Tuesday, December 24, 2024
GuitarGuitar Amps

Which amp/cab sim pedal would you choose? – Dream vs. Iridium vs. ACS1 – Clean/pedals/gain/reverb


The moment I heard the UA I knew I needed to make this video. There are good things to be said about all these pedals but theres a few features of the UA that have my full attention.
– Sweetwater links –
UA: https://imp.i114863.net/oe6Yjo
Strymon: https://imp.i114863.net/BXQOoW
Walrus: https://imp.i114863.net/jMDYZ
– Thomann Links –
UA: https://www.thomannmusic.com/universal_audio_uafx_dream_65.htm?offid=1&affid=405
Strymon: https://www.thomannmusic.com/strymon_iridium_amp_ir_cab.htm?offid=1&affid=405
Walrus: https://www.thomannmusic.com/walrus_audio_acs_1_ampcab_simulator.htm?offid=1&affid=405

Technically this video is unpaid, but full disclosure: Walrus and Strymon did pay for my initial demos of these products, and my initial demo of the UA Dream was paid for by Sweetwater, so far I’ve had 0 direct contact with UA. I clicked the “Paid Promotion” tab because my coverage of these products was compensated in the past.
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#ampcab #sim #pedal #choose #Dream #Iridium #ACS1 #Cleanpedalsgainreverb

Originally posted by UCUB6zi9kg1b6m8MfBtW5hkQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prr1YDspR_o

48 thoughts on “Which amp/cab sim pedal would you choose? – Dream vs. Iridium vs. ACS1 – Clean/pedals/gain/reverb

  • I kind of like tweed sounding amps more than 65 silverface Fenders. Do these pedals do like a tweed sound?

    Reply
  • I plan on getting an ACs1 and this has confirmed my findings. The dream is the nicest sounding, but the fact that it is only one amp is limiting. Again, I love it but I think for recordings and live settings, the dual amps soundsin stereo is just so cool for the Acs1

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  • I have the iridium for a long time – maybe the UA are better – but it works at home and on stage, I changed some IR,s, still like the sound… : )

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  • Is there something wrong with me that I just don’t find the Dream all that impressive? Have one and just cannot get it to sound like a real Deluxe Reverb. Nor do I think it sounds all that great here. Have also had the ASC1 and iridium (easiest of the three to dial in but still seemed to be a bit lacking). Also have the ruby and lion. Similarly underwhelmed. So maybe I just don’t find simulations all that convincing. I want to. Would certainly be easier.

    Reply
  • I’ve had the dream for a year. I absolutely LOVE how authentic it sounds. I justified my purchase by understanding its a one amp pedal and it’s more convenient than lugging around an amp. But currently really looking at the tonex because you have a plethora of amp. My ear is decent but I’m fine losing a little authenticity if it means I can have many more amps.

    Reply
  • Nearly pulled the trigger on the Dream 65…..but chickened out and grabbed a Tonex One. Painful IK software interactions over, I'm liking it. For reverb I got the O11 🙂 I doubt the Tonex One can beat the D65 for it's niche, and other cool aspects…..but I'm a little richer 😉

    Reply
  • Do any of these have balanced outputs, where you could use a TRS to XLR cable, direct to front of house. I have a stereo set up now with my headrest gigboard. But it would be great to be able to use my pedal platform with my stereo reverb and delay to a box like this, I was just trying to avoid adding a direct box or isolator first. If the signal chain starts getting too cumbersome, it kind of defeats the purpose of switching from the multi-effects I'm using now.

    Reply
  • My understanding is that the iridium is based on the non vibrato channel whereas the dream is the vibrato channel – maybe that’s why the iridium is a little flat in comparison

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  • I bought the Iridium at the time it was released and I use it for every single guitar track I record, and about 50% of my practicing. Haven't used it at a live gig, most places I play don't have much in the way of a "Front of House" PA, lol. I love Walrus Audio, have several of their pedals, the ACS1 seems just as good as the Strymon. EDIT: BTW, not covered here, but the Strymon actually has three different sizes of room reverb, which you can switch between with the secondary function of the room knob.

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  • The UA stuff sounds good by itself, but I was really not impressed by how any of the 3 pedals handled fuzz or distortion- just sounded like they really didn't handle them well

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  • I liked the review. The primary value of this video is the commentary. I find his reactions and critique of what he is experiencing more valuable than the guitar tones I’m hearing on my phone.

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  • There were a couple of pedals that I preferred through the ACS1 but largely I preferred the Dream and will likely get that because I’m a fender amp guy. That’s what I run currently and it just nailed all the sounds I’m looking to replicate.

    Reply
  • I dream of this comparison with a keyboard and hammond, Rhodes, Wurtly, Clavinet…. sounds. Thanks for the thoroughness of the tests, you tipped the scales for me for the UA, it sounds more realistic.

    Reply
  • Great comparison demo! Lots of settings being played through on each and just enough talk. Thanks for mentioning the "NUX thing". I had one and never found any settings of any use.

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  • Thank you! Have you ever plugged the UA Dream into a powered Cab for stage use? Thinking about buying one and not lugging and worring about tube amps.

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  • I liked the fuzz part a lot! Thanks for handling this. Walrus kept a lot of the fuzz characteristics. I would love a video that zooms in on this aspect and gets in some analog sims as well. Do they or do they not preserve the fuzz violence better then digital ones ?

    Reply
  • i realize this is an older video, but i have only gotten interested in going ampless recently. that being said, i have been trying to find a amp simulator that can capture the sound of my Supros and Dr. Z. is there a simulator like that? the ones i see all capture the sounds of EL84, EL34, 6L6, and 6V6 tube amps. and these are all quite different from 7591, 5881, and 6973 power tubes. anyway, i was wondering if anyone can help me along. thanks in advance

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  • I went with the Boss IR200, spectacular pedal! You should have included that one in this.

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  • In general especially where adding pedals to the front end are concerned, my ears lead me back to the ACS1, but overall, as a straight up amp sim fronm a guy who owns an actual 65 DRRI , hands down the UA.

    Reply
  • I don't understand what I'm even look at / listening to. When its not going thru any of the boxes – when none of them were on – what tf am I hearing then?

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  • The UAD sounds so much better clean to low gain. The walrus performs well in every scenario and it’s hands down the best with fuzz and drive. UAD sucked with fuzz. Iridium sounds worse every single time.

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  • I just try the walrus and I can say in a live situation was really the best, that shime, in a strat/ tele situation really helps, with the dreams you may need more pedals to get there, Eq etc.
    I try the walrus with a nice compressor and I was really impressed.

    Reply
  • I’ve owned every one of these pedals…the most disappointing were the UA pedals (bought all 3 the day they came out)….the VERY BEST board pedal is the two notes revolt….it goes to show how that bassman circuit became the Marshall plexi and then later higher gained amps…something about the tube too….nothing comes close.

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  • I know it's been a year, but why didn't you throw the Woodrow in the mix/test? Do you have a separate review on that, or did you not prefer it at all? Thnx, Brent

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  • Hi one important question for me..of all the pedal amps simulator you've tried, which one do you think has the most dynamics under your fingers?
    ps
    UAD, dsm & humboldt simplifier, Tc electronics, Iridium, Vicotory ACS1, I really don't know. The problem here is not just the sound for me but the dynamic, if you can please help me about this point :)) ! Thank you !

    Reply
  • I believe you accidentally left some room on the ACS1. I hear some reverb. I own both the ACS1 and Dream.

    Reply

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