Antelope Audio Discrete 8 | Synergy Core
UPC/EAN #853744004809
MPN #Discrete 8 Synergy Core
8x14 studio Thunderbolt 2 & USB 2 audio interface with 1 FPGA and 2 DSP processors
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 54 of Antelope's top effects plug-ins included free during the campaign, the Discrete 8 Synergy Core gives you a sharp set of creative tools to take your projects from inspiration to final master.
Synergy Core: Future-Proof Effects Processing (DSP + FPGA)
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!
Uncompromising 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.
Antelope Audio's Proven Clocking Technology
Pro recording studios rely on Antelope master clocks to maintain stability and sonic integrity in PCM digital audio. The Discrete 8 Synergy Core wouldn't be an Antelope Audio interface if it didn't offer rock-solid clocking, with Antelope's 4th-Generation 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking (AFC) jitter management algorithm, three 75-ohm BNC Word Clock outputs, and Word Clock input. Add Antelope's industry-leading digital clocking to your studio, and capture recordings with greater clarity, dimension and detail.
Discrete 8 Synergy Core includes a compelling library of 36 real-time studio effects:
Gyraf Gyratec IX / Tube Mic Preamp
VCA160 / Compressor
Stay-Levin / Compressor
FET-A76 / FET Compressor
VEQ-1A / Tube EQ
VMEQ-5 / Tube EQ
X903 / Compressor / Limiter
FeedForward Antelope Compressor / Compressor
Clear Q / Parametric EQ
Power EX / Expander
VEQ-HLF / Passive High/Low Filter
Auraverb / Reverb
BA-31 / Mic Preamp
Power Gate / Gate
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 / 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
Bass Tube 1x15 / Guitar Cabinet
Features
- Synergy Core - New Milestone Technology & Future-proof FX processing platform
- Pristine AD/DA conversion with 130 dB of dynamic range on monitor outputs
- 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
- All effects can be automated in DAW without CPU load, thanks to AFX2DAW Bridge (Mac only)
Specifications
ANALOG
Analog Inputs
6 x Mic / Line Inputs
2 x Mic / Line / Hi-Z Inputs
Analog Outputs
1 x Monitor Out on TRS 1/4 Jacks, +20 dBu max
2 x ReAmp Out on TRS ¼ Jack
1 x Line Out (8 channels) on DB25, +20 dBu max
2 x Stereo Headphone Outputs
Mic Preamp
EIN: -128 dBu (A-weighted)
Dynamic Range: -121 dB (A-weighted)
THD: -106 dB
Max input: +18 dBu
Max Gain: 65 dB
D/A Monitor Converter
Dynamic Range: 130 dB
THD + N: -115 dB
A/D Converter
Dynamic Range: 121 dB
THD + N: -112 dB
D/A Converters(Line Out)
Dynamic Range: 121 dB
THD + N: - 100dB
DC Coupled
DIGITAL
Digital Inputs
2 x ADAT (up to 16CH)
1 x S/PDIF
Digital Outputs
1 x ADAT (up to 16CH)
1 x S/PDIF
USB 2.0 I/O
USB 2.0 Type B connector
24 channels I/O
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt connector
32 channels I/O
CLOCKING
Word Clock Outputs
1 x Inputs @ 75 Ohms 3Vpp on BNC 32 - 192kHz
Word Clock Outputs
3 x Outputs @ 75 Ohms 3Vpp on BNC 32 - 192kHz
Clocking System
4th Generation Acoustically Focused Clocking
64-bit DDS
Sample Rates (kHz)
32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192
Other
Operating Temperature
0-50C, 32-122F
Weight (Approx)
3.0 kg/ 6.61 lbs
Dimensions (Approx)
Width: 483 mm / 19"
Height: 44 mm / 1.7"
Depth: 220 mm /8.6"
Power Consumption
20 Watts
In the box
Discrete 8 Synergy Core InterfaceQuick Start GuideWart External Power Supply UnitUSB CableWarranty Card
Write a review about the Antelope Audio Discrete 8 | Synergy Core
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5.0
Geoff
April 19, 2024
Sounds good!
Lots of i/o, very nice sounding conversion and headphone amp, flexible, if somewhat confusing, routing until you wrap your head around it. I use external pres, so I can't comment on the on board ones. Would have liked a midi input, but apart from that
Read moreit is very fully equipped for my needs.
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1.0
Cory
Vancouver, BC
April 22, 2022
Not worth the risk
This review is after 14 months of owning the D8.
To begin with, it was fancy and offered a lot of potential. The ability to run plugins and the amount of i/o was awesome, especially when compared to the price of UA stuff. I thought it was a great buy.
People always talk about the converters and the preamps and all that stuff is good, but I found the overall experience to be dismal.
First, the synergy core controller software is not the same as all their zen products.
Read moreFor whatever reason they made this software much less user friendly. I ended up spending increasingly more and more time reading the manual, watching videos, and reading forums than I was making music. The amount of content for the D8 is also much less compared to their other products which made my issues difficult to resolve.
Secondly, Antelope's customer support is in Europe, and for a PST zone, the 9 or 10 hour difference makes communication slow and very difficult if you want to do a remote session. I suppose I'm so used to buying American centric products that have local support that I didn't even consider this issue. It has made for a frustrating experience.
Thirdly, over my ownership I have had to reach out to customer support and forums multiple times to resolve issues. If a piece of gear is taking away time from work flow, then there's a problem. All of these factors made doing work a hassle.
The nail in the coffin was when, the other day, I was running a session and my interface completely lost connectivity with my computer. It has not yet been resolved.
I currently have a non functioning interface which is just out of warranty period from the maker and is not at all covered or backed by the seller.
Antelope Audio has been a train wreck of an experience for me and I don't have a lot of hope for how this will be resolved. I presume that I'm just out two grand cannot see what I can do about it..
Just don't buy.
Also, really do your homework on checking how a store will back products they sell, cause if they sell deficient products and won't help with it after the fact then you're hooped.
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5.0
Tayon Harris
Bowmanville, Ontario
January 14, 2021
Best Audio interface
I Owned a Roland Octo capture 10×10 for over 7 years, I decided to do an upgrade for a higher Quality interface after I started to do my research I came across Antelope did know what it was about but then I started to dig deep, shortly afterwards I realized this this interface is one of the best in Quality,
Read moreprice, looks and Features, so I decided to get and try it out my self, after hooking this thing up I was amazed by the sound Quality and how easy it was to put together, I'm just loving this interface, I was about to buy UAD or an Apogee but I'm Happy I didn't because In my opinion I'm missing anything, but againing wondering piece of gear I'm now and forever show be an Antelope Guy, please don't hesitate on getting this Unit.
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5.0
Duke
Toronto
December 27, 2019
The Best Bang For Buck Interface Solution!
This was the exact piece I needed in my studio to take my productions to the next level! The pre-amps are incredible and the FX are an added bonus! You will not be disappointed!
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