| Build Quality: |  |
| Hardware: |  |
| Electronics: | |
| Sound: | |
| Value: | |
| Average: | |
Pros:
- Works with various instruments
- Natural sound
- You can use it as a true or buffered bypass
Cons:
- Cannot be powered by battery
We probably have to say this quite often but what can you do, that is how things work in the world of music: there is a lot of controversy about the majority of electronic equipment. And probably compressor pedals are on top of the list. Since they do not have any audible effect, they are looked down on and underestimated. There is a misconception that they destroy your sound by depriving it off its dynamics and texture. Such attitude is definitely not based on the facts. Rather, it comes from people who do not know how to apply compressor to their sound. Maybe they have not spent enough time with this effect, or maybe they were too lazy to try. Either way, that is not what we are here for. Our aim is to review JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 compressor pedal. This fella is definitely one of the best in the family as it is steeped with features and diverse capabilities. Though it is on the expensive side, it is worth the money. Of course many of you will not believe unless you see the actual facts. That is why I am going to stop rumbling and get down to business. Let’s begin!
Features
JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 is the latest member of the brand’s compression family. It is the newest version that has some improved features and added capabilities. Speaking of which, it has an outstanding set of diverse properties that will be really useful during rehearsals, brand practices and even gigs. It is basically a studio-quality tone-shaping shoved in the small enclosure of the stompbox. JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 has wide headroom that allows you to stay clean as much as possible. It can also strengthen your signal and force the amplifier to work a bit harder and overdrive. This pedal can work in true bypass and buffered modes for those who need more precision. You have the ability to add some gain to your signal and control its amount with simple tweaks. Additionally, JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 has standard input and output but that’s not all. It is also equipped with a balanced XLR output so that you can connect the unit directly to the mixing board.
Apart from tonal features, I cannot help mentioning the breathtaking design of this device. It has an orange enclosure that has the drawing of an actual orange. This way this stompbox becomes a rather distinctive and unique piece. If you place it on the pedalboard, it will definitely add some cool character to the whole thing. And of course everything is made with top-notch material. The only downside to this pedal is that it cannot be powered with batteries. You can only utilize a 9V power supply, which is not the worst thing in the world but it is always better to have some powering options. However, we can easily turn a blind eye on it since other features are truly wonderful.
Controls
The control section of the JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 is very intuitive. It is comprised with all the essentials that will help you compress your tone on the one hand and bring back some of its qualities on the other. It is important to understand what each of the control does with every effects pedal, but I think it is even more significant in case of compressors. So let’s not get lazy and discuss everything thoroughly.
The first one I would like to mention is Volume. It modifies the level of the output i.e. affected signal. Next we have Compression, which alters the amount of effect added to your sound. Blend mixes together with your dry and wet signals. It allows you to get fully saturated or roll it back and bring back some of the natural sounds. Then comes EQ, which changes the response of the device and accentuates either higher or lower frequencies.
In the middle of these encoders, you will find the Girth toggle, which adds gain to your sound and acts as a subtle overdrive. This toggle has an additional pot on the side, which controls the amount of gain. Last but not least, we have a Ground Lift for the balanced output (if there is any hum, this control will take care of it), a switch that shifts between True and Buffered bypass, and a footswitch that activates the unit.
JHS Pulp N Peel Sound
The real magic takes place as you plug in JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 and start performing. The first time you utilize this pedal you might feel like it did not make any difference. That’s until you turn it off and see just how it actually improved your sound. In other words, it makes your tone better. And it does so without interfering with its dynamics. JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 can balance out your higher and lower frequencies perfectly, while giving you the ability to accentuate different properties if necessary. It does not overpower your original sound by any means. This bad boy works perfectly with acoustic, electric or bass guitars, which is amazing if you like to experiment with a different instrument each time. The girth gives you the impression that you are playing with a tube amp and who would dislike that. All in all, JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 has mind-blowing sonic capabilities, which means it is smooth, sweet and transparent – just what a badass compressor should be.
Conclusion
My final word about JHS Pulp ‘N’ Peel V4 is that it is one of the best compressors on the market. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but the features and sounds it offers will convince you that it is worth every penny. Its great build quality means that it will last you through years of vigorous utilization and justify your purchase even more. If you are not limited in your budget, this will be the perfect option to invest in. Trust me, compressor pedal is something that will take your performance to a whole new level. Good luck!
Click here to view more from 10 Best Compressor Pedals.
