What is an IR and what does it do?

What is an IR?

Simply put, an Impulse response is a sonic snapshot of a given source's frequency response over time. It is essentially a reproduction of the changes in audible frequencies from the time of an impulse to peak magnitude to the time of silence.

What does it do?

When you play a sound through an impulse response, the impulse response affects the frequency response in the time domain, applying the sonic characteristics of the source of the IR to the passing audio.

This makes it a great stand in for Speaker cabinets. Just put it after your amp's direct out or turn of cabinet simulation in an amp sim and put the IR next in the FX chain.

How do I use one, or two, or ten?

You will need an IR loader. Most modern modellers have IR loaders. On the software (plugin) side, there are some great loaders that have built-in time alignment (though you wont need that with our IRs), EQ, stacking and blending, FX, etc.

If this is your first IR pack we can highly suggest THIS awesome and free IR loader from our friends at AuroraDSP.

We suggest you start with our "Sweet Spot" IRs, included in every collection. Choose a speaker, then a mic, then another speaker, and another mic, so on and so on. BLEND AWAY!

IRs allow us the freedom to experiment with famous, unlikely, and even physically impossible microphone and speaker combinations. Want 26 dynamic 57s on a single speaker? No problem. Want all the mics in the exact same place simultaneously? No problem. Want to cram 10 speakers into a 4x12 and put 6 mics on each of these magical speakers? No problem. Stack our IRs and find your perfect tone.

For detailed videos on installation and use of our IRs with the most popular software and hardware check this page.

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