Boss IR-2 Preamp/Rack Amplifier

Boss IR-2 Amp & Cabinet — Studio-Grade Amp Simulation in a Stompbox

Boss IR-2 Amp & Cabinet is a compact amplifier simulator and impulse-response loader that delivers the sound of miked-up tube amps and speaker cabinets straight to a pedalboard. Eleven amplifier models — covering chimey cleans to saturated high-gain — come paired with custom-curated Celestion cabinet IRs, so players can dial in studio-grade guitar tones without a microphone or cabinet. This unit is the right choice for guitarists who want a complete amp-and-cabinet solution in a single stompbox-sized unit.

Official Celestion IRs and Open-Ended Cabinet Loading

Unlike most amp-sim pedals, this model ships with official Celestion Digital impulse responses for every amplifier model — including a 1x12 V-type for the Clean channel and a 2x12 A-type for the Twin emulation. The IR Loader app (Mac/Windows) lets players swap in third-party impulse responses via USB-C, turning the pedal into an open-ended cabinet platform.

Signal Processing — Pro-Grade Fidelity in a Compact Pedal

The internal audio engine runs at high-resolution digital processing, giving the instrument enough headroom to sit comfortably alongside rackmount profilers. Running at 32-bit floating-point processing with a 96 kHz sampling rate, the pedal preserves pick attack and cleans up cleanly at low gain settings.

• 32-bit floating-point processing provides a wide dynamic range for clean low-gain tones.
• Sampling Rate: 96 kHz — extended high-frequency detail
• Amp Models: 11 emulations — Clean, Twin, Tweed, Diamond, Crunch, Brit, Hi-Gain, Sldn, Brown, Modded, Rfier

Connectivity — Drop-In on Any Pedalboard or Studio Rig

The I/O panel covers pedalboard integration and direct recording, with a stereo effects loop for inserting time-based and modulation effects after the amp stage. Audio streaming to a Mac or PC runs through the USB-C port, which also serves as the data link for the IR Loader software.

• Inputs: 6.3 mm TS jack, footswitch, return — guitar, external channel-switch footswitch, and stereo effects returns
• Outputs include 6.3 mm TS (Output A mono / Output B), send, and a 3.5 mm TRS headphone jack to connect to an interface, FOH, or headphones.
• Effects Loop: Mono/stereo — insert modulation, delay, and reverb after the amp/cab simulation

Physical Design — Standard Stompbox Footprint, Road-Ready Build

The pedal keeps the classic BOSS compact-pedal form factor, dropping onto any pedalboard without demanding extra real estate. Power options cover both stationary rigs and grab-and-go practice sessions. Concentric-knob control layout keeps tone shaping fast and menu-free.

• Dimensions: 73 x 129 x 59 mm — standard BOSS stompbox footprint
• Controls: Level, Ambience, Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Amp Select — concentric-knob layout, no menus
• Power the unit with 9 V DC, 300 mA or a 9 V battery for standard supply or on-the-go practice.

Who this product is built for

This pedal is the right choice for gigging guitarists who have moved to in-ear monitors or direct-to-FOH setups and need a reliable stage tone without a backline amp. Bedroom players and home-studio producers benefit from the headphone output and built-in USB-C audio interface. Touring musicians carrying a compact fly rig will appreciate the dual-channel footswitching, stereo effects loop, and battery operation.