The Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast is a Hudson Electronics preamp pedal, currently around $235.67. Close alternatives include the Hudson Electronics Broadcast Discrete Class-A Germanium Preamplifier and the Benson Amps Germanium Preamp (Boost). It pairs well with the MXR Micro Amp and the Z.Vex Super Hard On.
Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast
Hudson Electronics · pedal
The Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast is a two-channel version of the discrete Class-A germanium preamp, with a low-gain mode on one footswitch and a high-gain mode on the other, each independently adjustable. In the low setting it covers everything from a sparkling clean boost through transparent overdrive, with plenty of volume on tap to push an amp; switched to the high-gain side with the Gain Trim wound up, it delivers heavier, distorted tones with a warm, fuzzy edge. Shared Low Cut and Gain Trim controls shape both sides, with Low Cut rolling off bass as it's turned up and Gain Trim increasing output and gradually breaking up the signal. Built around a Triad steel-core transformer and a germanium transistor for its distinctive, console-breakup-inspired character. It suits players wanting both a transparent clean/low-gain boost and a warmer, fuzzier high-gain drive instantly switchable from one pedal.
What stands out
“Strengths: Discrete Class-A germanium circuit delivers touch-sensitive, harmonically rich preamp tone from clean boost through organic germanium saturation”
— from the reviews
“In the low setting it covers everything from a sparkling clean boost through transparent overdrive, with plenty of volume on tap to push an amp; switched to the high-gain side with the Gain Trim wound up, it delivers heavier, distorted tone…”
— from the listing
“the hudson electronics dual broadcast is a two-channel version of the discrete class-a germanium preamp”
— from the listing
“Germanium saturation character is a specific vintage tone”
— from the reviews
“Limitations: Hudson boutique pricing reflects UK small-batch production”
— from the reviews
Trade-offs
“It suits players wanting both a transparent clean/low-gain boost and a warmer, fuzzier high-gain drive instantly switchable from one pedal”
— from the listing
- germanium
- clean boost
- saturation
- electronic
- class a
- vintage
- production
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast is commonly used in
- Electronic
- Blues
- Classic Rock
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast
MXR Micro Amp
MXR
24% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (saturated → clean boost)
MXR Micro Amp takes that saturated character and pushes it toward clean boost
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Z.Vex Super Hard On
Zvex
23% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (saturated → clean boost)
Stack Z.Vex Super Hard On on top and a saturated tone tightens toward clean boost
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix M76 Studio Compressor
Electro-Harmonix
18% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Electro-Harmonix M76 Studio Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Caroline Guitar Company Parabola State Tremolo
Caroline Guitar Company
15% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Caroline Guitar Company Parabola State Tremolo after Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast in the signal chain, clear of Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Boss
11% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Boss DD-3 Digital Delay after Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast in the signal chain, clear of Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
Caroline Guitar Company
9% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast's germanium voice out front: Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte goes after Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast in the signal chain so its pristine voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
NuX Drive Core Deluxe
Nux
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Feed a saturated signal into NuX Drive Core Deluxe and it comes out closer to clean boost
Matthews Effects Architect
Matthews Effects
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Feed a saturated signal into Matthews Effects Architect and it comes out closer to clean boost
Cheaper alternatives
Greer Moonshot Germanium preamp
Greer
61% similarityShared character: boost, warm, vintage charm
TC Electronic Zeus Drive Overdrive
TC Electronic
61% similarityShared character: warm, high gain settings, boost
Benson Amps Germanium Boost
Benson Amps
60% similarityShared character: signal chain, boost, warm
Caroline Guitar Company Icarus V2
Caroline Guitar Company
59% similarityShared character: boost, warm, transparent
JHS Overdrive/Preamp
JHS Pedals
58% similarityShared character: warm, high gain settings, boost
Spaceman Mercury IV Germanium Harmonic Boost
Spaceman
56% similarityShared character: boost, warm, vintage charm
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Hudson Electronics Broadcast Discrete Class-A Germanium Preamplifier
Hudson Electronics
80% similarityShared character: classic tone machine, signal chain, boost
Benson Amps Germanium Preamp (Boost)
Benson Amps
61% similarityShared character: high gain settings, boost, transparent
Caroline Guitar Company Icarus V2.1 Preamp/Drive
Caroline Guitar Company
59% similarityShared character: boost, warm, transparent
Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
Dallas
57% similarityShared character: warm, boost, vintage charm
Strymon Riverside
Strymon
56% similarityShared character: high gain settings, boost, touch
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
54% similarityShared character: warm, high gain settings, volume
See all alternatives to the Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast?+
The closest matches in character are the Hudson Electronics Broadcast Discrete Class-A Germanium Preamplifier, the Benson Amps Germanium Preamp (Boost), the Caroline Guitar Company Icarus V2.1 Preamp/Drive. Budget picks: Greer Moonshot Germanium preamp, TC Electronic Zeus Drive Overdrive, Benson Amps Germanium Boost. Boutique upgrades: Source Audio Artifakt, Dophix Michelangelo Overdrive Plus, Klon Centaur.
What pairs well with the Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: MXR Micro Amp, Z.Vex Super Hard On, Electro-Harmonix M76 Studio Compressor — MXR Micro Amp takes that saturated character and pushes it toward clean boost.
How much does the Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast cost?+
Around $235.67 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).