Hudson Electronics Broadcast

The Hudson Electronics Broadcast is a transformer-coupled, discrete Class-A germanium preamp pedal based on the classic broadcast consoles of the 1960s¹. Where most overdrive and fuzz pedals are built around clipping diodes, the Broadcast gets its character from a specially chosen TRIAD Magnetics steel-core transformer and selected germanium and silicon transistors, which saturate and color the signal as the gain comes up¹. Hudson describes the result as running from sparkling clean boost through transparent overdrive in the low-gain setting, into heavier distorted sounds with a warm and fuzzy edge in the high setting with the trim wound up². It is Hudson's most popular pedal and the one that started the company, according to JHS Pedals³.

What it does: a 1960s broadcast console preamp

The Broadcast takes its inspiration from the preamps in classic recording and broadcast consoles of the 1960s, a lineage Guitar Pedal X also traces when grouping it among console-style preamp pedals¹⁷. Advancing the gain saturates the transformer and the discrete circuitry, which Hudson says gives a gentle, dynamic compression and a subtle thickening of the midrange⁸. Because of that, players use it in several ways: as a characterful boost in front of an amp, as a low-gain overdrive, or as a full-on distortion when pushed.

The pedal suits bass and other higher-output instruments too. Hudson notes that running it at voltages above 9V gives more headroom, output level and clarity, which is useful with bass guitar, synths or studio line-level gear, or when using it as a clean preamp boost¹. On That Pedal Show, the presenters used one in a segment on what a guitar preamp is and why you would want one, treating it as a prime example of the type⁹.

The controls

The standard Broadcast keeps its control set small. RockBoard lists it as a preamp overdrive with a gain switch offering low and high settings².

In the low-gain setting the pedal covers everything from clean boost to transparent overdrive, with plenty of volume to push an amp²¹⁴. With the gain switch high and the trim wound up, it delivers heavier distorted sounds with a warm and fuzzy edge². Pedal of the Day's reviewer put it similarly: "The distortion is heavy, the overdrive is ballsy and there can even be elements of fuzz present if you listen right and, well, crank it"¹³. The dual-footswitch version moves the gain switch to a stomp and adds a second level control, giving Low Cut, Gain Trim, Level Low, Level High, Engage and a Low/High gain select¹⁵⁸.

Power: 9V to 24V

The Broadcast requires a DC power supply and runs at voltages between 9V and 24V, through a 2.1mm negative center barrel plug, drawing typically less than 20mA¹. There is no battery option; MusicRadar confirms it operates from a nine-volt DC supply but not batteries⁴. JHS Pedals notes the pedals accept 9, 12, 18 or 24 volts³.

Higher voltage is part of the design rather than a footnote. Hudson says running above 9V gives more headroom, output and clarity¹, and the RockBoard listing for the Broadcast 24V says the increased voltage gives extra headroom and a tighter low end, for less saturation and grit without losing the Broadcast sound¹⁶. The BC-24V-USA version builds in a voltage booster that raises a standard 9V supply to 24V internally¹⁰.

History and versions

The Broadcast was originally released in 2015 according to Aion FX⁵, though guitar.com's review of the signature version dates the original's arrival to 2016⁶. It has since grown into a family:

• Broadcast (standard): the original single-channel germanium preamp¹
• Broadcast 24V and BC-24V-USA: versions running at 24 volts, the latter with an internal voltage booster from a 9V supply¹⁶¹⁰
• Dual Broadcast: a second footswitchable gain mode with its own level control⁵¹⁵
• Broadcast-AP (2019): an Ariel Posen signature evolution of the Broadcast, controlled by level and gain trim knobs, sold exclusively through Andertons¹⁷¹⁸
• Broadcast AP-II (2023): a dual-channel update with two independent, differently-voiced preamp circuits¹⁹²⁰

Aion FX also notes a limited-run version that combined features into one unit⁵, and Hudson has issued limited color runs of the AP⁵²¹. The AP-II is the current flagship: its silicon channel (gray knobs) carries the smooth, darker tone of the original AP, while its germanium channel (red knobs) is brighter and more aggressive, each with Drive and Level controls¹⁹²⁰. Guitar.com's guide named the AP-II its best dual overdrive²².

DIY layouts

A stripboard layout of the Broadcast was published on Guitar FX Layouts, in two versions: standard 9V and one with a 24V charge pump⁸. The build thread covers practical details: any PNP germanium transistor with an hFE in the 70 to 120 range works in the OC71 position, with the AC125 suggested as a cheap substitute; electrolytics on the 24V layout should be rated above 30V; and a builder reported a steady, rapid ticking noise on the charge-pump layout that gets louder with more gain⁸. Aion FX sells its own adaptation of the circuit as a project PCB⁵.

What reviewers said

The Broadcast built a strong reputation early: Delicious Audio notes it "has a stellar reputation and made several best-of lists when it came out a few years ago"¹⁷. Back in 2019, Richard Purvis was seriously impressed with the original AP²¹, and guitar.com rated the AP-II 9 out of 10, calling it "the most impressive version of the Broadcast yet, offering a mind-boggling selection of hugely usable dirty tones," though pricey²¹. On That Pedal Show, the presenters called the Dual Broadcast "so powerful" and well loved for good reason²³.

On That Pedal Show's review of the Broadcast Dual, the presenters ran it at 9 volts while noting that 18 volts would give more headroom, and that it can go up to 24. They also confirmed the range of versions: a single-sided version, the dual, and artist signature versions, all handmade in England²³.

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