Solid State Logic has launched the Pure Drive Quad and Pure Drive Octo microphone preamplifiers, available in four-channel (Quad) or eight-channel (Octo) configurations.
Both units incorporate SSL’s SuperAnalogue PureDrive Technology, which was introduced in the company’s Origin recording console. Additionally, they feature a new Drive mode, comprehensive analogue and digital connectivity options and an integrated USB-C soundcard.
SSL’s Origin introduced the PureDrive microphone preamplifier, retaining the clarity and punch of previous SSL designs and adding the ability to switch its character to a harmonically rich and driven tone that varies with gain. Pure Drive Quad and Octo continue the legacy into rack format, delivering four/eight microphone preamps with Origin’s Pure and Drive modes, but take it further with Asymmetric Drive, comprehensive digital connectivity, and an onboard USB-C interface. Pure Drive Quad and Octo also offer four mic preamp input impedance options, enabling matching of the preamp impedance closely to that of the microphone. Additionally, each mic preamp includes independent +48V phantom power, polarity inversion, and a high-pass filter, which is sweepable on Quad.
‘The Pure Drive Quad and Octo offer a collection of features and workflows never seen before in an outboard mic pre,’ says Senior Product Manager of Studio Products, Andy Jackson. ‘They stand as a testament to SSL’s commitment to progressive analogue circuit design, offering exceptional performance and versatility.’
Both units feature three Drive modes: Clean, Classic Drive and Asymmetric Drive. Clean mode delivers SSL’s signature ultra-low noise floor, linear preamp. Classic Drive generates predominantly odd harmonics (the same drive sound found on the Origin console). Asymmetric Drive makes the even harmonic content dominant, providing more pronounced thickness, colouration and softening of transients.
Pure Drive Quad and Octo’s analogue and digital connectivity includes four front-mounted Hi-Z/DI Instrument inputs with automatic input detection, rear-mounted combo XLR inputs, D-sub connectors for line-level inputs, as well as insert send and insert return. All insert returns/ADC inputs operate up to +24 dBu line-level, for interfacing with other professional equipment. Digitally, Quad and Octo feature an integrated USB-C soundcard providing conversion up to 192kHz, 32-bit AES/EBU outputs, and Adat out with SMUX. The AES and ADAT outputs can be individually repurposed to be fed from the onboard USB soundcard as outputs from a DAW. An auto-ranging word clock input and output provide robust digital clocking.
More: www.solidstatelogic.com
