Quick Hits: Solid State Logic PureDrive QUAD Preamp

The PureDrive QUAD and OCTO are two new 19" rackmount preamp options from the brilliant minds at Solid State Logic. Each piece of gear features the SuperAnalogue PureDrive preamp technology originally featured in the Origin console. While SSL is typically known for the pristine punch of its preamp sounds, the PureDrive offers a wide range of tonal options.

Each PureDrive preamp channel (four on the QUAD, and eight on the OCTO) features three distinct flavors that you can engage via the Drive [Type] button. First up is Clean Mode, which features a super low noise floor and the classic clarity one would expect from SSL. The second mode is called Asymmetric Drive and engineers can expect a heavy dose of harmonic content and more coloration. The third and final option is Classic, a symmetrical mode that generates predominantly odd harmonics.

So, what can these three different Drive flavors do for you? Quite a bit! We've already talked about the clarity and punch of classic SSL preamps, and that sound is here in its full glory, but there is a world of sonic opportunities to explore with PureDrive. These preamps can take you from clean to fuzzy distortion with the switch of a button and twist of the knob. Best of all, each Drive setting can run the gamut in its own unique way.

In our new Quick Hits video, we're experimenting with the sonic range of the SSL PureDrive Quad. Watch below to see how we go nice and easy on some sources and push other to the edge of complete breakup. Featuring performances Ben Garrett (Electric Piano, Synthesizer), Chris McClarney (Acoustic Guitar, Vocals), Jordan McGee (Drums), Addison Sauvan (Bass), and Kevin Schuck (Electric Guitar).

 

Solid State Logic PureDrive Spec Check

- 4 or 8 channel high-performance PureDrive™ mic preamps
- +48V phantom power, polarity invert and 3rd order hi-pass filter
- 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
- Ability to switch ADAT and AES connections to source audio from DAW outputs (USB) instead of the A/D converter
- 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

Want to learn more about the Solid State Logic PureDrive QUAD and OCTO? Contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.