Third generation design is 30% smaller, lighter, more durable, quieter and lower priced!
Costly high quality, wide dynamic range, low noise and low distortion opamp-based buffers for transparency
EMRS (electro- magnetic relay soft switching) technology for the ultimate in reliability (relay rated at over 10 million cycles) and sound quality
1/4″ output is independently buffered from the XLR output which has a ground lift to prevent hum and buzz from ground loops
Tuning mode mutes the 1/4” and XLR outputs simultaneously
Bright LED display
Proprietary tuning algorithm with range : B0 (20Hz) – B7 (660)
High input impedance of 2M ohms can be driven directly by everything from low output single coils to the loudest hum buckers and even active and high impedance piezo pickups.
48V phantom or 9-18V DC powered (AC adapter not included)
Signed personally, built and tested in small batches by Ted for quality
Powder coated cast aluminum enclosure with precise CNC cuts for durability and consistency
Active DI, electronically balanced. Transformer isolation available as a special order using Jensen JT-DB transformer
Size
3” wide x 4.5” long x 1.5” high
Frequency Response (+/-0.5dB)
20~20kHz
Input Impedance
2M ohms
Output Impedance XLR & 1/4”
200 ohms
Maximum Input
10dBu @ 1kHz
XLR Output Buffer
Custom buffered impedance balanced, low noise, high slew rate, high dynamic range
1/4” Out Buffer
Independently buffered, low noise, high slew rate, high dynamic range
Tuning Range
E0-E5 (~20Hz to ~660Hz) (below low B of bass to 12th fret high E string of a standard tuned guitar)
Tuner Accuracy
+/- 1 cent minimum
4 reviews for Tuner + DI (TDI)
Rated 5 out of 5
Nikodem –
I heartily recommend TDI. I am a concert acoustic guitarist, playing about 60 concerts a year in a duet with my wife. My guitar is a Martin D-35 with a K&K pickup. Over the last few years I have used various preamps / di-boxes. For some time it was even a huge Boss Tu-100 set with a Radial J48 stereo Di-Box. Then I figured I didn’t need any guitar effects and bought a Fire-Eye Dee-Eye and then an Orchid Muting DI and used with Boss or Korg Tuners.
I always use phantom power during concerts, and one day I had the idea if someone was producing the Di-Box with a tuner without needing a battery or power supply (which I don’t like very much). After browsing Google, I found the only such company in the world – Sonic Nuance. I knew right away that this product was for me. After exchanging a few e-mails with Ted, I managed to find a way to get things to Poland, where I live. Two weeks have passed since I picked up the package, I have already played a few concerts with TDI and I know that it is the perfect equipment for me. The guitar sounds great, and the tuner is very accurate and readable – it allows for fine tuning both on a dark and bright stage, e.g. in bright sunlight. Plus, it fits in my guitar case and I always have it with me. I hope we can do a lot of great shows in different places. I heartily recommend TDI and Ted. 🙂
Rated 5 out of 5
Brandon Salyer –
We currently own three of the TDI direct boxes. As soon as I plugged it into our bass guitar, I immediately could tell a HUGE difference. The clarity was amazing. What also sold me was the noise floor threshold. I purposely had to crank my gain up to hear any kind if noise. It was super clean. I will not buy any other direct boxes. The time and effort Ted has put into the R&D of the TDI is showcased in the quality of work and craftsmanship
Ted –
Thank you so much Brandon!
Rated 5 out of 5
Christopher Todd Jordan –
Sonic Nuance TDI Mk2
The Sonic Nuance TDI Mk2 is a tuner and direct input device in one unit. This has essential appeal because it takes the place of two must-have utility items on my pedal board.
Basics:
The TDI arrived quickly and was packed well. Everything about this item is quality. The enclosure is stout metal. All inputs, outputs, and the foot switch are high-grade and chassis-mounted (rather than the more fragile PCB-mount). The labeling is all business and suggests studio-level gear. In fact, there is a Jensen JT-DB transformer under the hood doing the impedance-matching magic. There are little touches too like gold-plated XLR pins and substantial rubber feet. There is no battery compartment. The TDI runs on phantom power whenever the DI is being used. When you’re not using the DI function (or not supplying phantom power through it) the TDI also takes standard center-negative 9-24 VDC pedal power.
The DI:
I took the TDI to a gig for a test-drive. I put it on my pedal board at the beginning of the chain. At sound check I immediately noticed the improvement over my old cheapo, passive direct box. The TDI had incredible dynamic range. The sound was lively, full and clear. The tone possessed more bass, more treble- more everything. My bass guitar sounded like a bass guitar through the mains, not the sterile, lifeless, generic sound I had always loathed before. There was a delightful and subtle overdriven sound through the TDI. I don’t know if this was from my passive bass’s hot pick-ups overloading the TDI’s transformer or if I was simply hearing my instrument’s true tone for the first time. Either way, it was delightful. My sound guy LOVED it.
The tuner:
The average pedal tuner does not play nicely with the low B string on a five-string bass. The TDI doesn’t have any trouble at all. Response on the B string was just as swift and accurate as on all the other strings. This tuner is both more quick to respond and more accurate than the industry-standard pedal tuner I have been using. The TDI has an LED display for the note and single LED’s that light for flat and sharp notes. Two LED’s on either side of a center target LED indicate pitch; flat to the left, sharp to the right. As you approach the target pitch, only the center LED lights-up. When you’re dead-on, the two LED’s on either side flash quickly in affirmation. I found this feature helpful and quite satisfying.
Pro’s:
The Sonic Nuance TDI Mk2 does tuning and DI better than anything I have ever owned or been provided and it’s super well-built.
Con’s:
Not overpriced for the quality and convenience, but this piece of gear comes with a substantial price tag. The TDI is slightly larger than a pedal tuner (but no larger than a traditional DI). If you’re into saving the cardboard box your pedals come in, you’re out of luck – the TDI does not come in a box.
-Christopher Todd Jordan, July 2016
Sonic Nuance –
Thank you Chris for the thorough review! I’ve located a source for boxes to package the product in so that concern is now addressed 🙂
Rated 5 out of 5
Tim Tay –
The TDI is built with quality and the tuner is precise! Put this baby in the first or last of your pedalboard chain and you could take it off easily for acoustic gigs. After 2 months, the MK2 has been flawless. No clicking noise when I press on any button nor have I experienced any static.
Ted is more than willing to help with any questions or concerns. Sonic Nuance is offering mods for the MK2 to have a regular 9V DC adapter for the tuner, great for venues without phantom power. Love the thought and quality behind each step of the TDI.
Sonic Nuance –
Thanks for the kind words Tim! I will be announcing soon that all TDI MK2 will come standard with 9V DC jack. This came about as several customers (including you) asked for the feature which got me thinking up a circuit change. Thanks for the request!
Nikodem –
I heartily recommend TDI. I am a concert acoustic guitarist, playing about 60 concerts a year in a duet with my wife. My guitar is a Martin D-35 with a K&K pickup. Over the last few years I have used various preamps / di-boxes. For some time it was even a huge Boss Tu-100 set with a Radial J48 stereo Di-Box. Then I figured I didn’t need any guitar effects and bought a Fire-Eye Dee-Eye and then an Orchid Muting DI and used with Boss or Korg Tuners.
I always use phantom power during concerts, and one day I had the idea if someone was producing the Di-Box with a tuner without needing a battery or power supply (which I don’t like very much). After browsing Google, I found the only such company in the world – Sonic Nuance. I knew right away that this product was for me. After exchanging a few e-mails with Ted, I managed to find a way to get things to Poland, where I live. Two weeks have passed since I picked up the package, I have already played a few concerts with TDI and I know that it is the perfect equipment for me. The guitar sounds great, and the tuner is very accurate and readable – it allows for fine tuning both on a dark and bright stage, e.g. in bright sunlight. Plus, it fits in my guitar case and I always have it with me. I hope we can do a lot of great shows in different places. I heartily recommend TDI and Ted. 🙂
Brandon Salyer –
We currently own three of the TDI direct boxes. As soon as I plugged it into our bass guitar, I immediately could tell a HUGE difference. The clarity was amazing. What also sold me was the noise floor threshold. I purposely had to crank my gain up to hear any kind if noise. It was super clean. I will not buy any other direct boxes. The time and effort Ted has put into the R&D of the TDI is showcased in the quality of work and craftsmanship
Ted –
Thank you so much Brandon!
Christopher Todd Jordan –
Sonic Nuance TDI Mk2
The Sonic Nuance TDI Mk2 is a tuner and direct input device in one unit. This has essential appeal because it takes the place of two must-have utility items on my pedal board.
Basics:
The TDI arrived quickly and was packed well. Everything about this item is quality. The enclosure is stout metal. All inputs, outputs, and the foot switch are high-grade and chassis-mounted (rather than the more fragile PCB-mount). The labeling is all business and suggests studio-level gear. In fact, there is a Jensen JT-DB transformer under the hood doing the impedance-matching magic. There are little touches too like gold-plated XLR pins and substantial rubber feet. There is no battery compartment. The TDI runs on phantom power whenever the DI is being used. When you’re not using the DI function (or not supplying phantom power through it) the TDI also takes standard center-negative 9-24 VDC pedal power.
The DI:
I took the TDI to a gig for a test-drive. I put it on my pedal board at the beginning of the chain. At sound check I immediately noticed the improvement over my old cheapo, passive direct box. The TDI had incredible dynamic range. The sound was lively, full and clear. The tone possessed more bass, more treble- more everything. My bass guitar sounded like a bass guitar through the mains, not the sterile, lifeless, generic sound I had always loathed before. There was a delightful and subtle overdriven sound through the TDI. I don’t know if this was from my passive bass’s hot pick-ups overloading the TDI’s transformer or if I was simply hearing my instrument’s true tone for the first time. Either way, it was delightful. My sound guy LOVED it.
The tuner:
The average pedal tuner does not play nicely with the low B string on a five-string bass. The TDI doesn’t have any trouble at all. Response on the B string was just as swift and accurate as on all the other strings. This tuner is both more quick to respond and more accurate than the industry-standard pedal tuner I have been using. The TDI has an LED display for the note and single LED’s that light for flat and sharp notes. Two LED’s on either side of a center target LED indicate pitch; flat to the left, sharp to the right. As you approach the target pitch, only the center LED lights-up. When you’re dead-on, the two LED’s on either side flash quickly in affirmation. I found this feature helpful and quite satisfying.
Pro’s:
The Sonic Nuance TDI Mk2 does tuning and DI better than anything I have ever owned or been provided and it’s super well-built.
Con’s:
Not overpriced for the quality and convenience, but this piece of gear comes with a substantial price tag. The TDI is slightly larger than a pedal tuner (but no larger than a traditional DI). If you’re into saving the cardboard box your pedals come in, you’re out of luck – the TDI does not come in a box.
-Christopher Todd Jordan, July 2016
Sonic Nuance –
Thank you Chris for the thorough review! I’ve located a source for boxes to package the product in so that concern is now addressed 🙂
Tim Tay –
The TDI is built with quality and the tuner is precise! Put this baby in the first or last of your pedalboard chain and you could take it off easily for acoustic gigs. After 2 months, the MK2 has been flawless. No clicking noise when I press on any button nor have I experienced any static.
Ted is more than willing to help with any questions or concerns. Sonic Nuance is offering mods for the MK2 to have a regular 9V DC adapter for the tuner, great for venues without phantom power. Love the thought and quality behind each step of the TDI.
Sonic Nuance –
Thanks for the kind words Tim! I will be announcing soon that all TDI MK2 will come standard with 9V DC jack. This came about as several customers (including you) asked for the feature which got me thinking up a circuit change. Thanks for the request!