Console-grade Discrete Microphone Preamp Interfaces
Antelope Audio introduces the industry-shaking Synergy Core (DSP + FPGA) FX platform via ‘hot-rodded’ Discrete interfaces. The trailblazing pro audio manufacturer Antelope Audio is proud to formally introduce its Synergy Core next-generation signal processing platform — pairing up the phenomenal parallel computational capabilities of FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) processing with industry-standard DSP (Digital Signal Processing), possibly freeing up any audio production-purposed host computer’s CPU (Central Processing Unit) while processing effects with extremely low latency — via ‘hot-rodded revamps’ of its in-demand Real-Time FPGA FXfacilitating Discrete 4 and Discrete 8 audio interfaces.
Thunderbolt™ & USB Interface
Now named Discrete 4 Synergy Core and Discrete 8 Synergy Core — albeit respectively retaining the Thunderbolt™ & USB Interface with 4 Discrete Mic Preamps and Thunderbolt™ & USB Interface with 8 Discrete Mic Preamps phrasing boldly blazoned across already-familiar front facias, Antelope Audio’s game-changing additions to its acclaimed audio interface lineup literally give the game away. Simply speaking, Synergy Core’s industry-shaking introduction intentionally signals Antelope Audio’s objective of developing a wider range of its own effects and also collaborating with leading software developers in the industry for the benefit of all.
Discrete 8 Synergy Core
The Discrete 8 brought a new level of sound quality and power to mid-sized studios. We are now taking it to the next stage with the introduction of Synergy Core – Antelope Audio’s next-generation signal processing platform. With FPGA’s massive parallel computation capabilities and industry-standard DSP power combined, Synergy Core frees up your CPU while processing audio effects with extremely low latency.
Bring Antelope Audio’s ultra-flexible effects processing power, renowned digital clocking, and pro-level conversion quality to your project studio with the Discrete 8 Synergy Core audio interface. The next generation of Antelope’s hit Discrete 8 Thunderbolt/USB interface, the Discrete 8 Synergy Core is loaded with dual DSP chips and an FPGA processor working together to run award-winning Antelope FX, as well as 3rd-party effects joining the Synergy Core platform. Ideal for mid-sized studios, the Discrete 8 Synergy Core features Thunderbolt and USB connectivity, 8 console-grade microphone preamps, 26 total inputs, and 30 outputs — including two dedicated ReAmp outputs. There’s even a footswitch jack to speed up your workflow. And with 36 top Antelope effects, plug-ins included free, the Discrete 8 Synergy Core gives you a sharp set of creative tools to take your projects from inspiration to final master.
Discrete 8 Synergy Core Features:
- Synergy Core – New Milestone Technology & Future-proof FX processing platform
- Pristine AD/DA conversion with 130 dB of dynamic range on monitor outputs
- 36 Synergy Core effects plug-ins included — a $3,000 value
- Sub-millisecond round-trip latency
- Antelope’s 4th-Generation Acoustically Focused Clocking and Word Clock I/O
- USB/Thunderbolt audio interface with 8 console-grade mic preamps
- 26 total inputs and 30 outputs, including 2 dedicated ReAmp outputs
- Footswitch jack
- 35 effects expansions available separately, including AFX2DAW Bridge
- All effects can be automated in DAW without CPU load, thanks to AFX2DAW Bridge (Mac only)
Synergy Core: Future-Proof Effects Processing
With two DSP chips and an FPGA chip under the hood, the Discrete 8 Synergy Core can run all your Antelope FX — stabilizing your DAW by offloading effects processing to dedicated chips, without bogging down your host CPU. With the Discrete 8 Synergy Core in your rack, you don’t need a latest-spec computer to run your favorite plugs. Antelope effects running on Antelope hardware means you can shorten buffer size, reduce latency, and free up your host Mac or PC to run CPU-hogging VST synths and native time-based effects.
1 FPGA + 2 DSP = More Effects, More Variety
Antelope’s unique Synergy Core platform combines FPGA + DSP in one interface. With the Discrete 8 Synergy Core, you get state-of-the-art ARM DSPs with faster clock rates than chips found in lesser interfaces, plus Antelope’s proven FPGA platform that delivers lower latency in FX chains. This exclusive hybrid architecture enables a wider variety of Antelope effects than ever — time-based delays, choruses, flangers, and more. Your Discrete 8 Synergy Core comes with $3,000 of plug-ins: compressors, EQs, reverbs, amp models based on iconic vintage gear — and all the processing power you need to run them!
A/D and D/A Conversion Quality
Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters are at the heart of every DAW-based studio — and your converters can make or break your sound. That’s why the Antelope Audio Discrete 8 Synergy Core offers pristine AD/DA with 121 dB dynamic range on the analog inputs and class-leading 130 dB dynamic range on the monitor outputs, so you can capture and play back your audio with Antelope clarity.
More I/O for Your Growing Studio
The Discrete 8 Synergy Core is hand-built by Antelope engineers to deliver impressive analog and digital I/O in one rack space. Plug into two front-panel XLR-1/4″ inputs with switchable mic/line/Hi-Z preamps. On the back, you’ll find 6 mic/line inputs, monitor line outputs, dedicated ReAmp outputs, 8 more line outputs on a DB25 connector, two banks of ADAT I/O, and S/PDIF I/O.
Discrete 4 Synergy Core
Put Antelope Audio’s pristine AD/DA conversion and massive effects processing power on your desktop with the Discrete 4 Synergy Core audio interface. A hot-rodded upgrade to Antelope’s popular Discrete 4 audio interface, the Discrete 4 Synergy Core gives you dual DSP chips plus an FPGA processor working in harmony to run Antelope’s expansive library of effects, as well as 3rd-party effects joining the Synergy Core platform. The Antelope Audio Discrete 4 Synergy Core interface offers 4 console-grade discrete mic preamps, 14 total inputs and 16 outputs, renowned Antelope digital clocking, and both Thunderbolt and USB connectivity for your Mac or PC. Best of all, the Discrete 4 Synergy Core comes with $3,000+ of Antelope’s top effects plug-ins included free, so you can record, monitor, mix, and master your projects with world-class sound from start to finish.
With a price-to-performance ratio that goes toe-to-toe with any Thunderbolt or USB audio interface available, the Antelope Audio Discrete 4 is ideal for musicians, artists, and producers who need a compact, road-ready recording setup that unlocks unprecedented power to create.
Discrete 4 Key Features
- Synergy Core – New Milestone Technology & Future-proof FX processing platform
- Best-in-class AD/DA conversion with 121 dB dynamic range
- 36 Synergy Core effects plug-ins included — a $3,000+ value
- Sub-millisecond round-trip latency
- Antelope clocking technology on board with Word Clock output to keep your studio in sync
- Desktop USB/Thunderbolt audio interface with 4 console-grade mic preamps
- 4 XLR-1/4″ combi inputs for mic/line/instrument sources
- L/R Monitor TRS 1/4″ line outputs plus 4 TRS 1/4″ line outs
- Expandable via S/PDIF and ADAT
- 35 effects expansions available separately, including AFX2DAW Bridge
- All effects can be automated in DAW without CPU load, thanks to AFX2DAW Bridge (Mac only)
- Hand-built in a road-worthy metal case
Synergy Core Processing: Future-Proof Your DAW
Under the hood, the Discrete 4 Synergy Core is loaded with twin DSP chips plus an FPGA processor that work together to run Antelope Audio’s vast collection of vintage-inspired effects plug-ins — without sapping power from your host Mac or PC. Synergy Core increases your recording rig’s stability by offloading audio effects processing to your Discrete interface’s dedicated chips. Adding the Discrete 4 Synergy Core to your system means your DAW can make more efficient use of available CPU power — extending the life cycle of your existing Mac or PC, so you don’t have to upgrade to a latest-spec computer just to run all your favorite plug-ins. With Antelope effects running on Antelope hardware, your system is optimized right out of the box — allowing you to shorten your audio buffer size, reduce latency, eliminate clicks and pops, and free up your host computer to run CPU-heavy VST synths, samplers, and native time-based effects.
1 FPGA + 2 DSP = More Effects, More Variety
Antelope Audio’s industry-leading FPGA audio processing platform gives you lower latency in effects chains, allowing you to stack effects while adding mere microseconds, not milliseconds, to your signal. The Discrete 4 Synergy Core fuses both FPGA + DSP chips in one Antelope audio interface, harnessing the parallel processing power of FPGA alongside the latest-generation state-of-the-art ARM DSP chips developed for cloud computing and mobile tech — processors that deliver a faster clock rate than other DSP chips used in the audio interface market. This exclusive hybrid architecture offers computing power synergies unique to Antelope Audio, greatly expanding the variety of Antelope effects that can be developed — including time-based delays, choruses, flangers, and beyond. Your Discrete 4 Synergy Core arrives loaded with 36 Antelope FX included free — classic compressors, studio EQs, must-have reverbs, tube guitar amp models based on iconic vintage gear — and all the processing power you need to run them!
Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog Conversion Quality
A-to-D and D-to-A converters are at the heart of every DAW-based audio recording and playback system — and your converters can make or break your studio. That’s why the Antelope Audio Discrete 4 Synergy Core is loaded with proven, best-in-class AD/DA with 121 dB of dynamic range on the analog inputs and monitor outputs — so you can capture and monitor your sound with Antelope clarity at up to 192 kHz/24-bit resolution.
I/O in a Portable Desktop Audio Interface
The Discrete 4 Synergy Core offers, all the same, I/O as Antelope’s hit original Discrete 4 interface. With both USB and Thunderbolt I/O, the Discrete 4 Synergy Core lets you choose how you want to connect to your Mac or Windows PC. On the front panel, you’ll find two XLR-1/4″ combi inputs with switchable mic/line/instrument preamps, and four independent headphone outputs — enough for you and all the artists you’re recording. Take a look at the back panel, and you’ll see two more XLR-1/4″ combi inputs, two 1/4″ outputs to feed your monitors plus 4 more line outs to connect to outboard gear, ADAT and S/PDIF digital I/O via optical Toslink, and two Word Clock outputs to get your studio in sync with Antelope’s legendary digital clocking. Hand-built by Antelope engineers to give you extensive analog and digital I/O in a robust, compact unit, the Discrete 4 Synergy Core gives you serious bang for your I/O buck.
