Solid State Logic SSL Pure Drive Octo

PURE DRIVE OCTO takes advantage of the renowned SuperAnalogue PureDrive microphone preamplifier technology already featured in Solid State Logic's ORIGIN console, introduces a new DRIVE mode and connectivity, and makes it available in a 4-channel 2U rackmount unit. The celebrated PureDrive microphone preamplifier, introduced in SSL's newest recording console, ORIGIN, is the foundation on which PURE DRIVE OCTO is built. This innovative preamp preserves the clarity and power typical of SSL, while offering the ability to modulate its timbre 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 a must-have choice in the most prestigious recording studios around the world. 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 because of its flexibility and exceptional "sonic signature." PURE DRIVE OCTO continues in this vein, offering four microphone preamplifiers with ORIGIN's renowned PURE and DRIVE modes, but goes further by introducing a new DRIVE "Asymmetric" option, advanced digital connectivity, and a built-in USB interface. PURE DRIVE OCTO offers four different impedance options for the mic preamp inputs, allowing sound engineers to explore various tonal nuances or match the impedance of the preamp to the microphone being used. In addition, each microphone preamplifier features independent +48 V phantom power, polarity reversal and adjustable high-pass filtering. With these features, PURE DRIVE OCTO turns out to be one of the most advanced and versatile external microphone preamplifiers available and opens the way to new sonic possibilities and workflows for demanding producers and sound engineers. Three shades of sound, a PURE DRIVE OCTO PRE is tangible proof of SSL's commitment to designing state-of-the-art analog circuits. No electromechanical components such as potentiometers, mechanical switches, or relays are used in the signal path of the PURE DRIVE OCTO, thus increasing product durability and ensuring flawless matching between all channels, not just stereo pairs. The use of digitally controlled analog circuits, operated by potentiometers and electronic switches, greatly simplifies the recall of settings and improves their accuracy. Each of PURE DRIVE OCTO's microphone preamplifiers can be switched independently between three different DRIVE modes: Clean, Classic Drive, and Asymmetric Drive. Clean mode features the renowned SSL linear preamplifier with an extremely low noise floor, known for its ability to faithfully capture the source sound with exceptional clarity. Classic Drive mode is the symmetric mode that generates mainly odd harmonics, offering the well-known sound found on the ORIGIN console. Asymmetric Drive mode features a new coloration option specially designed for the PURE DRIVE range, which accentuates even harmonics, giving greater thickness, color and smoothness to transients. Advanced Connectivity PURE DRIVE OCTO's advanced connectivity opens up so many recording possibilities. The comprehensive selection of analog and digital inputs/outputs offers microphone preamplifiers of exceptional quality and flexibility, whether recording a band in a professional studio or adding warmth to audio tracks in a production setting. It is ideal for studio projects but also in outdoor situations where quality cannot be compromised, thanks to the built-in USB sound card. PURE DRIVE OCTO is equipped with eight combo XLR inputs on the back, 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 OCTO's return/ADC inserts work down to a line level of +24 dBu, allowing seamless integration with other professional devices. PURE DRIVE OCTO's versatile digital connectivity includes a built-in USB sound card that offers eight audio channels to the DAW at up to 32 bit/192 kHz. In addition, there are four pairs of AES/EBU outputs and ADAT outputs, providing eight channels of 24-bit/48 kHz or up to four channels of 24-bit/192 kHz via SMUX . The AES and ADAT outputs can also be individually repurposed to be powered by the built-in USB sound card and used as DAW outputs. Finally, there is a self-adjusting word clock input and output for reliable digital clocking.