The TD-100 instrument preamp and tube direct box from Summit Audio features a hybrid signal path utilizing both a discrete transistor input device and a 12AX7A vacuum tube to give your musical instruments the clarity of class A sound with the richness and warmth of vacuum tubes all in ½ rack space. This vacuum tube adds a subtle texture and smoothness, a professional sheen to your instrument, which is perfect for both live and studio use. The TD-100 offers both XLR microphone level and ¼" TRS line level outputs, plus a variable input impedance control you can use as a tone shaper, polarity switch and ground lift, signal and overdrive LEDs, and even a headphone output for use as a practice device. See what a little Summit Audio can do for you.
Summit Audio TD-100 Features :
- Variable input impedance from 10K ohms to 2M ohms
- XLR mic level output
- 1/4" TRS line level output
- Headphone output
- Up to +24dB output gain
- Signal ground lift
- Polarity switch
- Signal and overload LEDs
- Internal high voltage power supply
- One 12AX7A/ECC83 vacuum tube
- Hand crafted in the USA
- Backed by Summit Audio's 3 Year Warranty
*A Special "Bergantino" mod is now available for the TD-100, contact us for details!
Can one little box really make the difference in your sound, the difference between sterile and sweet? Yes it can. It's time to add some real tone into your music! The TD-100 instrument preamp and tube direct box from Summit Audio features a hybrid signal path utilizing both a discrete solid state output device and a 12AX7A/ECC83 vacuum tube to give your musical instruments the clarity of class A sound with the richness and warmth of vacuum tubes all in ½ rack space. Perfect for both live and studio use, the TD-100 offers both XLR microphone level and ¼" TRS line level outputs, plus variable input impedance, polarity switch and ground lift, signal and overdrive LEDs, and even a headphone output for use as a practice device. All with the quality that says Summit Audio.
How can this little box improve your sound so drastically? First is the the tone. Plug your instrument into the input and it goes directly to the grid of the tube, not to an op amp or transistor array so you get immediate, direct access to that sweet, class A tube with no transformer in the circuit. This vacuum tube isn't made to distort and pervert, it adds a subtle texture and smoothness, a professional sheen to your instrument. Next is the variable input impedance control (loading). By lowering the impedance on the TD-100 your instrument's pickups get loaded down, changing their tone and the way they react to the string vibrations. Raising the impedance lets your pickups work without hindrance, opening up the sound with a slight increase in gain. Use this to make your instrument sit properly in a mix without EQ or other tone shapers. Try the TD-100 in your signal chain, live or in the studio, with guitar, bass, keyboards, or any Hi-Z instrument and see what a little Summit Audio can do for you.
TD-100 Basic Operating 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: bass guitar 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, 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.
Using 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
Using 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
Selecting 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: as the loading control affects the INPUT of the device and the way the instrument's pickups react, ALL outputs are affected.
Using 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.
Rackmounting 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.
The History of Summit Audio :
Summit Audio began their foray into the professional audio world in 1979. A few years later, Summit Audio released the original TLA-100 tube leveler that would later evolve into the highly sought after TLA-100A, still manufactured today unchanged after twenty years, and whose signature sound has graced countless songs and albums to date.
Now a real force in the audio world, Summit Audio's foundation of high value, no compromise products with intense testing and unparalleled commitment to its customers needs is the perfect launching pad for a bright future of innovative and interesting products, all with a commitment to excellence and a passion for creating inspirational audio products.
As Summit evolves with the dynamic world of professional audio, they still stick to their basic traditions of solid reliability, precise manufacturing and integrity in everything they do.
Each Summit Audio product is crafted, manufactured and tested exclusively in the United States to the most exacting standards, utilizing human ears in addition to the best available test equipment along with years of combined experience and customer input.
Having built a reputation upon superb and reliable products, professionals worldwide trust Summit Audio for their critical studio applications.
