Page 2: Antelope Audio Orion Studio Synergy Core

Hard Core

So, with an impressive feature set, how is the Orion Studio Synergy Core in practice? The initial installation/activation process could be slicker but once you have the Antelope launcher app installed, it handles all the key steps for you. Once I'd established communication between computer and interface, everything ran smoothly but, over the couple of weeks of using the device, I did experience the occasional problem in initially getting the Synergy Core recognised by my computer. Some restarting generally resolved things, so it was irritating rather than show stopping.

While the Synergy Core has plenty of processing power, there are limits to the number of instances allowed of some plug-ins, as shown here for the FET-A76 compressor. That said, 16 hardware 1176 originals would make for an impressive rack!I couldn't find any latency data for the Synergy Core on AA's website but performing a simple loopback test gave some impressive figures. Tested via Thunderbolt, with an empty a 44.1kHz/24-bit project in Cubase Pro 10 at a 32–sample buffer size, I got a round-trip figure of just over 2ms, while at a more humane (for my slightly older iMac) 128 sample buffer size, the figure was 6.4ms. Via USB, I expect those numbers would be a little higher but, given all that built-in DSP power, and the ability to use the included plug-ins pretty much latency-free while tracking, round-trip latency is something the Synergy Core is designed to help you avoid in the first place. That said, these Thunderbolt-based figures are impressive anyway.

In all other aspects, the hardware is truly impressive. The device feels very well built and, whatever the technical specification of the preamps, subjectively, they sound excellent. The Hi-Z capability via the four front-panel inputs works very well indeed for DI'ed guitar/bass recording, and the headphone outputs provide plenty of level. With 12 analogue inputs, providing you kept your drum miking fairly simple, you could easily track a full four-piece band with vocals, or perhaps do a more complex drum recording setup. Add an extra eight analogue inputs by making use of the ADAT connectivity and you would have a system for all but the most complex of live band tracking tasks.

The inclusion of the dedicated re–amp outputs is a very welcome design choice. With suitable audio routing via the Control Panel, these can be plugged directly into your amp's inputs (and, with two re–amp outputs, dual–amp setups are also easy). The process is super-simple and works brilliantly.

Soft Core

While the Control Panel — and the Routing tab in particular — are perhaps not the prettiest software environments I've ever encountered, the actual plug-ins have a very attractive 'vintage hardware' vibe. Used in a tracking context, where you can configure effects chains (and create presets) for each of your input channels, operation is both familiar and straightforward. Space precludes a full discussion of individual plug-ins, but AA's website has a detailed list of what's included and the additional plug-ins available as extra purchases. Most importantly, what's here sounds very good indeed. There is a very genuine analogue feel. For example, when pushed hard, the compressors seem more forgiving. Equally, when you apply some low-end EQ, you get a very attractive warmth, while at the top-end you get sheen but without it ever getting brittle.

The selection of guitar amp and cabinet plug-ins cover the expected Fender, Marshall and Vox territory with suitable higher-gain and bass options also included, giving access to a wide range of tones. However, it is just amps and cabs; there are no effects included, stompbox or rack, and none of the amp models offer reverb. What is very useful, though, is the ease with which the routing options allow you to record both a processed and DI version of your performance for maximum flexibility at mix time.

The Synergy Core offers plenty for recording guitars. The upper two tracks here were recorded from a single source, one through a DSP amp sim and the other dry, while the bottom two represent re–amped recordings of the DI using two different real amps.

Mix Power

Of course, for most potential purchasers, taking advantage of the DSP power and plug-in collection during tracking is only going to be half of the story; there is also the mix. It's at this stage that the AFX2DAW plug-in becomes an essential purchase as this then provides seamless access to the Synergy Core's processing grunt and impressive 'vintage analogue' plug-in collection directly from your DAW. An instance of AFX2DAW can be inserted like any other plug-in and then used to load any of your AFX plug-ins or to build a plug-in chain. All the routing required is handled by AFX2DAW and is totally transparent to the user. It is an instantly familiar process and, in my test system, seemed to work very smoothly.

There are, however, a few limitations to be aware of. First, AA's website suggests you are allowed a maximum of 16 instances of AFX2DAW in any one session and a maximum of four AFX effects within a single instance. In practice, I managed to load more instances of AXF2DAW into my test Cubase project and, in any individual instance, was able to load a maximum of eight AFX plug-ins (the website obviously needs updating to reflect more recent changes to the plug-in). However, you are subject to the same limits in terms of the total number of instances of specific plug-ins or plug-in types mentioned earlier.

The other current limitations are that AFX2DAW is Thunderbolt-only (there is no support via USB) and is not presently available for Windows. Thunderbolt is widely available and easily added to a modern computer, so the former is not such a big deal. However, the latter is perhaps more disappointing and will undoubtedly reduce the bang-for-the-buck that Windows users feel they might be getting from the Synergy Core. Plug-in instance limits aside, AFX2DAW works well on a Thunderbolt-equipped Mac, but Antelope perhaps still have work to do with this utility plug-in so that their products are equally attractive to Windows users.

Star Performer?

As per Sam Inglis' comments in the recent Orion 32+ Gen 3 review, Antelope's hardware is consistently impressive and offers excellent value for money. This is true here but, in my view, Antelope have hit a genuine sweet spot with the Synergy Core's hardware feature list which could give it very broad appeal. The 12 high-end preamps here would be more than enough for many project studios and can be suitably expanded to make full use of the 32-channel potential of the interface in a larger studio environment. Once you have mastered the Control Panel software, add in the impressive DSP and plug-in combination, and you have a very powerful platform for tracking high-quality multitrack recordings.

Via AFX2DAW, the potential is also clearly there to deliver the same powerful benefits to the mixing environment, and for Mac/Thunderbolt users much of that potential is already delivered upon. For Windows-based users however, the current lack of AFX2DAW support might be a significant factor in a potential purchase decision. Of course, if you are in the market for an interface that is intended to be the central audio hub of your studio system, in this price range, you really should find a retailer willing to let you try before you buy. The Orion Studio Synergy Core is an impressive package at an impressive price and should most certainly be part of that audition process alongside the obvious competition.