Antelope Audio Zen Quadro Synergy Core 14x10 Dual-USB Bus-Power Audio Interface

Description

The Zen Quadro stretches the limits of modern audio interface technology by implementing top-shelf components into an affordable price and portable bus-powered form factor.

Taking the AD/DA chips from Antelope Audio’s flagship Galaxy range, along with console-grade Discrete preamps with 75dB gain, the Zen Quadro provides creators of all kinds with the same uncompromising sound quality enjoyed by the world’s premiere recording studios.

Synergy Core real-time effect processing and enhanced standalone functionality are only part of the additional features packed into it, while the revolutionary dual-USB design allows simultaneous playback and recording on two systems – making it a no-brainer for all budding producers, musicians, and streamers looking to power up their production setup.

Overview

• High-fidelity conversion with up to 130dB headroom, paired with 64-bit AFC™ clocking technology for increased sound width, separation, and detail;
• Four Discrete console-grade 6-transistor preamps for crystal-clear recordings;
• Real-time Synergy Core processing, for tracking, monitoring and streaming with near-zero latency through faithful digital recreations of legendary studio equipment;
• Includes 37 effects modeled after vintage analog compressors, EQs, guitar amps, modulation effects and more;
• Dual-USB design, with secondary USB-C port (OTG) for simultaneous playback and recording on two systems;
• Easy access to routing and mixer settings, device control and preset recall via large color display provide complete standalone functionality;
• DC-coupled inputs and outputs for controlling synths via control voltage (CV) signals.

Unparalleled AD/DA Conversion and Clocking

Zen Quadro Synergy Core packs the latest gen converters, with up to 130dB dynamic range at 24-bit/192 kHz, outperforming competitors at several times the cost. Paired with Antelope Audio’s proprietary 64-bit AFC™ clocking technology, the interface provides you with a new level of detail in your recordings and wider soundstage for an exceptional stereo image in audio playback – allowing you to make the best decisions for your mix.

Crystal Clear Preamps

The Zen Quadro’s four Discrete preamps are built with a 6-transistor topology inspired by the British and American analog console designs of the eighties and nineties, offering maximum noise reduction and precise sound capture. With extremely low noise and up to 75dB of gain, the Zen Quadro can handle even the quietest dynamic and ribbon mics.

Synergy Core: The Magic of Real-time DSP and FPGA Processing

Antelope Audio engineers combined DSP with FPGA chips to model each and every individual component of 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.

Zen Quadro comes with 37 legendary compressors, EQs, guitar amps and cabs, modulation effects and more, that can be 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 multi-rack setup on your desktop.

At any time, you can expand your collection with more real-time effects such as Antares’ Auto-Tune Synergy and Grove Hill's Liverpool, available as additional purchases.

Revolutionary Dual-USB design

The Zen Quadro’s dual USB-C ports unlock a new world of possibilities for creators of all kinds. It’s like having two interfaces in one – freely route signals and create mixes between the two USB connections, using Mac, PC, iOS (USB-C) or Android devices together. The 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.

Enhanced Standalone Functionality for Live and Touring

Take the studio on the road with bus-powered USB-C connectivity alongside 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 on stage!

Flexible Connectivity for Your Entire Studio

Four mic/line inputs, two instrument inputs, ADAT input and S/PDIF I/O are at your disposal to record a total of up to 14 inputs simultaneously. On top of the monitor outs, you also get an additional pair of line outs to connect a second pair of speakers or use them for outboard processing. The second headphone out has an independent mixer, so 2 people can listen to different cue mixes at the same time. The DC-coupled I/O can also send and receive control voltage (CV) signals and allow the Zen Quadro to be part of a modular synth setup.

Conversion & Clocking 

• Class-leading AD/DA conversion with up to 130dB of headroom. 
• Recording, mixing and playback at up to 24-bit/192kHz. 
• Proprietary 64-bit AFC™ (Acoustically Focused Clocking) technology & Jitter Management algorithm delivering increased sound width, separation, and detail.  

Connectivity 

• 4 × Discrete 6-transistor preamps with 75dB of gain for pristine recordings. All work as microphone/line and two are also Hi-Z inputs, on combo XLR jacks, and supply 48V of phantom power. 
• 2 x monitor outs and 2 x line outputs via TRS
• Two stereo headphone outputs with separate gain control and mix
• Two independent USB-C ports (OTG) for simultaneous playback & recording
• ADAT Input (up to 8 ch) and S/PDIF I/O (2 ch)
• DC-coupled inputs and outputs for controlling modular synths with control voltage (CV)

Workflow-enhancing features 

• Direct monitoring with Synergy Core effects, processed in real-time with near-zero latency. 
• Easy routing - select audio sources per channel, for each monitoring mix. Also available through the color display.
• Simultaneous playback and recording with two computers or computer + mobile device.
• Flexible loopback options for streaming.
• Customizable presets with signal routing, level adjustments, mixer, and effects settings. 
• Customizable monitoring mixes with adjustable levels, panning and reverb. 
• Class-compliant, no driver required on macOS and iOS.
• Standalone operation – simply connect to a phone charger and use without being connected to a computer.
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• Remote control of software features from a separate computer connected to the same network. 

Real-time effects processing 

• Included collection of 37 Synergy Core effects modeled after classic and rare analog outboard gear.  
• Synergy Core - proprietary FPGA+DSP platform for real-time effects processing allows up to 48 effects loaded simultaneously with near-zero latency.
• Mic Modeling Engine allows pairing with the Edge microphones for real-time use of vintage microphone emulations. 

In-the-Box Content

• Zen Quadro Synergy Core
• USB-C cable
• USB-C to USB-A adapter
• Get started guide

Included Real-Time Effects

• 22 Guitar Amps & Cabs (incl. Bluelux 1x12, Tube Guitar Amp)
• 5 Compressors & Limiters (incl. Stay-Levin, FET-A76, VCA160)
• 4 Equalizers (incl. VEQ-1A, VMEQ-5)
• 2 Preamps (Gyraf Gyratec IX, BA-31)
• 2 Special Processing Effects (Expander, Noise Gate)
• 1 Reverb Effect (Auraverb)
• 1 Guitar Tuner (A-Tuner)

Full list of effects

• Gyraf Gyratec IX - Dual Tube Mic Preamp with HPF
• VCA160 - VCA Compressor / Limiter
• Stay-Levin - Vari-Mu Tube Compressor
• FET-A76 - FET Compressor / Limiting Amplifier
• VEQ-1A - 2-Band Tube EQ
• VMEQ-5 - 3-Band Tube Mid-Range EQ
• X903 - VCA Compressor / Limiter
• PowerFFC - Feed-Forward Compressor
• Clear Q - Parametric EQ
• Power EX - Expander
• VEQ-HLF - Tube 2-Band HPF / LPF
• Auraverb - Reverb
• BA-31 - Germanium Mic Preamp
• Power Gate - Noise Gate
• A-Tuner - Guitar Tuner
• Plexi 59 (UK) - Tube Guitar Amp
• Bass SuperTube VR - Tube Guitar Amp
• Darkface 65 (US) - Tube Guitar Amp
• Top30 (UK) Bright - 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 (US) CH3 - Tube Guitar Amp
• Rock 75 (UK) - Tube Guitar Amp
• Rock 22.10 (UK) - Tube Guitar Amp
• Darkface 65 2x12 - 2x12 Guitar Cabinet
• Top30 2x12 - 2x12 Guitar Cabinet
• Modern 4x12 - 4x12 Guitar Cabinet
• Green 2x12 - 2x12 Guitar Cabinet
• Vintage 4x12 - 4x12 Guitar Cabinet
• Green 4x12 - 4x12 Guitar Cabinet
• Caliper 50 1x10 - 1x10 Guitar Cabinet
• Bluelux 1x12 - 1x12 Guitar Cabinet
• Clst 1x12 - 1x12 Guitar Cabinet
• England 4x12 - 4x12 Guitar Cabinet
• Bass Tube 1x15 - 1x15 Guitar Cabinet

Analog Inputs

• 2 x Mic / Line Inputs (DC-Coupled)
• 2 x Mic / Line / Hi-Z Inputs (DC-Coupled)
  
  

Analog Outputs

• 2 x Monitor Out on TRS jacks, +20 dBu max (DC-Coupled)
• 2 x Line Out on TRS jacks, +20 dBu max (DC-Coupled)
• 2 x Stereo Headphone Outputs
  
  

Mic Preamp

• EIN: -128 dBu (A-weighted)
• Max input: +20 dBu
• Max Gain: 75 dB
  
  

A/D Converter

• Dynamic Range: 122 dB
• THD + N: -116 dB
  
  

D/A Monitor Converter

• Dynamic Range: 130 dB
• THD + N: -115 dB
  
  

D/A Converter (Line Out)

• Dynamic Range: 130 dB
• THD + N: -115 dB
  
  

Digital Inputs

• 1 x ADAT input (up to 8ch @ 44.1/48 kHz)
• 1 x S/PDIF (2ch.)
  
  

Digital Outputs

• 1 x S/PDIF (2ch.)
  
  

USB 1

• USB 2.0 Type-C connector
• 16 channels of playback and recording, 24-bit / 192kHz
• Compatible with Windows and macOS
  
  

USB 2

• USB 2.0 Type-C connector
• 2 channels of playback and recording, 24-bit / 192kHz
• Supports reverse charging for mobile devices
• Compatible with Windows, macOS, Android* and iOS* (USB-C) devices

*Compatibility depends on the mobile device’s power delivery and specifications.

Clocking System

• 4th Generation Acoustically Focused Clocking
• 64-bit DDS
  
  

Sample Rates (kHz)

• 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192
  
  

Operating Temperature

• 0-50°C, 32-122°F
  
  

Weight (Approx)

• 9 kg/ 1.98 lbs
  
  

Dimensions - Device (Approx)

• Width: 210 mm / 8.2”
• Height: 58 mm / 2.3”
• Depth: 136 mm /5.3”
  
  

Dimensions – Box

• Width: 287 mm / 11.3”
• Height: 92 mm / 3.6”
• Depth: 187 mm /7.4”