NPD Hotcake

[Slowy]

A Hotcake has just entered my life. I've never met one before so I lined it up against my go to pair, Timmy and Archer.

First impression is it does all its work in the treble and upper mid region (yes, I know it has a mid boost). I can understand how it might pair well with an AC style amp. It certainly sounded lively with my EL84 Jansen. I use different amps in each band so it'll be interesting to see whether it has a preference for '84s over 6L6s.

Any tips, tricks or settings from those of you who use one?

[robthemac]

A Hotcake has just entered my life. I've never met one before so I lined it up against my go to pair, Timmy and Archer.

First impression is it does all its work in the treble and upper mid region (yes, I know it has a mid boost). I can understand how it might pair well with an AC style amp. It certainly sounded lively with my EL84 Jansen. I use different amps in each band so it'll be interesting to see whether it has a preference for '84s over 6L6s.

Any tips, tricks or settings from those of you who use one?

It makes a wonderful clean boost with the gain below 8 o'clock.

[TmcB]

Gain sounds best when you’re juuuust easing it up to get extra harmonics going on whilst using the level to smash the snot out of an amp input, mids to taste.

[jeremyb]

I L O V E the Hotcake with my AC10, this is my go to setting for a dirty good time.

[Slowy]

I L O V E the Hotcake with my AC10, this is my go to setting for a dirty good time.

Interesting. Mine's older than that; just has a mid boost switch.

[Miza]

Long time since I had one, but I do recall liking it best with the presence knob all the way off (switch off in your case), but would depend on amp probably. The drive on max sounds a bit farty (kinda fuzz like).

[Miza]

Whats the XLF switch do?

[jeremyb]

Whats the XLF switch do?

To quote from the man himself:

This is the V2 Version of the incredible Hotcake by Crowther Audio!

With the new version comes with a few different flavours (or condiments) to sink your teeth into!

The +CREAM setting is a bit smoother than the Bluesberry setting (available as a dip switch inside V1), and is now accessible from the outside.

The XLF eXtended Low Frequency setting allows more low end through, perfect of for bass and 7 string guitars. This acts as in the same way the "Bass" Dip Switch did internally on the V1. Without it engaged, the low end has a gentle roll off just below the low E on a guitar to reduce any sub harmonic products from heavy guitar chords which may be hard going for a smaller guitar amp.

[jimi]

My 10c - Great with EL84 / Marshall and Vox style amps. I have always been disappointed using it into Fender / 6L6 amps.

I've had the early one with the switch and 2 knobs (stolen), a 3 knob one, and a double hotcake. Most use was the 3knob one, gain around 2pm, presence around 1pm, drive around 11pm. Added a real thickness and a bit of dirt to my lead sound. A lot of cut through as well. When I put on my rose tinted glasses I remember this as the best live sound I had.

I picked up the DHC about the same time as I picked up a 6V6 amp, and they never played nice, so haven't owned one for a while now.

[vinylguy]

I borrowed a mates for a while to use as a boost but found the level of tone suck on bypass to be unacceptable. not sure what version it was but prob an early one.

[rickenbackerkid]

That sounds odd. The HC has a buffered bypass type system that is highly respected, I've read posts from people who feel that just having an HC in line improves their sound.

[Mosfet]

There is a setting where it’s 100% transparent. Crowther said so in an interview. I tried it and it was correct. Something like gain low. Volume low, presence off.
My preferred lead tone is a Les Paul through this into a fender 6L6 style. Sings.

[Slowy]

My preferred lead tone is a Les Paul through this into a fender 6L6 style. Sings.

I have access to those things...will try it!