Overview
Quantum DSP Impulse Responses can be loaded a couple of different ways on the software side. They can be loaded into a digital amp simulator as well as into your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) through a dedicated IR loader plugin.
Loading the Quantum DSP Impulse Responses into an AMP Simulator
First, you want to open your favorite Audio Plugin. You can open this in a standalone mode on your desktop computer, or insert it as a plugin in your DAW. Secondly, you want to navigate to the speaker section of your guitar plugin and look for the IR browser/IR selector. AMP sims that support third-party IR's will allow you to load your impulse responses in here. If you do not see this option, then your plugin does not support third-party IR's. If you are using a plugin that allows you to load multiple IR's, be sure to disable the others so they do not conflict with the IR you are loading.
Once you have selected a Quantum DSP IR, the impulse is loaded and ready to rock. You will be able to adjust all your AMP sim parameters except the speaker section as it's not needed. You can also easily cycle through the Quantum DSP IRs, and create different tones without the need to change AMP sim settings.
Loading Impulses Responses Through a Dedicated IR Plugin in our DAW
First, you want to Insert your AMP sim as a plugin in your DAW. Then navigate to the cabinet section of your AMP sim and turn off/ bypass the cabinet section. If you are unable to turn off the cabinets, then you will need to use another AMP sim which allows you to.
Next, we can load our impulse responses by using a third-party dedicated IR loader plugin or a stock convolution plugin. In this example, we will use this convolution plugin to load our IR. Insert your amp IR loader plugin after the AMP sim in the signal chain. Next, we can browse and load our third-party IR into the plugin. There we go, that simple, ready to rock.
What are the Benefits to Loading IRs in a Dedicated Plugin
There are two main benefits. The first is with a dedicated plugin, you will get to use the full quality of the IR file. In the case of the Quantum DSP’s IRs, they are captured in high fidelity using 500ms samples. Most amp plugins and even some hardware units will truncate down to 100ms or less.
Secondly, this method will allow you to take advantage of an IR mixer allowing you to mix two or more impulse responses together to create a massive guitar tone.
Can Impulse Responses be Loaded in Other Ways?
Impulse responses are not limited to software plugins and can also be used and loaded on hardware units such as Kemper, Line6 Helix, Two Notes Torpedo / Captor X, or they can be loaded into physical amps and full range guitar speaker cabinets such as the Line 6 Powercab. For more detailed insight into the process, we have a dedicated post highlighting the process.
Loading an impulse response is very easy and can drastically improve your guitar tone. If you are ready to take your guitar tone to the next level, then be sure to check out our Quantum DSP’s Hybrid Impulse Responses and expand your creative horizons!
