Solid State Logic (SSL) is proud to announce the launch of two new 2U rack-based studio tools: the PURE DRIVE QUAD and PURE DRIVE OCTO microphone preamplifiers. These preamplifiers are available in 4-channel (QUAD) or 8-channel (OCTO) configurations, and both incorporate SSL’s SuperAnalogue PureDrive™ Technology, which was initially introduced by the company’s acclaimed ORIGIN recording console. Additionally, 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.
Key features
- Four and eight channel high-performance PureDrive™ mic preamps
- +48V phantom power, polarity invert and 3rd order hi-pass filter (sweepable on QUAD)
- Stepped Gain control up to +65 dB Gain
- 31-step Trim control, with precise 1 dB increments – overdrive the signal with the Gain control and then reduce to a suitable level using Trim.
- 3 modes for each preamp – Clean, Classic Drive and Asymmetric Drive
- Mic/Line Input Switching
- Mic via XLR
- Line via choice of TRS Jack or dedicated D-Sub connectivity
- 4 x front panel Hi-Z/DI Instrument unbalanced inputs with automatic input detection
- 4 mic preamp input impedance options – explore new tonal possibilities from your dynamic and ribbon microphones
- Balanced analogue outputs/insert sends for external processing
- +24 dBu professional line level insert returns/ADC inputs
- Analogue to 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
- Cascade 2 PURE DRIVE QUAD units via convenient ADAT LINK IN connection
- USB soundcard mode
- QUAD – 12 in / 12 out (@44.1/48 kHz) : 4 x analogue + 8 x ADAT in (via Link in) / 4 AES + 8 ADAT outs
- OCTO – 8 in / 24 out (@44.1/48 kHz) : 8 x analogue / 8 AES + 16 ADAT outs
- Stepped pots and digitally controlled analogue 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-ranging Wordclock In and Out
SSL’s new PURE DRIVE QUAD and OCTO preamplifiers are priced at £833/ $1399 / €1,229.00 (excluding VAT) and £1499 / $2499 / €1,829.00 (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: