An Introduction to Impulse Responses by Pete Thorn

Pete Thorn, gives us a concise introduction to speaker impulse responses – what they are and why they are so incredibly useful in the studio and when performing live.

This is a definite "must watch" if you're new to speaker IRs and looking for a quick and simple intro.

First Pete explains why it's so difficult to get (and recreate) the right tone using physical speakers, cabinets and mic setups. Then he tells us about the benefits of having the sound you want "bottled" into a digital file that you can reuse again and again.

As a professional guitarist with many live tours behind him, Pete understands the realities of setting up for a show in different venues, with different sound systems and different PA guys to work with in each of them.

"Imagine the sound man's delight when he realises you've got this awesome miked up speaker and cabinet sound that was done by a professional engineer in a great recording studio... He doesn't have to go through the bother of miking your amp anymore. There's no bleed into a microphone from any of the other instruments and the sound is super punchy in the PA and it's absolutely consistent from night to night."

[bobbycamerontv]

Great tutorial Pete. Thank you so much. You’ve explained this so well. I hope all is well in your world. Blessings.

[CB-fpzr]

You are such a humble guy. Keep Rockin Pete!!

[elledechenestudio]

Thank you, I've been so confused about all of these pieces, what goes with what, and how I can record my guitar at night in my apartment. I've been listening to your Sunday live streams (which I really enjoy), this will help me to understand the discussions better.

[lesa]

Thank you Sir! Just steered this old timer into a long overdue direction to learn more about IR's.

[irblueflames]

I’m a short period of time I e became addicted to this videos your channel is fire very useful tips and great way to deliver information thank you Sir. 🙏🏻

[Johnsormani]

The first time I heard of impulse responses was in 2011, when I was talking to one of the developers of altiverb, the first convolution reverb. Back then it was rather exclusive. Nowadays you can download an IR in a cheap pedal. How cool is that?

[adreenal]

IR... IR... IR get it now! Cheers Pete, clear & to the point as ever. 💪🎶

[guitarpoetone]

Wow I think I got it now u explain the irs in a friendly understandable way thank u much dig yer vids I just bought the Headrush gigboard

[ManuelTrujano]

Excellent video!!! Really good explanations

[evgeniykishov]

Hello, Pete,
thanks for explanations! But just for curiosity it's interesting to know who is pioneered in usage of impulse responses in musical industry? From capturing reverb chambers to guitar cab simulations. The history of IRs technology is interesting

[axelf]

Thanks Pete, you explain really clearly how to use IR’s. Now my wife will be glad too, as I won’t have to crank my amp while recording at home!

[georgewilkins]

A subject worth learning guys do your own research and then connect the dots.

[tricko]

Traditional tube amp guy... toying with the idea of buying a Kemper (or UA OX). Bought a Strymon Iridium as a half measure & absolutely LOVE IT! As a tube amp guy who hated “modelers”, it was a pretty amazing realization. Don’t think I really need Kemper or OX anymore... the Iridium sounds amazing & simple to operate with my existing pedals.

[CarlGtSmith]

There are many IR products on the market, but I think DYNAX IR has the best sound. As stated in their product description, DYNAX IR is really fast. When using IRs, the pick attack is sometimes delayed, and it is difficult to add picking nuances, but their IR prevents all of that. It's revolutionary!

[ricardoa]

great and practical explanation, thank you buddy

[stephenedwards]

Something I don't understand, is the IR, is snapshot of the speaker cab, room ambience, mic position only. Or is it a snapshot of the afore mentioned plus the amp that was driving the cab and any sound processing that was applied to the amp ?

[VLC]

Great intro thanks Pete. Look forward to your next album man.

[ndrewRock]

Whoa this was finally insightful, thanks a lot!!

[thegolfnut]

Thanks Pete, but I'm having a problem understanding what file to download these IR's into on my computer. I think it would be good to show how you structure your files. Thanks.

[stofenn]

@petethorne - Did you just instantiate 3 different tracks and then blend them together?