TD 100 Basic User Instructions

What is a direct box?

The TD-100 is both a direct box and an instrument preamp. A direct box or "DI" (direct inject or direct input) is used to take high impedance instruments and transform them into a balanced, low impedance output. Most professional consoles need a balanced, low impedance input and a DI translates an instruments high impedance, unbalanced output for recording and mixing. Use the balanced XLR output on the TD-100 to send your instrument to the console or other preamplifier.

For example: keyboard out -> TD-100 instrument input -> TD-100 XLR output -> console microphone input

What is an instrument preamplifier? Use the ¼" balanced TRS output on the TD-100 to go directly into your recording device (DAW, ADAT, tape machine, etc.). This output is already amplified, so there is no need to go to another preamp such as the microphone input on a console. This output is also useful for interfacing your instrument with compressors, EQ's, and other signal processors such as gates, expanders, filters, etc.

For example: electric guitar out -> TD-100 instrument input -> TD-100 ¼" output -> TLA-50 input -> TLA-50 output -> FeQ-50 input -> FeQ-50 output -> tape input

What makes the TD-100 so special? Summit Audio designed the TD-100 with two things in mind: great sound and lots of versatility. All the features on the TD-100 enhance the sound of your instrument, helping you get the perfect tone for your recordings and shows. We have selected the best components, relying on our 20 years of experience making the highest quality signal processors to choose great sounding and long lasting inputs, outputs, potentiometers, switches, and other components, making the TD-100 a highly valuable, fantastic sounding, and long lasting tool for your music.

How do you use the TD-100 live? The TD-100 is perfect for playing live. It is made to interface your instrument with the front-of-house and monitor sound consoles with either a low level (microphone) or high level (line) output. To insert the TD-100 between your instrument and your amp, just run your instrument into the TD-100 and run another ¼" cable from the direct instrument output into you amplifier. Then, choose either the XLR mic level or ¼" line level out to run into the snake or stage box to run to the front-of-house and monitor consoles.

For example: acoustic guitar out -> TD-100 instrument input -> TD-100 XLR output -> XLR mic level input on stage box plus ¼" direct instrument output into your amp on stage

How do you use the TD-100 in a recording studio? Using the TD-100 in a recording studio will give your recordings a warm yet clear tone. By utilizing the ¼" line level output, you can bypass any other preamplifying stage such as a console, thereby lowering the noise floor, and enabling you to run much longer cable runs without significant signal loss. If you need to monitor into the console at the same time, simply run the XLR output into the console and monitor from there while recording from the ¼" TRS balanced output.

For example: bass out -> TD-100 instrument input -> TD-100 ¼" TRS balanced output -> compressor input -> compressor output -> DAW interface input

How do you select the right input impedance? The impedance selector on the TD-100 front panel varies the amount of loading or impedance on the ¼" instrument input. You can check the output impedance on your instrument by reading the instruments manual. Try moving the loading control until it sounds right; your ears will be the best judge. Note: the loading control does not affect the direct instrument output.

How do you use the TD-100 as a practice headphone amp? Just plug your headphones into the ¼" headphone output on the back of the TD-100 and your instrument into the input on the front and use the gain control and the volume control on your instrument to get the right volume level.

How do you mount the TD-100? Use the SRK-100 from Summit Audio to mount one or two TD-100's. They will also fit into a standard rack shelf although they tend to sag under the weight of these pieces.

How and when should you change your tubes? We have seen 10,000 hours and more out of our vacuum tubes without signal degradation. We accomplish this by regulating the heater voltage to the tubes, greatly increasing their life, something of a rarity if this industry. So, time is not as much of an issue as is sound. If you hear a ringing sound in your audio or when you rap your knuckles on the front, the tube is going microphonic. If you hear an increase in the noise floor, the tube may need to be replaced. Contact us if you need new tubes, we can help.