SSL Pure Drive Quad & Octo Microphone Preamps Overview & Tutorial

Mic Pre’s with Prestige: Solid State Logic Launch PURE DRIVE QUAD And PURE DRIVE OCTO Microphone Preamplifiers
Solid State Logic is delighted to announce the launch of two new 2U rack-based studio tools: the PURE DRIVE QUAD and PURE DRIVE OCTO microphone preamplifiers. These preamplifiers are available in 4-channel (QUAD) or 8-channel (OCTO) configurations, and both incorporate SSL's SuperAnalogue PureDrive™ Technology, which was initially introduced by the company's acclaimed ORIGIN recording console. Additionally, these units feature a newly introduced DRIVE mode, comprehensive analogue and digital connectivity options and an integrated USB-C soundcard.
PURE DRIVE QUAD and OCTO represent some of the most feature-rich and flexible outboard microphone preamplifiers on the market, introducing a host of new sonic possibilities and workflows for the discerning producer and recording engineer.
In this video, Luke Aziz (Product Specialist at SSL) gives you an in-depth tutorial on the PURE DRIVE QUAD & OCTO preamps, covering overview, rear connections and audio examples.
QUAD find out more: bit.ly/40bJxwl
OCTO find out more: bit.ly/45M8UWS

[@Polentaccio]

Impressive! Looks like you can also mix through this thing using hardware ...well thought out unit, love what SSL is doing these days. They are find a niche and finding new ways to make analog accessible to the masses! We can't all afford 50,000$ consoles.. well done.

[@jimr879]

What hardware is needed to mix with this? Thanks

[@JamarConley]

@@jimr879 I think he means running tracks through it. All you would need is at least a 4 in 4 out interface and you can send two tracks out to the pre amps and back in.

[@MrBluesmanJunior]

The market has been dying for an 8-channel preamp that's neither in the below-$1000 nor the above-$3500 range. I predict this will sell like crazy.

[@NyakzOTSD]

How this sounds so basic

[@simonb2738]

Ok SSL. Just take my money. Please. (Oh and by the way: The fact that the colour of the lights in the room shifted along with the different preamp-modes, made me unreasonably happy ❤)

[@sfn4702]

Yeah, this is really well produced 🤩

[@Studio22mix]

Nice, I can have 8 channel Neve together with 8 channel SSL, now waiting for 8 channel API and I’m set ❤

[@SoundsByHeazy]

Fantastic production on this video! Well done!

[@HeadhuntersUnion]

I have been sleeping on this. Seriously, this fits all of my needs in my studio! Brilliant!

[@jeromelester8]

I'm super happy with my old 4-Ch Alpha VHD Pre. SSL never disappoints!

[@ulyssesbenton9921]

I was thinking of grabbing 2 of the 4-ch alpha VHD pre but for the use price of 2 I can purchase the OCTO pure drive for the same money my main purpose is just to track into the pres from my MPC before I go into my interface by you having experienced with the Alpha do you see any advantages the pure drives offers??

[@jeromelester8]

@@ulyssesbenton9921 I would rather go with the OCTO. It's better to have only 1 unit instead of 2. It's packed with USB, HP-filters, inserts + you don't have to use an external PSU.

[@ulyssesbenton9921]

I was thinking that as well that is a plus to have, but I don’t have the need for that IO because I have a Antelope Audio Orion 32 Plus Interface I really wanted to track through something that’s all circuitry. No digital components until I hit the interface.

[@shinewaymusic]

to be honest, the external psu can be a huge plus. It keeps the power away from the pres, which IMO is better and keeps the noise floor dead. @@jeromelester8

[@henryhuynh2099]

Asymmetric sounds awesome

[@exactasa]

sounds the best!

[@SimonChampagne]

VERY appealing release. Especially the 4 channel at that price with ADAT and tone options. Certainly fills a gap in the market. As for the sound, let's wait independent reviews since you could record that Steinway, in that room, with pretty much anything and get a gorgeous sound. But it was beautiful indeed.

[@mixc8]

Agreed!

[@bigdap100]

This is INSANE🔥🔥🔥 Innovation after Innovation.... SSL is making Revolutionary Products 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@bdmax17]

SSL continue to nail every product launch!

[@faithtonejason]

I guess for a lot of producers and arrangers these things are more usefully than a real actual desk! Added on the wish list!

[@teashea1]

Regarding using the PureDriveQuad as an audio interface. The User Manual shows a diagram of the ADAT out of the PureDriveQuad feeding into the ADAT input of an SSL12. It does not provide any additional information of how this would be operated. So does this mean that the PureDriveQuad would not use its USB C connection to feed into the computer? Rather, would the SSL12 then use its USB C connection to the computer. Thus, the SSL12 and the SSL12's 360 software would be used to control the PureDriveQuad's outputs?

[@Spir4Lz]

Same question here! Using it with the ADAT input into a SSL12 or any another interface would mean you're gonna lose the ability to use outputs, unless the interface has also an ADAT out, that the SSL12 doesn't have (as many other ones).

[@AlexKnightVancouver]

What a beautiful piano part. What song is that?

[@ApolloJetsonKND]

awesome!!!! SSL IS DOING IT! CAN U GUYS START MAKING 16, and 32 channel converter interfaces next!

[@JpOctavarium]

I was just hoping they would release an 8 input rack mounted audio interface and they go above and beyond. The insert feature is insane, I was looking into getting into analog gear, and this makes it so much easier.

[@christophersmith2904]

Waiting for the SSL daw! Ps, these look great. I enjoy these preamps as they are in my Origin. They have a sweet spot. I find it and enjoy them in what they do best, amplify

[@faithhopelove6945]

Do U think the clean(est) Channel Setting is better than the SSL2 Preamps? I use the SSL2 and the Sound is phenomenal. Thanks 🙂

[@jas_bataille]

Formidable pres of course, and equally great recording. MKH50 mic on the boom for voice-over? In a room with such natural reverb, the result is just phenomenal. I need to try recording vocals, especially rap, in that setting. The natural reverb is just stellar and gives such presence to the voice! Edit : Oh I see the lavalier, makes more sense. Wow that's a real reverb room lol

[@dirface]

Beautiful gear and presentation!

[@doodoogtube]

Very dope and it slides nicely right into the ecosystem.👍🏾👍🏾🔥🔥🔥

[@the80386]

Was this design licensed nad modified from the Focusrite ISA series? Looks very similar in the fundamentals but with modern touches - almost like what an mk3 ISA would have been.

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

Damn well i think i have another thing to add to my list! I can’t tell a massive difference between the drive options though, but the classic drive definitely added something to the snare. I might really like this on rooms/Overheads i originally was thinking about going with grace designs 801, but this is a LOT cheaper. Granted it’ll be years before i reach the level of need to have this. I currently have 12 channels of unison pres with my Apollo X system and i got most of the plugins. Then i have an 8 channel ART preamp if I really need it. The goal is to eventually upgrade that to this. I’m also planning on getting some API 500 series pres in a cranborne audio rack. It’ll likely only be 2-4 of them though (mainly on snare/toms and guitars). But yeah i just spent all my savings on acoustic treatment and some other stuff that isn’t gear related but essential for a studio. But at like $2500 for the octo, it’s a perfect price point. Great job SSL! Oh also cheaper than a Neve OPX too. Best quality 8 channel preamp at an affordable price!

[@tjjordanmusic]

Ok SSL, here’s my money 😂. You guys nailed it!

[@Fl4ppers]

Can these pres be used in Ableton Live as a low latency interface? I really like the transparency in yours' and others' demos.

[@TigroGumi]

It's good they have given what we want from a preamp in recording.... mixing we need clean after colour has been recorded.

[@cloremancey2653]

Looks like a great piece however Not sure I get it right…. The 4 inputs on the side are DI right ? not HiZ inputs? Cannot put an electric guitar directly into it? Idk the difference actually😅

[@BoredQwerty]

DI, Hi-Z, two names for the same thing.

[@Bobashingodilopagus]

When using this as an interface, if you have an SSL 12, can you use that to control the output volume if you’re using the pure drive AES/EBU outputs for DSP studio monitors?

[@jamisonfrench]

Sounds great! Definitely SSL! 🔥 👌

[@justlooking813]

ADAT, AES and USB as an ADC instead of IP?

[@bonafrato]

Running a stereo chain like SSL the Bus+ -> Neve 8803 EQ -> Neve MBT ; would it make sense to implement this drive unit ?? 😅

[@Alex_Daxx]

Hi ! 4 or 8 analog out for FX send on the D25 ? Same question for FX returns : 4 or 8 returns on the D25 ? Thanks a lot ! QUESTION FOR PURE DRIVE OCTO

[@YouTolan]

can this be used as a usb interface all by itself or does it need to be plugged into another interface?

[@MockeryManor]

Apparently it can. But you still need a way to monitor the audio, so you can pair it up with something like an SSL 2+.

[@faithfulanddevoted]

Can the quad be used directly as an audio interface? Or it has to be connected adat to an SSL12 ????😬

[@vladrileynavilys]

Hi, ever got an answer to that?

[@Herrys791]

So, what the USB C function on rear then?

[@andreasdown3977]

Dante Option would be great...

[@DoitYHWH]

QUAD: $1400 OCTO: $2500

[@DavePolcino]

At 6.20 he mentions monitoring with the ssl interface. Can this be explained more? I want to keep the 32-bit recording pipeline but unfortunately ADAT doesn't support that. So how would one set that up? So listen with the ssl12 but record with these new channels. Hmm

[@Mixedbyquadeyg]

So I just wanna know one thing can I run these converters instead of my audio interface converters basically I’m asking can I clock this with the Apollo x8p or rack mount units ?

[@metalplatedfacejob]

yes, over the adat connection or you can have it stand alone over the USB

[@samueltheze9383]

Just one thing is not clear : With the on Board sound card , can you send out 4 ( for the quad ) or 8 ( for octo) channel output of your daw to mix it with outboard gear ? Or you need an other converter to do it ? I understand there is no monitoring control but it’s not explicit for the outpout control ( when we look on Thomann it’s write : ad converter for the quad , abd Ad da converter for the octo ..

[@BoredQwerty]

you can choose to source AES/EBU or ADAT outputs from either the internal ADC or from the DAW outputs. So given you convert externally such ADAT or AES/EBU signals back to analogue then yes, you can feed external outboard.

[@014Marines]

So if I’m understanding this correctly you can daisy chain a pair of the quads via ADAT, then turning the insert return on one of the 2 into a total of 8. Requiring you to only need to use one DB25 cable for all 8 input returns?

[@BoredQwerty]

No the insert returns are always only 4 per QUAD. To get 8 return channels you need to feed both units, so you need 2x DB25 cables

[@014Marines]

@@BoredQwerty hmmm ok so does that mean 1-4 are the mic pre inputs and 5-8 are the mic pre outputs for all 4 mic pre's?

[@BoredQwerty]

@@014Marines on the DB25 or on the ADAT stream? Have a look at the manual, it'll all be clear in there.

[@jongemmill4030]

5-8 are line input 1-4

[@014Marines]

@@jongemmill4030 Thanks haha it took me a while to figure out

[@jamescave7102]

Very very nice. Well… I’m in love.

[@brettgordon9956]

More money to be spent on SSL products again Luke!! The Quad is a definite for me!!

[@Kedar7192]

How does it sound on vocals????

[@JessadaChitrakorn]

Awesome!!!!

[@williamlaudinat8405]

Is anyone know wich mics are used ? Especially on snare. Thanks

[@chinmeysway]

can’t compare bc the music drums / piano changes. has to stay constant or switch the setting more frequently.

[@TheKorgborg]

My quad arived today im so happy

[@MegaSoteris]

How many analog outs via Dsub are on this thing.?Anyone !!

[@Kharrari]

I want this.

[@ApolloJetsonKND]

this is dope tho i might buy this for my mpc drum machine

[@michaeltwiz8477]

Was thinking the same

[@jltbk5420]

Ditto that. I’m gonna demo it to make sure it makes a difference in sound 1st. I’m already running rme and ferrofish converters if it’s not a big difference in sound quality I’ll probably return it and grab a couple of compressors for my output on my MPC’s. In all fairness the ssl 6 mixer gave the mpc sound a slight edge recording into my interface over just tracking straight into the rme.

[@vladrileynavilys]

@@jltbk5420 Hey have you tried that yet?

[@CanterPirouette-b4w]

Is it made in England or China?

[@acpaudio1782]

"Engineered in the UK, Assembled in China" - back of unit.

[@kagisokgabo3601]

WW OO WW !!!!!!

[@hryc9687]

...wav both switching features looks very intresting🎚️

[@raggedrec]

no one thought to flip off the snare wires then when you were talking.

[@nicolasbonadio]

i can´t find the price

[@peterson53047]

Sweetwater

[@Maulleygxxx]

They just killed the Theata 😂

[@JSSTUDIO-wr2jq]

❤👍

[@hakangurdol]

I say wow

[@RicardoTolbert]

Well I know what I’m getting next

[@stamecec2003]

whatttttttttttttttttttt kkkk man i need this asap

[@jeremystorm3902]

Would love to see this guys make something like a UA Apollo x8p without the DSP that’s super fast like PreSonus Quantum with a price tag of $1499.

[@Studio22mix]

Crazy that Presonus doesn’t make the quantum 48 anymore, I think they should do these again 😊

[@yunkeshang2638]

piano recording sounds not very decent. I think it is related to the mic positioning and panning

[@Harrysound]

You must hate your job…. What a grind

[@JBrm]

I don't know who had the idea to mix the. room mics to the lavalier, but please don't do that again -ever. It's very disturbing on a system where you can actually hear it.

[@chinmeysway]

what does that mean mix them to the lavaliere exactly