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The catalog·2026 · OCT
Strymon Iridium
Amp-in-a-boxSince 2020~$399

01Pedal catalog

Strymon Iridium

The compact direct-to-FOH rig: three amps and IR cabinets for fly dates without a backline.

The Suede verdict

The most convincing amp-in-a-box pedal under $500. The IR engine alone is worth the price. If you fly to gigs, this is the answer.

02On the bench

What it does

Three amp models — Fender Deluxe Reverb ('Round'), Vox AC30 ('Chime'), and Marshall Plexi ('Punch') — each running through nine selectable impulse-response cabinets, with a built-in tube-style power-amp emulation. Iridium is Strymon's compact answer to the Kemper / Quad Cortex problem: get the sound of a great amp through a great cab into a great mic without the amp, the cab, or the mic. Direct outputs feed FOH or an interface; an amp output feeds a clean power amp. Tonally each of the three amps is uncannily convincing — the Plexi in particular holds up against the Universal Audio plugin version of the same amp. The 'Room' control adds a small amount of room ambience to take the dryness off direct signals.

Tone notes
  • 01Punch, the Plexi model, is the standout: Hendrix-y crunch on tap
  • 02Round mode is a convincing Blackface Deluxe
  • 03IRs included are studio-quality, not stock samples
  • 04Room knob saves it from being too dry direct
  • 05headphone out is genuinely usable for late-night practice

03Power

What it takes to run the Iridium.

Typical draw

500mA at 9V

At 500mA it needs a high-current jack, and an isolated one: big digital pedals put noise on a shared ground.

Typical published draw. Check the label on your unit for its voltage and polarity before you plug in.

Supplies with a jack that fits
Plan a board with the Strymon IridiumBuild a chain on The BoardPower draw for 211 pedals

04In the room

Where else this pedal lives.

Best paired with
Articles mentioning it
Alternative to consider

Universal Audio Dream '65 if you only need Fender territory; Iridium covers more ground.