Fun fact. Paul Crowther was the drummer in storied NZ art/prog rock band Split Enz during the 1970s. He played under the stage name Emlyn Crowther. A very unique and talented band. During this time Paul was already creating guitar pedals and other electronic devices as a side project. Here's a video of early single Maybe from 1975 ( playing on toy instruments almost a decade before The Cure did the same thing on one of their 80s video). ua-cam.com/video/3SrAVnJM61Q/v-deo.html
The Hot Cake is really interesting. It’s a darker sounding OD pedal, even with the Presence rolled all the way up. With the Drive dialed up high, it’s more like a fuzz pedal. With the Drive rolled down, it’s like a OD, and with the Drive in the middle, it’s like a distortion pedal. It does not really work for me with humbuckers or dirty amps, because of how dark it is. But with bright clean amps and single coils, it sounds incredible.
Yup even with a tele I run the presence at max and I'd brighten it up a bit more if I could. That's what got me looking up the schematic. Going to make one from the linked kit and try to mod it to be brighter if it comes out as dark as the real hot cake I've got
You can hear the fizzy decay when the amp is set very clean. The Bluesberry mod probably reduces that by about 50%. Into an edge-of-breakup Vox amp the decay is unnoticable.
*Didn't know there was a channel like yours and this is awesome, subbed you immediately, because i like knowing information like this. ✌ & Happiness from Atlanta, Ga.*
Was anticipating seeing the Hotcake featured. Its a really great sounding pedal. Highly recommend checking out the newest version. The external switches are great when your switching instruments. I ordered mine from his reverb store. Thanks GBE!
Wow, how am I just now finding you, count me as a new subscriber. In this episode you mentioned that you couldn’t tell the difference between the Op-Amp hard clipping or the transistor bypass, have you ever considered using a guitar and amp to demonstrate those situations/control? Great work here, I can’t wait to work my way through all of your content.
Really enjoying the Teardown type of videos and was excited to see the Hot Cake covered. Appreciate your commentary and analysis. It seems that small pedal board amps are all the rage these days and am considering buying a couple myself. Would love to see a tear down on that segment of the pedal world. Subscribed and I "like" all the videos I watch.
Paul is a friend of mine - I have used the Hotcake since he launched it in 1977. I note that there is a copyright mark attached to internal board - did this company Aion or you contact Paul for permission to (a) scan the internal circuit board or (b) offer a 'make your own Hotcake' tutorial online to the public?
No commercial manufacturers are making a Hotcake clone. DIY hobbyists building these is a part of the pedal's ongoing success and legacy. I'd say Paul is pretty lucky and the community has treated him very well.
Hi, yes its a problem now, gears are cheaper and cheaper, companys cut corners like boss who now use smd components for their pedals. And so called boutique ccmpany that try to sell you the idea that smd components are the same as throught hole. Anyway, great to see that this guy (crowther still make pedals) and are not cheaply made.
@2:25 the little switch on the right is labeled "G - B" that allows you to optimize the EQ response for use with guitar or bass.
Fun fact. Paul Crowther was the drummer in storied NZ art/prog rock band Split Enz during the 1970s. He played under the stage name Emlyn Crowther. A very unique and talented band. During this time Paul was already creating guitar pedals and other electronic devices as a side project. Here's a video of early single Maybe from 1975 ( playing on toy instruments almost a decade before The Cure did the same thing on one of their 80s video).
ua-cam.com/video/3SrAVnJM61Q/v-deo.html
The Hot Cake is really interesting. It’s a darker sounding OD pedal, even with the Presence rolled all the way up. With the Drive dialed up high, it’s more like a fuzz pedal. With the Drive rolled down, it’s like a OD, and with the Drive in the middle, it’s like a distortion pedal. It does not really work for me with humbuckers or dirty amps, because of how dark it is. But with bright clean amps and single coils, it sounds incredible.
Yup even with a tele I run the presence at max and I'd brighten it up a bit more if I could. That's what got me looking up the schematic. Going to make one from the linked kit and try to mod it to be brighter if it comes out as dark as the real hot cake I've got
Yeah, the very top of the drive knob it feels like it switches. Like the last 5-10%, and then it's into fuzz land.
Awesome i want to get a hotcake and a prunes and custard in one pedal if i can get it built that way
You can hear the fizzy decay when the amp is set very clean. The Bluesberry mod probably reduces that by about 50%. Into an edge-of-breakup Vox amp the decay is unnoticable.
*Didn't know there was a channel like yours and this is awesome, subbed you immediately, because i like knowing information like this. ✌ & Happiness from Atlanta, Ga.*
Thank you!
@@graybenchelec *No, thank you for creating such a unique channel that explores what's going on inside of effect pedals.*
Was anticipating seeing the Hotcake featured. Its a really great sounding pedal. Highly recommend checking out the newest version. The external switches are great when your switching instruments. I ordered mine from his reverb store.
Thanks GBE!
Thank you! Yes the external switches are handy.
Fascinating!!!!!
I enjoy your videos. I'd like to see you do an analysis of a Fulltone OCD.
Have you ever thought about building pedals? Think you could have a nice biz, I would love to have a few clones made.
Appreciate that , but lots of people out there building great clones.
@@graybenchelec so why not you?
Is it hard or soft clipping?
Wow, how am I just now finding you, count me as a new subscriber.
In this episode you mentioned that you couldn’t tell the difference between the Op-Amp hard clipping or the transistor bypass, have you ever considered using a guitar and amp to demonstrate those situations/control?
Great work here, I can’t wait to work my way through all of your content.
Really enjoying the Teardown type of videos and was excited to see the Hot Cake covered. Appreciate your commentary and analysis. It seems that small pedal board amps are all the rage these days and am considering buying a couple myself. Would love to see a tear down on that segment of the pedal world. Subscribed and I "like" all the videos I watch.
Noted, thanks!
Paul is a friend of mine - I have used the Hotcake since he launched it in 1977.
I note that there is a copyright mark attached to internal board - did this company Aion or you contact Paul for permission to (a) scan the internal circuit board or (b) offer a 'make your own Hotcake' tutorial online to the public?
Yes, not cool.
"1977"....how long would that "copyright" be in effect?
And would that ever keep someone from taking a picture of it?
No commercial manufacturers are making a Hotcake clone. DIY hobbyists building these is a part of the pedal's ongoing success and legacy.
I'd say Paul is pretty lucky and the community has treated him very well.
Any idea where to get replacement knobs from?
These are pretty close I think: lovemyswitches.com/omnibot-knob-15-5mm-od/
Hey Joe, any chance of a Walrus Mira teardown?
I'll put it on the list, thanks!
@2:20 guitar or bass 🤣 (thats the mysterious hieroglyphic)
G-B. Guitar/Bass. You're welcome! 😁
Where can i purchase one online?
They pop up once and a while on reverb, that's where I'd look.
They can be tricky to get. I got one here yesterday. www.deluxeguitars.com.au/products/crowther-audio-hotcake
Solar Guitars Chug pedal 👍🏽
04:15
King Arthur came alot
ah,the golden era when you could sell an opamp and 3 pots for 200 quids,that was smart,i can get a 100 watt all tube amp for that sum
Do you mean the golden age when the only punctuation mark is a comma?
Also, 200 quid would only get you the power tubes for a 100 watt amp right now.
Hi, yes its a problem now, gears are cheaper and cheaper, companys cut corners like boss who now use smd components for their pedals. And so called boutique ccmpany that try to sell you the idea that smd components are the same as throught hole. Anyway, great to see that this guy (crowther still make pedals) and are not cheaply made.
You seem to be suggesting that no one sells an op amp and three pots for £200 anymore. Have you looked inside a JHS pedal recently?
@@JPDESS surface mount isn't cutting corners. It's the standard now for electric circuits.