Assistance/Advice from Antelope & UAD Users

[jameslovesaudio]

Hi KVR!

I've been doing a considerable amount of research on this forum, Gearspace, YouTube, reviews etc. as I'm looking to upgrade my audio interface to a DSP enabled zero-latency style interface.

There are currently two options, UAD Apollo Twin X and the Antelope Audio Zen Q Synergy Core.

I've read mixed reviews on Antelope Audio and would love if anyone who has bought and used the Zen Q interfaces could share their experience that would be really valuable.

My main concern is that while I really like the UAD Apollo, the UAD store is really expensive for additional plugins + I can get 37 plugins included with the AA interface and they have a more affordable store. I understand that UAD plugins would likely sound a little better, however it's a massive increase in price, and zero latency monitoring is my biggest factor for upgrading, so that vocalists, guitar, bass, keyboards etc can monitor and print to the mix, any comps, eq, reverb etc.

I have also seen so many mixed reviews on UAD + Antelope's preamps and build quality. Some people have had really positive reviews of both and I've seen some really negative reviews of AA, less so for UAD (so it's really price/value for money/stability for me).

Would really appreciate any advise on a DSP enabled audio interface from some actual customers who've been through this purchase! I can get a 12 month warranty from both stores that sell UAD + AA products, hence it really comes down to reliability, value for money and sound.

Thanks in advance!!
James

[nix808]

are RME and MOTU options?
-they are quicker than most

[jameslovesaudio]

Hi nix808,

Thanks for the reply, and good point. I've had two friends recommend RME and if I didn't have the direct monitoring with DSP plugins requirement, I'd be reaching for the RME Fireface UCX II or similar!

However I'm needing to look at DSP audio interfaces only, hence working out if UAD and their ecosystem is worth the additional cost and to hear how Antelope Audio has been for others.

Thanks!
James

[zerocrossing]

UAD user here, never used an Antelope. Here’s my general take on it.

Even without the Unison technology, I felt the mic pres sound really nice. It’s definitely a solid machine with a very good build quality. (I’m using an older Apollo FireWire model with a FireWire card on Windows 10.) When you kick in a plugin that uses the Unison tech, it really takes it to another level and I don’t even have great mics.

The plugins are ridiculously priced. I really don’t get what they’re thinking here, because if they priced things in a better way, I’d definitely buy everything in the store because, well that’s how I roll. If you get them on sale, they’re priced OK, so definitely wait until their holiday sales.

While they do sound really good, there are plenty of native plugins (some also available for UAD) that sound just as good. I’m not havin buyer’s remorse, but now that I have a screaming machine, I’m not sure I would have gone with the UAD. When I bought it, my machine was an earlier i7, and it did help quite a bit. Now it’s not that important, but I don’t really track full bands. Ever.

You can’t sell the plugins, though I guess you can sell them along with the unit, but you will take a bath and basically lose most of your software investment.

I was able to get a consistently lower latency with my old RME FireFace 400, but the Apollo is OK.

I wish I could put a plugin on the 2 bus without having to run it as a VST.

The software is intuitive and easy to use.

No MIDI on my unit.

I’m not trying to disparage it or UAD. I actually like it a lot. I’m just trying to paint a complete picture with things you don’t really see in the marketing materials.

[jameslovesaudio]

Thanks zerocrossing, this is really helpful and it's great to get an honest opinion!

I actually have quite a powerful machine (Apple M1 Pro 16GB) and a range of Arturia, Softube + NI effects that I use across my sessions.

Where I usually find issue, is a busy session that needs some vocal overdubs (very low latency, reverb + preamp/compressor) to record, or a bass, guitar or keyboard part. The DSP would be really ideal to print a great take with those effects on the way in with close to zero latency, and all other plugins would be covered on my machine.

So I'd be having to spend for a couple extra options for preamps (unison) from UAD store, some EQs (comes with Pulteq so lucky there) and a good reverb (Lex or Plate) + compressors (comes with LA-2A and 1176, so I'd be pretty covered here).

My alternative, Antelope, would give me these options without any extra spend, but without the build quality, reputation and reliability of UAD behind it.

Appreciate your response!

Would be great if anyone had any experience with Antelope

[shawshawraw]

I really want to love Antelope, but I've got two lemons in a row (the original unit as well as the replacement unit)

I think I'm just unlucky that I got into a faulty batch. But still that speaks a thing or two of their QC...

Make sure you watch the return policy and test EVERYTHING against the specs. I'm fed and sticking with Apollo for now.

https://imgur.com/a/PiaCSzv

[zerocrossing]

Thanks zerocrossing, this is really helpful and it's great to get an honest opinion!

I actually have quite a powerful machine (Apple M1 Pro 16GB) and a range of Arturia, Softube + NI effects that I use across my sessions.

Where I usually find issue, is a busy session that needs some vocal overdubs (very low latency, reverb + preamp/compressor) to record, or a bass, guitar or keyboard part. The DSP would be really ideal to print a great take with those effects on the way in with close to zero latency, and all other plugins would be covered on my machine.

So I'd be having to spend for a couple extra options for preamps (unison) from UAD store, some EQs (comes with Pulteq so lucky there) and a good reverb (Lex or Plate) + compressors (comes with LA-2A and 1176, so I'd be pretty covered here).

My alternative, Antelope, would give me these options without any extra spend, but without the build quality, reputation and reliability of UAD behind it.

Appreciate your response!

Would be great if anyone had any experience with Antelope

I looked at it like this. What would it cost me to buy an interface with at least 8 analog inputs and some good compressors, even a lower priced ones, and have one on each of my inputs? A hell of a lot more than what I paid for my Apollo ($900+$40 for the FireWire card.) Even with the extra plugins I’ve purchased, it is a cheaper, and more importantly space saving way to go.