Description

The Micpro team take a look at the Hudson Broadcast Germanium Preamp Pedal by Hudson, available in the Uk from a UK supplier & UK Warranty.

Here's what Hudson says about the Broadcast:

The Broadcast is a transformer coupled, discrete Class-A germanium pre-amplifier based on the classic broadcast consoles of the 1960s. In the low-gain setting, the Broadcast can cover everything from sparkling clean boost through to transparent overdrive, all with a healthy dose of volume available to push your amp.

The Broadcast features a specially selected Triad steel-core transformer and a Germanium transistor. Advancing the gain on the Broadcast starts to saturate the transformer and the pedal’s discrete circuitry, giving rise to a gentle and dynamic compression coupled with subtle thickening of the mid-range. With the gain switch in the high setting and the trim control wound up, the Broadcast starts to deliver heavier distorted sounds with a warm and fuzzy edge to them. The Broadcast covers a wide range of driven and distorted tones whilst remaining dynamic, responding well to pick attack and the subtle nuances of every player.

Key Features

• Selected Germanium and Silicon transistors
• TRIAD Magnetics steel-core transformer
• BI Technologies potentiometers
• Lumberg jack sockets (rated for >5000 cycles)
• Heavy duty Alpha foot switches (rated for >30,000 cycles)

Controls

• Level – Controls the overall volume of the pedal.
• Gain Switch – Selects low or high gain mode.
• Gain Trim – Controls the gain level of the Broadcast. At higher settings the high-end of the signal is gently rolled off.
• Low Cut – Attenuates the low-end of the Broadcast. Since this control lies at the front end of the Broadcast’s circuitry, it is interactive with the gain controls.

Power

• DC Socket – The Broadcast requires a DC power supply unit (PSU) and can run at voltages between 9v and 24v; running the Broadcast at voltages higher than 9v gives it more headroom, output level and clarity. This is great for use with bass or when using the Broadcast as a clean pre-amp boost.
• Please ensure your PSU can supply between 9v and 24, a minimum current of 20mA and has a 2.1mm negative centre barrel plug. Any other type may damage your pedal. If you plan on sharing the same PSU with other pedals, we recommend using a PSU with isolated outputs, e.g. Voodoo Lab PP2.
• Current Draw – Typically less than 20mA