KVR Audio

jameslovesaudio · Post by **jameslovesaudio** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:46 am

Hi All,

First post here, have found these forums to be super helpful!

I've been looking at upgrading my audio interface from a Komplete Audio 6 to either:

Antelope Audio Zen Go
Audient iD14 MKII
UA Apollo Twin X

I've been leaning towards the Antelope Audio option, because of the DSP flexibility and reviews of the sound of their pres etc. but my only concern is that I've read of issues with drivers which have stopped people from recording and caused general havoc.

Is there anyone who has an Antelope Audio interface with a Macbook Pro and keeps up to date with latest OS etc? What's your experience been like? Any major issues? Good support?

If I don't go with the AA interface, the iD14 MKII seems to have great pres and I can do everything I need without having to print effects/use DSP or realtime monitoring (it's more a nice to have). Then again I could just blow all my cash on the UA and be done with it!

Thanks in advance
Cheers,
James

Funkybot's Evil Twin · Mon Dec 20, 2021 5:43 pm

I personally wouldn't use anything from Antelope due to their reputation for releasing tons of new products without providing support for older ones. Things may have improved, I don't know, but I'm not trusting them. Personally, I'd advise you to look at an RME Babyface Pro if you want something small and excellent. It's pricey, but they'll support it for decades. I'm still using my old RME Fireface 800, which recently got M1 driver updates despite being released in 2004. Part of me actually hope it fails so I can replace it with something more modern, but I'll probably ride it into the ground.

I personally use an Arturia Audiofuse on my M1 Macbook. I love the design of the unit except for the micro-USB to USB-A connection and their short power supply cable. Latency and performance is decent on the Mac. It sounds pretty good. Tons of features and a nice design. I wouldn't recommend it on a PC though and if I were buying new today, I wouldn't get it again (I'd go RME).

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 9:34 pm

DSP on the card sounds nice, but in practice you don't need it and it's rather clumsy to use.
There are plenty free plugins that do the same, or better. It's not those type of plugins that eat your CPU for breakfast.

tl;dr : I'd go for RME as well.

BuddySpencer · Post by **BuddySpencer** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 10:37 pm

I’ve got the Zen Go and am quite happy about it as a mobile recording option. In the studio I am using a RME Fireface.

I really like the onboard DSP Auto-Autotune.
It’s working quite well on my Mac. But I don’t like to use the effects in the DAW - to use them you have to load the Antelope Launcher and then the mixer Software, which is no big deal but it takes some time to load. I like the Mixer software, it’s easy to understand, but nowhere near RME Total Mix in terms of flexibility. Total Mix also loads almost instantly while the Antelope Software needs some time to load and seems to use more CPU.

Besides that I don’t want to miss it, I thought about getting the Babyface but I am happy that I decided for the Zen Go. Its running very stable till now and I also like that you can control everything (Input Gains, Volumes) directly on the Interface without using the software.

masterhiggins · Post by **masterhiggins** » Tue Dec 21, 2021 12:53 am

Only thing about RME ores in general is that they’re almost “too” transparent. They don’t color the sound in any way. Some people don’t like that, but I do.

jameslovesaudio · Post by **jameslovesaudio** » Tue Dec 21, 2021 3:32 am

Thanks for the detailed reply Funkybot's Evil Twin, I will have a look at RME interfaces.

I think the fact that some people have reported that Antelope Audio has had issues with drivers is enough to put me off investing in their gear.

BuddySpencer, appreciate the response from an owner of the Zen Go, glad that you've had a good experience so far.

Funnily enough I also looked at the Arturia interfaces too, but I think the UAD, RME + Audient brands make more sense as they only manufacture audio interfaces (UAD are also a software company I suppose), which I like as it's their core focus.

I'll head to the local shop and see if I can use the UAD, RME + Audient on display (they at lease have RME + UAD set up on the floor).

Thanks for all the replys!

jameslovesaudio · Post by **jameslovesaudio** » Tue Dec 21, 2021 3:38 am

Another question, not sure if anyone has experience with this. But as an alternative to the direct monitoring of the UAD with plugins, could I do the following as an alternative.

When I record guitar, I process it with amp modelling and run a buffer around 128/64 which in my mind, is pretty low latency (I can play in time quite accurately). I usually have two channels, one with the effects which is set to monitor and the other channel is set to record, which prints the audio without any effects but with zero latency.

I can then go and apply those same effects to the dry channel I just recorded and this gives me max flexibility to go back to a dry signal/tweak any effects post recording.

Could I do the same for a vocalist with reverb? For example, I'd have a vocalist who needs to hear a reverb on their voice when recording, could I just set that channel to monitor and record the other channel dry with zero latency?

If this is the case, it almost seems like it's not much of an advantage to have DSP to print audio with effects on the way in.

Thanks!

sqigls · Post by **sqigls** » Tue Dec 21, 2021 4:57 am

your mileage may vary. you need to specify your macbook specs to get adequate feedback.

cutting to the chase, another vote from me for RME. The Babyface Pro FS is rock solid, ultra low latency and is quick to navigate the volume of channels from the controls on top. Also comes with onboard FX. I'm sure they're good, but honestly, i never use them.
My Fireface 400 has played gigs from -4 to 44ºC, on beaches, mountains, swamps... been dropped and wet and dirty and never had a problem. And still going.
RME interfaces will work with pretty much any computer built over the last 20 years. The drivers are superbly stable, and the physical build is like a tank.

Pictus · Post by **Pictus** » Tue Dec 21, 2021 2:19 pm

RME is the king of performance.
https://gearspace.com/board/showpost.ph ... count=4631

jameslovesaudio · Post by **jameslovesaudio** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 9:39 am

Thanks for the responses, I think RME is getting a solid recommend and looks great in latency performance.

I also noticed that the Apollo Twin MkII was up there too, I think it's between these two now. Will have to start saving!

darkinners · Post by **darkinners** » Mon Dec 27, 2021 9:31 am

Bad, don't buy anything from Antelope Audio, driver and software issue is headache-inducing and their shitty attitude as a company is even worse. Please do yourself a favor, stay away from anything with Antelope Audio printed on it.

Invest in RME however, you will never regret.

monophonK · Post by **monophonK** » Tue Dec 28, 2021 4:04 pm

That bad / dramatic?

I read something in the Facebook "Antelope Audio Pro Users" group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1723682184540891

There are problems but also mostly solutions.

Antelope Audio Owners... Question about drivers/experience