IK ToneX Pedal VS Strymon Iridium: Which One Wins?

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I conduct a direct head to head comparison of the IK Multimedia ToneX to the Strymon Iridium. Which wins? Looking to buy on Sweetwater? Support this channel by using this link: sweetwater.sjv.io/y2RV63
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Video Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:22 ToneX vs Iridium Modeling Tech
01:19 How I Setup the Comparison
02:47 Fender Deluxe Reverb FTW!
03:30 Demo with Light Reverb
05:40 Demo with Delay & Reverb
07:52 Observations
08:57 Which One Wins?

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Опубликовано:

6 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 145

@davidsummerville351 Год назад

All I have to say is that the lighting in your new studio is incredible. You must be using a really good camera as well. I'm impressed.

@peterknicked Год назад

The Tonex sounds better to my ears.

@shitmandood Год назад

I don't own either one, but from just listening to your examples, my ears gravitated to ToneX. If as you say it sounds like a recorded guitar, all mixed and mastered, I guess that's why I like the sound of it.

@waltuhhimself Год назад

What greenback IR did you specifically use? Is that the stock IR from iridium? It sounds amazing!!!

@jwright8838 Год назад

It sounded like the gain on the Iridium was set higher than the Tonex as I heard a lot more breakup on the Iridium. That would certainly give it more "sag" in its feel and sustain.

@BillyCraigMusicArtist 10 месяцев назад

Great comparison, thanks.

@Musecrafter Год назад

I have both pedals. While I really love what the Tonex brings to the party I won't be giving up my Iridium. I mostly like Marshall and Fender tones and with York Audio IR's I can get a wide range of tones out of the Iridium. The Tonex brings a lot of nice tones that the Iridium cannot deliver like Mesa Mark V cleans tones, which are awesome. Since I don't use a lot of other pedals I can have both on my board. What I like about your evaluation is that you are not on the hype train like almost every other video about the Tonex. It's a great pedal but it's not the end of the line. Thanks for keeping it real!

@tonevicar-fr5gh 9 месяцев назад

I felt with your obscure style of playing, ..no difference

@kahlrhoam6769 8 месяцев назад

The Iridium has incredible rooms.

@mmontesbr Месяц назад

York IR are great with Iridium.

@tdrake59 Год назад

Loved your comparison. My 64 year old ears can't really tell the difference. However, I switched to an ampero in 2019, and haven't used an amp since. I play in a worship team, several ensembles, a classic rock band and do solo gigs. Last year I started using an hx stomp xl with the rock band because it offers a lot more features that I need for that band. The virtual amps and cabs provided on both units sound fantastic. The hx stomp does sound and feel a little better, but noone in the audience can tell any difference. So I won't be switching to either of the units you compared today, but I'm sold on the new state of the art.

@lolaa2200 10 месяцев назад

Wonder if you can capture models of the iridim's model in the toneX ? Should be possible.

@davelanciani-dimaensionx Год назад

Sounds pretty darn similar to my ears. I'd be curious about the hi-gain tones in the Tonex, since the iridium isn't known for hi-gain tones. BTW, the Strymon Punch/Marshall is based on a classic non-master volume Plexi.

@MegaSkycap Год назад

HI Bill -- have you given the Boss IR 200 a try yet? If so, I was wondering what your take is on that one.

@plexibreath Год назад

I like the sound of both of them. The Iridium sounds a little gain-y-er, the Tonex sounds like you could stack more tracks of parts before mudding up.

@krisjupp 9 месяцев назад

Hi . I am using a Mesa Triple Crown . I purchased a Headrush prime to make things easier . The overdriven sounds are very good but clean really no comparison. I tried models clones IR everything . Purchased Fremen clones . Looking at the Revolt . Any suggestions ?

@sboy1955 Год назад

Thanks for the review. I thought they both sounded fine - negligible difference. I was hoping to hear some factory presets on the Tonex. Still looking.

@dykeneuk Год назад

I currently have the Tonex, but I’ve owned the Irridium. I’d be interested whether you are using stock or downloaded presets for the Tonex? I find the Tonex to give the most pleasing guitar sounds I’ve ever heard from a pedal I’ve owned. The Tone Junkie purple plexi is a remarkable tone. Also, having 3 patches with led names on, is very helpful.

@stef3831 3 месяца назад

How good are they for live gigs conected directly to the mixer? Do I need something more? I want to use it with my analog pedalboard live with no amp.

@vinz440 Год назад

did someone try to use it in a rig with a real amp ? Capturing for instance an overdrive pedal and put the ToneX between guitar and pream input of the real amp. Would this also work ?-... and does it sound good?

@alexanderwebb3032 7 месяцев назад

I think I remember reading that the Iridium uses an analog preamp circuit that then goes into the digital speaker emulation. That may be why you are getting more of the “feel” of an amp. I think you are dead on about the flexibility of the TONEX plus it has legit reverbs and a compressor built in. I currently have the TONEX but thinking of grabbing an Iridium to have in the mix as well. I’d love to see you do a video where you use both together. Set one to an AC30 and the other to a Fender Deluxe.

@papasquito 6 месяцев назад

I’ve owned both. Sold my iridium. Did not like how it took my drive pedals. I’m mainly a fractal player now but wanted to try the toneX so I picked one up. I think the ToneX is pretty amazing for the price and it takes my drive pedals very well… way, way better than iridium. Going to keep the ToneX as a backup to my Fractal.

@timnolan3125 7 месяцев назад

If used on a pedal board, and into an amp, would it best to put the tone x after effects such as delay etc (like the vid) or before? My gut instinct is that it would be first in the chain after my tuner.

@MrMarcburger 3 месяца назад

treat it like a preamp. drives, comp, wah, fuzz before. mod, delay, reverb after.

@elihudehesagonzalez6213 3 месяца назад

i woluld like to see a comparison between iridium and two notes opus

@yablit-production Год назад

I think that the best (lets call it modelling) is the Fender Tonemaster. I use it with Ownhummer IR's and it is great for my use. but to be fair about your comparison, you compared a specific capture that some one did to the amp with the tones and volume set to a specific positions. it is not the Tonex pedal per say but as I said the specific capture of the amp in a specific setting position. and do not forget how much the IR is important to the sound and how much variable there are with the IR (mic/s, position etc).in the other hand the IR thing is also correct when talking about the Iridium. I don't really know about the "feel" you are getting from the pedals and how much it depends on the specific capture. and the last point is that almost no one will care or can guess which is which in a mix anyway. I found it funny that you didn't use the cab of the Deluxe on both (instead of the Marshall) though.

@MrJingles021 Год назад

I like simple, and I don't want to menu dive. I've heard the iridium takes gain pedals very well, so thats what I'd go with. It seems like the Tonex is designed to present a ton of amps, and not exactly require gain pedals. But since I have overdrives and distortions I like, the Iridium would be my choice.

@karlboman Год назад

Thoughts: I listened to the first couple of minutes while watching the video. Maaaaybe the Tonex was a little bit brighter, the Iririum had a little bit more body. Maybe. Then I switched browser tab and just listened to the long demo and there was NO way of telling when/if you switched pedal. Both sounded fine, with Bill sounding great as always. I'd need to get a feel for the feel and sounds availiable if I was choosing between these two, ie play the things myself :)

@IamMusicNerd Год назад

The Iridium is great if you just want those three amp tones, and it is smaller, but the ToneX sounds better to my ears and offers nearly limitless amp options. So that’s the one I will ultimately use most.

@mmontesbr 8 месяцев назад

You can change IRs o Iridium

@writewheel Год назад

Thanks for this. I've been using an Iridium for quite a while, but was starting to catch a case of GAS for the Tonex ecosystem. This cured me.

@UTAH100 10 месяцев назад

I really hate to do this to a fellow G.A.S.S'er but do check out a FM3 or FM9 Turbo. IT will change your life (for the better.) At the same time, it will drain your bank account (for the worse) but you will be smiling the whole time. I waited a year to get my FM9. The waitlist now is much shorter. It can do ALL the tones of all these individual pedal, do them better and more of them. Ultimately, it can be the cheapest modeler you ever bought if you look at it that way. They update all the time too so it's like getting a steady IV drip which I heard cures G.A.S. for most. Cheers!

@williamr1453 Год назад

Iridium tone wins to my ear. As a corollary, I'm curious if you have ever used modelling pedals or plugins to enhance your acoustic guitar tone? It's something I'm curious about trying myself but, not owning any modellers, I would like a more informed opinion before I spend money on a piece of kit.

@WolfmanAndy Год назад

Do either accept stereo inputs? Thanks for the comparison.

@MrMarcburger 3 месяца назад

Iridium does

@Telecaster65 Год назад

Very very good comparison job. That said, listening several times with eyes closed, I've always preferred the Tonex tone. By listening only, having under my fingers it's another story... both are killers btw. Than you!

@hanovergreen4091 Год назад

I'd get the ToneX to get all the amps that will become available. I don't need hyper-realisim..or Stereo input...I want all the tones I hear from players I respect...Andy Timmons, Dave Grissom, etc. Not to imitate them or sound like them...but because I really like their sound and tone. I'll still be me, and sound like me, but now I get to play with, essentially, high end rigs I would never, ever have a chance to experience. It's a democratizing unit that brings exclusive custom/luxury equipment to the masses..or 90+% of it..which is close enough for most. Best Regards and Best Wishes!

@ronniboi312 10 месяцев назад

I want MY rig without having to drag it around, So Tonex for me... Plus I get access to hundreds of fantastic IR's to inspire new pathways. It responds my drive pedals really well and the sound quality is just astonishing.

@samseitz9937 Год назад

This might be off topic but have you heard of the plug-in from sound stone? It’s basically an ebow in plugin form that give you the ability to play ebow sounds polyphonically. So essentially you could use a midi controller or other midi instruments for polyphonic ebow sounds!!!

@chordsoforion Год назад

I will take a look at it. Thanks for the tip!

@samseitz9937 Год назад

@@chordsoforion it’s called sound stone kontakt. I think the plug in comes with the product.

@claytonpeterson4601 Месяц назад

Just to clarify, the iridium impulse manager software lets you download 3rd party IRs so you are not limited to the stock amps & cab sims

@JRandallS 5 месяцев назад

I preferred the Tonex. The Iridium sounded like it a had a small amount of digital conversion distortion, like maybe in the input was a bit too hot. I heard none of that with the Tonex.

@hannesganahl6384 Год назад

This is just one sound from one amp, but with the tonex you can have sounds from a lot of different amps

@jlindsay0709 Год назад

What’s funny there are probably Iridium captures on ToneX… I haven’t looked but the UAD pedals are there and tried them on the ToneX pedal and they sound great. So what I would like to see is a shootout, can the ToneX sound exactly like the Iridium?

@DeeringAmps Год назад

Not sure I agree that the "feel" of the Iridium is more "natural". I was never "convinced" by it. (meaning did I "feel" like I was playing into a tube amp; simply answer, no. used it about a year) Too soon in my journey with the Tonex to comment on its "feel". Great review BTW.

@unodeldim3610 9 месяцев назад

Great comparison!. I know there is a very significant difference in playing a tube amp I just can't put in in words. I know I feel it most in the attack response and at the tail end of each note. An amp modeler is such a necessity though and I love the flexibility of changing your amp tone for different songs. When I am watching other bands one thing I don't enjoy is when the sound doesnt change much. after the 20th song it all starts to get boring. So I need a modeler for gigs and even after all this, I still can't make up my mind. I think I like the Iridium because it's closer to Tube amp dinamics its much smaller. The Tonex though, can help me break out different amp tones. I may end up getting he flamma pedal ICab sim for cheap and call it a day

@wakenwaken3618 7 месяцев назад

Boss ir 2 is small and suppose to be good

@chrisdaviesguitar Год назад

Please demo the McRocklin DSP Suite plugin.

@chordsoforion Год назад

Not familiar with it. I will check it out

@bryanp8010 7 месяцев назад

I don’t care what covers you play, it’s just a cover and one amp will cover everything just fine. Most people at shows are too drunk or musically illiterate to notice anyway.

@jakevidovich7851 10 месяцев назад

I hear the iridium as a wider sound field and the tonex as more focused. Don’t know why that would be but I definitely prefer the iridium. Definitely felt like the tonex was closer to DI sound then the iridium. Both sound great though

@BluesLicks101 8 месяцев назад

Dude... you look just like me.

@fpm7795 5 месяцев назад

Tonex is a picture, iridium is a movie.

@johnsonbat77 Год назад

I bought the TONEX for the flexibility I need for playing in a covers band. The pedal is great but the software is average in terms of usability. I took a few weeks to really go through all the captures before swapping and overwriting the presets. There’s definitely more quantity than quality but there’s some awesome captures in there.

@BrunoidGames 7 месяцев назад

Exaclty, man.. We try a ton of caps and end up playing the same JCM forever.

@philma6240 Год назад

Completely satisfied with my iridium. Couldn't see myself jumping ship anytime soon.

@user-zv7lm8uk7h 8 месяцев назад

tonex has dumbles and 65 dlx

@metricdeep8856 10 месяцев назад

Of all my pedals...I sell the ones with infinite adjust-ability. Maybe it's me... but I find that I can never improve over the dedicated pedals. JAM Pedals is a standout in this field. I don't need 40 versions of a sound....I am only looking for one version.

@gibson2623 7 месяцев назад

Nice video, thanks. These 2 not having an FX loop is absolutely strange, to say the least. Enough a reason for me not getting one, and a lot more people. What were they thinking? :)

@daveg4236 6 месяцев назад

Agree. I have the two notes because of the loop

@MrMarcburger 3 месяца назад

it's a preamp pedal.

@gibson2623 3 месяца назад

@@MrMarcburger No it is not. It s an AMP emulator

@novaaxe Месяц назад

tonex sounds more dynamic and less muffled, and judging from your pedal selections it seems your a Strymon fan?

@worthmoremusic 8 месяцев назад

Now IK Amplitude ToneX is available via a plugin...They have a FREE version and two other versions for reasonable purchases.

@latintraveler1152 10 месяцев назад

In all cases I picked the Tonex over the Iridium...Sound, feel, period. Classic example of subjectivity.

@BNC593 Год назад

I don’t have either, so no skin in the game The Iridium sounds muddy with a bit more gain. The ToneX blows it away with lifelike quality and clarity that could sit in a mix.

@kerbyfab Год назад

Iridium for me! Strymon has been on fire with their pedals!

@frankmeyst1923 2 месяца назад

The three amp only kind of does it for me. I heard the matchless on the Tonex from another guys video. It sounds really good. I play a Saldano actually a real one.

@DisVietVetUSA Год назад

Tonex is to tinny to me, Iridium is my choice

@saltstream Год назад

Great video. The ToneX mono input is a deal breaker for me. I've always liked the Iridium but have moved to an ACS1 just to try something different.

@chordsoforion Год назад

Yes - the mono input is a disappointment to me also.

@hanovergreen4091 Год назад

Why they do that? You think? Best Regards and Best Wishes!

@rejuvenator8966 Год назад

Maybe it's just me but I don't understand why you would need stereo input? This is basically amp in a box. Do you use stereo input on your amp?

@saltstream Год назад

@@rejuvenator8966 Yes a stereo pedalboard needs two amps unless it's a stereo amp. iridium, ACS1 and the range of WA Amp modellers all have stereo inputs.

@rejuvenator8966 Год назад

@@saltstream Ok I see. Still curious tho what stereo effects you run before the amp? Typical stereo effects would be verbs and delays, maybe some modulations, and I guess often people run those after the amp modeller

@GS-uy4xo Год назад

Plot twist - the sounds were reverse labeled. We’re getting great sounds from so many gadgets these days!

@DavidCaris 11 месяцев назад

I own an Iridium. It's good ,but it doesn't "feel" like any of my vintage tube amps. It records great but every guitar requires tweaking the tones. With my vintage amps it takes about 30 seconds to sound stellar with any of the many types of guitars I have. The Iridium does NOT play well with most of my drive pedals. Better to dial in the dirt on it instead of using pedals. Digital pedals don't react like tube amps but they are still great tools. People will disagree with me but I trust my year and ears.

@housemeister7965 Год назад

hey bill, first of all thanks for your 'casual' informative videos! What you describe is exactly my observation (see also @musecrafter)! the toneX is very 'hifi' - but covers a wide tonal range - which relieves my back a lot :) I play mostly through a Mesa Rectifier preamp or a Mark IV clean channel - and there the Iridium is from the feel and tonal - even if something more Fender'isch - very close. greetings from Germany!

@soundscapes4619 Год назад

I like the Strymon Iridium. It sounds richer or more full.

@TarkMcCoy Год назад

Oh, so now I have to know what I'm talking about...

@psychokittydave 9 месяцев назад

Hey very informative video, thanks! Sounds like I'm Iridium guy cause I'm looking for those classic tones.

@nathanguy981 Год назад

I had this video on while I was preparing dinner. Every time I looked at my phone because a tone had grabbed me, it was the Iridium.

@vince8081 2 месяца назад

Iridium sounds harsh and digital compares to the tone x. There's something wrong in the high fréquences. Tone x seems more round, warm and natural.

@ChrisIlett 6 месяцев назад

The Iridium wins for me by quite a stretch. It's incredible to have a classic amp the size of a pedal. It doesn't cost a lot and doesn't require maintenance. If I needed more amps I'd buy more Iridiums. Can't knock the ToneX but I wouldn't want one. Superb demo by the way, and beautiful playing.

@zombizombi 2 месяца назад

The Iridium just doesn't sound right. I don't know if it's how it is or just in this demo but the Tonex sounds so much more natural. A couple of times when hitting the first note with the Iridium it's putting out some really odd and unrealistic sounds.

@CaryChilton 5 дней назад

iridium sounded more limiter-Squeezed low mids no headroom I mean, just listening to this RU-vid video and the tonex had the highs had more dynamic had more headroom so it's interesting that it wasn't the tonex that felt natural to play

@lperry65 Год назад

I prefered the Iridium, both sounded good but the Iridium sounded more alive to me.

@genepozniak Год назад

Your playing is still awesome, man! But so far, I'm convinced that all guitar and amp emulators just make changes to the bass-middle-treble settings. But I will try to keep an open mind.

@paulneugebauer7768 Год назад

Iridium sounds better to me. Crisper and clearer, lusher if you will.

@vladimir-meza Год назад

Gray for Tonex , Color for Iridium

@hanovergreen4091 Год назад

Yeah that was a poor choice. If anyone was watching there is automatic bias to prefer the color sounds vs B&W. Built in bias.

@masterofreality230 Год назад

I would imagine the biggest difference here is the IRs, not that there is much of one that I can tell.

@armandosinger 7 месяцев назад

Yes. Comparison using the same exact IRs would have been best.

@mmatthewias280 7 месяцев назад

Silly that ToneX made something that big and it’s not stereo…

@metricdeep8856 10 месяцев назад

I wonder if the video discoloration was on purpose?

@chordsoforion 10 месяцев назад

Yes!

@metricdeep8856 10 месяцев назад

@@chordsoforion What was the intent? It surely has a bearing on viewers perceptions.

@chordsoforion 10 месяцев назад

The intent was to distinguish between the Iridium and the ToneX. Nothing more.

@metricdeep8856 10 месяцев назад

@@chordsoforion I won't disagree...but the discoloration is a huge factor in a "visual" medium. I don't expect that this slipped past you. You seem intelligent enough to recognize that. Not much is a coincidence nowadays.

@chordsoforion 10 месяцев назад

Ah. I see. "Discoloration", i.e., black and white vs color. Check out the comments - you will see that there is a great variety of opinions as to which is "better". If you find yourself distracted, just close your eyes while listening.

@BobGuido 10 месяцев назад

The Iridium is a far more elegant design

@javiersilva5409 8 месяцев назад

The problem with both of these is twofold. First, you have to add too much gain to try to get a decent clean sound. Secondly, you will not get a great cleanish sound to use for let’s say, country picking, using a tele or a Strat in the bridge position.

@Proceedtheweedian Год назад

I just discovered your channel and it is truly amazing. I checked if you also give classes, but didn’t have any luck. If you ever create a Patreon or a course I’ll be glad to join!

@clayteasouth 4 месяца назад

Iridium sounds fuller to me.

@michaelbutler2312 Год назад

both sound the same. note that the iridium has been out for a while and the tonex is brand new. completely different systems but still sounds the same.

@jeffreynolds2190 6 месяцев назад

really hear no difference, which tells me the algorithm is correct in both. Proves modeling does work well.

@javiersilva5409 8 месяцев назад

Ampworx

@bikeman1x11 Год назад

tonex sounds better but all that no gain stuff sounds the same

@gibson2623 7 месяцев назад

The Iridium sounds wrong

@pikachuflys321 Год назад

Sounds like strymon sponsored this video

@AlanMarquesGuitar 6 месяцев назад

TONEX WINNER

@Subtle-System Год назад

The iridium ... it's not even close... it's the dynamics and touch sensitivity... people that say the tone x sounds better have shit for ears

@markallen7804 Год назад

Thank You SO MUCH , you've saved me money and discovered a new medical condition. I thought the Tone X sounded better and was about to buy one, then I read your comment and have booked a hearing test at my local hospital. The doctors hadn't heard of the condition , Shit for Ears , but are excited at the thought of trying to find out what it is . It appears to have affected many people, including quite a few professional musicians you'd better let all of them know that they have this condition . Maybe they'll name it after you for discovering it ! Do you know if there is a cure ?

@Chasetenny 10 месяцев назад

😂😂😂 comment of the year

@stephanewelti8816 8 месяцев назад

toneX wins

@justmehere6094 Год назад

Not even close on the difference of the tech. Modelling, such as the Strymon, Axe FX, Helix and similar, uses a digital means to recreate an Amp's signature, and.or a signal chain, digitally. TOnex, Kemper, Quad Cortex use a 'capture' technology. Via using a series of tones, ran through the actual amp, they attempt to capture exactly how the amp sounds, and responds in SOME respects at it's current setting. Same for a signal chain. The BIG difference is, Capture/Profiling, captures a snapshot of the signal chain. Any use of gain, EQ after that, is at best a guess from the unit. For Modellers, tey attempt to react in those regards like the amp would.

@buraksahin1527 6 месяцев назад

So which one is better?

@stephanewelti8816 2 месяца назад

5 mouths later, i prefer strymon🤨

@ocollado2 Год назад

Your color vs monochrome edit gave your opinion away. Theres nothing subliminal abouy that, lol. #IKMultimedia

@DaveBloomDrumsOnline 10 месяцев назад

Tonex sounds far better and is far more versatile. The Iridium isn’t even the best modeler in its format. The ACS1 beats the Iridium by far, and the ACS1 doesn’t come close to the Tonex even with just the matching three captures.

@javiersilva5409 8 месяцев назад

And I tried the amp word also. Terrible