The KMA Audio Machines Cirrus ICE is a limited-edition version of the Cirrus, the German maker's delay and reverb pedal. It launched on 10 November 2020, limited to 200 pieces worldwide, with the Cirrus's enclosure refinished in a winter landscape. Inside, it carries the same feature set as the regular Cirrus: delay and reverb in one box, three modes for each, switchable routing between them, tap tempo, an expression pedal input and an effects loop. It was priced at £179 GBP at launch and reported available now at that time1.
The 220 mA current draw is well beyond what a standard daisy-chain supply typically provides, so the Cirrus ICE wants its own dedicated 9V DC outlet on a pedalboard power supply.
What it does
The Cirrus ICE puts two time-based effects in one enclosure. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley described the layout: delay on the left-hand side of the pedal, reverb on the right, with three modes for each and a number of adjustable parameters1.
The controls split across the two halves of the pedal:
| Side | Controls | What they set |
|---|---|---|
| Delay (left) | Time, Repeats | Delay length and the number of repeats1 |
| Reverb (right) | Decay, Damp | The length and character of the reverb1 |
The delay runs up to 1.5 seconds, with tap tempo to set the time1. Its three modes cover different territory:
- MOD: a modulated mode that can offer some subtle tape echo warble or full-on pitch manipulation1
- S/H: a Sample and Hold mode1
- OCT: octave-up shimmer on the delay side1
Guitar World's report adds a note on the modulated mode:
"adorns the signal with smooth and silky movement"
Routing and extras
One of the Cirrus's defining features carries over to the ICE: the two effects can run in either order. As MusicRadar put it12:
"Switch up the order and put reverb into delay for a more out-there effect"
Guitar World listed the same ability to flip the routing of the reverb and delay alongside tap tempo, expression input and an effects loop2.
The expression pedal input lets a foot controller move a parameter while you play, and the effects loop sits in the delay's repeat path, for incorporating other effects to augment the repeats1.
How it differs from the regular Cirrus
Both press reports agree that the difference is skin deep. Guitar World stated that "Inside the box, the Cirrus ICE is the same as KMA's standard Cirrus model, but externally, it's been given a winter-inspired" finish2. MusicRadar described it as returning with the same cornucopia of features that graces the regular Cirrus Spatial-Temporal Modifier, with the enclosure refinished in a winter landscape1. For a player, the choice between the two comes down to availability and looks rather than circuitry: the ICE was a 200-piece run, while the standard Cirrus remained the ongoing model.
For more on where a pedal like this fits on a board, see the site's pages on delay pedals and reverb pedals.
Videos
The Pedal Zone
Rabea Massaad
TheGuitarGeek
Questions
Is the KMA Cirrus ICE different from the regular Cirrus?
Under the paint, no. Guitar World reported that inside the box the Cirrus ICE is the same as KMA's standard Cirrus model, and MusicRadar described it as returning with the same set of features as the regular Cirrus. The difference is external: the ICE carries a winter-landscape finish on the enclosure, and it was limited to 200 pieces worldwide when it launched in November 2020.
How many KMA Cirrus ICE pedals were made?
MusicRadar reported at launch that the Cirrus ICE was limited to 200 pieces worldwide. It was announced on 10 November 2020 as a limited-edition version of the regular Cirrus, so once those 200 units were gone, no more were made.
Does the Cirrus ICE have tap tempo?
Yes. Guitar World listed tap tempo among the pedal's features, and MusicRadar noted you can dial in up to 1.5 seconds of delay with tap tempo to set the time. The pedal also has an expression input, an effects loop, and the ability to flip the routing of the reverb and delay.
Can I use an expression pedal with the Cirrus ICE?
Yes. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley noted there is an expression pedal input, alongside an effects loop for incorporating other effects to augment the repeats. An expression pedal lets you control a parameter of the pedal in real time with your foot.
Can the Cirrus ICE put the reverb before the delay?
Yes. MusicRadar reported that you can switch up the order and put reverb into delay for a more out-there effect. Guitar World likewise listed the ability to flip the routing of the reverb and delay among the pedal's features, so the two effects can run in either order.
Where is the KMA Cirrus ICE made?
MusicRadar reported that the Cirrus ICE is made in Germany, where KMA Audio Machines builds its pedals.
Sources (2)
- It's time for some pedalboard chill as KMA Audio Machines launches the super cool ltd edition Cirrus ICE reverb/delay, MusicRadar, 2020-11-10
- KMA Machines launches limited-edition Cirrus ICE reverb and delay pedal, Guitar World, 2020-11-10
