What’s New in the IR-X Update?
The Friedman IR-X update is not one of those tiny “bug fixes and minor improvements” updates that technically exists but does not really change how you use the gear.
This one actually matters.
The IR-X was already a very solid piece of gear, but with the new editor, updated firmware, improved power amp simulation, new OwnHammer IRs, low-pass filtering, 96 kHz DSP and faster channel switching, it feels like Friedman did more than just polish the edges.
The big question is simple: does the Friedman IR-X update actually make the unit better to play?
After spending time with it, I think it does. And not in a subtle “I need to convince myself because I already installed the update” kind of way. It feels more immediate, more dynamic, and more like an amp responding under your fingers.
What’s New in the Friedman IR-X Update?
The update brings several practical improvements to the IR-X. You get the new Friedman Editor v4.0, firmware version 2.0, a new three-step low-pass filter per channel, five new OwnHammer IRs, an updated AI-captured power amp simulation, DSP upgraded from 48 kHz to 96 kHz, and faster channel switching.
That is a decent list on paper.
But with gear like this, the feature list is only part of the story. What matters more is whether those changes actually affect how the unit feels and sounds when you plug in and play.
And that is where this update gets interesting.
The Friedman IR-X Feels More Like an Amp Now
The biggest improvement for me is the feel.
That phrase gets thrown around way too much in the guitar world, and usually it means almost nothing. But in this case, it is genuinely the first thing I noticed.
The IR-X feels more responsive after the update. Pick softer and it cleans up more naturally. Dig in and there is more pushback. The notes feel a bit more alive, and the whole thing reacts more like a physical amp being pushed instead of a static preamp sound running through an IR.
It was not bad before. That is important to say. The Friedman IR-X was already good.
But after the update, it feels better.
If you have spent a lot of time with the IR-X before installing this update, I think you will notice the difference pretty quickly.
The Updated Power Amp Simulation Is the Real Upgrade
The updated power amp simulation is probably the most important part of the Friedman IR-X update.
According to the information around the update, the new power amp section is AI-captured from an EL34 power section running into a 4×12 with a mix of V30s and Greenbacks. That sounds like the kind of marketing sentence that could easily disappear into the usual gear brochure fog, but the result is genuinely useful.
The IR-X now has more punch, better note separation, and a more realistic sense of movement when you play.
That is hard to describe without using all the usual guitar words we all pretend to hate while still using constantly. But it simply feels less flat. The attack, response and overall push feel more convincing.
For me, this is the part of the update that changes the most.
The New OwnHammer IRs Are Actually Useful
Stock IRs can be a bit hit or miss.
Sometimes they are fine. Sometimes they are technically usable but not very inspiring. And sometimes you immediately start scrolling through your own IR folder because the factory options are clearly not going to be your friend today.
The new OwnHammer IRs in the Friedman IR-X update are a very welcome addition.
They sound polished, sit well in a mix, and require less tweaking than many stock cabinet options. The V30-based sounds in particular are tight, forward, and very easy to use for rock and metal tones.
That makes a real workflow difference.
If you can get closer to a finished guitar sound directly from the unit, you spend less time fixing things later in your DAW. And personally, I am always in favor of spending less time fighting guitar tones after recording.
The Low-Pass Filter Is Small but Useful
The new three-step low-pass filter per channel might not be the flashiest feature in the update, but it is one of the most practical.
High-gain guitar tones can get harsh very quickly, especially when you are working with direct sounds and IRs. Having a simple low-pass filter directly inside the unit means you can tame some of that top-end fizz before it hits your DAW, mixer or live setup.
That is the kind of feature that sounds boring until you actually need it.
Instead of opening another EQ plugin later just to remove annoying high frequencies, you can shape the tone closer to the source. It is simple, but it speeds up the workflow.
And honestly, “simple but useful” is an underrated category of gear improvements.
Channel Switching Is Finally Fast Enough
The faster channel switching is another important live-use improvement.
Before the update, the switching delay was not unusable, but it was noticeable enough that you had to think about it. After the update, switching feels much closer to instant.
That matters if you want to use the Friedman IR-X in a real live setup. A tiny switching gap might not bother you when testing sounds alone at home, but it becomes a much bigger deal when you are trying to hit a clean part, rhythm part or lead part in time with a band.
This update makes the IR-X feel more reliable in that kind of situation.
Again, not the most exciting feature on paper. But in practice, it matters.
Does the 96 kHz DSP Upgrade Matter?
The DSP upgrade from 48 kHz to 96 kHz is one of those things that can easily turn into internet arguing.
Does it matter? Technically, yes.
Is it the one thing that completely transforms the unit by itself? Probably not.
What I hear and feel is a slightly more open response, a bit more clarity, and better high-end behavior. But I would not separate that completely from the new power amp simulation and IR improvements. It all works together.
So I don’t think the 96 kHz DSP upgrade is the headline by itself. But as part of the whole Friedman IR-X update, it contributes to the more polished and responsive feel of the unit.
Is the Friedman IR-X Update Worth Installing?
Yes.
This is one of those updates where I don’t think there is much debate. If you already own the IR-X, you should install it.
The update improves the feel, responsiveness, cabinet options, filtering, and live usability without ruining what was already good about the unit. That is exactly what a good firmware update should do.
It does not turn the Friedman IR-X into a completely different product. And honestly, that would not have been a good thing anyway.
Instead, it makes the unit feel more finished.
That is probably the best way to put it.
Final Thoughts on the Friedman IR-X Update
The Friedman IR-X was already a strong piece of gear before this update.
After the Friedman IR-X update, it feels more convincing, more responsive, and more practical to use both in the studio and live. The new power amp simulation is the biggest improvement for me, but the OwnHammer IRs, low-pass filter, faster channel switching and 96 kHz DSP all add up.
This is not just a checklist update.
It changes how the unit feels when you play it. And with guitar gear, that is usually the part that matters most.
If you already own the Friedman IR-X, update it. If you have been considering one, this update makes the unit much more appealing than it already was.
You can find affiliate links for all the products mentioned below — using them helps support my work at no extra cost:
Friedman IR-X at Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/572666?offid=1&affid=394
Friedman IR-X at Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQ2g0z
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