[Thorough Review!!] Antelope Audio / Discrete 4 Synergy Core

ANTELOPE AUDIO is gaining a lot of attention lately as a brand that produces high-end recording equipment such as audio interfaces, AD/DA converters, and master clocks.
As the top brand of master clocks, it has established a leading position in professional studios all over the world not only in the music industry, but also in the video industry.
In addition to their high-end equipment, the news release of ANTELOPE AUDIO’s portable audio interface the Zen Go Synergy Core has been attracting a lot of attention lately.
This time, those who do not know or are interested in ANTELOPE AUDIO, I would like to introduce to all of you one of the most sold standard models of ANTELOPE AUDIO, the Discrete 4 Synergy Core! I’m going to share my straight impressions after I actually used it.

I am going to also review the Edge Solo, which is the brand’s high-quality modeling mic that literally causes synergy = interaction!

Features and Specifications

Let’s take a look at the features of the Discrete 4 Synergy Core.
As we say “names and natures do often agree”, the characteristics of the Discrete 4 Synergy Core as described by its name.

‘Discrete’ linguistically means ‘individual’ and ‘separate’, but in the audio industry, ‘discrete circuit’ means not an integrated circuit, but a circuit composed of single elements. Therefore, it is a more accurate preamplifier that specializes in sound quality.
Next, the ‘4’ indicates that the four high-quality preamplifiers mentioned above are installed. I don’t think it has anything to do with the name, but it also has four headphone jacks, which is a great point you shouldn’t miss. With just one unit of the Discrete 4 Synergy Core, you can flexibly handle band recordings from input to output.
And ‘Synergy Core’ has been added at the end of the product name from the predecessor model Discrete 4.
It means the Discrete 4 Synergy Core is equipped with FPGA and DSP chips to take advantage of high-quality Antelope FX without burdening on your computer.
When you get the Discrete 4 Synergy Core, you will get 36 Antelope effects such as compressors, EQs, reverbs and amp simulators for free.

Soundcheck

Now, it’s time to set it up and check the sound!
The manual and plenty of instructions on the manufacturer’s support page helped me set the Discrete 4 Synergy Core, and I was able to have it recognized by Mac without problem.
One thing to keep in mind is that even if you plan to use it with Thunderbolt, the first activation must be done via a USB connection. Once activated, you can connect via Thunderbolt only!

First, I listened to the music on the PC. I connected the monitor speakers from the main out on the back of the Discrete 4 Synergy Core.
The first thing that surprised me was the deep bass range! It wasn’t that the bass was especially loud, but I felt that the bass line comfortably echoed deep into my body.
The treble range was very delicate and clear.
Whether it’s EDM, heavy rock or classical music, the most delectable band of each genre of music stands out.
For a while, I forgot to work and was completely immersed in the direct sound that conveys the detailed sound texture.

Next, I connected the microphone to check the sound quality of the preamplifier.
My impression is it was a hybrid sound that has the taste of an analog thickness and a modern glitter.
Personally, I also have a hardware preamplifier, but I thought that it would be better to use the built-in preamplifier on the Discrete 4 Synergy Core as it is because it sounds so good.

Antelope FX

The Discrete 4 Synergy Core has two DSP chips and an FPGA processor.
‘DSP’ stands for ‘Digital Signal Processor’, and roughly speaking, it uses the power of the audio interface to process effects without adding much burden on your computer.
Speaking of DSP, UNIVERSAL AUDIO’s Apollo series is well-known, but Antelope Audio also offers a wide range of high-quality effects.
‘FPGA’ stands for Field Programmable Gate Array, which is similar to DSP, but it realizes high-speed and stable processing to achieve extremely low latency in effect processing.
And the remarkable feature of this Antelope FX is that it is ‘hardware-based’. It’s a completely independent mechanism, so it feels like a hardware processor or effector is embedded directly in the audio interface.

Once you activate Discrete 4 Synergy Core, you’ll get 36 effects from the beginning.

Excellent machines that are used in studios worldwide are modeled, and these alone are quite satisfactory, but you can also purchase to add more effects you like from the Antelope Audio official website.

Now, I’m going to try them out.
You can insert effects from the included mixer software, and the effects will be immediately applied to the direct monitor signal.

I thought it would be complicated... but it was actually very easy to use. You can also layer multiple effects. Since the routing is also highly flexible, you can record both the wet signal and the dry signal.
I don’t really feel the latency, probably because of the high-speed processing of the FPGA.
Insert the compressors, EQs, guitar simulators, or tuners from this rack, and the reverbs are separated so that it can be applied with send/return. Regarding the EQs, compressors, or preamps, even if you don’t know what the original effects are like, you can get a comfortable analog feeling just by applying the effects. You can even get the sound that naturally stands out when you use these effects on vocals in an orchestra. The reverbs sound extremely clean and excellent, and can be used on any instrument without hesitation.

You can also apply the Edge Solo mic emulation, the modeling mic from the same Antelope Audio as has been mentioned earlier.
Let’s also take a look at the Edge Solo.

Modeling Mic Edge Solo

The Edge Solo modeling mic is a precise reproduction of the characteristics of 18 condenser mics and dynamic mics from the famous vintage mics to the standard studio mics.

The Edge Solo itself looks the same as a typical condenser mic, and at first glance, you may not think it’s a modeling mic.You can actually use it as a condenser microphone.

First, check the sound of the Edge Solo without emulation. I was prejudiced that a modeling mic can’t be used as it is because it’s called a modeling mic, but I was surprised when I actually made the sound; it’s as good as the condenser mics I have, and I really like the clear mid-high range! I used it to record a demo song that I’m working on, but the high sound clarity makes the vocals stand out! When you turn on the mic modeling, the characteristics of each vintage mic have been reproduced naturally. The modeled microphones haven’t been mentioned, but you may be able to guess what they are from the illustrations and names.

For example, this microphone.
It’s named the Berlin 87, but it may be modeled from the NEUMANN U87. Apply this modeling to get a very well-balanced sound with the calmer mid-high range than the characteristic of the Edge Solo’s dry sound.

Vienna 414 seems to be a model of the AKG C414, but I realize that the glittering treble range has been extended and it is obviously closer to the sound of the actual mic. However, it’s a natural change, so you’ll forget that it’s an emulation. There are also emulations of (probably) SHURE, SONY, TELEFUNKEN and Electro Voice famous microphones!

Mic modeling can be applied and set from the same mixer software as Antelope FX. Therefore, it is convenient to be able to do all of your basic sound making in one place.

Others

Regarding Antelope FX, purchase the optional AFX2DAW to be able to insert plug-in effects on DAW software. This is only available with a Thunderbolt connection on Windows/Mac (only on the Zen Go Synergy Core, it works with a USB connection!).
Going back to the Discrete 4, it’s comfortable to be able to simply and freely operate the front panel. In addition to adjusting the input and output levels, you can intuitively operate mute, phantom power, or dim without thinking, so you will not feel stressed when working. It is also convenient to be able to enter the standby mode just by pressing and holding the button at the bottom.

Summary

We’ve talked about the Discrete 4 Synergy Core, but the most notable thing is its sound. I think that because of its excellent sound, the quality of Antelope FX and mic modeling are being taken more seriously as a brand.
ANTELOPE AUDIO boasts high resolution due to their traditional digital clocking technology while they stick to the discrete circuit in the analog aspect, and it has realized attractive sound that goes one step further than just coming out with a “good sound”!
ANTELOPE AUDIO, which has both tradition and innovation, is going to become a brand that you should keep an eye on more in the future!