Pearl CO04 Compressor

4 controls Attack (how quick is the compression applied) Tone (eq of the output), Level (output volume) and Sustain (compression and sustain level). Relative easy to use and comparable functions with other compression units.

I use this pedal with a variety of guitars and pedals into a small valve amp. On its own this pedal works nicely with strat style guitars and produces a nice alternative to Overdrive or Distortion. It combines well with Chorus, Flange , Delay and Reverb. I struggle to get good sounds combining with distortion or overdrive (seems better to use these individually), and this pedal doesn't combine with Wah well at all.
On the down side there is some background hiss noticeable when you stop playing, however I bought this 2nd hand so this has probably has happened since manufacture.

OK so far

N/a

Overall I like this. Its warm analogue tone works well with my amp and with a variety of guitars. I would probably replace it if I lost it.

With Attack, Sustain, Level and Tone controls the pedal has all the necessary knobs. Its relatively easy to set up with the attack control offering the major variable (Sustain on mine is long even at minimum setting, and Level offers a fair boost).

I agree with the reviewer who said they didn't ilke it with other overdrives/fuzz/distortion. This pedal works best as an alternative to those in either clean or boosted/edge of feedback mode. With low attack, >50% level, & cleanish amp setting, most notes to bleed into feedback as you add vibrato to them (which is just what I wanted of the pedal). Tone is very good (warm) from the pedal
Two downsides, the background hiss is quite noticeable (and even introducing a Noise Suppressor doesn't stop it) and the addition of compression is quite "lumpy" rather than gradually adding it.

No problems so far (bought 2nd hand from E Bay along with a Pearl Flanger, Chorus, Distortion and Noise Suppressor, all have same solid build quality)

Dont make pedals any more so difficult to rate.

I like this pedal for how I use it (as an alternative to overdrive/distortion/fuzz). It does exactly what I want providing a warm edge of feedback tone. Combined with just a graphic equaliser you can get a great variety of sounds. Works well with modulation effects aswell. I would defintely get a replacement if mine broke (although they are not that common).

it is virtually impossible to get a bad sound out of this pedal!!!!
4 knobs, the tone being the one that put's this in a league by itself!

les paul into- ross phasor,crybaby,pearl CO-O4,dod od/250,ross distortion,ross chorus into 5150 or traynor mark3 on top of marshall 1960A.I love old ross stuff,but the compressor had to go after I heard the pearl,much more versatile,better sustain,and NOISELESS!

All my pedals are vintage(OLD)so I have cheapo back-ups for all,but the oldies are built a hell of a lot better,Pearl included,and they haven't failed me yet. very dependable.

Gone :-(

I like to ROCK!!!!! Trower,Hendrix,Travers,Zeppelin,U.F.O,ect,ect...
If this pedal went away,I don't know if I could find another,so I'd probably do EH,.The ross is not for Rock,2 knobs is great for most effect pedals, but not for a compressor,The pearl proved that to me BIG TIME!!!

Bought this guy in a half broken state. It would work but intermittently. Opening up the pedal showed very poor qality soldering. After resoldering about any joint and replacing a non-conductive wire (broken) to the attack pot the unit works OK.

Rating for ease of use. If you know how a compressor should be used this thisn is easy.

It works, It's not the best compressor but good enough for onstage

Well, In the state I bought it in, which is basically the state it left the factory, it is very unreliable.

Pearl quit building pedals years ago, No chance on support...

Apart form having to fix the thing...

4 knobs:
Tone control: a pre compress eq. Nice option, very cool, actually. Never saw it on another compressor.
Level: Out level
Attack: After checking schematic, its actually a post compression release
Sustain: Quite squashy. Very long sustain (my friend said almost as long as the Keeley compressor, and that's long)

I use it with alot of different stuff. Its a real long sustain....I dont like it with MY other dirt pedals (pearl od, two boss od1's), but it Could work with yours. Anyway, clean, its cool and that tone control gives it a little extra something.

I was a little scratchy, so they guy knocked off ten bucks.Old pearl pedals are like this (I've seen this before), a ittle wd40 and no problem!

HAHAHAHA! Probably ...er...NO!

Yeah, its cool. Very long sustain and squashy. Also, the tone control is nice. The attack/release is o.k. The Tone control and volume are seperate functions from the attack/sustain. Experiment for a while.
Go to the forums and see I love Pearl boxes (esp the overdrive!!!). They always had that little extra something in them, even if they didnt catch on....Their loss..

I also got it for $17, muhahahaha..er...