Antelope Audio had upgraded its audio interface series’ workhorse prou with ‘hot-rodded’ hardware that includes six ARM-based processors paired with two proprietary FPGA chips to support its Synergy Core effects processing platform, upgraded D/A converters capable of delivering 130dB dynamic range on both pairs of monitor outs and discrete transistor mic preamps.
Orion Studio Synergy Core enables users to offload Antelope Audio effects to the audio interface itself, freeing the host Mac or PC to record and play back more tracks, and run CPU-hungry virtual instruments and native time-based effects. With its increased onboard processing, Orion Studio Synergy Core can comfortably accommodate any growing studio set-up with 32 channel strips, each of which is able to host up to eight effects slots, potentially allowing for 256 effects instances in a session.
Orion Studio Synergy Core comes with 50 of Antelope Audio’s real-time effects on tap: the ALT-436C (compressor); FET-A78 (FET compressor); SMT-100A (compressor); VCA-160 (compressor); Stay-Levin (compressor); FET-A76 (FET compressor); x903 (compressor/limiter); PowerFFC (compressor); BAE-1023 (EQ); NEU-PEV (passive EQ); NEU- W492 (EQ); NEU-W495 (EQ); VEQ-4K Brown (EQ); VEQ-4K Orange (EQ); VEQ-4K Pink (EQ); VEQ-STU 089 (semi-parametric EQ); VEQ-STU 169 (inductor EQ); VEQ-STU 900 (semi-parametric EQ); VEQ-1A (tube EQ); VMEQ-5 (tube EQ); ClearQ (parametric EQ); VEQ-HLF (passive high/low filter); Gyraf Gyratec IX (tube mic preamp); BA-31 (mic preamp); AuraVerb (reverb); Master De Esser (de-esser); PowerEx (expander); PowerGate (gate); Plexi 59 (UK tube guitar amp); Bass SuperTube VR (tube guitar amp); DarkFace 65 (US tube guitar amp); Top30 Bright (UK tube guitar amp); Tweed Deluxe (US tube guitar amp); Overange 120 (UK tube guitar amp); Burnsphere (DE) Lead (tube guitar amp); Marcus II (US) Lead (tube guitar amp); Modern CH3 (US tube guitar amp); Rock 75 (UK tube guitar amp); Rock 22.10 (UK tube guitar amp); Darkface 65 2x12 (guitar cabinet); Top30 2x12 (guitar cabinet); Modern 4x12 (guitar cabinet); Green 2x12 (guitar cabinet); Vintage 4x12 (guitar cabinet); Green 4x12 (guitar cabinet); Caliper 50 1x10 (guitar cabinet); Bluelux 1x12 (guitar cabinet); Clst 1x12 (guitar cabinet); England 4x12 (guitar cabinet); and Bass Tube 1x15 (guitar cabinet).
Orion Studio Synergy Core offers both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 2.0 connections to a DAW host computer, complete with custom high-performance, low-latency drivers for both Mac and Windows. With Thunderbolt 3, it is also possible to power/charge an Apple MacBook directly from the audio interface itself.
The mic preamps are based on Antelope Audio’s Discrete MP, a Discrete Dual Ultra-Linear Microphone Preamp, while the Accusonic 3D modelling engine allows Antelope Audio’s Edge and Verge modelling condenser microphones to replicate classic performance.
Orion Studio Synergy Core’s Direct In function hard-bypasses the mic preamps themselves, so signals sail straight into the A/D converters with 124dB DNR. The D/As deliveri 130dB DNR on both pairs of monitor outs, which can run simultaneously or in A/B mode.
Flexible routing and monitoring supports sending audio anywhere with the digital patchbay and a latency-free mixer is accessible via its software control panel., Orion Studio Synergy Core syncs studio set-ups with the company’s fourth-generation Acoustically Focused Clocking technology, employing 64-bit DDS (Direct Digital Synthesis) to keep audio in lockstep at up to 192 kHz.
Orion Studio Synergy Core is available for preorder, at an RRP of US$2,795.
