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JDK Audio R20

Item ID: JDKR20

2-channel Mic/Instrument Preamp with 54dB of Gain, Switchable Phantom Power, VU Meters, 20dB Mic Pad, and 10dB Instrument Pad

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From Our Research Team:

A Great-sounding Front End for Your Studio!

The JDK Audio R20 2-channel microphone and instrument preamp makes a solid, great-sounding front end to your recording setup. Take one look at the R20 and you'll know it's all business; the vintage-style front panel is equipped with analog VU meters, simple gain knobs, and toggles for phase, pad, mic/line, and phantom power functions. Each of the two preamps gives you 54dB of gain, while low-noise circuitry makes this preamp suitable for even the most demanding modern studio environments. Equally useful for mics and instruments, the R20 gives you bulletproof performance!

JDK Audio R20 2-channel Mic/Instrument Preamp at a Glance:
  • Legendary build quality in an original preamp design
  • Elegantly simple panel layout
  • What is JDK Audio?

Legendary build quality in an original preamp design
A product of API's know-how combined with a great new design, the R20 gives you a great blend of classic performance and modern functionality. The R20 provides two channels of premium analog microphone pre-amplification designed to provide a low noise, solid front end for all audio applications. Meticulously detailed and solidly constructed, the R20 features custom analog VU meters and hands-on analog control of the gain level. Individual toggle switches control the selection of 48v, polarity, pad and a mic/instrument switch.

Elegantly simple panel layout
The R20 sounds fantastic, and it's built to last. This JDK Audio product features an easy-to-navigate front panel that hearkens back to the great vintage designs; its uncluttered layout of knobs, toggles, indicators, VU meters, and input jacks give you the instant access and functionality you need. Form follows function, and the result is great performance and austere good looks.

What is JDK Audio?
API developed JDK Audio to design and build new products with new approaches, taking advantage of new technologies. This gives JDK Audio the ability to create premium audio gear from the ground up, with the legacy of API behind it. These products are built with long-term use in mind, so you can put them in your rack with confidence. And, most importantly, they sound great!

JDK Audio R20 2-channel Mic/Instrument Preamp Features:
  • Dual Mic Preamplifiers with 54dB of gain
  • Custom analog VU meters for monitoring output level
  • Front panel, high-impedance instrument input with 45dB of gain
  • Peak indicator
  • Pad switch attenuates the microphone signal by 20dB, or the instrument signal by 10dB
  • Switchable 48v Phantom power
  • Low distortion, low noise circuitry
  • Fully balanced output, both 1/4" and XLR
  • Inputs: Balanced XLR Mic jack (rear); Unbalanced 1/4" Instrument jack (front)
  • Outputs: Balanced XLR and 1/4" parallel jacks

Microphone Input
  • Max Gain: +55db (no pad), +36db (w/pad)
  • Min Gain: +9db (no pad), -10db (w/pad)
  • Pot Gain Range: 46db
  • Pad: -20db
  • Input Impedance: 6.8K Ohms
  • Bandwidth: +/- 0.5db, 20Hz - 50kHz
  • THD+N @ 1kHz, +4dbu: 0.013%
  • Maximum Level: +20dbu
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -90db

Instrument Input
  • Max Gain: +31db (no pad), +21db (w/pad)
  • Min Gain: +10db (no pad), 0db (w/pad)
  • Pot Gain Range: 21db
  • Pad: 10db
  • Input Impedance: 500K Ohms
  • Bandwidth:
  • +/- 0.5db, 20Hz - 20kHz
  • THD+N @ 1kHz, +4dbu: 0.002%
  • Maximum Level: +20dbu
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -80db

Dimensions and Weight
  • Dimensions: 2U EIA 19" Rack; H/W/D: 3.5" x 19" x 10"
  • Weight: 12 lbs.

The JDK Audio R20 preamp gives any studio setup a great-sounding front end!
Specification Detail
Preamp Type Solid State
Number of Channels 2
Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz
Phantom Power Yes
EQ No
Compression No
Analog Inputs 2 x XLR (Mic), 2 x 1/4" (Hi-Z)
Analog Outputs 2 x XLR, 2 x 1/4"
Digital Inputs No Digital Inputs
Digital Outputs No Digital Outputs
Other I/O No Other I/O
Computer Connectivity No Computer Connectivity
Rackmount Spaces 2U
Height 3.5"
Depth 10"
Width 19"
Weight 12 lbs.
Manufacturer Part Number R20

R20 Image Gallery

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Reviews

based on 4 reviews

API R 20

by Eric Freeman from Bay Area, CA
September 30, 2009
Music Background: Recording Engineer, Pro Musician
I bought the R20 about 2 months ago & am very pleased with it. I've tracked just about everything from acoustic/electric guitars, drums/percussion, bass & vocals. The pres are very punchy, smooth & fu... read more [+]ll with a more natural sound. Everything I've recorded so far using the R20 has given me great results. The unit is built very solid & with great quality. I gave this 5 stars not just because the great price, but also because of the great results it gives. close [-]

very nice dual pre

by Anton Music Productions from Wisconsin
November 4, 2011
Music Background: Producer/engineer
This dual pre works great for just about everything. I bought it specifically for drum overheads. It sounds very clean with little coloration. It may look vintage but has a modern sound. I just record... read more [+]ed a TV commercial, the back up singer was using a UA-610 and I decided last minute to track the main (male) vocals through the R20. It provided the perfect contrast between singers and really sat well in the mix. If your recording allot of female vocals then you may want to go with the ISA or UA pre's. I found it a little hard to control mid and high frequencies. Besides that it works great for a DI....I plugged my Telecaster straight in and the tone was sweet. It is also very well made. It will be part of my studio for another 50 years (if I'm lucky). close [-]

JDK Audio R20

by Dylan Sheppard from Monroe, Ga USA
April 2, 2010
Music Background: Recording Engineer, Songwriter
I very much agree with the previous review. Very natural sounding preamp. Smooth but still retains punch. Clean without sounding sterile. These pres sound absolutely amazing on acoustic guitars an... read more [+]d clean electrics as well. A high pass would be nice, but really not that big of a deal for me. Most of my mics have a high pass built in. Rugged build quality and on top of everything it looks SUPER cool. In my opinion, for two channels in this price range there is nothing i've heard that even stands close. Thanks goes to Kyle Manship for helping me make this decision. close [-]

Love It, But Not For Ribbons

by Rex Strother from Salt Lake City, UT, USA
May 20, 2011
Music Background: Hobbyist, Songwriter
I admit - I like the vintage military hardware look, and the sound is clean and smooth all the way up (not sterile though, as someone else also noted). Plus - the simple toggles, the bright indicator... read more [+] lights - all make life "easy" when setting up for a session.

However, it does not quite have enough gain for many ribbon mics, so I have to gain-stage through my Grace m101 (another clean, transparent pre) for a bit of a boost before it hits the JDK R20.

If you work with dynamics and condensers, not gonna be a problem for you. But if you've a collection of ribbons - you might seek something with more robust gain (70dB+) close [-]

My experience was outstanding! I feel like I'm back in the 1950's when customer service was worth its weight in gold! I love the candy and personal phone call to acknowledge my order. You deliver the goods with superior efficiency, expediency and true concern for the customer.


Patty, El Sobrante, CA

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See Also: Dual Mic Pres , JDK Audio , JDK Audio Dual-Channel Preamps

JDK Audio R20

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