The Solid State Logic Pure Drive Quad is a 4-channel mic preamp harnessing the renowned SuperAnalogue PureDrive microphone preamp technology originally featured in SSL's ORIGIN console. This exceptional device introduces a new DRIVE mode and advanced connectivity, all conveniently packaged in a 2U rackmount unit.
SSL's contemporary-classic recording console, ORIGIN, introduced the PureDrive microphone preamplifier. This innovative preamp retains 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. ORIGIN and the PureDrive microphone preamp have made their mark in the world's premier studios. Whether it's capturing the delicate nuances of a piano concerto in PURE mode or imparting warmth on a drum recording when set to DRIVE, the PureDrive microphone preamp has become an essential tool in some of the most prestigious studios and recording facilities due to its flexibility and superb sonic signature.
Mic Pres with prestige
Pure Drive Quad continues the legacy into rack format, delivering four microphone preamps with ORIGIN’s renowned PURE and DRIVE modes. However, it takes it further, adding a new ‘Asymmetric’ DRIVE, advanced digital connectivity, and an onboard USB interface. The Pure Drive Quad offers four mic preamp input impedance options, enabling engineers to explore various tonal possibilities or closely match the mic pre's impedance to the microphone. Each mic pre includes independent +48V phantom power, polarity inversion, and a sweepable High Pass Filter. Pure Drive Quad is one of the most capable and feature-rich outboard microphone preamplifiers available, introducing a host of new sonic possibilities and workflows for the discerning producer and recording engineer.
3 Flavours, 1 Mic Pre
Pure Drive Quad is a testament to SSL's commitment to progressive analogue circuit design. No electro-mechanical components (potentiometers, mechanical switches, relays, etc.) are used in Pure Drive Quad's critical audio signal path, increasing product longevity and allowing impeccable ‘matching’ between all channels – not just a stereo pair. Using digitally controlled analogue circuits, controlled by detented pots and electronic switches, simplifies recall and precision of settings.
The SSL Pure Drive Quad’s mic pre’s can be independently switched between three distinct DRIVE modes: Clean, Classic Drive, and Asymmetric Drive.
Clean mode delivers the highly regarded, ultra-low noise floor, linear SSL preamp that is recognized for its ability to faithfully capture the sound of the source with exceptional clarity and detail.
Classic Drive is the symmetrical mode that generates predominantly odd harmonics, the same drive sound found on the ORIGIN console.
Asymmetric Drive offers a new colouration option, specifically designed for the Pure Drive range, making the even harmonic content dominant and providing more pronounced thickness, colouration, and softening of transients.
Advanced Connectivity
Pure Drive Quad’s advanced connectivity opens a world of recording possibilities. Its comprehensive selection of analogue and digital I/O offers microphone preamps with exceptional performance and flexibility, whether you're tracking a band in a world-class studio or adding warmth to stems in a production scenario. Thanks to its integrated USB sound card, it's also ideal for project studios and on-location sessions where quality cannot be compromised.
Pure Drive Quad features four rear-mounted combo XLR inputs, four front-panel Hi-Z/DI instrument inputs with automatic input detection, and three sets of D-sub connectors for line-level inputs and insert send and insert return. Pure Drive Quad’s insert returns/ADC inputs operate up to the whole +24 dBu line level for interfacing with other professional equipment.
Solid State Logic's Pure Drive Quad’s versatile digital connectivity features an integrated USB sound card providing four audio channels into your DAW up to 32-bit/192 kHz. Two AES/EBU output pairs and ADAT out, offering four channels at 24-bit/48 kHz, or cascade two Pure Drive Quad units via its convenient ADAT LINK IN connection and access up to eight channels. The AES and ADAT outputs can even be individually repurposed to be fed from the onboard USB sound card as outputs from your DAW. Finally, there's an auto-ranging word clock input and output for robust digital clocking.