BOSS IR-2

[@heavybrett-al4082]

This totally makes sense (in today's digital environment) and Bravo Boss for making it look like the pedals we all know and love.

[@LeonTodd]

Exactly!

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

The Boss compact pedal is a beautiful design, and they're bulletproof. They nailed it with the design, no reason to ever change that, at least in my opinion.

[@erhanmann]

Hi... Wich IR Do you use..?? Greatings from Germany

[@charlesrocks]

OMFG!!!! This is everything I’ve ever wanted from Boss. WE ARE LIVING IN THE GOLDEN AGE OF GUITARDOM. 16 year old me would be floored by this tech.

[@toach7141]

It’s just another dirt box with a fancy gimmick, “yeah it’s, uh IR! That’s it! Yeah the kids love that lingo, slap IR2 on a distortion pedal and call it a day

[@MsSpicynipples]

​@@toach7141do you even know what an ir is?

[@mitchpower5868]

​@@MsSpicynipplesI'd say no lol

[@drcockles]

Exactly, and top Tier Celestine IRS so no need to menu dive and tweak with a laptop to get good tones

[@sharkeynoyz]

My 39 year old ass is equally floored by this. It's really a golden era!

[@TheRodge2112]

This looks absolutely killer. As someone who dabbles in modeling, but doesn't want to menu dive, this seems like a perfect solution. Compared to the Iridium, which is what I have, this seems to offer way more amp models and a loop, not to mention having better reverb. All of this for half the price of the Iridium. Boss is killing it.

[@themamat]

And i dont have to bring laptop to every gig anymore! haha

[@drcockles]

Exactly how I feel, I have a few but with all the options and menus I lose the will, I just don’t have time. A pedal with a few knobs and instantly good tones is a win!

[@tarkgundogdu8940]

I have just bought a mooer preamp x2 and cab x2 pedals. This boss pedal is a 2 in 1 even though you cannot load amp models.

[@rasmuspedersen3563]

Menus today are so easy lol...

[@vestebansbloodbox3130]

I got one of these this last year. This was it for me and I don't need a live amp anymore, even for recording. I actually bought a second one for Bass because, to my surprise, Bass sounds incredible through it. I did swap out the IR's for the free ones from Science Amplification (which was a significant improvement), and loading bass cabs for Bass makes a big difference too. The Science Amp IR's made all 4 of the clean channels on the IR-2 infinitely better and unbelievably clean. Boss did everything right on this, all the way down to the stereo effects loop and allowing for the ability to load custom IR's. This is one of my favorite pedals of all time.

[@yunamadsimackomen881]

Oh wow. For a PEDAL to emulate different amplifiers and to come packed with such excellent-sounding IRs is unbelievable. This is a much cheaper alternative to a lot of expensive floor modelers on the market, and it can actually compete with them in sound! Just wow. I am blown away. Not all of the models sound EXACTLY like their respective amps, but for every model, the distortion character sounds very natural, not digital at all. This is extremely useable both on stage and in the studio! Amazing piece of gear.

[@TudorAdrian]

The tones coming out of this unit are surprisingly good

[@TudorAdrian]

@@george_richman I know right? And that's with the built-in IRs - throw in some YA stuff & this thing's gonna kick some major a$$

[@davidcjupp]

I always wonder what post production is done with these KZbinr videos. There is a video of Fluff playing the same guitar, amp and pedal I have (Marshall SV20h) and it sounds VERY mixed on his video compared to mine with the exact same settings.

[@blairmichaelhogan4502]

@@davidcjuppunless specified, chances are there’s no post processing going on besides just the basic gain staging/mic placement etc. But there’s a big difference between how your amp sounds in the room with you versus how it sounds by the time it gets to your DAW (and a lot of variables along the way that can make those differences more or less apparent).

[@davidcjupp]

Thanks for the reply man. Yeah the Fluff video just sounded so much less wooly,@@blairmichaelhogan4502

[@myhapylife]

Stereo return is something that sets this pedal apart from other similar format. Along with headphone out and c battery powered option.

[@esseel7896]

this is going to be their best seller for quite a while.

[@murrayguitarpickups9545]

This thing is a game changer I think. For those of us looking at getting into IRs for the first time

[@sebastian6121]

get mooer, is cheaper and better sound

[@murrayguitarpickups9545]

@@sebastian6121 I have the mooer 014 micro preamp but it only has 1 sound

[@Berk-tm5zx]

its better than mooer so far. @@sebastian6121

[@SBarbati]

Amazing pedal. I am one of those guys who hates spending time with menus and this format is great. We need one for bass now Boss!

[@rasmuspedersen3563]

Menus today are so easy lol...

[@SBarbati]

@@rasmuspedersen3563 yep still I hate it. Give me a knob to turn and I’ll always prefer that over digital menus. That’s my preference and I understand that might not be everyone else’s. That’s why there are options in the market. You do you and I do me 😝.

[@820hurleyj]

Thanks! Best review on any pedal I've seen - and I've probably seen most of them. This IR-2 is one of the most innovative and usable pedals in stomp box history, IMHO. Having this much great sounding functionality at your foot/finger tips could be a game changer for a lot of guitarists if they use it right.

[@LeonTodd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@820hurleyj]

@@LeonTodd your's was probably the 4th review on this pedal I watched and it was the first one that told me what I wanted to know.

[@MusicFed]

@@LeonToddhow’s the headphone sound? Good enough? Thx

[@Mossy5150]

I love that boss takes stuff from really high-end pedals, modelers, and racks and throws it in a stomp box format that legit sounds just as good. Perfect option for a home noodler who wants to sound girthy at home or in practice with regular-person gear.

[@LeonTodd]

Couldn't agree more!

[@Bogeyman19DidNotScareMyAss]

The word legit adds nothing. Overused.

[@Mossy5150]

@@Bogeyman19DidNotScareMyAss that is legit the truth!

[@gdawgs101]

​@@Bogeyman19DidNotScareMyAssYou legit are adding nothing meaningful here and your comment only serves to make you look like a dorky, verly pedantic prick with no friends. Hope that helps!

[@minkorrh]

I'd have to say, as one of those 'apartment guys' I lived with an HD500X for a few years and loved it. Then I picked up a NUX MG300 to build a very small travel rig with some small FRFR monitors. Now it's all I play as the modelling has gotten so much better. You should hear this stupidly cheap thing through some 8" studio monitors. It lacks a little in the FX dept compared to the HD500X, and also I/O, but for a bedroom person it's perfect and needs no other fx pedals/rack/power supply to complement it.

[@ArkAmps]

Leon you might be my fav demo guy now, you really are careful to show detailed examples of a units real capabilities and your playing really suits the tones being featured. Thanks for doing what you do my friend

[@LeonTodd]

Massively appreciate that mate!

[@timlukeschuh]

This is one of the best reviews i have ever watched. Subscribed of course. I think anyone sitting on the fence just got sold when we went full stereo. Im buying mine tomorrow, cheers legend.

[@LeonTodd]

🙌

[@timlukeschuh]

@@LeonTodd went from this to searching for a good stereo reverb and guess who just sold me a damn rv6 to go with this… haha

[@timlukeschuh]

@@LeonTodd hey man. Bought the ir-2, love it. Before i set up a stereo effects loop, could you tell me something. Is that going to work in stereo from just the headphone out of the boss ir-2? I use mainly headphones and will just go mono if not.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Had to watch this again. I loved the set up with the SD1 and the delay pedal. I could easily gig with that and a FRFR speaker and have no problems at all. ❤. Very cool man . ❤

[@patrickkeenan6331]

I love the fact that you really don't need a 96 pound amp to gig. I've been gigging with guitar > big pedalboard > Blackstar AMPED1 > whatever cab I want, with an awesome direct out with great cab modeling.

[@ajayburra6958]

Didn't get your set up. Ir 2 with Ampd 1 for Poweramp? And if we want 2 amp set ups can we get 2 of these?

[@patrickkeenan6331]

@@ajayburra6958 no IR2 (yet). Using a pedalboard with the Blackstar as a head with or without a cab, as the direct out cab models are great.....

[@stedmangg]

I was gifted this pedal yesterday and I'm already in love with it. Going from a Metal Zone to this... sheesh...

[@1WithTheShark]

That rectifier setting is INSANE.

[@Techo1329]

Amazing...didn't see this coming 25 years ago! Great demo, especially the gig-able configuration at the end.

[@AuntAlnico4]

😂 You didn't see any of the future 25 years ago.

[@daniels7624]

So i ordered this thing and put it in front of my clean Blackstar AMPED-2. 20W go into my isolation box and the mic goes into my mixer. Beautiful sound with the rectifier setting :o

[@TDenander]

Another great video buddy!!! I can't help but smile when I think about how SUPER easy it is for kids today to get really great sounds instantly compared to when I was a kid haha

[@ZilnichProductions]

Cheers, a quick question. Will it make that big of a difference to 'match' the ir's with each cab or will the one ir you use work as good? How do you go about it? thanks

[@seangarland]

Great demo. And thanks for showing some sounds with pedals running into the IR2!

[@LeonTodd]

Glad you liked it!

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou Leon. Awesome Sounding Pedal and Playing as always. I just picked up a Behringer TM300 "Tube Amp Modeler" used this week for $20- bargain, so found this Video very Useful. Finding the TM300 amazing, a lot of Fun, and many Great Tones. Would Prefer The Boss of Course, Maybe oneday. All The Best. Cheers

[@coffeedudeguy]

Woah, very very intriguing indeed. BOSS are on a roll lately

[@mimimmimmimim]

Wish they also updated their BR and micro BR lineup with todays technology... Love you BOSS, you definitely speak our language ❤

[@StringsTech-zv8zh]

Seems to be getting great reviews all around. I want to hear it in the mix with a band.

[@user-nu7xx7pc1d]

the price is right and features are great.

[@cemsarioglu5947]

This is a game changer for gigging players. A perfect piece of kit for smaller venues where your tube amp is a nightmare for the sound guy… great review. I am buying one today.

[@TheLochs]

Do you think this would work straight into a PA?

[@cemsarioglu5947]

@@TheLochs Yeah I think so. This is made for playing live without an amp.

[@simonwood721]

Sounds nice, but only as good as the final stage amplifiation. Personally I'm just happy to play into a cheapo valve amp.

[@rickbartocetti847]

LOVE THAT INTRO RIFF FROM HEAVEN ABOVE

[@Manley156]

I do not buy into hype when it comes to gear. I think of it as a tool and something to fill a spot. This seems like a great device for a simple go to setup and genuinely sounds good, would throw one of these in my case for practice

[@theironsheik6322]

I can get something with a boost and noise gate in a similar form factor.

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

Nice! Great demo. This will be a nice christmas present for someone playing guitar. That with a delay will be a nice compact rig. I have the IR-200 as a quick solution for my office guitar. I don't really get along with some of the IRs provided with the unit but with my own IRs and my H9 it's a great little all in one rig and I have a lot of fun.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Man, I might have to make a pedal board amo out of one of these all g with a micro pitch from eventide and a TC electronics ducking delay or something. Had to watch this again. God I love that DGT brother. This is a great review sir.. Thanks. for all the reviews and excellent value you bring to us sir.. Most appreciated my brother. I love how you set it up with the SD1 and the Brig. That would do 99 percent of anything I would need at a gig. ❤ On another note, I'm finally walking although with a noticeable limp, but getting better everyday. ❤ Be well and safe sir.. ❤ Tim...

[@NickGranville]

Seems like the perfect backup amp. Throw It in the gig bag and forget about until you need it (modeller or amp goes down).

[@LeonTodd]

Run it off a battery if needed!

[@bradatherton9369]

​@@LeonTodd160 mA per Boss's webpage, so you'll get about 1.5-2 hours with a typical Alkaline 9v battery. But you can get a USB to 9v adapter and size a USB bank accordingly. Just beware a typical 9v battery will quickly disappoint.

[@rccampbell460]

I am just hearing this thing. This is a really sick pedal from Boss

[@justaguy2365]

Its a stripped down version of the IR200 but with a few more amp options.

[@GreatPlanet-c7o]

This pedal has less latency than ANY of the other more expensive modeling units. Boss once again is setting the standard.

[@marcelobelloni8754]

5:50 that moment when your head starts banging aumatically

[@KaiDown]

Seems like they've packed an awful lot of functionality into that form factor, seriously cool featureset for such a small pedal

[@dougfishback3116]

Fantastic. Thanks for the demo. The only thing holding me back is that I'm looking for an in-depth demo of the Diamond (Vox) sim. What I've heard so far sounds a bit loose, but I'm reserving judgment. Everything else is spectacular.

[@peterharvin2775]

Impressive for that form factor. If for whatever reason you don't want to go the full modeler route, I'd think this is a great alternative.

[@StratsRUs]

It sounds great, in that classic Boss design.A No Brainer buy ! Thanks

[@hotrod4013]

Would love to own one of these. Seems like a great tool to have around the studio ❤🔥

[@jonthehermit8082]

Hmm, love it, I’ve been using the ir200 for a year now and it’s great. I can’t keep buying redundant stuff unfortunately.

[@SpaceJockey805]

This is insane and sounds pretty great. Boss always upping the game.

[@Desert9999]

What a supberb, well thought out demo, excellent playing here, clear explanations, no blah-blah..just subscribed Sir.

[@Gutch220]

this pedal is unbelievable, just being able to save two channel in one small pedal with so many options is great. Plus it has an EQ and reverb. I wonder if the stereo output is the same signal or if each output is 'green' or 'red' channels.

[@LeonTodd]

Stereo is the same signal.

[@livingabovethe12th]

I'm just excited you played Molly Hatchet. 🤘

[@BobbyLaneProductions]

if I was going for a super light footprint for gigging or maybe just to sit in with some friends I could see this as an option for sure.

[@ErikAnders]

Would love to hear 2 of them blended together

[@justaguy2365]

You mean two amps blended? I'd love for them to have dual amps.

[@BobRock420]

This is why BOSS IS BOSS

[@j.alexandermyersen1176]

This sounds good Leon. Look forward to more of your videos.

[@artysanmobile]

Great product and very convincing models. They all, every last one, sound a bit crispy to me, so it may very well be a common speaker IR or your treble setting.

[@jhellert1]

Remember wayyyyy back when (about 2000 or so) when Boss made a double sized pedal called the 'Amp Factory'? Talk about a pedal that was, way, way ahead of its time! The IR-2 should be a huge seller.

[@LeonTodd]

I've been trying to find one of those to round out my Boss twin pedal collection!

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I’ve been collecting and using Boss pedals since 1989 and I’ve a large collection. I lost interest in most of the stuff they produced from 2000 until the Waza came along in the last decade. It saved the company from going down that digital road to ruin as boutique brands were simply better. It killed their coolness in my mind. As much as I love Boss I never liked their digital stuff because it’s not as good as the analog stuff. Amp simulators are a grey area as there’s some great plug-ins on a Mac or PC. I just bought the BP-1w Booster this week and it’s awesome. I sold an RV-5 digital reverb to fund it!!!

[@TheSixfinger1]

Wow! That pedal sounds amazing! No fizz!

[@jaibruce777]

IMO there will be no need for EQ pedal since in has a "sort of" parametric EQ but of course limited in certain frequencies/bands.

[@KateVerrion]

are both the send and return stereo so youd need a spliter from stereo pedal to boss loop

[@mrbaiser4133]

Line6, we want a pedal like this with the Helix amps, cabs and IR's

[@tiptop8218]

I´ve ordered it. I tried it. I was dissapointed. I´ve send it on the same day back. Now I ordere the ToneX...

[@TavaresProject]

You know the price point that this thing is at plus all those tones and everything that it can do it is a complete winner. It sounds really really good

[@davidkastin4240]

How much is it? Do you know?

[@TavaresProject]

​@@davidkastin4240 200us.. That is crazy good

[@hybrydsanity5857]

nice tones ! whats the deal with the Noise gate or suppressor it sounds and looks like it has one but no one brings it up or how it operates.

[@marklawrence8518]

Got my early Christmas present arriving next Wednesday! Great, great demo, Leon, you da man!!

[@Sniper_Cat_71]

Hey Leon, seems like this setup would be a great candidate for a Criss Oliva esque tone. It seems very versatile.

[@leftofzeroofficial]

Criss Oliva RULES.

[@FireballsOdoom]

I already got an iridium, i don't really NEEEEED anymore sims but DAYUM is it tempting 😂

[@ROKZLEON]

Dig those tones with a combo of pedals! Very cool!

[@maxxkarma]

Sounds great but what happens when you use the volume knob?

[@teriakamoto]

I have the IR200 and it’s nice. This however, is amazing and I’m in. I am also going to pair it with that Overdrive. I have 20 different boost pedals and I love the way te Boss brings out the character and harmonics. Also the first time hearing the Brig ! I’m becoming a minimalist and those 3 pedals together sounded beautiful. BOSS just nailed it.

[@semilog643]

You're a minimalist and have 20 different boost pedals. I'd criticize that if I were in any position to criticize that, lol.

[@teriakamoto]

I said i'm becoming a minimalist. Thanks for noticing my wise and observant co-inhabitant. Maybe turn that energy around and inward and get to work. alrighty then. peace-

[@nj1255]

Makes sense for them to release a 2-series version of their amp modeler. Sounds like it can compete with the best ones out there!

[@jasonzdora]

The chugs on a lot of those high gain amps sound totally wrong and weird.

[@frankfrank7921]

Leon I knew you couldn't wait to get off of the pure clean amp.

[@LeonTodd]

🤣 guilty as charged

[@cjballendine]

Playing smaller gigs you dont want to carry around a backup amp so having one of these could really save the day if your main amp goes down.

[@illgottengains1314]

Are these the same AIRD models as the me90? I like it but there are too many options with BOSS now. I have to say tho, it sounds great!

[@x2mars]

I made a wish for this and here it is !

[@pasqualeporpora]

What is that song you always play? @13:25

[@matt926uk1]

All the models sound really great, pretty cool. That prs doesn’t hurt either 😊

[@tomb8430]

Hey Leon, one of the things I like about this is the fact you can use it as a soundcard back to a DAW. Did you get a chance to test this part of the pedal, and is there any latency? I am really curious about this aspect.

[@89ji76]

This seems like a home run to me. Gotta hear that Twn model with less gain first before I know for sure. I guess they put more gain on tap if you want it, but not what I think of for that amp. Interestingly Boss’ first USB-C product afaik.

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah this is a lot more pedalboard friendly than the IR-200. The gain on every model seems to give you a greater range than the real amps they're based on.

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

The ME-90 has USB-C as well.

[@scottnoricsson2023]

exactly, that Plexi sounds way too distorted, too much gain, I know 'cause I have the real thing@@LeonTodd

[@89ji76]

@@TonyHookedonVanlife oh dang you’re right!

[@jasonlee8497]

I have the IR 200. I use just the IR section. My favorite is the Tech 21 Oxford in front. Turn the amp Sim on that pedal off and it's a great preamp. Sounds killer with the Celestion IRs

[@eliasmadias]

Hi. I luv your videis. They are very well done and full of information. I wanted to ask you a question. I noticed that in most of the demos of this pedal that both the A and B output is being used to go to their DAW most likely, even in people not using stereo pedals. My question is, if I plan to go direct to a PA, do both outputs have to be used? Or just use the MONO A output? Does it sound better using both outputs? Also, do you have to change something in the parameters of the pedal when you use both outputs, or just leave it in the default setting? Thanks for the answers I hope to get.

[@gangrenous77]

Killer playing Leon! How does this stack up against the Joyo preamp house?

[@witkac87]

So, only jc120 in a pedal form with loop and IR loader is missing. Boss, i know you can!

[@ArrakisOCE]

Hey Leon, I have a question I can't find an answer to and hope you may know. I am building a pedal shelf within a rack unit with the aim of having MIDI switchable pedals for routing as a DAW FX insert. I want to install the IR-2 in there as nothing more than a compact FX loop with USB audio link (i.e. no guitar input or output - just using the IR-2's loop to route signal into my modulation pedals and back via USB audio only). So I know I can disable the amp and cab sims in the IR-2. My question is whether I can also route audio through the other modulation pedals in the IR-2 FX loop via only USB audio from the DAW (as a bus). Love the channel, thanks!

[@msreula]

Great video as always. I wonder how it behaves with a noise suppressor. I'm afraid some of my distortion pedals add some noise and knowing more about this would be quite interesting. For instance, could the return/send loop be used with the Boss NS-2? Would a noise gate pedal be enough? Thanks!

[@LeonTodd]

I just did a vid with the new BOSS noise suprresor, which itself has a loop. So you could place a pedal in the loop of the IR-2 and place that entire setup in the noise suppressor loop!

[@joshbabbitt9243]

@6:48 was peak Todd-ing! That chug was lulling him in 😂❤

[@LeonTodd]

:D

[@pucipici782]

Great review Leon! Can I use the IR-2 just as a preamp plungging it into an external power amp and a real cabinet or a third party IR loader?

[@LeonTodd]

Yes, you can disable the IR's.

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

Since this is obviously a great christmas stocking filler I wonder if Boss can deliver in time. At Thomann it says for delivery "1-2 weeks".

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

@@NS-tc9kkHahaha, maybe that was a bit extreme of me. Although I’m sure Boss has timed this release very deliberate.

[@skipneumann1]

Amazingly you can find your sound from any gear!

[@AntonioRamos_To]

I loved the reviews as always. Very good and with lots of useful things. I wanted to know between IR-2 and IR-200 which is better? Knowing that it's not a question of money or space on the pedalboard. Just which one is best? Another question is that the IR-2 has 11 amps available and the IR-200 has 8 for guitar (+4 for bass), will the IR-200 be upgraded to the 11 amps of the IR-2? Thanks

[@teriakamoto]

That’s a good question actually.

[@taurushamilton2739]

The form factor, varied IO options, built in effects loop, hi gain tones conceptually make this a very killer unit. Kind of reminds me of the Flamma pre amp with the option of having a clean and dirty amp accessed via the foot switch, which is just effing killer. I dig ur demos👊🏾🤘🏾💣🎸

[@Shredsofeden]

Can you put this pedal in front of a clean fender amp.With the Cab simulators off!

[@LewWelchThePoet]

👍🏿🤘How is the usb used with iOS devices? The manual is too light on to make sense of this and the cables it says you should use to connect a lightening port to a usb-c seemingly can’t be found in the Australian market.

[@serranodavid3247]

How will it sound into an actual amplifier...?

[@Zsigmund]

Thanks for the great demo! I'm going to test drive one of these asap. 👍

[@mcdee1208]

Really liked Diamond and Crunch.

[@SoulScavenger]

Thank you for the video. I’m trying to grasp the concept of using ir with my rig. You mentioned that the signal runs from the guitar into ir pedal then into a computer interface, does this mean that the sound of you playing is coming from the computer speakers? Pardon my ignorance, I’m just trying to find out if I can use an ir while playin and achieve the exact same tone as it sounds on a studio recording that was taken with some particular mic and cab combo?

[@LeonTodd]

I use studio monitors as my speakers. That way I can record the unprocessed output of the IR2

[@yliu4093]

Thanks What do you output to? Power powered monitor ?

[@michaelmarchei8539]

Has boss ever made a crap Pedal ? Feel Like they never get enough love cos they are such a common and staple name and not “boutique” 👊

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

FACT 👍

[@LeonTodd]

They've made some okay stuff but nothing super terrible. They've also made more classics than I can think of!

[@alhemmings8554]

The PH-3 did nothing for me, but other than that...

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

@@alhemmings8554 now that you mention it, I don't care much for it either. Much prefer the sound of the old school script logo MXR, it just needs a level control, not only a speed knob, in my opinion.

[@David-m7l8c]

DD8w with a mode switch to access delay type....?