Useful in connecting a guitar, keyboard, bass—or indeed, any other instrument with a 1/4" output—to an XLR input, the Telefunken TDP-2 is a dual-channel DI box. It is passive in its construction, requiring no power whatsoever to run, though components such as an OEP/Carnhill transformer assist in lending the box tone both warm and rich.

The TDP-2 sports other constructive features which recommend it heartily; for instance, its printed circuit boards are assembled by hand with through-hole components; this ensures both security and reliability in its connection points. Additionally, all circuit traces have been gold-plated to bolster conductivity, while the circuit itself has been encased in an extruded aluminum enclosure. As such, you'll find it more than suitable for the wear and tear of gigging.

The DI box provides a frequency range of 10 Hz to 40 kHz, while both its channels give you a -15 dB pad and a ground lift, should you encounter noise issues. Since each channel has its own, separate controls, you can run two instruments at the same time through the TD-2, thus keeping the footprint down on stage or in the studio. 1/4" pass-through outputs are also provided on each channel, making this unit very handy in the studio; for instance, you could take a DI off an electric guitar and use the 1/4" pass-through to plug into an amplifier. In this manner, you can record both the sound of an amped guitar and a clean, dry guitar, giving yourself options in the mix. This is but one of the many uses you may find for this feature.