The JK Audio Broadcast Host is a telephone / audio desk top studio interface designed for easy integration with computer based workstations, mixers, recorders etc. The idea behind the broadcast host is to provide a noise free telephone interface for recording interviews or IFB style audio transmission while at a remote location. An XLR-female send input allows microphone or line level signal to be fed into the phone line. A second 3.5mm mini send input is provided for output devices with a mini output.
A 16-bit Digital Signal Processor (DSP) continuously monitors both the phone line and audio signals to deliver excellent separation. This eliminates the noise and cross-talk associated with audio over phone lines and provides clean broadcast quality audio signal on output. An XLR-male Caller output provides an isolated output for the caller signal alone and a 3.5mm mini stereo output provides a mix of both incoming and outgoing signal.
| Input |
Send 1:
Balanced Female XLR, 1k ohm, -10 mV RMS (-35 dBv nom) Mic/Line pad switch = +4dBv max Send 2: 3.5mm mono, 20k ohm, 250 mV RMS (-10 dBv nom) |
| Output |
Balanced: Male XLR
Unbalanced: 3.5mm Stereo Headphone: 3.5mm stereo |
| Handset | Not Provided |
| Isolation | 1500 VAC |
| Phone Line |
Phone Line: RJ11C
AUX Phone: RJ11C |
| Impedance |
Inputs
Send 1: 1k ohm Send 2: 20k ohm Outputs Balanced: 200 ohm Unbalanced: 50 ohm Headphone: 8 ohm |
| Power Requirements | 120-240 VAC power supply (included) |
| Dimensions | 7 x 6 x 1.6" (18 x 15 x 4.2cm) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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REVIEWS
Reviewed by 13 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
There is still a lot extraneous noise .. but that can be filtered with good plug-ins during post. I wish they would find a way to fix that hum.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
Tired of rough quality audio mismatched against the video, the Broadcast Host seemed to fit the bill. Yes, it does. The home studio equipped with this unit suddenly becomes akin to a CNN broadcast. Getting that high quality audio feed from a phone line is always a challenge. After trying just about everything else, from suction-cup "bugs" to microphones in the headset, the bottom line remains "garbage in, garbage out." Now we can set up as many microphones as needed for "round table" discussions, have the phone line routed to its own channel on the mixer, combine the feeds, and route the mix to anything -- the video camera (a high-end Panasonic unit with XLR inputs), a P.A. system, whatever. HD video paired with enhanced and HQ audio means no more "basement quality" productions. Record conference calls, higher-education lectures, and anything else where a phone line is involved in the finished product. The Desktop Digital Hybrid actually does what the marketing suggests. Every home studio needs one of these. If you want to produce for Cable Access shows, on-line education programs, interviews for news shows, or whatever else is on your plate, this item should be in the top 3 of planned hardware acquisitions. Bring people into seminars from Europe (without airfare), and have the call sent over a P.A. system for a cafeteria full of people. All that's needed (not included) would be a collection of adapters to go from the unit's output jack into other input styles (XLR, stereo or dual mono 1/4", RCA or USB, etc.). If there is any "weakness" to the Host unit, it is on the Output side. There is only ONE stereo output (mini F. plug). However, when you find your own signal converters, you have it made for just about any situation.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
Excellent Hybrid for getting that critical interview over the phone.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
I used the broadcast host to provide a higher-quality phone system for my home office. Using my professional headset (Audio Technica BPHS1) I wanted to be able to control microphone/headphone levels independently, for better voice balancing - especially for conference calls. For my situation, the broadcast host couldn't overcome the inherent low quality with analog telephone lines. Also, the Broadcast Host and the Saffire 6 USB did not work well together - echoes, interference, etc. Some of that could have been the operator, as I would definitely consider myself a "novice" when it comes to configuring audio gear.
I still gave the product a "4", because it worked as advertised, and it wasn't advertised to do what I wanted it to do. On the negative side, there was a "hiss" sound that was induced by the device (it's not there on my analog telephone).
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
It is excellent for the studio,especially for phone calls.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
The Broadcast Host is a great piece that does exactly what it says it will do (although pricey). Very simple to set up, simple to use and looks like its built to last. My only complaint is that it's a little bit noisy sometimes (although maybe that's my unit?). Either way, definitely a good buy.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
We use this device mainly for IFB operations and it works well. We have never had any issues with these units. Currently have 6 units in use. Auto answer works well. Device van be used by non tech staff which is a bonus! Well worth the purchase.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
I purchased the Broadcast Host in order to include participants in my Podcasts. I have found the unit to do an exceptional job and is not difficult to setup properly. There is a slight amount of line noise that I have not been able to eliminate directly but using the application "Audacity" I merely sample a quiet portion of the leadin using the noise elimination selection in Audacity and then apply it to the entire recording and all the line noise disappears. I highly recommend the Broadcast Host to anyone wanting to make good recordings of a participant connected via a telephone line.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
Very good unit for the cost. Does a fine job.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
As a Voice over talent and producer I used the host to record a call in talk show. I first purchased the standard phone patch but found that it didn't give me broadcast quality. As for the Broadcast Host..once you get it hooked up properly, it works great, however they don't tell you that you need an external stereo audio device to use it with a laptop. It should be included with the product at this price point or at least mentioned in the setup.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
This thing works like a champ!
We use it for webcasting during tropical storms and it makes the phone line to PC connection sound as good as it's going to get. Great!
I don't have anything bad to say about it.
It just works.
pb
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
I produce a call in talk show that airs on radio and the web. This product lets us do the show while on location.
Use is straight forward NS Easy to set up.
Some background hum but not unusable.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
For several years, the college radio station I run has suffered from the oddly challenging problem of not being able to put callers on the air. Now after years of searching, my college radio station finally found the Broadcast Host a simple and relatively inexpensive solution to our problem. A few weeks into its use, the product has already proven easy to use and a perfect and simple solution to the long standing problem. There are a few downsides to this problem, mostly related to the available outputs on our board, and are specific only to the conditions in our studio. One general downside is that placing calls on the broadcast host can be a bit challenging. One would think that if the actual phone in the studio was off the hook and the "call" button had been pushed, one would be able to dial the phone. This is not the case. In order to dial (or interface with a menu system), the Broadcast Host cannot be connected. By and large this is a great solution to a one room studio setup that needs to patch a telephone signal into a mixing console.
Displaying reviews 1-13
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 13 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-13
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
There is still a lot extraneous noise .. but that can be filtered with good plug-ins during post. I wish they would find a way to fix that hum.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
Tired of rough quality audio mismatched against the video, the Broadcast Host seemed to fit the bill. Yes, it does. The home studio equipped with this unit suddenly becomes akin to a CNN broadcast. Getting that high quality audio feed from a phone line is always a challenge. After trying just about everything else, from suction-cup "bugs" to microphones in the headset, the bottom line remains "garbage in, garbage out." Now we can set up as many microphones as needed for "round table" discussions, have the phone line routed to its own channel on the mixer, combine the feeds, and route the mix to anything -- the video camera (a high-end Panasonic unit with XLR inputs), a P.A. system, whatever. HD video paired with enhanced and HQ audio means no more "basement quality" productions. Record conference calls, higher-education lectures, and anything else where a phone line is involved in the finished product. The Desktop Digital Hybrid actually does what the marketing suggests. Every home studio needs one of these. If you want to produce for Cable Access shows, on-line education programs, interviews for news shows, or whatever else is on your plate, this item should be in the top 3 of planned hardware acquisitions. Bring people into seminars from Europe (without airfare), and have the call sent over a P.A. system for a cafeteria full of people. All that's needed (not included) would be a collection of adapters to go from the unit's output jack into other input styles (XLR, stereo or dual mono 1/4", RCA or USB, etc.). If there is any "weakness" to the Host unit, it is on the Output side. There is only ONE stereo output (mini F. plug). However, when you find your own signal converters, you have it made for just about any situation.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
Excellent Hybrid for getting that critical interview over the phone.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
I used the broadcast host to provide a higher-quality phone system for my home office. Using my professional headset (Audio Technica BPHS1) I wanted to be able to control microphone/headphone levels independently, for better voice balancing - especially for conference calls. For my situation, the broadcast host couldn't overcome the inherent low quality with analog telephone lines. Also, the Broadcast Host and the Saffire 6 USB did not work well together - echoes, interference, etc. Some of that could have been the operator, as I would definitely consider myself a "novice" when it comes to configuring audio gear.
I still gave the product a "4", because it worked as advertised, and it wasn't advertised to do what I wanted it to do. On the negative side, there was a "hiss" sound that was induced by the device (it's not there on my analog telephone).
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
It is excellent for the studio,especially for phone calls.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
The Broadcast Host is a great piece that does exactly what it says it will do (although pricey). Very simple to set up, simple to use and looks like its built to last. My only complaint is that it's a little bit noisy sometimes (although maybe that's my unit?). Either way, definitely a good buy.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
We use this device mainly for IFB operations and it works well. We have never had any issues with these units. Currently have 6 units in use. Auto answer works well. Device van be used by non tech staff which is a bonus! Well worth the purchase.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
I purchased the Broadcast Host in order to include participants in my Podcasts. I have found the unit to do an exceptional job and is not difficult to setup properly. There is a slight amount of line noise that I have not been able to eliminate directly but using the application "Audacity" I merely sample a quiet portion of the leadin using the noise elimination selection in Audacity and then apply it to the entire recording and all the line noise disappears. I highly recommend the Broadcast Host to anyone wanting to make good recordings of a participant connected via a telephone line.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
Very good unit for the cost. Does a fine job.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
As a Voice over talent and producer I used the host to record a call in talk show. I first purchased the standard phone patch but found that it didn't give me broadcast quality. As for the Broadcast Host..once you get it hooked up properly, it works great, however they don't tell you that you need an external stereo audio device to use it with a laptop. It should be included with the product at this price point or at least mentioned in the setup.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
This thing works like a champ!
We use it for webcasting during tropical storms and it makes the phone line to PC connection sound as good as it's going to get. Great!
I don't have anything bad to say about it.
It just works.
pb
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
I produce a call in talk show that airs on radio and the web. This product lets us do the show while on location.
Use is straight forward NS Easy to set up.
Some background hum but not unusable.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JK Audio Broadcast Host:
For several years, the college radio station I run has suffered from the oddly challenging problem of not being able to put callers on the air. Now after years of searching, my college radio station finally found the Broadcast Host a simple and relatively inexpensive solution to our problem. A few weeks into its use, the product has already proven easy to use and a perfect and simple solution to the long standing problem. There are a few downsides to this problem, mostly related to the available outputs on our board, and are specific only to the conditions in our studio. One general downside is that placing calls on the broadcast host can be a bit challenging. One would think that if the actual phone in the studio was off the hook and the "call" button had been pushed, one would be able to dial the phone. This is not the case. In order to dial (or interface with a menu system), the Broadcast Host cannot be connected. By and large this is a great solution to a one room studio setup that needs to patch a telephone signal into a mixing console.
Displaying reviews 1-13