The Cicognani LE PRISM is a four-head stereo echo pedal from Italian maker Cicognani. It is built around an extended linearity tube preamplifier, and Cicognani describes it as a "creative" machine designed for the recording studio as well as live performances, with what the maker calls the most complete functions, the most musical delay pads, and simple ease of use in a compact package requiring zero periodic maintenance1. Its four delay times are synchronized exactly like the old vintage units, at 78, 156, 234 and 312mS1.
The unit is a mono pedal that produces a stereo effect. Cicognani designed it with a Mono to Stereo Analog Converter circuit in full 60s/70s style, applying an opposing phase shift to the two output channels. Delicious Audio, reporting on the pedal at NAMM in January 2024, described the result as a lively and realistic stereo effect, reminiscent of the double stack setups some musicians used in the early 70s2.
The four heads and the controls
The LE PRISM works like the vintage multi-head echo units it is modeled on: four delay times are synchronized exactly as they were on the old machines, at 78, 156, 234 and 312mS1. The controls the maker documents are:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| SELECTOR | Chooses between three performance modes: ECHO (single repetition), REP. (multiple repetitions) and SWELL (the 4 delay times in parallel plus 4 feedback, known as slapback delay)1 |
| VARISPEED | Extends delay times up to 700mS while keeping the heads synchronized, with limited signal distortion; also selects the delay times of the historic Italian echoes, Model 1, T7E and PE603123 |
| MAGIC OF AGE | Simulates the mechanical fluctuation often present in old Italian Echo units, calibrated on the average of measured fluctuations from a data archive of tested Echoes3 |
The Magic of Age control is the LE PRISM's take on the wobble that vintage echo machines developed as their motors and bearings aged. Rather than a generic chorus-style modulation, Cicognani says it was calibrated against measurements taken from a data archive of tested vintage Echoes3.
The Italian echo units behind it
Cicognani says the LE PRISM integrates the history of analog sounds of the old models of "Italian Echo," ranging from the Model 1 up through the PE603 stereo unit1. Delicious Audio put it the same way: the pedal combines the analog sounds and features of the Model 1, the T7E, and the PE6032.
The PE603 refers to the Binson Echorec P.E. 603, a disc-based Italian echo machine used by many artists from the early 70s onward4. Cicognani's own Pompeii PE603 pedal is based directly on that circuit4. The LE PRISM itself combines the analog sounds and features of the Model 1, the T7E, and the PE6032, and its simulated stereo mode is inspired by the mono to stereo analog converter circuits of the 60s and 70s2.
Where the Pompeii is a straight four-head echo in the Echorec mold, the LE PRISM adds the simulated stereo mode, inspired by the mono to stereo analog converter circuits of the 60s and 70s2, and folds the delay times of the earlier Model 1 and T7E machines into one unit through the VARISPEED control3.
"if you want those classic '70s echo tones, with all their inherent randomness, then this could be a good bet"
Closeout units and pricing
The LE PRISM is at the end of its run, offered as a closeout. Its regular price is listed at £490.00 GBP1. A second listing shows an open-box closeout at £345.00 GBP, described as a new unit with a slightly damaged box and very minor flaws in the plexi top3.
The LE PRISM is a closeout product. The related Cicognani Pompeii PE603 carries a regular price of £429.00 GBP4.
The closeout units themselves are new, not used: the maker describes them as new units sold at a closeout price because of cosmetic box damage and minor flaws in the plexi top3.
Videos
Giampaolo Noto
Godlyke Inc.
Questions
What tube does the Cicognani LE PRISM use?
It uses an ECC82, also known as a 12AU7, in its extended linearity tube preamplifier. The same tube family appears in the related Cicognani Pompeii PE603, where both wet and dry signal pass through a 12AU7 for warmth and transparency.
What power supply does the Cicognani LE PRISM need?
It needs a 12V DC supply rated at 500mA with a tip-negative plug, and the supply is not included with the unit. That current draw is well beyond what a standard 9V pedal power outlet typically provides, so plan for a dedicated higher-current output.
What does the Magic of Age control do?
It simulates the mechanical fluctuation often present in old Italian echo units. Cicognani says it was calibrated on the average of measured fluctuations taken from a data archive of tested vintage Echoes, so it recreates the pitch wobble those units had rather than a generic modulation effect.
How long can the LE PRISM delay go?
The four heads give synchronized delay times of 78, 156, 234 and 312mS, matching the old vintage units. Using the VARISPEED control, delay times can be extended up to 700mS while the heads stay synchronized, with limited signal distortion.
Is the Cicognani LE PRISM a tape echo?
No. It is a solid-state echo pedal with a tube preamplifier, voiced after vintage Italian disc-based echo units from the Model 1 through the PE603 stereo unit. Cicognani describes it as requiring zero periodic maintenance, unlike a tape or disc machine.
Sources (5)
- LE PRISM (4 head stereo echo) *CLOSEOUT*, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- New At NAMM: Cicognani Engineering Le Prism, Delicious Audio, 2024-01-26
- LE PRISM (4 head stereo echo) *OPEN BOX*, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- POMPEII PE603 (delay), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- The new Cicognani Engineering Pompeii PE603, gearnews.com, 2020-10-10
