SSL Solid State Logic PURE DRIVE Quad

Solid State Logic PURE DRIVE Quad

PURE DRIVE QUAD utilizes the renowned SuperAnalogue PureDrive™ microphone preamp technology, already featured in Solid State Logic's ORIGIN console, introduces a new DRIVE mode and new connectivity, and makes it available in a 4-channel 2U rackmount unit. The celebrated PureDrive™ microphone preamp, introduced in SSL's most recent recording console, ORIGIN, is the foundation upon which PURE DRIVE QUAD is built. This innovative preamp preserves the clarity and power typical of SSL, while also offering the ability to sculpt its tone into a warm, harmonically rich, and controlled sound, whose character evolves with increasing gain. The combination of ORIGIN and the PureDrive™ microphone preamp has become an essential 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 preamp is the ideal solution thanks to its flexibility and exceptional "sonic signature." PURE DRIVE QUAD continues this tradition, offering four microphone preamps 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 QUAD offers four different impedance options for the microphone preamp inputs, allowing sound engineers to explore various tonal nuances or match the preamp impedance to the microphone used. Additionally, each microphone preamp features independent +48V phantom power, polarity inversion, and an adjustable high-pass filter. With these features, PURE DRIVE QUAD proves to be one of the most advanced and versatile external microphone preamps available and opens the door to new sonic possibilities and workflows for demanding producers and sound engineers.

Three Tonal Shades, One PRE

PURE DRIVE QUAD is tangible proof of SSL's commitment to cutting-edge analog circuit design. The PURE DRIVE QUAD signal path does not rely on electromechanical components such as potentiometers, mechanical switches, or relays, thereby 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, significantly simplifies settings recall and improves precision. Each of PURE DRIVE QUAD's microphone preamps can be independently switched between three different DRIVE modes: Clean, Classic Drive, and Asymmetric Drive. The Clean mode features the renowned SSL linear preamp 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 coloration option specifically designed for the PURE DRIVE range, which emphasizes even harmonics, lending greater depth, color, and transient smoothness.

Advanced Connectivity

PURE DRIVE QUAD's advanced connectivity opens up a wealth of recording possibilities. The comprehensive selection of analog and digital inputs/outputs offers exceptionally high-quality and flexible microphone preamps, whether recording a band in a professional studio or adding warmth to audio tracks in a production context. It's ideal for studio projects but also in external situations where quality cannot be compromised, thanks to the integrated USB audio interface. PURE DRIVE QUAD is equipped with four 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 sends and returns for inserts. PURE DRIVE QUAD's insert return/ADCs operate up to a professional +24 dBu line level, allowing seamless integration with other professional devices. The versatility of PURE DRIVE QUAD's digital connectivity includes an integrated USB audio interface that provides four audio channels to the DAW up to 32-bit/192 kHz. Additionally, there are two pairs of AES/EBU outputs and ADAT outputs, providing four channels at 24-bit/48 kHz. Alternatively, two PURE DRIVE QUAD units can be cascaded via the convenient ADAT LINK IN connection, allowing access to a maximum of eight channels. The AES and ADAT outputs can also be individually reassigned 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

• 4-channel high-performance PureDrive™ microphone preamps
• +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 preamp: 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 microphone preamp inputs - explore new tonal possibilities with your dynamic and ribbon microphones
• Balanced analog outputs/send for external processing
• Professional +24 dBu line level insert returns/ADCs
• Analog/digital connectivity via ADAT, AES, and USB - record into your DAW in the way that best suits you
• Ability to switch ADAT and AES connections to take audio from DAW outputs (USB) instead of the A/D converter
• Cascading of 2 PURE DRIVE QUAD units via convenient ADAT LINK IN connection
• USB audio interface mode - QUAD - 12 in / 12 out (@44.1/48 kHz) - 4 x analog + 8 x ADAT in (via Link in) / 4 AES + 8 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