Strymon Iridium Tips | Punch Channel From Clean To Mean

[@jazzbuckeye]

He does it again. Please accept this award for most underrated guitar channel on YT.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

haha...thank you thank you. Id like firstly to thank my parents for their encouragement into music, and my manager, Sal. My beautiful wife and kids...its past your bed time guys! (music cues)

[@mdmusic2130]

Fantastic guitar video and great performance and explanation!No matter of The Dream 65 or whatever you want to compare it . The Strymon Iridium still amazes me in 2023 . It has his own mojo, versatility and many different killer tones to use live. 🤟🏻🎸🔥

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Right? The Iridium still has it! They really created a great pedal. And thanks for the kind words and for watching!

[@drdre4397]

Yeah, this is quickly becoming one of my favourite guitar related youtubers. Minimal fat on the videos, well shot and edited, also super informative. Also, as an iridium owner, it's nice to see it get some love. Great timing because I just bought 4 York IR's the matchless, the m25, the deluxe reverb, and the bassman. I'm excited to give those a try.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks my man! So many good tones out of the Iridium even after all these years. Obviously we'd all prefer real amps and big speakers but this is a great alternative in the meantime. I love the bassman IR and I think I will do a separate video on that when I get the Woodrow pedal. Cheers!

[@Marlonjc19]

I have one Strymon iridium and man... You're definitely a great source of info to me! Thank you!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Happy to help! More Iridium videos on the way!

[@drcockles]

Amazing, I never considered trying to get great clean tones from the Punch channel, game changer!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

I was shocked!

[@truthfactreality6814]

Selling my quad cortex to rebuy the iridium. It’s so simple and easy to use. No screen or deep diving. Just put it on the pedalboard and go.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Right? Less time fiddling and more time playing. Always good in my book. Enjoy!

[@slideguitarist]

Hey Alex. Nice job on this one. It dropped at the perfect time for a coffee break. Thanks for doing a great deep dive into my personal favorite Iridium amp model! My main amp is a real plexi-style head; and to me Strymon absolutely nailed the feel of playing a cranked up one, including the cleanup with a volume control. I liked how you demonstrated how real plexi amps are not "high gain" on their own. It's a different sort of touch-responsive saturation and compression that's addictive. Also, a dialed-down plate reverb and harmonic tremolo sound great--and retro--into the front end of cranked plexi style amps like the Punch.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Slide thank you again my friend. I had no idea the Punch was this much fun. Strymon really nailed this amp model. I wonder if they will ever do a firmware update? As for amps, I have been pining over the Marshall SV20, but then the new PRS HDRX 20 came out and it's almost half the price. Once it is in stock I might bite that bullet until I can get a proper 1987x. What speakers do you like with your Plexi? I don't have a cab right now and was leaning towards the friedman dirty shirley openback 1x12.

[@slideguitarist]

​@@SuperdangerStudios Hey Alex. I suggest before buying any plexi-style amp, that you try it in person, at full volume, if possible. So much of the mojo of JTM and JMP plexis comes from the feel of the cranked NMV power section. The best way to judge feel is by demoing the actual amp with your guitar(s). Do yourself a favor and try a Y-cable to plug into a 4-hole plexi, like Duane Allman and Eric Johnson. My plexi is also a lower watt (19) model . Mine is a slightly different variant, based on the plexi Bass amp. The lower watt plexis definitely benefit from a cab/speaker that suits your personal taste and style. I think the subject of speakers is a rabbit hole worth diving into! I wish real cabs were as easy to manage as the IRs on Iridium. I love the Creamback 65 (the model in that Friedman cab) with low watt plexis. It gives you that iconic Greenback tone with the extra power handling you need for a 1x12. You cannot go wrong with it. If one were just using a 1x12 cab with that style amp, I would go with one like that Friedman, either an open, semi-open or ported cab design over a closed back, sealed 1x12. Cabinet-wise, I really liked the front-ported Mojotone Canyon 1x12, when I tried it. The guy who built my amp suggested the WGS ET65, and I loved it! I have it mounted in a stiff 1x12 birch ply cab with an semi-open back with oval hole (Dumble style) back panel. I almost always play it alongside a tiny 1x10 closed back cab loaded with a Celestion GB10. That combination of cabs is very lightweight and gives the benefits of both open/closed tone, and greater sound dispersal without getting too loud. Even a 2x12 can get too loud for small stages. To my ear, the ET65 hits the sweet spot between "American" and "British" sound. It sounds great on its own, and adds flexibility to a plexi tone, especially cleans and higher gain. But it has a less prominent midrange than Greenback/Creamback speakers. The low-efficiency 10 inch Greenback fills out the mids perfectly. If your budget permits, you might try an Alnico Cream. They sound heavenly with low watt plexis. I would not go below a 50 watt speaker with a 20 watt plexi. Happy tone hunting!

[@Geetarhed]

No baloney, blab straight to the point, awesome channel

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks, Rob! I try to keep it interesting. Cheers!

[@nedward5871]

Great article and changing the IR to the York Deluxe Reverb 112 did the trick for me - thanks! The other pedal that gets you there in front is a Tonebender/ColorBoost type boost - I have a Tru Fi ColorDriver, and it pushes it but cleans it up. Barber Direct Drive is also a sleeper Marshall in a box to put in front.. While I like having the multiple amp options, having the fav switch as a boost/lead of the same model is great since the volume level can be post boost vs. pre... Thanks so much!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Great to hear that you dug York Audio. Also thanks for sharing your tips on other pedals to check out. Cheers!

[@soundxplorer]

Great video, and I completely agree. I'm still using the Strymon Iridium as my one and only modeler 4 years after buying it. And I am using the Punch amp 90% of the time, with various drive/mod/delay pedals in front. I have a lot of different cabinet IRs that I like, so my one complaint is only being able to load three at a time into the pedal (per amp). I really hope Strymon releases a bigger Iridium MX version with a screen to choose from a large library of IRs.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

I’d love a great IR loader pedal with a stereo room reverb on it. Why does no one make that?

[@BopKitBill]

Really enjoy the tones and your great melodic lines and harmonic and rhythmic stuff when you mix chords and lines...great! I'd be interested in what music styles and bands you've played for etc...

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks so much. I try to make it interesting when demoing the tones as well. I started music on jazz trumpet and piano when I was a kid. Started guitar when I was around 12. I have played in everything from jazz, to fusion, classic rock, top 40, metal, punk, country, pop punk, 80s and even a Weezer tribute band. I honestly love it all. But the biggest influence on my music was my jazz teacher and playing in an orchestra when I was a kid. Cheers!

[@BopKitBill]

@@SuperdangerStudios Thanks!

[@leftyshep]

Awesome stuff as always! Now I must try all my Yorks in the punch. Great tones to my ear.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks again, Lefty! I tried the matchless and bassman ones the other day and they sounded amazing too!

[@Musecrafter]

I use my Keeley compressor as a boost pedal and it makes my Iridium sing! I think boost pedals are the most underrated pedals out there.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Great pedal combo! Love the Keeley comp. So much time goodness happens from a good boost pedal, esp on single coils.

[@luislazaro1071]

I miss this channel a lot!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

I’m back!

[@mrnavarropablo]

These videos are eye-opening! I'm considering exchanging my Helix Stomp for one of these Iridiums (had one a long time back, sold it after a while I didn't really use it), they are so much simpler and with the York Audio IRs it just sounds incredible. Have you considered doing a series on the HX Stomp at some point? I'd love to see your approach to something more "complicated". Thanks and keep up with the amazing videos!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks for watching! The Iridium is limited in some ways but like you said, it can be really helpful. I always wanted to try an HX stomp. Maybe I’ll see if one of my buddies has one I can borrow. Cheers!

[@Savior.Mountgreen]

For a pedal with an EQ like the Strymon, what is the best approach for setting the amplifier's equalizer? Essentially, how does one balance the two equalizers in a setup?

[@markshrader7136]

Great channel Alex, super appreciate your artistry, communication skills, and attention to detail. New subscriber for sure! 👍

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for the kind words. Cheers!

[@JudgeFredd]

Really great guitar channel

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Rock on!

[@alainkempa2139]

I was about to sell my strymon....maybe I will reconsider my choice after seing this video and cool sound.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks for watching, Alain. Don’t sell it unless you really need to!

[@jasonwu7629]

Hey Alex, really nice video! But every time I watched your video, I always wonder how you did your recording, because I’am also a iridium user with the irs from York Audio, but the clean sound that I recorded was far less clear than yours. I go the iridium straight into my audio interface like usual, is there something to do with my audio interface or what😢 I’m confused. Anyway really thankful for your video!🎉

[@SuperdangerStudios]

I am doing a video on this soon! If the video doesn’t answer it let me know and I’ll help you out!

[@GonzaloMelo1990]

I was searching for something i found in the iridium’s IR loader that I don’t understand. When you check the IRs you have a High/Low level, thats are just Cuts? In my opinion the Round always sound very mute in the high end but with these high cut in the edite you can do a very great difference. Cheers!!

[@benjaminkoskinen5835]

You are doing great videos. Sold. You got a new subscriber here.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ChrisLambrou00]

Excellent! Sound appreciation!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thank you!

[@riffs66]

Sounds GREAT - well done

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks so much! It’s a great pedal!

[@renevandalen96]

Great video. Why is the IR last in the chain in your DAW. Ofcourse you can change the cab afterwards..but the IR loader in the irridium is so high standard..96khz..500ms..no need to change right?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks for watching. I use the IR last bc I can load any of my IRs intead of the 3 that are allocated for each channel. Obviously on stage I just load the ones I need, but in the studio I can change it based on the mix so it is easier to just record the raw signal and add the IR later.

[@matthewolson9539]

I love this tone! Which IR do you like more between Yorks MV30 vs MV20?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

I actually use the M25 the most out of all of the Marshall 4x12 packs!

[@StratsRUs]

Totally true and a great video

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks for watching!

[@flux6435]

great tones! How does the Iridium handle headphones? Can it handle high impedance headphones like 250 ohm DT 770s?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Ah that might not work. This is from their manual “Make sure to use headphones with an impedance between 25 to 70 ohms and with sensitivity as close to 100dB/mW as you can get for best performance with Iridium’s headphone output. The higher the impedance of your headphones, the lower the output volume of Iridium’s headphone output will be.”

[@EricSabag12]

Great content man! I'm looking for an amp pedal and you're really show how good the Iridium is. Would you use it as an amp in the board pedal with the IR from the pedal and the wet effects actaully AFTER the IRs? For live and gigging useage.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks so much! Yes, I have used the Iridium exactly like that. Wet after IR and it sounds just fine. Kind of like having a studio bus on your guitar!

[@DenisUliRock]

Complimenti very good, mi piacerebbe sapere se con questo volume se collegato alle casse di studio che hai alle tue spalle grazie è importante importante importante

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Yes I am listening through my studio monitors and it sounds great.

[@adamantiumreaver4283]

I dont know what’s up, but I have this pedal and I used the software to change presets and I placed in all 3 channels the same amp Fender deluxe. And even though its the same amp, they all sound different in each channel. When I checked in the software, there’s different eqs for each

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Hmm. That is interesting. I’ll have to check it out.

[@thelinsk]

Hi. Love your channel. What monitors is the guitar going through? Cheers

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks so much! Using the Yamaha HS7s!

[@slideguitarist]

Thanks!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

SLIDE THANK YOU. First tip on the channel!

[@liontone]

The M25 IR sounded great. That’s my idea of a Marshall sound.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Classic punchy mids!

[@Rolfunther]

This is a great channel. Thanks for the content. I’d watch a video related to FRFR speakers. Just sayin’.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks for watching! I should check em out bc I haven’t tried one yet!

[@ronlyster5667]

Subbed. Great channel Dangerboy!!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

WELCOME ABOARD!

[@andreamaddalone1683]

Nice video. I'd like to buy some York IR but i don't understand what are you referring by "York Audio M20 4x12".Which IR pack is that one? Thank you.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

www.yorkaudio.co/product-page/mrsh-m20 this one

[@andreamaddalone1683]

Ok, thank you very much

[@SuperdangerStudios]

no problem. enjoy! @@andreamaddalone1683

[@duncancartledge1667]

Your videos are rekindling my love of the Iridium. Quick question, what IR loader are you using? Looks very convenient and sounds good.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Great to hear, Duncan. I am using BiasFX 2 to load the IRs. It’s the Elite edition that allows for third party IRs. Cheers!

[@suqies]

Greetings from nashville, subscribed and ordered the iridium thanks to you. One question I have is can you load the twin reverb pack etc you had in your video onto the iridium, with the only downside being the reverb (post)issue? Also when you download these IRs do you have to tweak the EQ further in the manager programor do you just do so on the pedal? I'm trying to avoid endleess tweaking and really just want to load something on and play. Lastly what studio monitors are those? Thanks! Included your channel on my message to strymong, hopefully they're aware of the good work youre doing!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Greetings! Thanks so much for the sub and I hope you are enjoying your Iridium. Yes you can load any third party IR through the Iridium IR manager app. It is on the strymon website and is very easy to use. When I use the IRs I almost always use the 'mixed' IRs and I only tweak the volume/output in the app if it is a glaring difference. But that is a rare occasion. All of the York Audio IRs I are ready to go EQ-wise. The monitors I use are the Yamaha HS7s and they work great for monitoring the Iridium. Appreciate the support and let me know if you have any more questions! Best, Alex

[@rcdubya]

Love your channel, especially these Iridium videos! You may have covered this and I missed it, but what setup (amp/powered speaker?) would you use if not going FOH in a live situation?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks so much! I think I would use either a line 6 powercab or a Fryette PS2 into a v-type cab. The Fryette provides a tube power amp so that makes it feel like a real amp whereas the powercab is like a PA speaker.

[@rcdubya]

@@SuperdangerStudios Thanks for the reply. I’m strictly an at home player, but have a Headrush FRFR 108 and a couple of amps with FX, so it sounds like either would work fine for my needs. Either way, I am a huge new fan of your channel, and will be downloading some of the York IRs that you used!

[@FonziGuitar]

Hey Alex, which york audio ir do you suggest for the best performance with marshall clean or medium crunch sounds?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Hmm I really like the marshal dual cab. So many choices. I use the pre mixed ones and even then there are a ton of options. Good mix of vintage and modern sounds!

[@ivorytelecaster]

Great video! Is there any particular reason why you choose not to load the York ir’s into the Iridium?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Hi Michael! Thanks for the kind words. Happy you enjoyed. When I am able to put the Reverb / tremolo in between the 'preamp' and IR it is like a fake FX loop. Also since the iridium only holds 3 IRs I wanted to use at least 4 diff IRs. And lastly, I like auditioning the IRs as I play and it is really quick when using an IR loader. Just click and play!

[@ivorytelecaster]

@@SuperdangerStudios makes perfect sense. 🍻

[@melodica5407]

I just want to tell everyone that i've tried many IRs (including york audio) and i find the best for vox and marshall model on my iridium is celestion IR. Specifically their 2x12

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Ill check it out!

[@melodica5407]

@@SuperdangerStudios If you're gonna check it out i recommend the open back!!

[@andym1966]

Thanks for another great video! Is the Flint connected directly to your computer/DAW? Or are you using an audio interface? What are you listening through? Studio monitors? Is there any noticeable lag if you are hearing after the DAW processing? I'd like to set up my own home studio and I'm trying to figure out how it all works together. Thanks!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Hi Andrew, thanks for the kind words. Here is my signal chain. Guitar>Iridium(preamp mode)>flint>interface>DAW. I am monitoring it live in logic over my monitors (Yamaha hs7) and have the buffer at 32 so there is the least amount of latency. I am recording at 48k bc I am going to sync to video. I have the Flint going through a normal instrument cable into an apogee duet and have that channel set to instrument mode to accept an instrument level signal. I have the gain set so the hardest hit on the guitar is around -10db so I don't clip. Let me know if you need more clarification!

[@bok2bok333]

Awesome video thanks. Would you put the Iridium at the end of your pedal chain or just after distortion pedals?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Thanks for watching dude! I am usually making a fake fx loop and that dictates my pedal order. Compressors>boost>od>modulation>Iridium in preamp mode>Flint Reverb>Daw Logic Pro where I add the IR via Bias FX2. Hope this helps and let me know if you have more questions.

[@bok2bok333]

@@SuperdangerStudios ok. I think I'm getting confused with "pre amp". You mean you are using the Iridium as a preamp? I've got two Iridiums which I was going to run in stereo for situations where I just have PA. One would be after the distortion pedals in the chain and before the modulation effects then to channel 1 on PA. The second would also be after distortion but goes out of ABY box to second chanells in PA bypassing the modulation effects. That playing was inspiring by the way. Love that style you played doing the Marshall section....Hendrix etc. Fantastic.so much movement.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Ah too kind! Appreciate it. Sorry for not being clear enough. When I say preamp, I mean I disengage the IRs in the Iridium and run it in preamp mode. I add the IR after the reverb in my DAW. When I am playing with it live I have it in normal mode and put Flint plate reverb after the Iridium. I have never heard someone use a double Iridium setup, man that is rad. How do you like it? Do you run a Chime and a Punch channel? What IRs are you using?

[@bok2bok333]

@@SuperdangerStudios Ive got the pedal board set up as described...but waiting for delivery of speakers and sub woofer this week hopefully to test it out. I can't really get an idea yet with my guitar amps. I do have a Steinberg audio interrace though come to think of it which I can run into pro tools. I might give it a try a bit later and let you know. Really wanting to hear it outside of headphones to see how much it could sound like real Amps. Regarding IRs....so far just using the default ones.

[@dividedbytimestudios]

Strymon Iridium in Summer of 24’? Still worth it?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

I would honestly check out the new tiny tonex one if you don’t mind a little bit of computer setup. I still love my iridium but i would try to get one used.

[@poesybeat]

Proving once again that Marshall cleans can be every bit as good as Fender

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Absolutely!

[@lennyslickstunes]

Can I run Guitar to Iridium to mixer with no sound quality loss ? No amp, no other pedals? Thx

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Yes that should be no problem. As long as the mixer is powered. I would set up the Iridium to send out at line level and you should be good to go. There is a pretty good buffer on the Iridium so running a long line will not affect signal loss.

[@blueufo9587]

Help anyone please. So I’m new to recording and I’m going from my amp pedal in to my volt 2 audio interface. My confusion is my levels. I can increase the gain on my interface into my daw or I can increase the level of output going out of the pedal into my interface. Which would should I be using? I wasn’t sure if there is a difference. Thank you for any help!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Since there is a low noise floor on the volt you can turn up th gain there but you shouldn't turn it too the point where you hear hissing. Try setting output on your amp pedal to 60-70% and then adist from there. You want your loudest guitar strum to peak no louder than around -10db to be safe. Hope this helps!

[@dwightpatterson9477]

you throw me off with two pedals, i like the sound but are you saying i need a reverb pedal after the iridium iam confused reply back

[@SuperdangerStudios]

You do not need a reverb pedal but I like to use one to add spring reverb. There are many more affordable spring reverb options for pedals too.

[@alexzaytsevguitar]

Hi, what was the exact impulse filenames that you used?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

I don’t remember which ones but I was only using the pre mixed ones. I don’t mess around w the single impulses as there are too many! Haha

[@alexzaytsevguitar]

@@SuperdangerStudios thank's I just got the pack and tried the mixed ones and others and wow - they sound so much better than the stock ones with the single coil pickups on a tele especially with funky riffs. Some lightness and airiness appeared which was lacking in stock IRs.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

@@alexzaytsevguitar great! So happy you enjoy it! Cheers

[@SimonSteeleMusic]

How do you have it IR’s at the end of your chain?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

I use Iridium in preamp mode then run it into my DAW and use Bias FX2 to load IRs.

[@SimonSteeleMusic]

@@SuperdangerStudios Awesome thank you. And if you were to use that as your live rig. move the flint before the Irridium?

[@26pup]

Why aren't you using the IRs in the Iridium?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Three reasons. I wanted to have a Reverb in a faux fx loop so I put it after the Iridium in preamp mode. Secondly, bc I use more than 3 IRs allotted for the slots, and lastly I like to audition the IRs in real time and it's much easier to click through and find the one you want. Hope this helps!

[@26pup]

Thanks for the answer, BTW amazing channel , I really appreciate the humor.... For live situations?

[@degani.guilherme]

Hey Alex! Great video man! I was wondering why would you turn off the IR on iridium and load it on the DAW instead of loading it from the pedal. Is it because of the flynt? Love your channel and videos, Dude! Cheers from Brazil!

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Hi, Guilherme. Thanks for watching and the kind words. Yes the reason I put the IR in the end of the chain is to simulate having a spring reverb in the fx loop instead of post cab. Thanks again for watching and Happy New Year!

[@gradedfilms576]

How You Record Your Guitar ?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

I go direct in from the Iridium into my audient id44 interface and use logic pro x.

[@felipegomabrockmann2740]

why an IR at the end of the chain? do'nt get it

[@SuperdangerStudios]

I put the IR at the end to make sure the spring reverb is being modeled by the EQ of the IR. Otherwise the spring reverb would be POST IR which changes the tone of the reverb significantly. This more closely mirrors what an amp would sound like.

[@felipegomabrockmann2740]

@@SuperdangerStudios Many many thanks for your answer. So I guess if the reverb goes before the Iridium, you don't need the IR at the end of the signal chain right?

[@sharkair2839]

at 3:25 the pointer is pointed at round.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Haha. You l need to get your eyes checked. It’s in punch the entire video. Watch it in 1080 and zoom in.

[@sharkair2839]

@@SuperdangerStudios all i see is a white line. don't have 1080 p how do you zoom in?

[@SuperdangerStudios]

@@sharkair2839 just take my word for it. I am not an idiot. I had the Iridium on punch channel the whole video.

[@sharkair2839]

@@SuperdangerStudios i take your word for it. but look closely, it sure looks like it is pointing to the round setting. the other settings look clear also. i'm sure it is an optical illusion. no worries, sounds great.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

@@sharkair2839 I have to apologize, Shark. I realized my comments were rather curt. I was driving in terrible traffic and wasn’t in the right mindset. Now that I am home I can see how it might look like the round channel was selected. But it’s probably due to the video artifacts and compression on KZbin. Again, apologies for my earlier tone. Thanks for watching and have a great weekend.

[@Roddo731]

Man I have been staying away from the plexi on my Iridium… Tomorrow I’m going to Toggle that switch to the bottom

[@SuperdangerStudios]

Let me know how it goes! It really surprised me how versatile it was.

[@sharkair2839]

says the punch channel sounds great, all the while he is on the round channel.

[@SuperdangerStudios]

What?

[@turn3]

Yeah the switch is mislabeled too 🤦🏻‍♂️