H90 Routing with Friedman IR-x

[eklon.sousa]

Hello team,

I hope you are doing well!

I’m using H90 and Friedman IR-x as an Insert 1 for a while. Until now, I’m not 100% satisfied with my sound.

If I use this video to compare, I’m using the very same preset and IR-x setup, but it does sound completely different. I’ve tried a lot of routing options with Insert, and different positions

This is how my setup is connected:

Guitar → H90 In 1
H90 Out 2 → IR-X INPUT
IR-X BALANCED OUT → H90 In 2
H90 Out 1/2 → Mixer

 

With this setup, I have the opportunity to bypass the IR-x anytime. And it would be great.

 

The thing is that on the video, the routing is different:

The guitar is into IR-X, the mono is out to H90, and the stereo is out from H90 to the audio interface.

 

Is it possible to sound the SAME using these two routing options and keep the Insert management?

 

Thank you!

[tbskoglund]

Hello,

It sounds like you are using Dual Mode. I would suggest using Insert Mode instead: https://cdn.eventideaudio.com/manuals/h90/1.10.7/content/edit-modes/routing.html

If you place the insert with the IR-X at the beginning of your chain as shown in the image below (ignore insert 2), that should sound the same the guitar going straight into the IR-X and then out to the H90.

You can place Insert 1 between Preset A and B to get the Pre/Post configuration you are already using.

You can save your insert routings with each Program so you can get these different configurations by simply loading different Programs.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[eklon.sousa]

Hello!

 

Actually, I’m currently using Insert mode in Series as the image you’ve shown.

I’ve tried the Insert 1 Pre FXs, Between FX, Parallel to FXs and After FXs as well.

None of them sounds like the video that I’ve sent. That’s why I’m wondering if these connections(Guitar → H90 In 1
H90 Out 2 → IR-X INPUT
IR-X BALANCED OUT → H90 In 2
H90 Out 1/2 → Mixer)

that I’m using could have some limitations if compared with the IR-X in H90.

 

Thank you!

[tbskoglund]

You’re welcome.

I don’t think that will change how your setup sounds. This is just a different way of accomplishing the same thing. Both of these options give you the same results; you can choose where the IR-X is and where both of the H90 presets are in the signal path.

The routing demonstrated in the video is very simple: Guitar > IR-X > H90. Have you tried this?

There may be some other factors for why your setup does not sound the same as the video (different guitar, pickups, playing style, post processing, etc.)

[eklon.sousa]

Hi!

I haven’t tried the video setup yet. I’d like to confirm in advance if it would have any limitations using the IR-x as an Insert into H90.

Also, I think that I would lose the capability of managing the insert, right? My setup would be 100% dependent on the IR-x. I wouldn’t be able to bypass it as I’m able with this routing that I’m doing.

Yes, sure, I’m considering the guitar/pickups and etc… but, actually, it sounds really different. I’m sure that is not related to the guitar, as I’m not using any other FX or post processing.

This video triggered that I could sound a lot better with the setup that I have.

Thanks!

[joecozzi]

eklon.sousa wrote:

This is how my setup is connected: Guitar → H90 In 1 H90 Out 2 → IR-X INPUT IR-X BALANCED OUT → H90 In 2 H90 Out 1/2 → Mixer With this setup, I have the opportunity to bypass the IR-x anytime.

If you connect the guitar to H90 In 1, you should be coming out of Out 3 to the IR-X, then back into the H90 on In 3 if you want the IR-X on Insert 1 of the H90. Then take Out 1/2 to your mixer.

[eklon.sousa]

Joe, you are right. I’ve typed wrongly.

The actual connections (without changes yet)

Guitar -> H90 Input 1

H90 Out 1  -> Mixer

H90 Out 3 – IRx Input

IRx Balanced Output ->H90 In 3

 

Thanks!

 

[joecozzi]

eklon.sousa wrote:

Hi! I haven’t tried the video setup yet. I’d like to confirm in advance if it would have any limitations using the IR-x as an Insert into H90. Also, I think that I would lose the capability of managing the insert, right? My setup would be 100% dependent on the IR-x. I wouldn’t be able to bypass it as I’m able with this routing that I’m doing. Yes, sure, I’m considering the guitar/pickups and etc… but, actually, it sounds really different. I’m sure that is not related to the guitar, as I’m not using any other FX or post processing. This video triggered that I could sound a lot better with the setup that I have. Thanks!

Since the person in the video is going straight into the IR-X and then to the H90, make sure to position the Insert at the beginning of the H90 chain, so the first thing the guitar sees is the IR-X preamp. To answer your questions directly, there should be no difference with either method. In fact, here’s another very talented YouTuber using your routing: https://youtu.be/V1Dx0Mkpmdo?t=276&si=6I96zTE9rHy54TiF

As to why it’s sounds different, it could be that the player is not using stock settings. Perhaps they’ve edited the Programs to exaggerate the sound in some way. Maybe they are using a different IR, model, or SIM. Are you using series or parallel routing in your configuration of Presets? Also, are you connecting the outputs of the H90 to instrument inputs of your audio interface or are they line level -10 dB inputs? If your entire signal chain is setup for instrument level but you’re connecting to line level inputs, there’s an impedance mismatch happening and you may need to adjust the operating levels of the H90. Most likely, though, it’s just custom settings that are rendering different results.

[eklon.sousa]

Hi Joe,

This video was my source to set as I did. 🙂

 

I’ve made some tests.

I connected IRx -> H90 -> Mixer. No Inserts.

With this routing it s a LOT better. Sounds really close to the videos that we were talking, with that fine adjustment.

and I’m confident that it is related to “Kill Dry”and also “Insert position”.

“Kill Dry” there is a Global field and also one field by algo plus another one to the preset.

I’m struggling with this setup. What whould be the best way set with the given setup? IRx as Insert 1 .

 

While trying “Kill Dry”, for some cases, it would bring the clean sound of the guitar. Sometimes the “Insert” just disappear, in other cases it sound good, but sound like something odd.

Appreciate it!

 

[joecozzi]

eklon.sousa wrote:

What whould be the best way set with the given setup? IRx as Insert 1 .

I would not apply kill dry to any presets or global settings. To simulate the routing of Guitar > IR-X > H90 I would use Insert Routing mode and connect the IR-X on Insert 1 and position it before Preset A and Preset B on the H90.

[joecozzi]

Hi eklon.sousa,

In general, it’s best not to use Kill Dry for serial signal paths. Kill Dry should be considered any time there is a parallel signal path, either within the H90 through a parallel routing mode, or when using the H90 as an external effects processor via an auxiliary bus in live sound or recording. In parallel configurations, we’re essentially doubling the dry signal present at the split point, so if one of the effects in parallel is not used in Kill Dry it can be challenging to make level adjustments because of the doubling of dry signal present. This is where using kill dry on a preset basis makes sense. I would only ever use the global kill dry when using the H90 as an external wet time-based effects (delay/reverb) processor for live or recording. Hope that clarifies when to best apply kill dry.

[eklon.sousa]

Hi Joe,

 

Yes, it is clear! Much appreciated.

 

My last question is: When using the IR-x into H90 (In 1, Out1), it sounds really great. And it doesn’t sound like it when using the Insert mode. Is there any tip or advice to make it sound like the “direct” mode? Maybe Send/Return levels?

 

Thank you so much!

[joecozzi]

There’s a few things you can try:

1. Perhaps it has to do with operating levels. The manual for IR-X specifies that the output is a balanced out, which usually operates at line level. Trying going into the System menu of the H90 > I/O > set In 3 to Line so the input of the insert sees the same impedance of the IR-X output. Outs 1&2 of the H90 should be set according to the type of input you’re connecting to. i.e. if you’re using the Instrument inputs of our audio interface set the H90 outputs to Instrument level; if you’re using line inputs of our audio card, set the H90 outputs to Line.
2. Not sure what you mean by “direct” mode, but if you’re trying to bypass the IR-X IR and Poweramp SIM, maybe you can try applying either the IR or Poweramp SIM by themselves using the software.
3. Or, you could connect to the H90 using the IR-X effects loop SEND. This will only give you the IR-X preamp tone, no cab or Poweramp SIM, for the most “direct” tone possible.

[eklon.sousa]

Joe and tbskoglund, thanks a lot!

 

I’ll try it and I’ll get back here to share the results with the community.

 

Thank you so much!

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