[@christianlacheze3323]

Modelers are very practical but real amps sound better

[@nuun0010]

@@christianlacheze3323 Not really. In the room a live tube amp might definitely feel better (physical vibration from the cabinet), and especially for the guitar player (instant response), but sound quality wise there is no discernible difference. Its all in the head. There is definitely eq difference in different cabinet models and IRs, but a recording from a real cab recieving signal from a real amp is not necessarily better sounding.

[@jarredbaca8112]

@@nuun0010 There's definitely a discernible difference in most cases, and as a mixing engineer to me it's very clear. Some people just don't care or have less keen ears. However, you can usually mix DI signals or modeled signals well enough to where they sound similar, but they are hardly ever the exact same. For me, Kemper's come the closest, but the speakers, cabs and mics all have such a unique character that you just can't truly replicate the EXACT same even with EQ. In a mix the difference is more difficult to spot, but real tube amps almost always sound better, especially if you want the most pristine quality tone. It's just a matter of if the extra price and space is worth it to you as a player/artist. The difference is narrowing nowadays but is still totally there. Definitely not just in anyone's head lol. I agree with 100% @ChristianLachèze.

[@nuun0010]

@@jarredbaca8112 Yea, there is obviously differences, big even, between different amps and cabs, but quality wise, it doesnt matter if you use an emulation (digital or analog), of such. In a mix you are never gonna be able to tell if it was a real tube amp or an emulation.

[@FrederickGlazier]

Thank you so much, great comparisons! I preferred the ACS1 in all of the individual comparisons with the Iridium and real amps battling it out for 2nd and 3rd.

[@StavK]

Thank you for your videos as they are always to the point and well executed. I think you can't beat the miked amp tone, but they both sound great, just different flavors. To my ears the Iridium is what I like best.

[@Grant_Ferstat]

I would love to see the Simplifier included in this.

[@felipegomabrockmann2740]

my congrats to the musician here, very good quality of composition and sound. The Iridium sounds like the amps in this video

[@neilslade]

The Iridium is VERY VERT VERRRRRRRY close. The ACS1 is immediately heard as trebly-er and more highs. Nice that the ACS1 has two ins (stereo) where the Iridium needs a damn TRS for stereo in.

[@BobJones-bh9qz]

Wouldn’t you be using stereo effects (reverb/delay) after these pedals?

[@kikemarino6806]

@@BobJones-bh9qz I run stereo effects before my amps.

[@Felipe_Silvva]

Marshall 7:32 Iridium 8:16 Acs1 9:00 Marshall +ts808 9:31 / 9:45 Iridium + ts808 10:06 / 10:20 Acs1 +ta808 10:41 / 10:55

[@JustAGuitarPlayer]

I plugged my mexican Fender tele (with maple neck and Dimarzio Area 615 pickup in the bridge, Area T in the neck) into the Iridium and I set the knobs exactly as I saw them on your screen but I'm not getting the amazing tones you're getting here. I'm getting some decent sounds but I'd love to hear more about your guitars and whatever additional pedals you may have used. Can you tell me what pickups you have in your tele and what model tele it is and if you used any pedals and if so which ones in the making of this video? And are you using the stock IR's in this video or some third party IR's. You're getting some amazing sounds and I'd love to achieve the same results. Thanks for any info on my questions.

[@Rohadjakmeg1]

From 7:16 ... I listened to it for a million times, love it!

[@BadCat1990]

Great comparison. I preferred the amp on all the clips. Iridium sounded closer to the amp on all the comparisons except the fender one I thought.

[@davidgcrawford6695]

This is an extremely pro video. Well done Sir. I returned the Walrus to get the Strymon. The Walrus had not enough drive.

[@kevon217]

Loved this video. No bullshit, just sound. Using the same source audio and multiple styles is the best way to compare. Thanks!

[@DavidVOLTA]

Iridium does great in replicating the sound of real amp. Most of the time I can tell no difference. ACS1 may sound less like real amp, but the overall sound has more character and is more interesting to my ears. I really like the "hard clipping" character of ACS1 and its stereo :)

[@krubosh]

iridium is also stereo...

[@DavidVOLTA]

@@krubosh yeah but you must use TRS cable which is not very practical and there is no separation of the channels such as on ACS 1. Iridium only handles stereo effects.

[@krubosh]

@@DavidVOLTA The TRS is not that big of an inconvenience (though they can be pricey) and if you load 2 different IRs to the L and R channels you have stereo separation. I agree the ACS1 is simpler to run in stereo but the iridium is not much more difficult. The stereo sum on the iridium is what sells it for me (and the sound of course). Edit: Hosa has a dual TS to TRS cable that you can get for like $9 so nevermind them being that expensive. I was referencing Goodwood Audios cables which can be about $30

[@pythonflying]

@@krubosh How does the Iridium sound with higher gain pedals, such as a Smallbox?

[@krubosh]

@@pythonflying I think it sounds great. It does a good job modelling the amps it features. I frequently use a ProCo Rat through it and it handles it just as good as any of my real tube amps

[@DaviUba]

Amazing demo! I ever remember the Sansamps when i look to this kind of gear....problably sound great to with a good impulse response

[@musicplaylists59]

they all sound good and pretty close in tone but there's something about the tube amps that sounds more 3 dimensional and less flat.

[@kdb_2024]

It’s amazing how great those sound in comparison.

[@khktgnk57]

I think if you like a (relatively) clean sound and maybe get your gain from pedals the ACS1 is the way to go. If you want more versatility and higher gain go with the Iridium. Afaik they are modelled after different Marshalls (ACS1 - Bluesbreaker and Iridium - Plexi) so that explains the difference in gain

[@GrzesiuMusic]

Welp, still saving for an Iridium.

[@SergeiVlassov]

Ah, thank you that you continued without this ultra-heavy reverb that you used in the beginning ) It was a demo of reverb, because everything was drawn in it - too dark, too muddy, too much ) With such reverb it would be hard to distinguish the Zoom 505 from the tube amp ) But after that - great tones and playing!

[@SergeiVlassov]

Surprisingly - I am a bit disappointed in Strymon and positively surprised about Walrus Audio ACS1! Strymon was a bit muddy in all examples, while Walrus sounded more mix-friendly, more transparent, more realistic. Was not expecting, considering, that Stymon has much better rating on Thomann.de

[@duncancartledge1667]

Great demo but it did keep within the range of the ASC1, the Iridium has far more gain available on each model, can range form deluxe to tweed, treble boost on the vox and a boosted Marshall tone as well ( also the ASC1 has a JTM45 model ). Still, I wouldn’t say no to an ASC1 to go with my Iridium. 👍

[@DaveBloomDrumsOnline]

The ACS1 has an update and it’s firmware now so you can get a lot more gain.

[@psneville]

Over a YT vid it's probably less noticeable regardless, but generally the differences seem to be more in the cab IRs, so a comparison with the exact same IRs might be more helpful. The York Audio Deluxe Reverb IRs (no affiliation, just an example) are widely considered excellent and inexpensive, so that IR loaded into both deluxe amp sims might be a truer comp, even though the Iridium supports higher fidelity IRs it would still avoid comparing default replaceable ir choices.

[@tangierdynamo]

Great demo, and a brilliant comparison across a good range of styles. For me the Iridium edges over the ASC1, just has a better 'depth' I prefer.

[@androwerks6665]

great work!! What an opus.... THANKS for this comparison that did not give any clear winner for me tbh.... maybe the iridium by a noselength

[@sebastianhusche298]

Nice demo, Bonedo. I like the inclusion of the real amps. To me both pedals sound pretty good. But the real amps sounded superior, fatter, warmer, richer, organic. While on the Vox it was very obvious, both pedals distortion sounded like a chainsaw compared to the amp, on the Marshall the Iridium got really close. On the Fender both pedals lack a bit of the deep warm low end of the Fender and also a bit of the high end clarity.

[@McCambira]

Hi! In your opinion, which of the two pedals sounds better and more realistic compared to a real amp, the ACS1 or the IRIDIUM? Thanks!

[@Tylerjamesalford]

Bruh forget about the pedals the AC15 w/ mic tone with the tele is NASTY GOOD

[@loveisrealdudes]

This is unbelievable good. Well done!!

[@richnewman]

Honestly, all of them sound equally great. I didn't hear anything here that couldn't be tweaked to personal preference in post. As a clean, pedal platform player (Fender Twin) I'd feel as comfortable recording with either of these pedals as my amp setup. Great demo! The only downside I can see for the Walrus Audio is that the output is 24-bit/48kHz vs. the 24-bit/96kHz on the Iridium.

[@brooklynboy1000]

What about the Dream 65 and the new TC pre pedal ?

[@eeeejcicjn]

Hi! What about headphone performances?

[@yanghan1094]

ACS1 has more unpolished raw amp feeling, which is nicer!

[@Garflips]

Looked like the ACS1 needed the treble dimed for the last two comparsons to match - odd considering the comments regarding the Iridium sounding more muffled. Regardless, they both sounded great. Now add an epilogue including the Two Notes Revolt.😄

[@yuri-guitarist]

From mixing perspective, Iridium seems more “mix-ready”, Walrus clashes with the bass somehow and would need some eq for mixing, just a personal feeling. On its own walrus wins

[@bach612]

Exccellent comparison. Although the Iridium has great driven sounds, the Vox does not sound like my Vox AC15, the Marshall is great, but as a pedal platform the ACS is great.

[@robby188]

Great video ,high quality very good comparison. Thank you very much

[@dfifty2]

Very helpful comparison, thanks !!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I want to go-direct-to P.A. and get a 65 Blackface Fender Princeton Reverb "Clean Sound" - (tired of lugging my amp) - looking at Walrus ACS1, Strymon Iridium, Two Notes, Quilter, DSM Humboldt Electronics Simplifier ??? - any input is greatly appreciated.

[@CatchMeOutside361]

This demo is legit! Thank you!

[@danielnuzum8117]

My biggest thing is stereo and the walrus has stereo in and out so it wins for me, also automatically having a dual amp setup is way too cool

[@khktgnk57]

You can load different IR's on left and right on the Iridium. Obviously its not like 2 different amps but it gets you in the same direction and can fill out the sound quite a lot

[@brandonlesko3126]

How about a comparison with the Tech 21 SansAmp thrown in just to see how well that one holds its own?

[@windowsoflife]

I love the sound of all three. I dare say in a live situation, with mixer appropriately dialed, you couldn’t pick up the nuances,

[@larryb3946]

Excellent demo! Thanks!

[@mickymalibu]

The debate between Modellers and tube amps continues, personally I like both for different reasons but here’s a question/point. We will soon if we have not already gotten to the point where a lot of younger players have never played through a Marshall or any real tube for that matter and at that point what really is better. It’s really just a matter of opinion.

[@1MrJack1]

They all sounded good tbh.

[@stanleyjungleib650]

I like the ACS. But on headphones here I'm a little afraid of fatigue.

[@dandisatya3727]

can walrus controller by midi? because i want my hx stomp to control that, size is perfectly to my board

[@chris5222]

Great work, they all sound v good, but to me the Iridium is a more faithful reproduction of the real amps

[@joshyang59]

Thank you for the great demo! but you didn't turn on the booster for the ACS1. Blinking means turning on booster! cheears!

[@joelbasoalto8251]

mmmm para mi es mejor el iridium por el comportamiento que tiene y la calidad de muestreo que tiene, que se nota. El acs1 tiene calidad de muestreo más baja en su procesador, por eso los agudos que tiene son más punsantes y digitales que los del iridoum que son más suaves y " análogos " ,sigue siendo digital pero se persive menos mucho menos que en el acs1. El iridium sufre un poco de la restricción de los bit del procesador si tuviera más bit se sentiría más dinámico por ende cortaría más y los agudos en limpio se sentirían con más aire. el acs1 suena, pero sufre del muestreo de su procesador que uno se da cuenta más fácil mente que es una simulación digital, uno se da cuenta igualmete con el iridoum pero cuesta arto más, los 2 son usable. mi ganador el iridium. prueben el simplifier para ver como se comporta, el sonido de este canal y sus vídeos son buenísimos

[@DarrenLeBlancx]

really fantastic job on this. thanks.

[@AlexandreSoma]

EXCELENTE review!

[@markerf16]

Can you run this direct to power cab. Like maybe Line 6 1 x12 one?

[@jackloganbill605]

Wow the vox sounded Great!!!!!

[@dscataglini]

Never heard of the walrus ACS1 and very impressed by it. I wonder if better settings could have made it sound a little less brittle. I think both ACS1 and Iridium could use a presence knob. Overall ACS1 (all of them really) produced very usable tones. The question really is this: how much money are a marshall head/AC30/Fender and how much lighter on your back, and wallet, is to just bring a pedal and be 95% there ;) Having said so, I feel the ACS1 and Iridium are too expensive still. If they were $150-$199 I could argue the purchase. Not at $399. There are much better buys at that range

[@malczyk9317]

What would be better for this price?

[@dscataglini]

​@@malczyk9317 In this price range you're competing with a lot of good stuff. Many budget modelers, ampero 1 or mp100, NUX MG 30, mooer ge 250, headrush mx 5, zoom g6, etc. or if you like do it just the preamp stuff in more pedal form you also have the mooer preamp live, or the micro preamps units. It all depends on many factors: if you're going direct or in front of an amp. Do you want it to play with your existing pedals so a unit with an fx loop would work better. You don't like the idea of a modeler, etc

[@stevieknighten]

Great demo! Why is it set to unlisted?

[@andykligman]

thank you!!!! great video

[@mattgilbert7347]

The real Vox amp sounded amazing. The others, pretty close. I prefer the ACS1

[@nicolasdelcastillo6497]

Fender: ACS wins Vox: Iridium wins Marshall: Tie, to be honest (happy to own both an AC15 and Iridium)

[@robertbriquet]

The iridium and acs1 emulate differently but both have fantastic sounds.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Whilst they are both OK they is something missing that apparently is incredibly hard to replicate?

[@Nemesi]

Great video, thank you!!

[@Pier_91]

Ok IRIDIUM is life.

[@TheKeithbruce]

thanks for the video

[@armandoribeiro918]

ACS...the hype of the moment....

[@fabiomelo4930]

Please! Strymon iridium vs vox valvenergy

[@johowohoj]

I can’t hear a difference but my ears are old and road worn…so my iridium won’t get replaced…

[@florisvanlingen]

Just slap either the ACS1 or Iridium on your pedal board and you won't have to carry a back-up amp.

[@Peter7966]

With the limitations of my headphones and speakers... I'd say... they all sounded great. Hard to tell the difference. Most untrained ears couldn't. My guess is most trained ears couldn't either, unless they were intensely focusing in on the guitar sound in an un-natural way. I wonder what an anti-digital tube guy like Neil Young would hear... and say? Could he be fooled?

[@PaxHominibusBonaeVoluntatis]

ACS1 best to me

[@fabiomelo4930]

Please compare the Strymon Iridium vs Vox Valvenergy Nutube with IR’s vs real amps.

[@gonebymidnight2881]

With that level of reverb it’s really dufficult to tell

[@skelly8185]

Iridium is better a pinch more dynamic. Just dial a little less mids.

[@bobisadrummer]

Iridium Marshall sounded a bit dull and boxy. ACS1 lacked a little bit of the top the real Marshall had but sounded pretty close.

[@user-bk6lt4rq9d]

Nice bho

[@1234mikeirving]

Iridium is closer to the real amps.

[@hazelelcamino7453]

The real Marshall won the whole thing. Real amps forever.

[@saidinjest]

As long as the tubes are in good shape, it's not too humid, or hot, or cold, or whatever else. I like the reliability of these new pedals. I could see someone just using it as a backup for when the amp acts up.

[@BlackstoneJ]

Now can we have a comparison without the rest of the instruments ?

[@seanm4468]

Iridium won easily

[@stagnatic]

This is excellent, thank you.