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Average Price: $649

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$50

$201+

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High-end

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Description

The Pete Cornish OC1 is a cornerstone in the world of compressor effects pedals, offering musicians a tool that enhances both sound quality and dynamic control. Designed by Pete Cornish, a name synonymous with reliability and innovation, the OC1 is famed for its seamless integration into any setup, ensuring your guitar's natural tone remains unaltered while adding rich sustain and clarity.

Built for both studio and live performances, the OC1 delivers a smooth, transparent compression that is ideal for players seeking to maintain their instrument's personality. Its intuitive controls allow for precise adjustments, giving you the ability to tailor the compression to suit your playing style. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring musician, this pedal offers versatility without complexity.

The OC1 features a robust construction, ensuring durability and longevity. The pedal's circuitry is designed to minimize noise, making it an excellent choice for both electric and acoustic guitars. Its low-noise operation and high-quality components make it a staple for anyone looking to enhance their sound without compromise.

Key Features:

  • Designed by Pete Cornish, known for reliability and innovation
  • Smooth, transparent compression that maintains your guitar's natural tone
  • Intuitive controls for easy adjustment and customization
  • Robust construction for durability and longevity
  • Low-noise operation suitable for both electric and acoustic guitars
  • Ideal for both studio and live performance settings

Product specs

Brand Pete Cornish
Model OC-1 Grey Series Optical Compressor
Finish Grey
Year 2010s
Made In United Kingdom
Categories Compressor Pedals

FAQs

What type of compression does the Pete Cornish OC-1 use?

The Pete Cornish OC-1 employs an optical compression circuit, known for its smooth and natural compression characteristics, ideal for preserving the dynamics of your guitar playing.

Is the Pete Cornish OC-1 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Pete Cornish OC-1 is well-suited for live performances due to its robust build quality and reliable, consistent compression that enhances your guitar tone on stage.

How does the Pete Cornish OC-1 affect my guitar tone?

The OC-1 compressor is designed to maintain the natural tone of your guitar while providing a smooth, even compression that enhances sustain and balances dynamics without coloring the sound.

Can the Pete Cornish OC-1 handle high-output pickups?

Yes, the Pete Cornish OC-1 is capable of handling high-output pickups, making it versatile for use with a variety of guitar types and pickup configurations.

Does the Pete Cornish OC-1 require a specific power supply?

The Pete Cornish OC-1 typically requires a standard 9V DC power supply, but it's always best to check the specific requirements from the manufacturer for optimal performance.

Simon Gotthelf Gear Demos (Simon Gotthelf Music)

Simon Gotthelf Gear Demos (Simon Gotthelf Music)

Pete Cornish OC-1 - Demo by Simon Gotthelf

Video thumbnail for Pete Cornish OC-1 - Demo by Simon Gotthelf by Simon Gotthelf Gear Demos (Simon Gotthelf Music)

Pete Cornish OC-1 - Demo by Simon Gotthelf

Simon Gotthelf Gear Demos (Simon Gotthelf Music)

Simon Gotthelf Gear Demos (Simon Gotthelf Music)

Video thumbnail for Pete Cornish OC-1 Optical Compressor by shnobel

Pete Cornish OC-1 Optical Compressor

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Origin Effects Cali76 vs Pete Cornish OC-1 Compressor by shnobel

Origin Effects Cali76 vs Pete Cornish OC-1 Compressor

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for CR Guitars: Paul Antonell Dicusses the Cornish OC-1 Compressor by CR Guitars

CR Guitars: Paul Antonell Dicusses the Cornish OC-1 Compressor

CR Guitars

CR Guitars

Video thumbnail for Pete Cornish OC 1 vs JHS Whitey Tighty Compressor by shnobel

Pete Cornish OC 1 vs JHS Whitey Tighty Compressor

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Greer Amps Lamplighter vs Pete Cornis OC-1 Optical Compressor by shnobel

Greer Amps Lamplighter vs Pete Cornis OC-1 Optical Compressor

shnobel

shnobel

Reviews

Critic Reviews

Pete Cornish OC-1

ovnilab.com

The Pete Cornish OC-1 is a transparent, noise-free compressor that maintains tone integrity, offering smooth and even action. While its design isn't groundbreaking, it excels in preserving low-end frequencies and avoiding distortion under high input signals. However, its lack of a compression meter and bulky size may deter some users. Ideal for purists who prioritize sound quality over flashy features or compactness.

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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62strat

Oh MYYYYYYYYYYYYYY God!

I've had a bunch of compression pedals in my time and it's taken me 30 years to finally find the one and only one for me. Prior to plugging in my OC1 for the first time, I thought the Keeley was the best out there (at least for my taste).

When I plugged in the Cornish I immediately knew that there would never be a more perfect compressor for the front of a guitar chain. This thing is fricken amazing and there are no batteries.

Feed-Forward design, the OC-1 features a minimized two stage audio signal path: input buffer and output make-up gain: this ensures no change to frequency response, no distortion and the absolute minimum of added noise. Between the two audio sections is a light controlled variable attenuator driven with a control current generated by the Side Chain. All signal monitoring and gain reduction drive circuits that are separately routed via a six stage Side Chain: these signals do not pass through the audio circuits and thhus cannot degrade the audio performance.

Operation is straight forward: Connect guitar using screened cable to the OC-1 INPUT Connect OC-1 OUTPUT using screened cable to your amp input With OC-1 in bypass mode set guitar volume and tone to 100% (maximum) Set amp volume and tone to suit normal playing level Set all OC-1 controls to minimum (fully counter clockwise) Engage OC-1 and note that the signal level and tone as the same as when in bypass mode IE: minimum settings create no compression or output boost Increase the COMP (compression) control to approximately 50% (12 o'clock) while playing and note the decrease in output volume and increased sustain. Increase the VOLUME in small increments until the output level matches the bypass level - compare by switching back and forth between bypass and OC-1 If the sustain is too great reduce the COMP setting and also the VOLUME to again match the bypassed level If more sustain is required increase the COMP setting above 50% and make corresponding increases in VOLUME to again match the bypassed level. Actual settings will be dependant on pickup signal level, playing style and of course, personal preference

A further feature has been added: BLEND. This control allows you to add a small percentage of the original, uncompressed signal to the OUTPUT. This is particularly useful when very high compression settings have been dialed in, as a controlled amount if the original attack can still be heard through with the long sustain. Please note that the control increases in relation to the compressed signal as the VOLUME is increased. When adding the BLEND signal it will be necessary to reduce the VOLUME to maintain the overall signal level to match the bypassed level. The VOLUME control is at the very end of the audio path and is a master volume of the whole of the output signal in compress mode.

The OC-1 would normally be the first device the guitar "sees" thus maintaining signal level more constant.

FEATURES

High Impedence RFI rejecting input and bypass buffer Each unit is hand built, wired and tested by Pete, Lynda and Mingus Cornish Housed in a rugged Die-cast box Heavy Duty all metal footwsitch with Hi-Brite LED

DIMEMSIONS: 145 X 95 X 49 mm

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Julian Lage uses Pete Cornish OC1

Julian Lage

Guitarist

The Nels Cline 4

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture i took at the end of Julian Lage Trio live in Paris at the New Morning the 18th July 2023 you clearly see a Fender Deluxe reverb, Flint Strymon, B1G Gain booster and a Pete Cornish OC-1

See how Kanami Tono uses Pete Cornish OC1

Kanami Tono

Guitarist

Band-Maid

...
Verified via Photo

Kanami's just shared her updated pedalboard on her official instagram (august-3-2023). Please check the link.

See how Gary Kemp uses Pete Cornish OC1

Gary Kemp

Guitarist

Spandau Ballet

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this Instagram post by Kemp.

Genre Usage

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Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Pete Cornish OC1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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    Gear IQ 145