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Antelope Zen Quadro Synergy Core Dual USB-C Audio Interface

BH #ANDUSBPAI • MFR #ZEN QUADRO SYNERGY CORE
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Antelope Zen Quadro Synergy Core Dual USB-C Audio Interface
Key Features
  • Producers/Musicians/Podcasters/Streamers
  • Bus-Powered, Mac/Windows, iOS
  • 4 Mic/Line and 2 Hi-Z Inputs, 75 dB Gain
  • 2 Headphone Outs, 4 Line Outs
Taking the AD/DA chips from Antelope Audio’s flagship Galaxy range, along with proprietary AFC (Acoustically Focused Clocking) technology, the Zen Quadro Synergy Core is a dual USB-C audio interface that provides creators of all kinds with the same uncompromising sound quality enjoyed by the world’s premiere recording studios. Hear your audio's every detail with massive 130 dB dynamic-range converters, and power even the quietest dynamic and ribbon mics with four 75 dB gain console-grade preamps. With Dual USB ports, streamers and podcasters can connect two computers, or a computer and phone, to stream, playback, and record on two systems simultaneously with cross-routing, loopback, and reverse charging.  
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Antelope Zen Quadro Overview

For Creators of All Kinds: Record, Stream, Podcast, Play Live
Taking the AD/DA chips from Antelope Audio’s flagship Galaxy range, along with proprietary AFC (Acoustically Focused Clocking) technology, the Zen Quadro Synergy Core is a dual USB-C audio interface that provides creators of all kinds with the same uncompromising sound quality enjoyed by the world’s premiere recording studios. Hear your audio's every detail with massive 130 dB dynamic-range converters, and power even the quietest dynamic and ribbon mics with four 75 dB gain console-grade preamps. With Dual USB ports, streamers and podcasters can connect two computers, or a computer and phone, to stream, playback, and record on two systems simultaneously with cross-routing, loopback, and reverse charging.  

Zen Quadro lets you record, stream, and play live with Synergy Core real-time FX processing. Featuring standalone functionality and 37 analog-modeled effects, the interface can be used without a computer as an FX box during live gigs. The unit allows easy access to direct routing, preset recall, and mixer settings via its color display. With expandability via ADAT and S/PDIF, Zen Quadro features a total of 14-in / 10-out channels in a small and portable bus-powered interface.

Flagship Conversion and Clocking
  • Zen Quadro is the first bus-powered audio interface where the company implemented its highest-quality converters with up to a whopping 130 dB dynamic range—the same used in the flagship Galaxy units.
  • Paired with proprietary 64-bit AFC clocking technology, the Zen Quadro provides you with a new level of detail in your recordings, with wider soundstage for an exceptional stereo image in audio playback.
Record with 4 Crystal-Clear Preamps
  • Inspired by the British and American analog console designs of the '80s and '90s, the 4 preamps are built with discrete, 6-transistor topology (found in Orion Studio Synergy Core), offering maximum noise reduction and precise sound capture.
  • With extremely low noise and up to 75 dB gain, you can power even your quietest dynamic and ribbon mics with no additional hardware.
Combine Two Interfaces in One Unit
  • With the Zen Quadro’s dual USB-C ports, it’s like having two interfaces in one. Freely route signals and create mixes between the two USB connections using Mac/Windows, iOS (USB-C), or Android devices together.
  • Convenient loopback makes it great for streaming. And the secondary port can charge your mobile device while the primary port provides power for the Zen Quadro.
Play Live Onstage with Real-Time FX
  • Take the studio on the road with bus-powered USB-C connectivity and a durable metal enclosure.
  • With complete standalone operation, you can easily access routing and mixer controls through the color display and recall settings and real-time FX chains, making it ideal for live performances.
  • The secondary USB-C port even allows collaboration between duo live acts that are using two computers onstage.
Synergy Core: The Magic of Real-Time DSP and FPGA Processing
  • Synergy Core combines DSP with FPGA chips to model each and every individual component of legendary analog hardware. This ensures sound and behavior that’s virtually indistinguishable from the real thing—with near-zero latency, and zero strain on your computer’s CPU.
  • With the Zen Quadro, you can instantly start recording through 37 legendary compressors, EQs, guitar amps, cabs, modulation effects, and more—applied in real-time during recording, streaming, or live performances.
  • Up to 48 mono effect instances can be loaded on 6 input chains simultaneously, putting the power of a complex multirack setup on your desktop or onstage.
Enhanced Standalone Functionality
  • Recall presets with routing, FX chains, and settings, directly from the device. New to the Zen Quadro is the ability to set routings on the device itself.
Synth Heads
  • Dive deep into sonic exploration with the Zen Quadro's DC-coupled I/O, real-time monitoring, and silent line inputs, allowing budding synth enthusiasts to unleash the full potential of their modular setups, whether in the studio or onstage.
UPC: 850041548081

Antelope Zen Quadro Specs

Key Specs
Channels of I/O
14 Inputs / 10 Outputs
Maximum Sampling Rate
192 kHz / 24-Bit
Number of Microphone Inputs
4
Analog Audio I/O
2x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line/Hi-Z Input
2x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line Input
2x 1/4" TRS Line Output
2x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
2x 1/4" TRS Monitor Output
Digital Audio I/O
Mini-TOSLINK / 3.5 mm Optical ADAT Input
RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input
RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Output
Host Connection
1x USB-C (Class-Compliant)
1x USB-C (Class-/USB OTG-Compliant)
Power Requirements
USB Bus Power
General
Display
Color
Channels of I/O
14 Inputs / 10 Outputs
Built-In DSP
Yes
Maximum Sampling Rate
192 kHz / 24-Bit
Number of Microphone Inputs
4
Built-In Microphone
No
Input Level Adjustment
via Software
Signal Processing
Pad
No
Gain/Trim Range
XLR Mic Inputs:
75 dB
High-Pass Filter
No
Solo/Mute
Solo, Mute per Input Channel
Connectivity
Analog Audio I/O
2x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line/Hi-Z Input
2x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line Input
2x 1/4" TRS Balanced Line Output
2x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
2x 1/4" TRS Balanced Monitor Output
Phantom Power
48 V
Digital Audio I/O
1x Mini-TOSLINK / 3.5 mm Optical ADAT Input
1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input
1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Output
Host Connection / USB
1x USB-C (Class-Compliant)
1x USB-C (Class-/USB OTG-Compliant)
Host Connection Protocol
USB 2.0
USB (Non-Host)
No
Sync I/O
No
Network I/O
No
MIDI I/O
No
Expansion Slots
No
Wireless
No
Performance
Maximum Input Level
Mic Inputs:
20 dBu
Maximum Output Level
Line/Monitor:
20 dBu
D/A Converters:
20 dBu
Impedance
Headphone :
10 Ohms
Dynamic Range
Mic Inputs:
122 dBA
Headphone Outputs:
118 dBA
Digital A/D Converters:
130 dBA
Digital D/A Converters:
130 dBA
THD
Mic:
-116 dB
THD+N
D/A Converters:
-115 dB
A/D Converters:
-116 dB
Digital Audio
Sample Rates
Up to 192 kHz
Sample Rate Conversion
No
Bit Depths
24-Bit
Sync Sources
ADAT, Internal, S/PDIF
Audio Storage & Playback
Media/Memory Card Slot
No
Compatibility
OS Compatibility
Computer: macOS 10.14 or Later / Windows 10 or Later
Mobile: Android/iOS
Processor Requirement
PC:
Intel Core i5 or Better
RAM Requirements
4 GB, 8 GB Recommended
Storage Requirements
4 GB
Power
Power Requirements
USB Bus Power
Physical
Operating Conditions
32 to 122°F / 0 to 50°C
Dimensions
8.2 x 5.3 x 2.3" / 20.8 x 13.5 x 5.8 cm
Weight
2.0 lb / 0.9 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.705 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
12 x 7.9 x 3.6"

Antelope Zen Quadro Reviews

A rough start, but now smooth sailing...

By Ramzi
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2024-06-06

I have a Windows 10 machine and a Windows 11 machine (my main workstation). I plugged the interface into the Windows 11 machine, and despite all possible troubleshooting, the PC would just not see it, so I couldn't get it running. I plugged it into my Windows 10 machine, and it worked just fine, but the problem is that is a very old, slow machine that I no longer use (just hold onto it as an emergency backup for dire situations). I contacted Support (granted, it was a Friday evening), but I couldn't get anyone until after four hours of trying (I was busy too though, so they would call back and I'd miss their call, then I would call back, and they'd miss my call, etc.). I finally was able to get someone on the phone, and he had to manually download the driver from their server (not something you can do yourself). I was not able to get the interface to run on Windows 11 because the machine would never see the device in the Antelope Launcher, and you need that to happen before you can then 1) activate the device, and 2) download the driver. So I had to use my Windows 10 machine to activate the device, and the Support agent manually downloaded the driver and installed it on my Windows 11 machine. Then the interface was working as an audio device, but when we would launch the control panel for the interface, it would keep crashing. The Support agent, after 45 minutes of trying, gave up and said he'd never seen this error, and that I need to submit a ticket. He tried other versions of the control panel, to no avail. Finally, after reading a lot online, I figured out that starting the Antelope Launcher with administrator privileges can help, so I did that, and lo and behold, the control panel launched fine. Now everything works (and a new control panel has been pushed out, so perhaps you'll never deal with these issues). The only thing that might be an issue is some minor pops and clicks that I at times hear, but they've not made it into any of my recordings, so it could be my wireless headphones? So far, this is a significant upgrade from my previous Steinberg UR44C. I've owned the Antelope Audio Edge Go USB mic, and I had the same issue. I was never able to activate it, and Support had to remote in, do a bunch of troubleshooting, etc. I think the idea here is they like to secure everything like Fort Knox so nobody can mess around with their emulations/plug-ins, but my personal experience has been that this approach makes everything so difficult to get up and running. I'll be able to give you a more comprehensive review once I've tested this longer. Their documentation is also not great (manuals, etc.) - it's obvious there is no attention to detail - loads of typing errors, bad English, etc. - so you're going to have to do some experimentation yourself. If you disregard all the above, and assume the pops/clicks are from my wireless headphones, this interface has felt robust so far. The headphone amp, for my AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ headphones, has been excellent - the best I've ever used (even more so that the one in the RME UFX-II). The preamps have been very high quality, crisp, detailed, and super-clean. The control panel, routing capabilities, and DSP / FPGA effects have been stellar. Those are the key elements of this interface, and so far, I'd give it a very solid five stars. So yeah, in summary, it was a pain to get this up and running, and you may need to mess with it before you can figure out how to get it doing what you want it to be doing (because the manuals are not clear), but once you get past these hurdles, it's fabulous. I'm sure there will be more knowledge out there once this interface becomes more widely adopted, because I got mine basically before most other dealers have started shipping theirs (no clue how B&H had it in stock so fast LOL). Hope this helps, and please don't hesitate to ask me any questions. I might be able to help. I'm on YouTube as Ramzi El Rumbero. Take care!

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