SSL Pure Drive Octo

PureDrive mic preamps – classic analog warmth

The SSL Pure Drive Octo is a revolutionary outboard microphone preamplifier that boasts eight independent mic preamps. Each preamp can be individually switched between three distinct DRIVE modes, offering a wide range of sonic possibilities. In ‘Clean’ mode, you can expect the ultra-low noise floor and pristine sound quality that SSL is renowned for.

The ‘Classic Drive’ mode provides the symmetrical drive sound found on the ORIGIN console, giving your recordings a vintage analogue warmth. For a new colouration option, the ‘Asymmetric Drive’ mode emphasizes even harmonic content, resulting in a more pronounced thickness and softening of transients. With these versatile drive modes, the Pure Drive Octo delivers exceptional clarity, detail, and sonic character to enhance your recordings. Not only that, but the Pure Drive Octo also provides you with four different mic preamp impedance options so you can explore different tones for dynamic/ribbon microphones.

Wide range of connection options

The Pure Drive Octo is equipped with advanced connectivity options that make it a versatile tool for professional recording scenarios. It features eight rear-mounted combo XLR inputs, allowing you to connect a variety of microphones. Additionally, there are four front-panel Hi-Z/DI instrument inputs with automatic detection, perfect for capturing the raw power of guitars and basses.

To accommodate line-level inputs, the Pure Drive Octo provides three sets of D-sub connectors, as well as insert send and return functionality for integrating external processors into your signal chain. Furthermore, the insert returns/ADC inputs can handle up to full +24 dBu line-level signals, ensuring compatibility with other professional equipment.

Intuitive digital integration

The Pure Drive Octo seamlessly integrates with your digital audio workstation (DAW) thanks to its comprehensive digital connectivity options. It features an integrated USB sound card that provides eight channels of audio into your DAW at up to 32-bit/192kHz resolution. This makes it an excellent choice for recording bands in a professional studio or working on production projects. Additionally, the Pure Drive Octo offers four AES/EBU output pairs and an ADAT out, allowing you to send up to eight channels of audio at 24-bit/48kHz, or up to four channels at 24-bit/192kHz via SMUX.

What’s more, the AES and ADAT outputs can be individually reconfigured to be fed from the onboard USB sound card, providing ultimate flexibility in your signal routing. Finally, the Pure Drive Octo features auto-ranging word clock input and output for precise digital clocking, ensuring a stable and reliable recording experience.

Features

• Eight high-end PureDrive™ microphone preamps – incorporated from SSL’s iconic ORIGIN recording console
• Various control features including +48V phantom power, polarity reversal, and a 3rd order hi-pass filter
• A finely-tuned Gain control that ascends up to +65 dB, enabling precise modification of audio levels
• Three distinctive modes for each preamp – Clean, Classic Drive, and Asymmetric Drive for customized sound output
• Options for microphone/line input switching via XLR or choice of TRS Jack or dedicated D-Sub connectivity
• Four input impedance options for your dynamic and ribbon microphones, encouraging tonal experimentation
• Four front panel Hi-Z/DI Instrument unbalanced inputs with automatic input detection
• Balanced analog outputs/insert sends for routing to external processing equipment
• +24 dBu professional-grade line level insert returns/ADC inputs
• Advanced connectivity options via ADAT, AES, and USB
• Capability to toggle ADAT and AES connections to access audio from DAW outputs (USB) instead of the A/D converter
• Incorporates a USB soundcard mode with 12 in / 12 out (@44.1/48 kHz)
• Precision and stereo matching facilitated by stepped pots and digitally controlled analog circuitry
• Supports conversion at up to 192 kHz and 32-bits, professional I/O levels (+24 dBu = 0 dBFS)
• Selectable Auto-Sleep mode
• Auto-ranging Wordclock I/O connectivity