The Toft Audio Designs DC-2 provides two channels of instrument/line amplifiers and F.E.T. compressors. Each compressor can be used independently or linked for stereo operation. The unit will take the signal from a line level source or instrument and process it so that it is ready to feed straight into a recording device such as a computer controlled digital audio workstation or analog storage device such as a multi-track tape recorder. Each section can also be inserted into the path of a mixer channel to provide individual channel compression, or as a linked pair, the two channels can be placed across the stereo mix.

Each of the two sections offer a wide range of control coupled with extremely high quality analog electronics that have a real pedigree. The line/instrument amplifier is the same design as used in Malcolm Toft’s top range of recording consoles, while the compressor section borrows heavily from vintage Trident designs. It can operate as two separate channels, or by using the compressor ‘couple’ control can be linked so that the stereo image does not shift when compression is taking place (more about this in the compressor section). Because of this feature, it is also possible to connect the DC 2 across the final mix to add the finishing touches as a mastering tool.

The DC2 can be used to provide a pristine signal path of exceptional quality when required allowing subtle control of the audio path, or it can be used to add extra punch and dynamics to an otherwise lackluster signal.