Antelope Zen Q Synergy Core USB

I purchased the Zen to use it mostly on the go when I don't work from my home studio. This includes pre-production sessions, recording, mixing and monitoring both on headphones and speakers. I like the fact that it is bus powered and very light. The metal chassis is a nice touch - the device feels solid and I am not concerned with damaging it. To carry it around thomann sent a great pouch that has been really appreciated. So far I used the interface for some listening sessions and one piano recording. The sound justifies the higher price tag, as the preamps and conversion sound clean and sweet. My only criticism is that I first wanted to go for the Thunderbolt version. Instead I picked the USB, as the Thunderbolt version doesn't include a TB lead. To be fair, considering the price Apple charges for these cables, it is understandable that they didn't include it with the device. But as USB also works for me I decided to save myself some money. Next I'll dive into the FX. Traditionally I have been very conservative when it comes to recording with plugins. But it is nice to have the option and to me this is just an extra on top of everything else the device comes with.

This thing sounds just great. I've had one of those "pillow of my speakers" moments with it. Both monitor and headphones outputs sounds very pristine, deep and detailed (coming from Motu Ultralite mk3, which didn't sound bad at all).

Software is not flawless, but nothing too critical. USB cable that's coming with it is better to be swapped for something more decent — somehow it couldn't transfer enough power which resulted in some hickups during recording.

Overall I'm very happy, great bang for a buck. Oh and built-in DSP is something else too, in a good way!

One of the most impressive aspects of the Zen Q Synergy Core is its signal processing based on Antelope's Synergy Core technology. This technology utilizes on-board DSP processors and FPGAs to process audio signals with minimal latency and no loss of sound quality. As a result, the Zen Q Synergy Core delivers stunning performance and excellent sound quality even when overlaying complex audio effects or real-time signal processing.

Another important advantage of the Zen Q Synergy Core is its high-quality analog and digital audio. With two Hi-Z-class microphone preamps and a wide range of analog and digital inputs and outputs, this interface provides maximum flexibility and functionality for music recording and production.

Finally, it's worth noting that the Zen Q Synergy Core USB offers excellent value for money. Although it is a high-end audio interface, it is still available at a relatively affordable price, making it an attractive choice for many professional musicians and sound engineers.

Overall, the Antelope Zen Q Synergy Core USB is an outstanding audio interface that offers high-end audio capabilities, advanced technology, and stylish design. It is ideal for recording, music production and sound design at the highest level of quality.