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The Soldano X88R is considered by many guitar players as the holy grail of rack mount tube preamps. From its inspiring Soldano tone to distinctive purple anodized panel, the X88R is
one of the world’s most sought-after pieces of vintage gear used by countless professional musicians includingPeter Frampton, Warren DeMartini, Michael Landau, Steve Lukather, Lou Reed and Lee Ritenour to name a few.
The new X88-IR continues this legacy by preserving every ounce of Soldano’s legendary tone, with updated modern features tailored to meet the needs of today’s professional players.
To fully appreciate the new X88-IR, we must first look back into its history.
HISTORY OF THE ORIGINAL X88R
The initial idea for a three-channel Soldano rackmount guitar preamp came from Bob Bradshaw, rack builder to the stars. According to Mike Soldano “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 to make it happen.”Here’s the story:
In 1987, Steve Lukather began using the new Soldano SLO-100 heads. Bob Bradshaw built Steve’s rack system and toured with him to ensure it always worked flawlessly.
While visiting Bob’s shop in North Hollywood, Bob discussed with Mike what a pain it was to haul around three amps just so Steve could get his various sounds. Steve’s complicated wet-dry-wet rig also needed heavy dummy loads to get a low level “slave” signal from the power amp’s output to run into the 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 to obtain 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 to build 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 into Steve’s rack, it was big smiles all around and history was made.
By the Summer of 1988, Soldano developed 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 two position 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 to customize channels 2/3 to your liking. You can select one Crunch and one Overdrive channels, two Crunch Channels or two Overdrive 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 to MIDI store a preset.
MASTER SECTION
The Master section includes a global Master Level Control, Headphone Output jack and Headphone Level Control.
STEREO OPERTION / STEREO LOOP
The X88-IR offers stereo operation with:
· ¼” Main Outputs
· Balanced XLR Outputs with a Ground Lift and Level Switch
· Stereo Loop with a Mono Send and Stereo Return 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 to choose from. Each expertly recorded IR can be assigned to each 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 Soldano Editor 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 stereo power amp simulation, coupled with the on-board ultra-low latency cabinet Impulse Responses delivers a studio grade direct solution.
SOLDANO EDITOR SOFTWARE - EXPANDED FEATURES
The Soldano Editor Software features an intuitive user interface, allowing you to easily select the channels, the channel mode, the different IRs for all three channels, load and organize your IR library, and save up to 128 MIDI presets.
The Editor Software offers additional features which are assignable to each 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 to 128 user-created presets with real time Control Changes. You can assign and organize your presets right from the front panel or with the included Soldano Editor Software.
UNIVERSAL VOLTAGE
Mike Soldano designed the X88-IR to work seamlessly anywhere in the world with the help of a voltage selector switch found on the back panel. When traveling or moving to a different country and want to take 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 to go!
PHANTOM POWER
The X88-IR includes a back-panel Phantom Power jack which can be used to power MIDI controllers.
Features
· Three Channel all-tube stereo rackmount 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
o Fender style Normal Mode
o 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
o 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 to connect Software Editor
o Includes a 6’ USB cable
· MIDI/Footswitch Input
· MIDI Phantom Power input jack
· ¼” Main Outputs
· Stereo XLR Outputs with Level Switch and Ground Lift Switch
· Ultra-transparent stereo series effects loop:
o Mono Send and Stereo Return jacks
o Level Switch
SOLDANO SOFTWARE EDITOR
· Easy to use USB Editor Software
· Save up to 128 MIDI presets
· Load and organize your IR library
o Includes 12 IRs to choose from
· Midi Presets allows you to select:
o Channel
o Channel mode
o Assign different IRs for all three channels
o Low-Pass and High-Pass Filters
o Power Amp three position Depth Switch
o Power Amp three position Presence Switch
