Solid State Logic PURE DRIVE OCTO User Manual page 10

Tutorial
DRIVE [TYPE]
Toggles between the 3 different microphone preamp modes: Clean, Classic Drive and Asymmetric Drive.
Clean (backlit) - linear, ultra-low noise and distortion preamp capable of impeccably amplifying the sound source with clarity and
detail.
Classic Drive (amber) - introduces harmonic distortion to enrich the input signal, using predominantly odd harmonics; the same
drive sound found on the ORIGIN console. The harmonic distortion is level/gain dependent.
Asymmetric Drive (green) - an alternative to Classic Drive mode, where the even harmonic content becomes dominant than the odd
harmonics. Results in a more pronounced thickness and softening of transients. The harmonic distortion is level/gain dependent.
To engage Asymmetric drive mode press and hold the DRIVE button for a second or so.
Top Tip - The DRIVE button flashes red to indicate you are clipping the main preamp or the trim
stage. Lower the GAIN (or TRIM) to correct.
Classic Drive vs Asymmetric Drive
The graph below shows the difference between the harmonics generated by Classic Drive vs Asymmetric Drive at a nominal 29
dB of gain.
• The harmonics are from the Classic Drive setting, whereas the
blue
• Note that the 2nd harmonic is much more prominent in Asymmetric Drive.
Prominent even
harmonic
(Asymmetric Drive)
10
Test tone 200 Hz, 29 dB Gain, input level -14.35 dBu.
harmonics are from the Asymmetric Drive mode.
Red
PURE DRIVE OCTO User Guide
Prominent odd
harmonic
(Classic Drive)