PureDrive Quad

The PURE DRIVE QUAD carries the PureDrive microphone preamp first used in SSL's ORIGIN console into a four-channel rack unit. Each channel can be switched between three modes: Clean, Classic Drive (symmetrical, mainly odd harmonics) and Asymmetric Drive (even-harmonic dominant, with a thicker, softer transient character). Each preamp also has four input impedance options, independent +48V phantom power, polarity invert and a sweepable high-pass filter.

Gain is set with a stepped control up to +65 dB, followed by a 31-step Trim control in 1 dB increments, so a signal can be driven with Gain and then brought back down. The critical audio path uses no potentiometers, mechanical switches or relays. Digitally controlled analogue circuitry with detented pots and electronic switches gives matched channels and simple recall of settings.

Inputs include rear combo XLR connectors, front-panel Hi-Z/DI instrument inputs with automatic detection, and D-sub line inputs, insert sends and insert returns. Digital outputs are two AES/EBU pairs and ADAT, and an onboard USB soundcard sends four channels to a DAW at up to 32-bit/192 kHz. A second unit can be cascaded over ADAT Link In, and word clock is auto-ranging.