The New Standard in Compact Guitar Amps: A Quick Review of the Laney PRISM MINI!

Founded in 1967 in the UK, Laney has a long history of being an amplifier manufacturer. Now, they have released the new "PRISM MINI"! Let’s explore its potential as becoming the new standard for home practice and compact guitar amps! This is a must-see!

Laney / PRISM MINI BLUE

Laney / PRISM MINI BLACK

About Laney PRISM MINI

The PRISM MINI is a compact guitar amp with USB Type-C charging. It includes modeling of traditional Laney amplifiers, as well as built-in effects such as wah wah, compression, distortion, modulation, delay, and reverb. This amp is capable of a wide range of tones and is also controllable via a dedicated app. It has a built-in audio interface, making it an ideal choice for not only beginners but also those looking for a convenient and easy-to-play amp. For guitarists, this is an item that should definitely be in your collection.

It perfectly embodies the combination of "Laney guitar amp’s historical and traditional sound" with "the latest technology," making it a portable multi-effects guitar amp!

Let’s get to its features!

1. Premium Sound Packed into a Compact Body

The size of the PRISM MINI is compared to a smartphone like this. It’s incredibly compact! With USB Type-C charging, it can be used continuously for up to 14 hours, making it easy to carry around in your bag. You can take it to your friend’s house or practice with it in the green room before a live performance. It comes in two colors: Blue and Black.
Despite its compact size, it’s equipped with a full-featured digital effects engine and 3W×2 stereo speakers, delivering high-quality stereo sound. It has 100 presets, 17 amp models built in, and allows for simultaneous use of up to 6 effects, including wah wah, compression, distortion, modulation, delay, and reverb. By the way, it also includes bass amp models and bass effects!

2. Full-Color Display

The 1.77-inch full-color display located on the top of the unit offers high visibility, making operation and editing easy. The user interface is simple, and most operations can be done using the knob and button next to the display, as well as the BACK button. The volume knob is separate, so you can access volume adjustments at any time.

When the tuner is activated, it displays across the entire screen, making it very easy to read and use. The details have been carefully thought out, which is a nice touch.

3. Tone Wizard App

By using the free dedicated app "Tone Wizard," you can fully unleash the potential of the PRISM MINI!
With "Tone Wizard," you can operate and edit amp settings, manage presets, and more. I’ve personally tried it out, and the app is very intuitive, easy to understand, and completely lag-free, providing a smooth experience. The built-in drum machine within the app also offers a wide variety of options, and you can adjust BPM and individual volume levels with just a tap. In the CAB section, you can choose from 15 different IRs (Impulse Responses) provided by Laney, and you can also load up to five third-party IRs.

Note: IR (Impulse Response) is a short audio data recording (around 0.2 to 1 second) of acoustic characteristics like speaker cabinets, microphones, and room reverb.

When streaming music or drum machine sounds from your device, you’ll need to connect separately via Bluetooth through the device’s Bluetooth settings by selecting "Laney PRISM-MINI Audio," in addition to the app’s Bluetooth connection!

4. Audio Interface Function for Recording and Filming Performance Videos!

By connecting the rear USB Type-C port to your smartphone or PC, you can record and even film performance videos! I tried connecting it to my MacBook Air, and while it was a simple setup, I was able to shoot a performance video with great results. The sound quality is impressive, from heavily distorted rock tones to clean, ambient sounds—it's versatile enough for various styles, and recording is incredibly easy!

So, have you gotten a sense of all the features of the PRISM MINI?
It works great as a first guitar amp, a home amp, or a portable backup amp. With its full-color display, app and Bluetooth connectivity, and many other features, there's no doubt you'll find the perfect way to use it. Be sure to check it out!