SSL Pure Drive Quad – 4-channel Microphone Preamplifier
Premium preamps are undoubtedly an important prerequisite for outstanding recordings. The SSL ORIGIN console with its PureDrive mic preamps is a modern classic among recording consoles. Its innovative preamps retain the clarity and punch of earlier SSL designs, but add the “DRIVE” option for a warm, overtone-rich and punchy sound that varies with increasing gain. For example, you can capture the subtle nuances of a piano concerto in PURE mode or add warmth to a drum recording in DRIVE mode.
The PURE DRIVE QUAD continues this tradition in rack format and offers four microphone preamps with the familiar PURE and DRIVE modes of the ORIGIN. However, SSL goes one step further and integrates a third, 'unbalanced' DRIVE mode as well as digital interfaces and a USB port. No electromechanical components (potentiometers, mechanical switches, relays etc.) are used in the audio signal path of the PURE DRIVE QUAD, which increases durability and enables precise balancing between all channels - not just one stereo pair. The use of digitally controlled analog circuits, controlled by detented potentiometers and electronic switches, simplifies recall and precision of settings. This makes the PURE DRIVE QUAD one of the most powerful microphone preamps on the market, with a host of new sonic possibilities and workflows.
The PURE DRIVE QUAD's numerous interfaces open up a wide range of recording options. The PURE DRIVE QUAD has eight rear-mounted XLR combo inputs, four front-panel Hi-Z/DI instrument inputs with automatic input detection and three D-sub connectors for line-level inputs and insert send return. The insert returns/AD converter inputs of the PURE DRIVE QUAD operate at a line level of up to +24 dBu, so that they can be easily connected to other professional devices.
The versatile digital connection options of the PURE DRIVE QUAD include an integrated USB sound card that transmits four audio channels with up to 32-bit/192 kHz to your DAW. There are two AES/EBU output pairs and one ADAT output. The AES and ADAT outputs can even be used individually to be used by the integrated USB sound card as outputs from your DAW. Finally, there is a word clock input and output with automatic switching for reliable digital clocking.
- 4 powerful PureDrive microphone preamps
- +48V phantom power, polarity switching and 3rd-order high-pass filter (18 dB/octave)
- Stepped gain control with up to +65 dB amplification
- 31-step Trim control with precise 1 dB steps - overdrive the input signal with the Gain control and then adjust it to a suitable output level with Trim
- 3 modes for each preamp - Clean, Classic-Drive and Asymmetric-Drive
- Mic/line input switching: microphone via XLR / line input via TRS jack socket or dedicated D-Sub connector
- 4 unbalanced Hi-Z/DI instrument inputs on the front panel with automatic input detection
- 4 input impedance options for microphone preamps - discover new sonic possibilities for your dynamic and ribbon microphones
- Balanced analog outputs/insert sends for external processing
- +24 dBu professional line level insert returns/ADC inputs
- Analog-digital connection via ADAT, AES and USB - record in the DAW in the way that best suits your workflow
- ADAT and AES interfaces can be switched so that the signals come from the DAW outputs (USB) and not from the A/D converter
- Cascading of 2 PURE DRIVE QUAD devices via the integrated ADAT LINK IN connector
- USB sound card mode: 12 inputs / 12 outputs @44.1/48 kHz (4 analog + 8 ADAT In / 4 AES + 8 ADAT Out)
- Switchable potentiometers and digitally controlled analog electronics for precise operation, stereo matching and easy recall
- Up to 192 kHz and 32-bit conversion, professional I/O level (+24 dBu = 0 dBFS)
- Selectable auto-sleep mode
- Auto-range word clock in and out
