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8-channel mic preamp that builds upon SSL's prestigious PureDrive™ microphone preamp technology, originally featured in their ORIGIN console. This compact 2U rackmount unit offers versatile mic preamp options with three distinct DRIVE modes, advanced digital connectivity, and an integrated USB interface, making it an essential tool for modern recording engineers and producers. It features eight combo XLR inputs, Hi-Z/DI instrument inputs, D-sub connectors for line-level inputs, and insert send and return for flexible analog connectivity. Additionally, its digital capabilities include an integrated USB soundcard, AES/EBU output pairs, ADAT out, and auto-ranging word clock for robust clocking. The absence of electro-mechanical components in the audio signal path enhances product longevity and channel matching. Whether capturing pristine clarity in PURE mode or introducing warmth and character in DRIVE mode, the Pure Drive Octo combines SSL's renowned sound quality with innovative features for a wide range of recording scenarios.
At a glance
- 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
- USB soundcard mode
- 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
The Solid State Logic Pure Drive Octo is an 8-channel mic preamp harnessing the legacy of SSL's SuperAnalogue PureDrive microphone preamp, initially introduced in the ORIGIN console, and elevates it to a new level of versatility and connectivity. Housed in a compact 2U rackmount unit, this device carries forward the innovation of the ORIGIN console, known for its remarkable PureDrive microphone preamp.
The PureDrive microphone preamp is revered for its ability to retain the clarity and punch of SSL's earlier designs while offering a unique twist: the flexibility to switch between a transparent, clean character in PURE mode and a warm, harmonically rich, driven tone in DRIVE mode, which varies with gain. This ingenious preamp has made its mark in some of the world's most prestigious recording studios, whether capturing the subtleties of a piano concerto or adding warmth and character to drum recordings.
Mic Pre’s with prestige
Pure Drive Octo offers eight microphone preamps with both PURE and DRIVE modes, and it goes a step further by introducing an 'Asymmetric' DRIVE mode. It also includes advanced digital connectivity and an integrated USB interface. Engineers will appreciate the four-mic preamp input impedance options that enable them to experiment with tonal possibilities or closely match the microphone's impedance. Each mic preamp boasts independent +48V phantom power, polarity inversion, and a High Pass Filter. This makes Pure Drive Octo one of the most feature-rich outboard microphone preamplifiers available, providing a host of new sonic possibilities and workflows for producers and recording engineers.
A unique feature of Pure Drive Octo is the absence of electromechanical components in the critical audio signal path, ensuring product longevity and precise matching between all channels. This is achieved through digitally controlled analogue circuits, controlled by detented pots and electronic switches, simplifying recall and precision of settings.
3 DRIVE Flavours, 1 Mic Pre
One of the standout features of Pure Drive Octo is the ability to switch each mic preamp between three distinct DRIVE modes independently:
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Clean mode delivers the renowned SSL ultra-low noise floor and linear preamp, capturing the source's sound with exceptional clarity.
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Classic Drive mode generates predominantly odd harmonics, providing the same drive sound found on the ORIGIN console.
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Asymmetric Drive mode introduces a new colouration option, emphasizing even harmonic content for added thickness, colouration, and softening of transients, making it perfect for the PURE DRIVE range.
Advanced Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, Pure Drive Octo is an advanced powerhouse. It offers a comprehensive selection of analogue and digital I/O options, making it suitable for various recording scenarios, from world-class studios to project studios and on-location sessions. It features eight rear-mounted combo XLR inputs, four front-panel Hi-Z/DI instrument inputs, three sets of D-sub connectors for line-level inputs, and insert send and return. The insert returns/ADC inputs can handle full +24 dBu line-level signals for seamless integration with other professional equipment.
Pure Drive Octo's digital connectivity includes an integrated USB soundcard, offering eight audio channels into your DAW at up to 32-bit/192 kHz. Additionally, it provides four AES/EBU output pairs and ADAT out, supporting eight channels at 24-bit/48 kHz or up to four channels at 24-bit/192 kHz via SMUX. Furthermore, the AES and ADAT outputs can be individually repurposed to receive audio from the onboard USB soundcard, allowing for greater flexibility. To complete the digital package, there is an auto-ranging word clock input and output for reliable digital clocking.
The Solid State Logic Pure Drive Octo combines the prestige of SSL's PureDrive microphone preamp technology with various innovative features, making it an indispensable tool for the modern recording engineer and producer. Its blend of high-quality analogue and digital capabilities ensures it can handle a wide range of recording scenarios while maintaining the superior sound quality that SSL is known for.