BOSS IR-2 Amp & Cabinet Pedal

The BOSS IR-2 is a compact guitar amp emulator and cabinet impulse-response loader designed to deliver complete amp-and-speaker tones without requiring a traditional amplifier onstage or in the studio. It lets guitarists send a processed signal directly to a PA system, recording setup, or headphones. This makes it a practical option for pedalboard-based performance, home practice, and direct recording.

Eleven onboard amp types cover clean, vintage-style, crunch, and high-gain voices, each paired at the factory with a Celestion Digital cabinet IR. Familiar Gain, Level, Bass, Middle, and Treble controls make it straightforward to shape the response of each sound. A dedicated Ambience control adds adjustable space without requiring an external reverb pedal.

The IR-2 uses 32-bit floating-point processing and a 96 kHz sampling rate for its amp and cabinet processing. Its factory cabinet selections include Celestion speaker, cabinet, and microphone combinations matched to the eleven amp types. Users can also replace the factory cabinet IRs with compatible WAV-format IR files through the IR-2 IR Loader software.

A mono input feeds stereo-capable outputs, while the send and TRS return loop supports placing modulation, delay, and reverb effects after the amp emulation. This arrangement allows a player to keep drive pedals ahead of the IR-2 and route time-based effects through its post-amp loop. The pedal can also switch between two saved amp/cab tones from its onboard switch or a compatible external footswitch.

USB-C connectivity supports direct recording and audio playback with compatible computers and mobile devices, and the stereo mini phones output supports private monitoring. The amp and cabinet sections can be switched independently when the pedal is used as only an amp emulator or only a cabinet IR loader. With its standard compact-pedal footprint, the IR-2 fits naturally into a guitar pedalboard or direct-performance rig.

Key Features

• Eleven Amp Types: Provides clean, vintage, crunch, and high-gain amp voices in one pedal.
• Celestion Digital Cabinet IRs: Includes factory cabinet impulse responses matched to the onboard amp types.
• Custom IR Loading: Loads compatible WAV cabinet IR files using the dedicated IR-2 IR Loader software.
• Post-Amp Effects Loop: Supports mono or stereo effects routing after the amp emulation stage.
• USB-C Audio: Enables recording and computer or mobile-device audio playback through the pedal.
• Two Tone Channels: Lets players switch between two saved amp and cabinet configurations.

Design & Installation

The IR-2 uses BOSS's compact stompbox-format housing, measuring 73 mm wide by 129 mm deep by 59 mm high. It has dedicated top-panel controls for amp type, gain, EQ, level, and ambience, plus a CHECK indicator for channel and battery status. BOSS does not publish an enclosure-material specification.

Connect a guitar or pedalboard output to the 1/4-inch input, then route OUTPUT A (MONO) or both outputs to a mixer, audio interface, monitoring system, or compatible guitar amp setup. Use the send and TRS return connections for post-amp effects, connect headphones to the stereo mini phones jack for quiet practice, and use USB-C for compatible recording, playback, or IR management. Power is supplied by the included 9 V battery or an optional BOSS PSA-series AC adaptor.