The A+
Prism II
is a new version of the Prism-9 complex effect pedal.
Combining multiple techniques in a single unit, the device employs an
outside-the-box approach to sound processing. The Prism II is comprised of
subtractive and additive synthesis elements along with reverberation and
various types of modulation (frequency, temporal and spatial). Rather than
being lined up in a typical linear fashion, all parts of the system form a single
“organism”, allowing multiple parameters to be tweaked simultaneously. You
could try and replicate it by using a chain of multiple time-synced effects —
but that would be no easy feat, as the Prism II has 3 pitch shifting sections,
4 multimode filters, 2 modulation blocks, and a single reverb section. All the
elements are organized in two identical chains (as the device works in
stereo) with a separate mix section at each stage. The pedal’s four LFOs
provide extensive control over the stereo field and filter automation. The
Prism II can be controlled via the TAP footswitch or synced to an external
clock. Additionally, the device offers an expression pedal simulation mode
along with a DETUNE function.
The Prism II is a compact inspiration generator which can single-handedly
replace a sizable Eurorack system. In the guitar world, fully replicating the
effect would be difficult even with a huge pedalboard.
The effect was inspired by various principles of sound synthesis, which have
been present since the 70s but still aren’t widely spread beyond
fully-equipped professional studios. The Prism II is a one-of-a-kind pedal
which can work with any instrument such as guitar, bass, mono- or
polysynth, vocals or drums.
Connections
• LEFT IN
is a monophonic signal input. In a mono signal chain, use this input
exclusively.
• RIGHT IN
is an input for the second signal source. A stereo setup can be
achieved by simultaneously connecting two mono signal sources to the
LEFT IN and RIGHT IN inputs. The Prism II does not support TRS connections.
• LEFT OUT
is the left channel output. Connect it to the signal receiver. In a
mono signal chain, use this output exclusively.
• RIGHT OUT
is the right channel output. Connect it to the signal receiver. A
stereo setup can be achieved by simultaneously connecting the LEFT OUT
and RIGHT OUT outputs to two mono inputs. The Prism II does not support
TRS connections.
The mono and stereo modes are described in detail further on.
• EXT. TAP
is an input for external tap tempo control (via a normally open
momentary button, MIDI Clock/Start or S-trig/V-trig). The Favorite preset
can also be controlled through this input.
The EXT. TAP functions are described in detail further on.
• POWER IN
is a power supply input (9-12VDC).
• Micro-USB
is a port for connecting the pedal to a computer for servicing,
configuration and mode switching.
Controls
The Prism II has dual-function controls: each knob and switch can have
several purposes. The primary functions are printed in white on the pedal
(and in
black
in this text). Secondary functions which can be accessed by
holding down the
TAP (
ALT
)
footswitch are marked blue. The ones which can
be accessed by holding down the
BYPASS (
DETUNE
)
footswitch are marked
red. In this text, each function is printed in black, blue or red following the
same principle.
•
The
BASE
knob sets the base filter frequency value. In most cases, the LFO
oscillates between the minimum and maximum values. The BASE knob sets
the minimum value (frequency) for the device’s filters.
•
The
DEPTH
knob sets the maximum filter frequency value (the filter’s
frequency mod depth). The higher this value, the more impact the LFO has on
the BASE knob (movement of the base filter value across the frequency range).
Set the DEPTH knob fully CCW for static filters or fully CW to make them move
from the min value to the max.
www.shift-line.com/
prism2
•
The
RATE
knob determines the speed at which the filters move along the
LFO shape. The range is 60 to 0,125 seconds (0,01666(6)Hz – 8Hz). The BEAT
switch provides additional control over this range.
•
The
REVERB
knob controls reverb decay time. Turn this knob fully CCW to
disengage the reverb block. The reverb to dry signal ratio is fixed for each
algorithm, but turning the REVERB knob allows you to go all the way from
slight signal coloration to huge pad-like tails.
•
The
MIX
knob controls wet signal volume. The Prism II was designed as a
send effect where the processed signal is mixed in with the dry one;
however, you can use the Kill Dry mode to exclude the dry signal from the
output. In Kill Dry mode, the MIX knob controls output volume.
•
The
MODE
switch selects the algorithm (patch). For a detailed description
of patches, please refer to the “Banks & Patches” section.
•
The
BEAT
switch selects a subdivision for the time set by the TIME knob or
the TAP footswitch::
UP: 3/4 (dotted eighth note).
CENTER: 1/1 (quarter note).
DOWN: 2/3 (quarter note triplet).
The subdivisions can be altered via the config file.
•
The
BYPASS
(DETUNE) footswitch has multiple functions:
Press once to turn the effect on or off.
Press and hold to go into Detune Mode (gradual detuning of the signal
at a set rate).
Press twice to recall the Favorite preset or switch back to live control.
Press and hold while changing the MODE switch setting to select the
bank (this behavior can be changed via the config file).
Press and hold while changing the BEAT switch setting to select bypass
mode and control the Kill Dry function.
•
The
TAP
(ALT) footswitch has multiple functions:
ЗPress twice to set LFO rate.
Press and hold the TAP and BYPASS footswitches simultaneously for 3
seconds to record the current settings as a Favorite preset.
Press to access the secondary functions printed in blue.
Press and hold while in EX mode to trigger the expression pedal
simulation envelope.
Press and hold while changing the MODE switch position to access the
Cyan bank.
Press and hold the BYPASS/
DETUNE
footswitch:
•
While changing the
BANK
switch position to select a patch bank (each bank
holds 3 patches):
UP: the Blue bank.
MIDDLE: the Red bank.
DOWN: the Magenta bank.
For a detailed description of the banks, see the “Banks & Patches”
section.
•
While changing the
BEAT
switch position to select the bypass mode:
UP: “No tails” mode.
MIDDLE: “Tails” mode.
DOWN: “Kill Dry with tails” mode.
For a detailed description of the modes, see the “Bypass & Indication”
section.
Press and hold the TAP/
ALT
footswitch:
•
While changing the
TYPE
switch position to select one of the three global
modes:
TP
: tap tempo mode. LFO rate is controlled by the RATE knob or the TAP
footswitch.
RS
: the RATE knob controls LFO rate; LFO phase is reset to zero with
every press of the TAP footswitch.
EX
: expression pedal simulation mode. LFO MAIN is turned off and the
movement across the frequency range is controlled by ATTACK and
RELEASE times. In this mode, the BASE knob sets the minimum value of
the virtual expression pedal, while the maximum value is controlled by
the DEPTH knob. The envelope is triggered upon pressing the TAP
footswitch. Press and hold the TAP footswitch to enter the envelope’s
HOLD stage.
•
While turning the
TAP SCALE
knob to scale the tempo set by the TAP
footswitch, which operates in the 0.2 – 2s range. In tap tempo mode,
scaling the tempo this way lets you access tempos that are inconvenient to
tap in. The available division/multiplication range is 2x to 32x. Turn the knob
CCW to slow the LFO rate down (divide) or CW to speed it up (multiply).
•
While turning the
STEREO
knob to control stereo width. The knob’s main
function is to offset LFO phase in one of the channels. Offset depth varies
from patch to patch, depending on the initial settings. The higher the
setting, the wider the stereo field.
•
While turning the
DETUNE
knob to control the depth of gradual wet signal
detuning in Detune Mode (accessed by pressing and holding the DETUNE
(BYPASS) knob).
•
While turning the
ATTACK
knob to set attack time in EX mode.
•
While turning the
RELEASE
knob to set release time in EX mode.
•
While changing the
BANK
switch position to access the patches in the Cyan
bank.
For a detailed description of the banks, see the “Banks & Patches”
section.
In TP (tap tempo) mode, the LED over the TAP/ALT footswitch glows
magenta when you press and hold the footswitch. It indicates that
secondary functions of the controls are being accessed.
Tweaking the secondary control functions (printed in blue) has no effect on
the primary control function values (printed in white), and vice versa.
The primary and secondary functions are independent from each other, but
only the latest one you’ve tweaked will have a physical representation
(because they are controlled by the same knob or switch).
