SSL Solid State Logic PURE DRIVE Quad

Solid State Logic PURE DRIVE Quad

PURE DRIVE QUAD leverages the renowned SuperAnalogue PureDrive™ microphone preamplifier technology already featured in the Solid State Logic ORIGIN console, introduces a new DRIVE mode and new connectivity, and makes it available in a 2U 4-channel rackmount unit. The celebrated PureDrive™ microphone preamplifier, introduced in SSL's latest recording console, ORIGIN, is the foundation on which PURE DRIVE QUAD is built. This innovative preamplifier preserves the clarity and power typical of SSL, while offering the possibility to modulate its timbral character into a warm, harmonically rich and controlled sound, whose character evolves as gain increases. The combination of ORIGIN and the PureDrive™ microphone preamplifier has become an essential choice in the world's most prestigious recording studios. Whether capturing the subtle 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 "sonic signature." PURE DRIVE QUAD continues in this direction, offering four 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 QUAD offers four different impedance options for the microphone preamplifier inputs, allowing sound engineers to explore various timbral nuances or match the preamplifier impedance to the microphone being used. Furthermore, each microphone preamplifier features independent +48V phantom power, polarity reversal and adjustable high-pass filter. With these features, PURE DRIVE QUAD proves to be one of the most advanced and versatile external microphone preamplifiers available and opens the door to new sonic possibilities and workflows for the most demanding producers and sound engineers.

Three sonic 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 longevity and ensuring impeccable matching across all channels, not just stereo pairs. The use of digitally controlled analog circuits, managed via potentiometers and electronic switches, significantly simplifies recall of settings and improves precision. Each of PURE DRIVE QUAD's microphone preamplifiers can be independently switched between three different DRIVE modes: Clean, Classic Drive and Asymmetric Drive. Clean mode features the renowned SSL linear preamplifier with extremely low noise floor, known for its ability to faithfully capture source sound with exceptional clarity. Classic Drive is the symmetrical mode that generates primarily odd harmonics, offering the distinctive sound found on the ORIGIN console. Asymmetric Drive features a new coloration option specifically designed for the PURE DRIVE range, which emphasizes even harmonics, imparting greater thickness, color and softness to transients.

Advanced Connectivity

The advanced connectivity of PURE DRIVE QUAD opens up countless recording possibilities. The complete selection of analog and digital inputs/outputs provides exceptional microphone preamplifiers and flexibility, 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 inputs for instruments 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 QUAD insert return/ADC work up to a line level of +24 dBu, allowing perfect integration with other professional devices. The versatility of PURE DRIVE QUAD's digital connectivity includes an integrated USB audio interface that delivers four audio channels to the DAW up to 32-bit/192 kHz. Additionally, there are two pairs of AES/EBU outputs and ADAT outputs, which provide four channels at 24-bit/48 kHz. Alternatively, you can cascade two PURE DRIVE QUAD units via the convenient ADAT LINK IN connection, allowing access to a maximum of eight channels. The AES and ADAT outputs can also be individually repurposed to be fed from the integrated USB audio interface and used as DAW outputs. Finally, there is a self-regulating word clock input and output for reliable digital clocking.

Specifications

• 4 high-performance PureDrive™ microphone preamplifiers at 4 channels
• +48V phantom power, polarity inversion and adjustable high-pass filter
• Stepped Gain control up to +65 dB of gain
• Trim control in 31 steps, 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 between TRS Jack connector or dedicated D-Sub connectivity
• 4 unbalanced Hi-Z/DI inputs for instruments on the front panel with automatic input detection
• 4 impedance options for microphone preamplifier inputs - explore new tonal possibilities with your dynamic and ribbon microphones
• Balanced analog outputs/send for external processing
• Insert returns/ADC at professional line level +24 dBu
• 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 pull audio from DAW outputs (USB) instead of from the A/D converter
• Daisy-chaining 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 ease of recall
• Up to 192 kHz and 32-bit conversion, professional I/O levels (+24 dBu = 0 dBFS)
• Selectable Auto-Sleep mode
• Auto-sensing Wordclock In and Out