We only recommend products that we use and believe in. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
14 x 10 bus-powered USB-C audio interface with onboard real-time effects and expandable I/O
Antelope Audio, a leading manufacturer of next-level audio recording equipment, is proud to announce availability of Zen Q Synergy Core — designed to bring professional studio performance to any desktop-sized setup as a home music creator-oriented compact audio interface incorporating leading AD/DA chips, discrete ultra-linear mic preamps, and a 64-bit AFCTM (Acoustically Focused Clocking) system based on Antelope Audio’s acclaimed master clocks, combined with expansive I/O capabilities and a colossal collection of Synergy Core effects with wide-ranging possibilities — as of January 18, 2022…
Unrivaled sound
Antelope Audio’s signature sound quality comes from professional AD/DA conversion, discrete ultra-linear preamps, and 64-bit AFCTM. The Zen Q Synergy Core 14 x 10 bus-powered USB-C audio interface incorporates those same core technologies that drive its high-end siblings, such as the rack-mountable Orion Studio Synergy Core and Galaxy 64 Synergy Core flagship. This powerful blend facilitates home music creators with the means to raise their productions to a new level — and all without necessarily needing to leave the comfort of their home-based studio setup:
- Class-leading — MONITOR and LINE OUT — AD/DA conversion with a dynamic range of up to 127 dB (A-Weighted)
- Recording, mixing, and playback at up to 24-bit/192kHz
- Proprietary 64-bit AFCTM technology and Jitter Management algorithm delivering increased sound width, separation, and detail
Synergy Core effects to fuel creativity
The professional studio sound-enabling Zen Q Synergy Core comes complete with 37 bundled analog-modeled effects, emulating a studio stocked with the rarest analog gear. Indeed, its Synergy Core platform offers immersive control of iconic equalizers, dynamic processors, guitar amps, reverb, and more — including Gyraf Gyratec IX (tube mic preamp) and Stay-Levin (compressor) — with over 50 optional expansions available through Antelope Audio’s well-stocked Software Store, where all available Synergy Core effects for Zen Q Synergy Core can be explored.
Diverse I/O with room to grow
Zen Q Synergy Core’s connectivity centers around two Combo XLR jacks with switchable modes to toggle between the discrete console-grade preamps, LINE level, or HiZ, while the front panel provides two switchable line/Hi-Z inputs — G1 and G2 — for added flexibility. For monitoring, there is a stereo MONITOR output and a separate LINE OUT pairing to connect another set of studio monitors or external outboard gear, both backed by a mastering-grade D/A converter. There is also a separate DAC for the HP1 and HP2 (independent headphone) outputs. A simple desktop setup can easily be transformed into a multichannel configuration, thanks to the SPDIF IN/OUT and ADATIN connections:
- 2x discrete ultra-linear preamps with 65 dB of gain for studio-quality recordings, both working as MIC/LINE/HiZ inputs on Combo XLR jacks, with 48V of phantom power and independent preamp gain for each input
- 2x Hi-Z/line instrument inputs over TRS ¼” jacks
- 2x signal-balanced, DC-coupled LINE OUT (outputs) over TRS ¼” jacks (+20 dBu max)
- USB-C port carrying up to 16 input and 16 output channels in any popular DAW with custom macOS and Windows drivers
- Digitally expandable over SPDIF IN/OUT, with two channels available
- Digitally expandable over ADAT IN, with eight channels available (at 44.1/48kHz)
- 1x stereo signal-balanced, DC-coupled MONITOR output on TRS ¼” jacks (+20 dBu max)
- 2x stereo headphone outputs with separate volume control
Fast and efficient workflow
Users of Zen Q Synergy Core can reap the benefits of a USB-C interface with an optimized audio driver for low-latency playback, streaming, and recording paired with onboard software. It allows for seamless control over essential parameters such as signal routing, sub-mixes, and monitoring, while applying Synergy Core effects without overburdening their system — all integral to enhancing workflow at every stage of the production process:
- Bus-powered, compact (W: 198 mm/7.8”, D: 137 mm/5.4”, H: 57.5 mm/2.3”) interface without the need for a dedicated power source
- Direct monitoring with Synergy Core effects, processed in real-time with imperceptible latency
- Simplified I/O routing with preconfigured settings, allowing immediate recording and playback
- Easily accessible front panel-positioned controls for input and output levels, as well as other settings
- Customizable presets with settings for signal routing, level adjustments, mixer, and effects
- Customizable monitoring mixes with adjustable volume, pan, and reverb
Zen Q Synergy Core is available to purchase through Antelope Audio’s growing global network of authorised dealers (https://en.antelopeaudio.com/dealers/) or online directly from Antelope Audio for $899.00 USD/€899.00 EUR via its dedicated webpage (https://en.antelopeaudio.com/products/zen-q-synergy-core/), which also includes more in-depth information.
Explore Zen Q Synergy Core’s included real-time effects here: https://en.antelopeaudio.com/software-store/?device=173889
Watch Antelope Audio Product Evangelist James Ivey’s informative Zen Q Synergy Core overview video here: https://youtu.be/rkPulEks70U
About The Author
