The JK Audio THAT-2 is a professional, passive audio interface device designed to unobtrusively tap into a standard telephone handset line for the purpose of high-quality audio recording, broadcast, or conferencing. Its primary function is to provide a clean, balanced, and isolated microphone-level output derived from both sides of a telephone conversation, connecting between the telephone base unit and its handset via standard RJ9/RJ10/RJ22 modular connectors. This enables broadcasters, podcasters, and recording studios to capture telephone interviews or call-ins with excellent audio fidelity directly into a mixer, recorder, or broadcast console, bypassing the limited bandwidth and potential noise of acoustic coupling methods. The unit is entirely passive, requiring no external power, which contributes to its reliability and makes it ideal for portable field kits or permanent installations.

The device employs high-quality audio transformers that provide ground lift and isolation, effectively eliminating hum, buzz, and other line noise that commonly plague direct telephone connections. This isolation also protects sensitive broadcast equipment from any damaging voltage surges that may occur on the telephone line. The THAT-2 features separate volume controls for the caller's voice (receive audio) and the host's voice (transmit audio), allowing the operator to independently balance the two sides of the conversation for optimal mix levels. The output is provided via a standard 3-pin XLR connector, delivering a balanced microphone-level signal that is compatible with virtually any professional audio input.

Engineered for simplicity and robustness, the THAT-2 is housed in a durable, compact metal case. Its straightforward design ensures easy setup; users simply unplug the handset cord from the telephone, plug it into the THAT-2's "Telco" port, and then use the supplied cord to connect the THAT-2's "Handset" port back to the telephone. This inline configuration means the telephone remains fully functional for normal use. By providing a direct, transformer-isolated line-level tap, the JK Audio THAT-2 solves the classic challenge of clean telephone audio integration, delivering clear, intelligible, and broadcast-worthy sound for talk shows, newsrooms, and any application requiring professional telephone interfacing.