Solid State Logic (SSL) announces the launch of two new 2U rack-based studio tools: the Pure Drive Quad and Pure Drive Octo microphone preamplifiers. Available in 4-channel (Quad) or 8-channel (Octo) configurations, both incorporate SSL's Super Analogue PureDrive Technology introduced by the company's Origin recording console. These units feature a newly introduced Drive mode, comprehensive analog and digital connectivity options and an integrated USB-C soundcard.“SSL's latest offerings represent some of the most feature-rich outboard microphone preamplifiers on the market, introducing a host of new sonic possibilities and workflows for the discerning producer and recording engineer,” according to the announcement.
SSL's contemporary-classic recording console, Origin, introduced the PureDrive microphone preamplifier. This innovative preamp is designed to retain the clarity and punch of previous SSL designs while offering the added versatility of switching its character to a warm, harmonically rich, and driven tone that varies with gain.
“The PureDrive microphone preamp has become an essential tool in many prestigious studios and recording facilities due to its flexibility and superb sonic signature. Pure Drive Quad and Octo continue the legacy into rack format, delivering four/eight microphone preamps with Origin’s renowned Pure and Drive modes, but take it further, adding a new ‘Asymmetric’ Drive, comprehensive digital connectivity, and an onboard USB-C interface,” the release continues.
Pure Drive Quad and Octo also offer four mic preamp input impedance options, enabling engineers to explore various tonal possibilities or match the Mic Pre's impedance closely to the microphone. Additionally, each mic pre 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 Andy Jackson, Senior Product Manager Studio Products. "They stand as a testament to SSL's commitment to progressive analogue circuit design, offering exceptional performance and versatility.”
One preamp, three different flavours
Both Quad and Octo feature three different 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. Finally, Asymmetric Drive makes the even harmonic content dominant, providing more pronounced thickness, colouration, and softening of transients.
Advanced connectivity
Pure Drive Quad and Octo feature analogue and digital connectivity. Both units feature 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 full +24 dBu line-level, for interfacing with other professional equipment. Digitally, Quad and Octo feature an integrated USB-C soundcard providing conversion up to 32-Bit/192 kHz, 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 your DAW. Finally, there's an auto-ranging word clock input and output for digital clocking.
SSL's new Pure Drive Quad and Octo preamplifiers are priced at $1399 (excluding VAT) and $2499 (excluding VAT) respectively. For more information or to learn more, please visit SSL at AES NY 2023 [Booth 824] or the SSL product page at:
Pure Drive Octo: https://www.solidstatelogic.com/products/puredriveocto
Pure Drive Quad: https://www.solidstatelogic.com/products/puredrivequad
