Soldano X88-IR Three Channel All-Tube Stereo Rackmount Preamplifier Limited Edition

The SoldanX88R is considered by many guitar players as the holy grail of rack mount tube preamps. From its inspiring Soldantone tdistinctive purple anodized panel, the X88R is one of the world’s most sought-after pieces of vintage gear used by countless professional musicians including Peter Frampton, Warren DeMartini, Michael Landau, Steve Lukather, Lou Reed and Lee Ritenour tname a few.

The new X88-IR continues this legacy by preserving every ounce of Soldano’s legendary tone, with updated modern features tailored tmeet the needs of today’s professional players.  

Tfully appreciate the new X88-IR, we must first look back intits history.

HISTORY OF THE ORIGINAL X88R
The initial idea for a three-channel Soldanrackmount guitar preamp came from Bob Bradshaw, rack builder tthe stars. According tMike Soldan“If not for Bradshaw’s request, the X88R would never have happened. I thank Bob Bradshaw for his idea and for his trust in me tmake it happen.” Here’s the story:

In 1987, Steve Lukather began using the new SoldanSLO-100 heads. Bob Bradshaw built Steve’s rack system and toured with him tensure it always worked flawlessly.

While visiting Bob’s shop in North Hollywood, Bob discussed with Mike what a pain it was thaul around three amps just sSteve could get his various sounds.  Steve’s complicated wet-dry-wet rig alsneeded heavy dummy loads tget a low level “slave” signal from the power amp’s output trun intthe effects.  This large rig generated extra wear and tear and expense, as shipping and handling those heavy amps and load cabinets required more truck space and crew labor.

Mike agreed that using his SLO-100 heads just tobtain a rack-system-friendly 0db output signal was inefficient.  This was especially true because the SLO’s revolutionary cascading gain design already provided all of Soldano’s iconic tone in the preamp section.

Bob requested Mike tbuild an all-tube preamp with three independent channels, clean, crunch, and overdrive, that could be integrated with his switching systems and replace all that heavy gear. When it was done, Bob wired it intSteve’s rack, it was big smiles all around and history was made.

By the Summer of 1988, Soldandeveloped a production version of this preamp, the first of which was purchased by Warren Cucurullo. The X88R was the first of its kind, and the first truly professional stand-alone guitar preamp.

Nearly four decades later, Mike Soldano’s new X88-IR is a masterpiece that expands on the original X88R with new key features and upgrades:

THE CHANNELS
Just like the X88R, the new X88-IR features three channels each with Preamp Level, 3-Band EQ, Output Level and Bright Switch.  The original X88R featured independent channels for
clean, crunch and overdrive.  The new X88-IR offers significantly more flexibility including:

Channel 1 (the “clean” Channel) now includes a twposition Normal/Altered mode.

The Normal mode is a Fender inspired clean tone.
The Altered mode offers a boosted clean for edge of breakup tones

In Normal Mode, the channel 1 select button will illuminate Green.
In Altered Mode the channel 1 select button will illuminate Yellow.

Channel 2 and Channel 3 are identical, both featuring a Fat Switch, a Bright switch and a selectable Crunch/Overdrive switch.

This allows you tcustomize channels 2/3 tyour liking.  You can select one Crunch and one Overdrive channels, twCrunch Channels or twOverdrive Channels.

In Crunch Mode, the corresponding channel 2/3 select button will illuminate Purple.
In Overdrive Mode, the corresponding channel 2/3 select button will illuminate Red.

Channel Select - MIDI Store
Each of the three channels features an illuminated channel select switch. Press and hold any of the channel select switches tMIDI store a preset.

MASTER SECTION
The Master section includes a global Master Level Control, Headphone Output jack and Headphone Level Control.

STEREOPERTION / STERELOOP
The X88-IR offers stereoperation with:

• ¼” Main Outputs
• Balanced XLR Outputs with a Ground Lift and Level Switch
• StereLoop with a MonSend and StereReturn as well as a Loop Level switch

IMPULSE RESPONSES - ASSIGNABLE PER CHANNEL/MODE
Impulse response cabinet simulation is an essential tool for modern guitarists.  The X88-IR offers six onboard IR slots tchoose from.  Each expertly recorded IR can be assigned teach channel/mode independently, ensuring you get the perfect tone and speaker response, whether running direct onstage, recording, or utilizing the amp’s headphone output for silent at-home practice. You can bypass the IRs using the provided Bypass switch. Add and manage your own IRs using the included SoldanEditor Software powered by Synergy.

POWER AMP MODELING
As the power amp is a key factor for a truly dynamic and authentic tone, the X88-IR provides an AI captured power amp model simulation based on a 120W 6L6 power amp. This dynamic sterepower amp simulation, coupled with the on-board ultra-low latency cabinet Impulse Responses delivers a studigrade direct solution.

SOLDANEDITOR SOFTWARE - EXPANDED FEATURES
The SoldanEditor Software features an intuitive user interface, allowing you teasily select the channels, the channel mode, the different IRs for all three channels, load and organize your IR library, and save up t128 MIDI presets.  

The Editor Software offers additional features which are assignable teach channel/mode including:

• Low-Pass and High-Pass Filters
• Power Amp three position Depth Switch
• Power Amp three position Presence Switch

MIDI IMPLEMENTATION
The X88-IR preamp accepts external MIDI switchers and controllers, giving you up t128 user-created presets with real time Control Changes. You can assign and organize your presets right from the front panel or with the included SoldanEditor Software.

UNIVERSAL VOLTAGE
Mike Soldandesigned the X88-IR twork seamlessly anywhere in the world with the help of a voltage selector switch found on the back panel.  When traveling or moving ta different country and want ttake the X88-IR with you, just select the right voltage, replace the mains fuse with the correct rating (see manual for safety pre-cautions) and you’re ready tgo!

PHANTOM POWER
The X88-IR includes a back-panel Phantom Power jack which can be used tpower MIDI controllers.

Features

• Three Channel all-tube stererackmount preamp
• Soldano’s famous cascading-gain design
• Hand built in the USA
• Tubes: 5 x 12AX7
• Limited Lifetime Warranty
• Dimensions (2-unit rack space): 19” (W) x 10.25” (D) x 3.5” (H)
• Weight: 10 lbs.

FRONT PANEL

• Purple Anodized front panel
• All Channels - Preamp Level, Bass, Middle, Treble, Output Level and Bright switch
• Channel 1- Bright switch and selectable Normal/Altered Mode
  • Fender style Normal Mode
  • Boosted clean Altered Mode
• Channel 2/3 - Fat Switch, Bright Switch and selectable Crunch / Overdrive Mode
• Master Level Control
• Headphone Output jack with Level Control
• IR cabinet simulation (bypassable)
• 6 IR presets, individually programmable per channel /mode
  • Load your own IRs via the Software Editor

BACK PANEL

• Voltage selector switch - Mains Fuse must be changed (please read manual)
• USB (type B 2.0) connector tconnect Software Editor
  • Includes a 6’ USB cable
• MIDI/Footswitch Input
• MIDI Phantom Power input jack
• ¼” Main Outputs
• StereXLR Outputs with Level Switch and Ground Lift Switch
• Ultra-transparent stereseries effects loop:
• MonSend and StereReturn jacks
• Level Switch

SOLDANSOFTWARE EDITOR

• Easy tuse USB Editor Software
• Save up t128 MIDI presets
• Load and organize your IR library
  • Includes 12 IRs tchoose from
• Midi Presets allows you tselect:​
  • Channel
  • Channel mode
  • Assign different IRs for all three channels
  • Low-Pass and High-Pass Filters
  • Power Amp three position Depth Switch
  • Power Amp three position Presence Switch