Strymon Iridium
The Strymon Iridium, introduced in 2019, is a compact amp and cabinet modeler built around three familiar amplifier voices, nine high-resolution cabinet impulse responses, and direct controls that behave more like a small amplifier than a menu-driven multi-effects processor.
Amp Models
Iridium focuses on three amplifier types rather than a large catalog:
- Round: Based on the normal channel of a Fender Deluxe Reverb, with bright, scooped cleans and enough range to move toward tweed-like midrange as the Middle control is raised.
- Chime: Based on the Brilliant channel of a Vox AC30, providing jangly highs, touch-sensitive breakup, and a Tone Cut-style Middle control.
- Punch: Based on the top input of a Marshall Plexi Super Lead, with stronger mids, more gain, and a hot-rodded range at higher Drive settings.
Strymon's Matrix Modeling process recreates the response of each circuit while extending the controls beyond the exact range of the source amplifier.
Effects and Cabinets
Iridium is not a conventional multi-effects unit. Its only onboard ambience is an adjustable hybrid room reverb, designed to restore the sense of a miked cabinet in a physical space. The cabinet section provides three stereo 24-bit/96 kHz impulse responses for each amp type, for nine factory choices in total. These include Deluxe Reverb, Blues Junior, Vibrolux, AC30, custom Alnico, Mesa, and Marshall-style cabinets from established IR producers. Users can replace the factory cabinets with their own impulse responses through Strymon Impulse Manager.
Features
Key features of the Iridium include:
- Amp-style Drive, Level, Bass, Middle, and Treble controls with no screen or nested menu required for core sounds.
- Stereo input and output, with support for instrument- or line-level sources.
- A discrete headphone amplifier for silent practice and direct monitoring.
- Nine replaceable cabinet IR slots using 24-bit/96 kHz, 500 ms impulse responses.
- Expression-pedal support for morphing controls or adjusting volume.
- MIDI access to 300 preset locations with the appropriate TRS MIDI connection.
- Adjustable room ambience and analog buffered bypass.
Players
Iridium appeals to musicians who want a direct rig but prefer the immediacy of amplifier knobs to a large touchscreen or editor. It is commonly used at the end of a pedalboard, where traditional drives and effects feed one of its three amp voices before the stereo output runs to a PA, recording interface, headphones, or full-range monitor.
Legacy
The Strymon Iridium helped establish the compact amp-and-IR pedal as a serious alternative to both a miked amplifier and a full multi-effects floorboard. Its deliberately limited amp selection remains its defining strength: three recognizable foundations, fast controls, and high-quality direct cabinet sound in a conventional pedal format.