SSL Solid State Logic PURE DRIVE Octo

Solid State Logic PURE DRIVE Octo

PURE DRIVE OCTO utilizes the renowned SuperAnalogue PureDrive™ microphone preamplifier technology, already found in Solid State Logic's ORIGIN console. It introduces a new DRIVE mode and new connectivity, and makes it available in a 2U 8-channel rackmount unit. The celebrated PureDrive™ microphone preamplifier, introduced in SSL's latest recording console, ORIGIN, is the foundation upon which PURE DRIVE OCTO is built. This innovative preamplifier preserves SSL's typical clarity and power, while also offering the ability to modulate your tone into a warm, harmonically rich, and controlled sound, whose character evolves with increasing gain. The combination of ORIGIN and the PureDrive™ microphone preamplifier has become an indispensable choice in the most prestigious recording studios worldwide. Whether recording the most delicate nuances of a piano concert in PURE mode or adding warmth to a drum recording set to DRIVE, the PureDrive™ microphone preamplifier is the ideal solution thanks to its flexibility and exceptional "sound signature." PURE DRIVE OCTO continues this tradition, offering eight microphone preamplifiers with ORIGIN's renowned PURE and DRIVE modes, but goes further by introducing a new "Asymmetric" DRIVE option, advanced digital connectivity, and an integrated USB interface. PURE DRIVE OCTO offers four different impedance options for the microphone preamplifier inputs, allowing sound engineers to explore various tonal nuances or match the preamplifier's impedance to the microphone being used. Additionally, each microphone preamplifier features independent +48V phantom power, polarity inversion, and an adjustable high-pass filter. With these features, PURE DRIVE OCTO proves to be one of the most advanced and versatile external microphone preamplifiers available and opens the way for new sonic possibilities and workflows for demanding producers and sound engineers.

Three sonic shades, one PRE

PURE DRIVE OCTO is tangible proof of SSL's commitment to designing cutting-edge analog circuits. The signal path of PURE DRIVE OCTO does not use electromechanical components such as potentiometers, mechanical switches, or relays, thus increasing product durability and ensuring impeccable matching between all channels, not just stereo pairs. The use of digitally controlled analog circuits, managed via potentiometers and electronic switches, greatly simplifies settings recall and improves its precision. Each of PURE DRIVE OCTO's microphone preamplifiers can be independently switched between three different DRIVE modes: Clean, Classic Drive, and Asymmetric Drive. The Clean mode features the renowned linear SSL preamplifier with an extremely low noise floor, known for its ability to faithfully capture the source sound with exceptional clarity. The Classic Drive mode is the symmetrical mode that primarily generates odd harmonics, offering the familiar sound found on the ORIGIN console. The Asymmetric Drive mode features a new coloring option specifically designed for the PURE DRIVE range, which accentuates even harmonics, giving greater depth, color, and smoothness to transients.

Advanced connectivity

PURE DRIVE OCTO's advanced connectivity opens up a wealth of recording possibilities. The comprehensive selection of analog and digital inputs/outputs offers exceptional quality and flexibility from the microphone preamplifiers, whether recording a band in a professional studio or adding warmth to audio tracks in a production context. It is ideal for studio projects but also in external situations, where quality cannot be compromised, thanks to the integrated USB audio interface. PURE DRIVE OCTO is equipped with eight XLR combo inputs on the rear, four Hi-Z/DI instrument inputs on the front panel with automatic input detection, and three sets of D-sub connectors for line inputs, as well as send and return for inserts. The PURE DRIVE OCTO insert returns/ADCs operate up to a line level of +24 dBu, allowing seamless integration with other professional devices. The versatility of PURE DRIVE OCTO's digital connectivity includes an integrated USB audio interface that provides eight audio channels to the DAW at up to 32-bit/192 kHz. Additionally, there are four pairs of AES/EBU outputs and ADAT outputs, providing eight channels at 24-bit/48 kHz or up to four channels at 24-bit/192 kHz via SMUX. The AES and ADAT outputs can also be individually re-routed to be fed from the integrated USB audio interface and used as DAW outputs. Finally, there is an auto-regulating word clock input and output for reliable digital clocking.

Specifications

• 8 high-performance PureDrive™ microphone preamplifiers
• +48V phantom power, polarity inversion, and adjustable high-pass filter
• Stepped Gain control up to +65 dB of gain
• 31-step Trim control, with precise 1 dB increments – saturate the signal with the Gain control and then reduce it to an appropriate level using Trim.
• 3 modes for each preamplifier: Clean, Classic Drive, and Asymmetric Drive
• Mic/Line input switching – Mic via XLR connector and Line via choice of TRS Jack connector or dedicated D-Sub connectivity
• 4 unbalanced Hi-Z/DI instrument inputs on the front panel with automatic input detection
• 4 impedance options for the microphone preamplifier inputs – explore new tonal possibilities with your dynamic and ribbon microphones
• Balanced analog outputs/sends for external processing
• Professional +24 dBu line level insert returns/ADCs
• Analog/digital connectivity via ADAT, AES, and USB – record to your DAW in the way that best suits you
• Ability to switch ADAT and AES connections to source audio from DAW outputs (USB) instead of the A/D converter
• USB audio interface mode – OCTO – 8 in / 24 out (@44.1/48 kHz) – 8 x analog / 8 AES + 16 ADAT outputs
• Stepped pots and digitally controlled analog electronics for precision, stereo matching, and easy recall
• Up to 192 kHz and 32-bit conversion, professional I/O levels (+24 dBu = 0 dBFS).
• Selectable Auto-Sleep mode
• Auto-regulating Wordclock In and Out