Antelope

A
ntelope Audio is
one of a small
group of
manufacturers
that produce
premium audio
interfaces with
onboard processing. In 2019 they
launched an improved architecture,
Synergy Core, that uses both FGPA
and DSP chips to deliver near zero
latency onboard processing during
recording or mixing. Zen Tour is their
8-in/14-out compact desktop-style
interface and this has now been
upgraded to Synergy Core with 2
FGPA and four DSP chips delivering
up to 256 FX instances.
The overall feature set is similar to
its predecessor. On the front you get
four DI inputs (switchable to line level
if required), two individually
confi gurable HP outs and two handy
transformer-based re-amp outputs, so
you can send your DI back to a guitar
amp input. On the back are four
combi XLRs for mic/line ins, one pair
of monitor outputs on ¼” TRS jacks,
S/PDIF in/out, ADAT in/out and eight
line-outs on 25-pin D-type. All line
outs are DC-coupled for use with
CV-based synths. Computer
interfacing is via Thunderbolt 3 or
USB 2.0, and Thunderbolt is
backwards compatible if you use a
supported converter cable. Note the
maximum stream count is 32 using
Thunderbolt and 24 using USB.
Operationally, Zen Tour Synergy
Core is primarily software-driven using
the large encoder knob, three buttons
(Gain, Headphones and the
assignable Antelope button) and
touch screen. I’m not a big fan of this
concept but it works really well and
lets them cram massive functionality
in a compact box. Touchscreen
options include selecting, muting and
adjusting input, headphone and
monitor levels, choosing which signal
levels to monitor, assigning the
Antelope button and using the inbuilt
talkback feature. However, for more
extensive changes including routing
and FX processing you need to use
the desktop Control Panel application.
This uses a colour-coded drag ‘n’ drop
methodology for routing connections
and assigning effects. There are 32
AFX slots and each slot can run up to
eight effects.
It comes bundled with 36 effects,
including preamps, EQs,
compressors, guitar amps and
support for Antelope’s Edge and Verge
Overall, Zen Tour Synergy Core is
an incredibly capable unit that is
pretty easy to use and sounds
fantastic. Yes, it’s expensive but
you’re certainly getting a lot for your
money.
modelling mics. The design of these
is fi rst class with some classic
hardware emulations. Further effects
can be purchased and include
Antares Auto-Tune Synergy and
further hardware emulations. There’s
also the AFX2DAW extension, which
adds direct plugin style access to the
Synergy Core AFX from your DAW
(Thunderbolt for Apple only for now).
With a DSP-supported interface,
it’s easy to get wrapped up in the
bells and whistles and overlook its
main purpose. Thankfully Zed Tour
Synergy Core delivers fantastic
fi delity, with discrete ultra-linear
preamps and premium clocking
courtesy of Antelope’s acoustically-
focused clocking. The drivers also
deliver minimal round trip latency
times which makes DAW-based
monitoring a realistic option.
THE PROS & CONS
+
Crystal clear discrete
mic preamps
Excellent selection of
onboard processing
Highly
fl exible routing
Compact
desktop footprint
Integrated talkback
and mic
-
Expensive
FM VERDICT
9.2
Zen Tour is a wonderfully
compact yet impressively
powerful interface that
delivers fl exibility and sonic
fi nesse in equal measure
ntelope Audio is
one of a small
group of
manufacturers
that produce
premium audio
interfaces with
onboard processing. In 2019 they
launched an improved architecture,
Synergy Core, that uses both FGPA
and DSP chips to deliver near zero
latency onboard processing during
recording or mixing. Zen Tour is their
8-in/14-out compact desktop-style
interface and this has now been
upgraded to Synergy Core with 2
FGPA and four DSP chips delivering
up to 256 FX instances.
up to 256 FX instances.
The overall feature set is similar to
its predecessor. On the front you get
four DI inputs (switchable to line level
if required), two individually
confi gurable HP outs and two handy
transformer-based re-amp outputs, so
you can send your DI back to a guitar
amp input. On the back are four
THE PROS & CONS
+
Crystal clear discrete
mic preamps
Excellent selection of
onboard processing
Highly
fl exible routing
Compact
desktop footprint
Integrated talkback
and mic
-
Expensive
ntelope Audio is
ntelope Audio is
premium audio
interfaces with
launched an improved architecture,
combi XLRs for mic/line ins, one pair
of monitor outputs on ¼” TRS jacks,
S/PDIF in/out, ADAT in/out and eight
line-outs on 25-pin D-type. All line
its predecessor. On the front you get
four DI inputs (switchable to line level
confi gurable HP outs and two handy
transformer-based re-amp outputs, so
you can send your DI back to a guitar
It’s easy to get wrapped up
in the bells and whistles and
overlook its main purpose
Antelope Zen Tour Synergy Core | Reviews
83
FMU362.rev_antelope.indd 83 03/09/2020 14:03