Jackson Audio Prism – Tone-Shaping Boost, Buffer and Preamp for Studio and Stage


The Jackson Audio Prism is a compact tone-shaping pedal designed to sit at the front of a guitar's signal chain as a buffer, boost, preamp, and EQ in a single enclosure. It offers three distinct boost voices, active two-band EQ and multiple gain structures, giving guitarists a flexible front end for both clean and driven sounds in studio and live environments. 


View the Jackson Audio Prism at Jackson Audio (affiliate link)

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Practical Use Context

The Prism is intended to function as the first stage on a pedalboard, conditioning the instrument's signal before it reaches drives, modulation, or the amplifier. Its high-quality buffer preserves clarity over long cable runs, while the boost and preamp stages provide additional level and harmonic content when required. 


The pedal is suitable for:

  • Always-on use as a clean preamp and buffer

  • Pushing tube amplifiers into natural overdrive

  • Tightening and brightening darker rigs using the EQ section

  • Providing a controllable level lift for solos or featured parts


Players who switch between multiple guitars or work in different venues can use the Prism as a consistent reference point for level and tonal balance.



Decision Checks (What to Verify Before Buying)

Before selecting the Prism as a front-end solution, it is useful to check:

  • Whether the current rig needs a dedicated buffer and boost at the front of the chain

  • If three distinct boost voicings (transparent, amp-like and treble-focused) are relevant to the styles being played 

  • Whether an active EQ with separate high and low controls is preferred to simple tone knobs

  • If additional pre-gain settings and gain staging options are genuinely needed, or if a simpler boost would be sufficient

  • How much space is available on the pedalboard for a multi-function front-of-board unit?

This pedal is more suited to players who want a central tone platform rather than a single-purpose clean boost.

View the Jackson Audio Prism at Jackson Audio (affiliate link)

This article may contain affiliate links. Purchases may earn a commission at no extra cost.



Workflow and Setup Notes

The Prism is designed as a primary entry point on the board. Placing it first in line allows the buffer to stabilise the signal, and the boost circuits will interact correctly with the subsequent pedals and the amplifier input. 

The three boost circuits—typically labelled TRANS, AMP and COLOUR—offer different responses:

  • A transparent JFET-style boost that raises level without intentional tonal colouring

  • A MOSFET-based voice that behaves closer to an overdriven amplifier front end

  • A silicon treble booster-inspired mode for brighter, cutting sounds 



An internal charge pump runs parts of the circuit at higher voltages from a standard 9V input, increasing headroom while keeping power requirements straightforward. 

The active EQ (BODY and TONE controls) allows you to increase or decrease the low and high frequencies by up to 15 dB, helping you adjust the sound's clarity, presence, and overall balance without depending only on the amplifier’s tone controls.  



Who It Is Suited For

The Prism is suited for:

  • Studio guitarists who need a flexible front-end to adapt to different amplifiers and recording chains

  • Live players who want a consistent buffer, EQ and boost platform they can bring to any backline

  • Pedalboard users who prefer a central tone-shaping unit rather than stacking multiple smaller boosts and EQs

  • Guitarists working across clean, edge-of-breakup and driven sounds who need repeatable gain staging

  • Players who want to refine their base tone without changing amplifiers or guitars


It is less focused on extreme distortion and more on shaping and supporting tones generated by amplifiers and other drive pedals.



Specifications Snapshot

  • Function: Buffer, boost, preamp, EQ and overdrive pedal 

  • Boost Circuits: 3 discrete boost modes (e.g., transparent, amp-voiced, treble booster)

  • Gain Structure: 3 pre-gain settings (typically low, medium, high) for different saturation levels 

  • EQ: Active two-band EQ (BODY/low and TONE/high), ±15 dB boost/cut

  • Bypass: True bypass with relay-based switching 

  • Power: 9V DC centre-negative, internal circuitry operating up to higher voltage via charge pump

  • Format: Compact enclosure with top-mounted jacks, designed for pedalboard integration 



View the Jackson Audio Prism at Jackson Audio (affiliate link)

This article may contain affiliate links. Purchases may earn a commission at no extra cost.


Image Credits: Jackson Audio

Accuracy Disclaimer: This article is based on research and publicly available information provided by the manufacturer and retailer at the time of writing. Please verify details on the official retailer’s website.


#SAGPro #JacksonAudio #GuitarPedals #BoostPedal #StudioGear


Disclosure, Attribution & Accuracy: SAG Pro participates in affiliate programs with selected partners, including Gear4Music, Jackson Audio, EART Guitar, and AliExpress. This article may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, SAG Pro may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the ongoing operation and editorial independence of the platform. All images, logos, and trademarks remain the property of their respective copyright holders. If you are a content creator and wish for credit, an update, or removal of content, please contact me directly. Please note: Images used in this article may not correspond exactly to the products promoted in the affiliate links and are provided for illustrative purposes only. All transactions, product quality, shipping, and returns are the sole responsibility of the respective seller or manufacturer. SAG-Pro does not handle orders or provide after-sales support. Accuracy Disclaimer: This article is based on research and publicly available information provided by the manufacturer and/or retailer at the time of writing. Specifications, features, and availability may change. Always verify details on the official manufacturer or retailer website before purchase. If you notice any factual inaccuracies, please contact the site so corrections can be made. This site uses cookies and may contain affiliate links. By using this site, you accept the Privacy Policy. Read more. The information provided on this blog is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as purchasing advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before making any buying decisions.

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