Introduction
The Strymon Iridium is an advanced amp and impulse response (IR) cabinet simulator designed for electric and acoustic guitars, synthesizers, and keyboards. It provides the sound and feel of a world-class tube amplifier driving a perfectly matched speaker cabinet in a great-sounding room, directly to your recording interface or PA system. This manual provides detailed instructions for setting up and operating your Iridium pedal.
Figure 1: The Strymon Iridium Amp and IR Cab Simulator Guitar Pedal.
Setup
Follow these steps to set up your Strymon Iridium pedal:
- Power Connection: Connect a 9VDC power supply (center-negative, 500mA minimum) to the 9VDC input jack on the rear of the pedal. Ensure the power supply meets the specified requirements to prevent damage.
- Instrument Input: Connect your instrument (guitar, synth, or keyboard) to the IN jack on the rear of the pedal.
- Audio Output:
- For mono output, connect the OUT L jack to your amplifier, audio interface, or PA system.
- For stereo output, connect both OUT L and OUT R jacks to your stereo amplifier setup, audio interface, or PA system.
- USB Connection (Optional): Connect a USB cable from the USB port on the pedal to your computer for firmware updates or MIDI control.
- Expression/MIDI Pedal (Optional): Connect an expression pedal or MIDI controller to the EXP/MIDI jack for external control over various parameters.
Figure 2: Iridium pedal connected in a typical setup.
Operating Instructions
The Strymon Iridium offers a range of controls to shape your tone. Familiarize yourself with the following:
Controls and Switches
- DRIVE: Adjusts the amount of gain and overdrive for the selected amplifier model.
- BASS, MIDDLE, TREBLE: Three-band EQ controls to shape the tonal characteristics of your sound.
- LEVEL: Controls the overall output volume of the pedal.
- ROOM: Adjusts the amount of room ambience applied to your sound.
- AMP Switch: Selects between three amplifier models:
- Round: Based on a Fender Deluxe Reverb, offering clean, bright tones with ample headroom.
- Chime: Based on a Vox AC30, providing the classic British Invasion sound.
- Punch: Based on a Marshall Plexi Super Lead 1959, delivering higher gain and a powerful midrange response.
- CAB Switch: Selects between three impulse response (IR) cabinet models for each amplifier type (a, b, c). Each position offers a different speaker cabinet simulation.
- FAV Footswitch: Toggles between the current settings and a saved favorite preset. Press and hold to save the current settings as a favorite.
- ON Footswitch: Engages or bypasses the Iridium effect.
Amplifier Models
The Iridium features three distinct tube amplifier models, each meticulously crafted using Matrix Modeling™ technology to capture their unique tonal qualities and response:
- Round: A clean, bright, and full-bodied amp with significant headroom, ideal for pristine cleans and light breakup.
- Chime: This amp delivers the characteristic chime and sparkle associated with classic British amplifiers, perfect for articulate rhythm and lead tones.
- Punch: Designed for higher gain applications, this amp provides a powerful, aggressive midrange and rich harmonic content, suitable for rock and heavier genres.
Figure 3: Overview of Iridium's core features.
Impulse Response (IR) Cabinets
Iridium includes nine stereo IR speaker cabinets, offering unparalleled realism and responsiveness. These cabinets provide full stereo 24-bit 96kHz resolution throughout 500 milliseconds of the IR, ensuring maximum authenticity. You can select different cabinet IRs using the CAB switch.
Adjustable Room Ambience
The pedal features a hybrid room reverb that combines a 256ms stereo impulse response with Strymon's reverb tank algorithm. This creates a natural-sounding room environment (small, medium, or large) for your amp and cab, allowing your tone to breathe and adding depth. Adjust the ROOM knob to control the amount of this ambience.
Stereo Operation
The Iridium is designed for stereo use, allowing you to experience immersive stereo effects. Connect both OUT L and OUT R to a stereo input for a wide, expansive sound.
Figure 4: Iridium integrated into a pedalboard.
Video Demonstration
Video 1: Official demonstration of the Strymon Iridium Amp and IR Cab Simulator Guitar Pedal, showcasing its features and sound.
Maintenance
To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your Strymon Iridium, follow these maintenance guidelines:
- Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the pedal's exterior. Avoid abrasive cleaners or solvents, which can damage the finish.
- Storage: Store the pedal in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and high humidity.
- Power Supply: Always use the correct 9VDC center-negative power supply as specified. Using an incorrect power supply can cause irreversible damage.
- Connections: Periodically check all cable connections for wear and tear. Ensure jacks are free of dust and debris.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with your Strymon Iridium, consider the following troubleshooting steps:
- No Sound:
- Verify that the power supply is correctly connected and providing power.
- Check all audio cable connections (input, output L/R) to ensure they are secure.
- Ensure the ON footswitch is engaged (LED illuminated).
- Confirm that the LEVEL knob is not set to minimum.
- Poor Sound Quality:
- Check for faulty cables.
- Adjust the DRIVE, BASS, MIDDLE, and TREBLE knobs to fine-tune your tone.
- Experiment with different AMP and CAB settings.
- Ensure your instrument's output is not clipping the Iridium's input.
- Footswitch Not Responding:
- Ensure the pedal is receiving power.
- If using the FAV footswitch, ensure a preset has been saved.
If problems persist after attempting these steps, please contact Strymon customer support.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Item Model Number | IRIDIUM |
| Item Weight | 1.5 pounds (680 Grams) |
| Product Dimensions | 4.72 x 3.94 x 2.36 inches (12 x 10 x 6 cm) |
| Body Material | Aluminum |
| Color | Black |
| Connector Type | USB 2.0 |
| Hardware Interface | USB 2.0 Type B |
| Signal Format | Analog |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Voltage | 9 Volts |
Warranty and Support
For information regarding product warranty, registration, and technical support, please visit the official Strymon website or contact their customer service department. Details on warranty coverage and how to obtain service are typically provided with your product packaging or on the manufacturer's website.
Strymon is committed to providing high-quality products and support. If you have any questions or require assistance, please reach out to their dedicated support team.
