THUNDER :: IR Pack

• 3 x 6 IRs (18 IRs in total)
• 3 folders - CLEAR / NATURAL / RAW
• 6 IRs per folder - BRIGHT 1, BRIGHT 2, DARK 1, DARK 2, SMOOTH 1, SMOOTH 2
• IRs file format: WAV 44kHz / 24bit, mono (see notes below)
• IRs length is 100ms (see notes below)
• Impulse Responses “IRs Packs” are professionally recorded real guitar speakers as digital "fingerprint" of the cabinet, speakers and microphones.
• Impulse Responses are provided in .wav format.
• This pack is based on real guitar cabinet measuring
• Captured with full range, flat response power amp.
• All IRs are phase aligned, so blending them with other phase aligned IRs is possible.
• All IRs are normalized, so they are loud, but not clipping.
• All IRs were recorded and produced by Jarek Musil.
• Big thanks to my friends, musicians and collaborators for helping me with the realization of my products.

 

IR Sample Rate:
Hardware processors (such as Line 6 Helix, Neural DSP Quad Cortex or Headrush) and software plugins on your computer will automatically convert (resample) the imported WAV file to their internal operating frequency.
So there is no reason to provide IR packs in several sample rate folders since every hardware processor has it's own quality convertor when importing user IRs.

 

IR length:
A 100 ms (millisecond) impulse response (IR) is completely sufficient for guitar cabinets in premium packs.

Why 100 ms is enough?
Fast sound decay: The character of a guitar speaker, cabinet, and close microphone (close-miking) decays within the first 20 to 50 ms.
Resonance capture: The 100 ms threshold reliably captures all important cabinet resonances and low frequencies needed for a solid and tight tone (e.g., during palm-muting).
Common standard: Many high-end hardware processors and modelers process IRs with lengths around 20 to 42 ms, which is fully sufficient in a mix.

When longer IRs (200–500 ms) make sense?
Distant microphones: Longer files are recorded primarily when a microphone captures the entire room (room mic) and it is necessary to capture the longer natural reverberation of the space.
Room reverberation: A value above 100 ms already falls into the realm of reverb, which can be added more conveniently and cleanly using a separate effect if needed.

This Impulse Response pack is compatible with all guitar processors as well as all guitar plug-ins which allow importing third party user IRs in WAV format.

Packs have iteratively improved (there were 8 - 20 revisions before 1st official release)

1st official release version was 1.2.4

• choose products
• add products into the basket
• create your user account
• verify your email address
• log into your account
• go to basket
• make a payment
• You will get links to download your digital products in the thank you page, as well as by email. Link is valid for 30 days.
• download your products
• Install IRs into your device
• Play!

This is digital product that is delivered as instant download, no shipping.

IR installation varies across different guitar processors as well as plug-ins.

Please, refer to your device user manual or ask your chatbot.
If you have any problems installing my IR packs, feel free to contact me, I am here for you before and after your purchase.
I will do my best to make my IRs running on your device for free.

 

OR
→ HIRE ME FOR ONLINE TONE-HUNT WORKSHOP
We can improve your guitar tones together.
I help guitarists find their dream tone since 2007.

 

Feel free to send me an email or contact form and we can discuss your needs!

 

I do not accept any returns nor refunds.

If you are not satisfied with your tone:
→ HIRE ME FOR ONLINE TONE-HUNT WORKSHOP
We can improve your guitar tones together.
I help guitarists find their dream tone since 2007.

Feel free to send me an email or contact form and we can discuss your needs!

I take no responsibility for any damage to audio equipment or injury to health, everyone is responsible for their own settings (especially volume).

It is necessary to accept the fact that everyone hears physiologically differently, everyone has a different guitar, different pickups, different hands, different playing style. So it is clear that the same preset will sound a little different to everyone (And that is definitely not a bad thing! Everyone wants to sound original and have "their" sound).

What exactly is an impulse response (IR)?

A cabinet impulse response is a digital representation of a miked guitar cabinet.

When used with a compatible guitar processor, modeler, amp simulator or IR loader, it replaces the traditional speaker cabinet + microphone part of the signal chain.

 

What do I get in a CABS TO PLAY pack?

Each pack contains 18 carefully selected and optimized cabinet IRs, organized into three folders:

CLEAR
NATURAL
RAW

Each folder contains the same six core tones:

BRIGHT 1 / BRIGHT 2
DARK 1 / DARK 2
SMOOTH 1 / SMOOTH 2

So you are not choosing between 18 unrelated sounds. You get six core tones in three different processing levels.

 

Why only 18 IRs? Some packs contain hundreds or thousands.

Because more options do not automatically mean better results.

I don't want you scrolling through hundreds of almost identical microphone positions trying to decide whether IR #137 sounds better than IR #138.

CABS TO PLAY is intentionally built around fewer, carefully selected, genuinely useful choices.

Find a great sound quickly and start playing. No option paralysis.

 

Which IR should I try first?

Start with the CLEAR folder.

Choose the basic tonal direction:

BRIGHT – more clarity, presence and cut.
DARK – less brightness, fizz or aggressiveness.
SMOOTH – balanced and controlled; a great starting point.

Then compare versions 1 and 2.

 

What is the difference between versions 1 and 2?

They use different microphone-distance approaches.

1 tends to sound brighter, tighter and more controlled.

2 generally has more proximity effect, more low-end weight and a smoother, more aggressive character.

Neither is better. They are simply two useful variations of the same tonal direction.

 

What is the difference between CLEAR, NATURAL and RAW?

Think of them as three different workflow levels:

CLEAR → minimum work.
Closest to a finished, ready-to-play tone.

NATURAL → more room for shaping.
Natural cabinet character with problematic frequencies already controlled.

RAW → maximum control.
For players who prefer to shape the final tone themselves.

The folder structure is therefore not just organization. It is part of the workflow.

 

Are CABS TO PLAY IRs designed for live playing?

Yes. Live use is one of the main reasons CABS TO PLAY exists.

The IRs are tested loud through systems such as PA, FRFR and IEM monitoring.

The goal is a tone that remains musical at realistic volume — without excessive fizz, painful high frequencies or uncontrolled low end.

 

Can I use them for recording too?

Absolutely.

They work for recording, reamping and studio production as well.

CLEAR is useful when you want a mix-ready starting point quickly, while NATURAL and RAW give you progressively more freedom during mixing.

Will these IRs make every amp sound good?

An IR is a major part of a guitar tone, but it cannot fix everything before it in the signal chain.

Your guitar, pickups, playing, amp or amp model, gain structure and EQ still matter.

The best result comes from the whole signal chain working together.

 

What equipment do I need?

You only need hardware or software capable of loading third-party cabinet impulse responses.

That can be a guitar processor, modeler, pedal, standalone IR loader, DAW plug-in or amp simulation software.

Check the Compatibility section if you are unsure about your device.

 

Can I use CABS TO PLAY with Helix, Quad Cortex, Fractal, TONEX, NAM or other platforms?

If your hardware or software supports loading standard third-party cabinet IRs, CABS TO PLAY can generally be used with it.

The exact import procedure depends on the platform.

See the Compatibility page for more details.

 

Should I turn off the built-in cabinet simulation?

Yes, in most cases.

When using a CABS TO PLAY IR, you normally want one cabinet simulation at a time.

If your preset already uses a built-in cabinet or another IR, disable or replace it.

 

Can I use an IR through a real guitar cabinet?

Usually not.

A traditional guitar cabinet already has its own strong speaker coloration.

IRs are primarily intended for:

PA systems
FRFR speakers
studio monitors
headphones
in-ear monitors

Advanced setups can route the IR only to FOH while using a real cabinet on stage.

 

Do I have to match the IR with a specific amp?

No.

The cabinet shown on the product page tells you what the pack is based on, but you can combine the IR with almost any suitable amp model or capture.

Sometimes unexpected combinations work extremely well.

Use your ears.

 

Do I still need EQ after the IR?

Not necessarily.

That is exactly why the CLEAR versions exist — to minimize corrective work afterward.

But every guitar, pickup, amp and mix is different, so small adjustments may still help.

For more control, use NATURAL or RAW.

 

Are these just raw microphone captures?

No.

CABS TO PLAY is not an archive of every possible microphone position.

Each pack is built by selecting, comparing, refining and testing useful sounds with one practical goal:

great guitar tones without endless searching.

 

How were the IRs tested?

The IRs are tested in recordings and at realistic playing volumes through PA, FRFR and IEM systems.

They are refined through repeated real-world testing with guitarists, and some packs go through many revisions before release.

 

Are future updates included?

Yes.

If a pack is improved or updated, existing customers receive access to future versions without having to buy the same pack again.

 

What if the pack doesn't work for my setup?

Tone is subjective, and different guitars, pickups, amps and monitoring systems can produce very different results.

If you are not satisfied with your tone:
→ HIRE ME FOR ONLINE TONE-HUNT WORKSHOP
We can improve your guitar tones together.
I help guitarists find their dream tone since 2007.

Feel free to send me an email or contact form and we can discuss your needs!

 

Can I use the IRs on commercial recordings?

Yes.

You can use them in your own recordings, productions, live performances and commercial releases without royalties or additional fees.

The original IR files themselves must not be shared, redistributed, uploaded or resold.