IR’s - Who, What, Why, Where?

[Tech21NYC]

Impulse responses date back to 1999 when Sony's DRE-S777 digital convolution reverb was first released. These units were very pricey. If you have a convolution plug-in in your DAW you can load IR's into it. Our purposes for the guitar and bass community, are generally for speaker simulation. Red Wirez was the first company I remember offering commercial IR's and a loader for sale. Here is an old Premier Guitar interview with Mike of Red Wirez where he explains what they are and how they are used. They have some nice bass cab IR's. 

 

While you can make a digital EQ curve that is beyond the capabilities of an analog hardware EQ and use it as an IR, technically it's not quite the same thing. An IR of a mic'd speaker cab also has time and phase information whereas a digital EQ does not have that information. 

[tayste_2000]

I have to say after playing with my new Darkglass Element the past few days I’m loving IR’s, they drastically improve the sound of drive pedals, particularly fuzz’s and they offer enough of an eq/sound change that I don’t feel the need for additional eq.

 

Was in the studio yesterday and took the opportunity to capture an IR of my JHS Punchline.

 

The Element is just a great tool, I tested it bypassed against my Countryman and I couldn’t hear a difference so as a DI, IEM Mixer, Headphone Amp with Bluetooth, IR Loader with an amp sim, Audio interface it’s just great and so useful….. as long as it’s always supported in the app, if the app ever stops working you’ll never be able to change a thing again.

[Hellzero]

7 hours ago, Tech21NYC said:

Impulse responses date back to 1999 when Sony's DRE-S777 digital convolution reverb was first released. These units were very pricey. If you have a convolution plug-in in your DAW you can load IR's into it. Our purposes for the guitar and bass community, are generally for speaker simulation. Red Wirez was the first company I remember offering commercial IR's and a loader for sale. Here is an old Premier Guitar interview with Mike of Red Wirez where he explains what they are and how they are used. They have some nice bass cab IR's. 

 

While you can make a digital EQ curve that is beyond the capabilities of an analog hardware EQ and use it as an IR, technically it's not quite the same thing. An IR of a mic'd speaker cab also has time and phase information whereas a digital EQ does not have that information. 

There you have your explanation @Baloney Balderdash.