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Antelope Audio Orion Studio Synergy Core Professional Thunderbolt 3 and USB 2 Interface

Includes A Compelling Library Of 50 Real-Time Studio Effects

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SKU: ORIONSTUDSYNCORE

Product Description

The Antelope Audio Orion Studio Synergy Core is an immensely powerful Thunderbolt 3 & USB audio interface that features 12 discrete preamps and 6 DSP/2 FPGA FX processors. Filled to the brim with modern features, this all-encompassing interface can easily become the centrepiece of your entire studio setup.

Boasting state-of-the-art AD/DA converters and Antelope Audio's acclaimed Synergy Core processing platform, this unit effortlessly crunches the numbers to ensure seamless, low-latency operation. Use more than 50 class-leading Synergy Core FX in real-time, modelled on legendary hardware studio units both past and present.

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Key Features

  • 6x DSP + 2x FPGA Synergy Core FX Processing
  • Thunderbolt 3 & USB 2.0 Connectivity
  • 12 discrete mic preamps with mic/line/instrument/direct recording
  • State-of-the-art AD/DA converters
  • 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking with oven-controlled crystal oscillator
  • 2 mastering-grade Stereo monitor outputs
  • 2 individual Stereo headphone outputs
  • 2 Insert inputs and 2 ReAmp outputs
  • 2x ADAT, S/PDIF, Word Clock digital I/O
  • 16 line outputs on DB25 connectors
  • Integrated Talkback microphone
  • Intuitive software Control Panel with flexible signal routing

Here's what Antelope Audio say:

The FX Processing Beast

The new Orion Studio brings our recently pioneered Synergy Core FX processing platform to its next stage of evolution. With two proprietary Field Programmable Gate Aray (FPGA) chips and a whopping six ARM-based DSP processors on board, the sheer computing power contained in this interface is astounding! Leave CPU upgrades aside and let Synergy Core do the number-crunching.

6x DSP + 2x FPGA chips let the Orion Studio Synergy Core handle up to 32 FX channel strips X 8 FX slots each for a maximum of 256 FX instances, at any sample rate and over AFX2DAW. That's four times the processing power of the Orion Studio Rev. 2017.

50 Synergy Core FX Included

Adding further value to your investment, the Оrion Studio Synergy Core includes a compelling library of 50 real-time studio effects, meticulously modelled after their hardware originals. It’s all happening inside your audio interface with the lowest latency possible thanks to FPGA’s massive parallel computing capabilities, DSP processing, and fast Thunderbolt connectivity. The library can be expanded to include any effects you choose from our web store.

Thunderbolt 3 Certified & USB Compatible

Thunderbolt 3 is the fastest, most versatile data connection available now. Orion Studio Synergy Core underwent a rigorious certification process to ensure operating system compatibility and stability. Not up to speed with Thunderbolt 3? Worry not, the interface is backwards-compatible with Thunderbolt 2, and we also left the USB 2.0 port intact – it’s right where you’d expect it to be. This way, the Orion Studio Synergy Core works with any DAW, on any modern Windows or macOS computer.

Forget Latency

Record and monitor with maxed-out effects chains at high sample rates and low buffer sizes without taxing your CPU! You can enjoy Latency-Free Direct Monitoring over 4 independent internal mixers with 32 assignable inputs and stereo outputs.

12 Discrete Preamps

The outcome of a long, hard look into iconic microphone preamp circuitry, our discrete transistor pres honor the finest audio engineering practices while sounding absolutely exceptional. They also bring out the best in our Edge & Verge modeling condenser microphones, for vocal and instrument recording that truly keeps up with the times.

Go Direct

All Orion Studio Synergy Core analog inputs have the Direct-In feature to let you bypass preamp controls and record line-in signals directly into the converters. Get ready to hear the truth!

Immense Analog & Digital Flexibility

There’s no task too big or too small for the Orion Studio Synergy Core. Record high-impedance instruments, such as the electric guitar, through four Hi-Z inputs and reamp DI tracks through the special purpose ReAmp outputs. Take advantage of all 16 line outputs (on DB25 connectors). Handle digital audio via S/PDIF and ADAT. Freely route all incoming and outgoing audio from an intuitive software Routing Matrix. Then hear the result from two pairs of headphones or studio monitors – simultaneously, if you need to.

Any Audio Anywhere

The Software Control Panel is the “mediator” between the Orion Studio Synergy Core and your DAW. Handle gain adjustments, signal routing, effects processing, mixing and metering from a single window. Route the resulting audio into your DAW for recording in formats of your choice, such as multi-track, stem, and two-channel stereo. Gone DAW-less? Route any audio to any output and take it to the recording medium of your choice.

  • Immediate Access To Any Parameter
  • Color-Coded Routing Matrix With User Labels and Undo/Redo Functions
  • Four 32-Channel, Low-Latency Software Mixers
  • Save and Load Custom Presets
  • Single-Window Workflow

130 DB Dynamic Range

With an array of 12 audiophile-grade DACs, capable of up to 192kHz sample rates and 130dB dynamic range conversion each, Orion Studio Synergy Core is an AD/DA powerhouse! Capture your voice, instruments or mixing desk outputs exactly as they sound, with immaculate precision that’s as flawless as it’s unforgiving.

64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking

The pioneer of atomic clocking in pro audio, Antelope Audio incorporates 20+ years of expertise in its audio interfaces. Our proprietary 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking jitter management algorithm helps deliver the kind of artifact-free audio once accessible only to the most prestigious studios. Furthermore, with the Word Clock outputs, you can distribute this highly stable clock signal across the rest of your digital gear to have everything running in smooth sync!

AFX2DAW In-DAW Effects Automation Over Thunderbolt

Taking advantage of high-speed Thunderbolt, the AFX2DAW plug-in lets you use Synergy Core effects as inserts inside your chosen DAW. This simplifies workflow and enables easy, immediate effects automation.

Reviews

"In the Orion Studio Synergy Core, Antelope Audio have produced a very well-thought-out combination of hardware features that will undoubtedly have wide appeal and, while it is still a significant investment, it represents good value for money." - Sound On Sound

"Studio operators who need both top-quality audio plus comprehensive i/o and routing will find much to like, and the included effects are the icing on the cake—OSSC is an especially strong entry in Antelope’s line."Ask.Audio

In the Box 

  • Orion Studio Synergy Core Interface
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Inline External Power Supply Unit
  • USB Cable

Specifications

Analog

Analog Inputs

  • 8 x Mic / Line Inputs / Direct In
  • 4 x Mic / Line / Hi-Z Inputs / Direct In
  • 2 x Analog Inserts on TRS 1/4 Jacks

Analog Outputs

  • 2 x Monitor Out (Pair) on TRS 1/4 Jacks: Can work both in parallel or in A/B mode
  • 2 x ReAmp Out on TRS 1/4 Jacks
  • 2 x Line Out (16 channels) on DB25, +20 dBu max, impedance balanced
  • 2 x Stereo Headphone Outputs

Mic Preamp

  • EIN: -128 dBu
  • Dynamic Range: -121 dB
  • THD: -106 dB
  • Max input: +20 dBu
  • Max Gain: 75 dB

D/A Monitor Converter

  • Dynamic Range: 130 dB
  • THD + N: -115 dB

A/D Converter

  • Dynamic Range: 124 dB
  • THD + N: -112 dB

D/A Converter

  • Dynamic Range: 128dB
  • TTHD + N: -115dB

Digital

Digital Inputs

  • 2 x ADAT (up to 16 channels)
  • 1 x S/PDIF (up to 2 channels)

Digital Outputs

  • 2 x ADAT (up to 16 channels)
  • 1 x S/PDIF (up to 2 channels)

USB 2.0 I/O

  • USB 2.0 Type B connector
  • (up to 24 channels)

Thunderbolt

  • Thunderbolt 3 connector
  • (up to 32 channels)

Clocking

Word Clock Input

  • 1 × Input @ 75 Ohms 3Vpp
  • on BNC 32 – 192kHz

Word Clock Outputs

  • 1 × Outputs @ 75 Ohms 3Vpp
  • on BNC 32 – 192kHz

Clocking System

  • 4th Generation Acoustically
  • Focused Clocking
  • 64-bit DDS

Sample Rates (kHz)

  • 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192

Other

Operating Temperature

  • 0-50°C, 32-122°F

 Weight (Approx)

  • 3.1 kg/ 6.83 lbs

Dimensions (Approx)

  • Width: 483 mm / 19”
  • Height: 44 mm / 1.7”
  • Depth: 220 mm /8.6”

Power Consumption

  • 25 Watts
Elliot Stent author picture

Written by Elliot Stent

Specifications
Analogue Inputs
14
Analogue Outputs
8
Brand
Antelope Audio
Connectivity
USBThunderbolt
Digital Inputs
3
Digital Outputs
3
Microphone Inputs
4

Customer Reviews

4.7

10 reviews

Value

Looks

Durability

Sound

Trusted Customer24th Oct 2023

Product performance is exactly what it was designed to do. Crisp and smooth. An extremely professional unit! Well made and thoroughly thought out!

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Mr Owan Salt11th Jul 2023

My new Orion Studio is exactly the upgrade I’ve been looking for. The useful and convenient arrangement of inputs and outputs means you can quickly get into a workflow but the routing matrix makes it so you have a lot of flexibility whether you are tracking or mixing. Combined with the onboard FX processing, it’s a power beast. One slight annoyance though. Considering the AFX only works through Thunderbolt and the product only comes with a usb cable, you can’t exactly use it to it’s full potential straight out of the box.

Value 4Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Trusted Customer1st Jun 2022

Great sounding unit at a great price!

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Russ Davis21st Jan 2022

I recently got the Antelope Audio Orion Studio Synergy Core as the centrepiece and hub of a new home studio I'm setting up, upgrading from an Avid Eleven Rack for audio interface duties (still good but limited). I looked at lots of options for the audio interface but in the end the do-it-all-in-a-1U-rack design that is the Orion Studio SC won out. I wanted a rack format rather than a desktop interface, plus more-than-enough (for my needs) I/O to future-proof my investment. And it is a large investment, but a sound one I believe, given the stellar quality of the A/D and D/A conversion, clocking accuracy and mic pres on the interface. Plus the on-board DSP/FPGAs and quality FX plugins give lots of options for in-the-box/DAW and/or external/DSP processing while tracking and mixing. I did look at the Antelope Audio Discrete 8 as well (which is a great interface) but in the end the higher DSP and FPGA count of the Orion won, especially as Anderton's were bundling the Orion with an Edge DUO mic rather than the Solo which gives more mic emulations and micing options, and sounds fantastic. It's still early days with the Orion interface but so far I'm extremely impressed with the hardware build quality as well as the audio quality achievable. Is it all good?...no. I've found the Antelope hardware activation process to be more troublesome than it should be, e.g. I registered and activated (I thought) the device on their website, expecting the additional plugin bundle to become available to assign to the interface, but nothing happened, and a support ticket was required to sort this out (and I'm still waiting for the special bundled Edge Duo mic models to be activated via their Support team, despite apparently having activated the mic on the website). The Control Panel application (required to route audio into and out of the interface to your DAW or external processors and control the interface beyond the physical controls ) looks a bit complicated and daunting to begin with, but after watching some videos it soon becomes clear and you realise just how powerful the audio routing matrix is, and what you can achieve with it. Finally, and this isn't entirely down to Antelope, but it does feel as though PC is still somewhat of a second-class citizen compared to Mac. Although the Orion supports a USB connection as well as Thunderbolt (I have a powerful Windows 10 laptop that offers both) it only supports USB 2.0, resulting a lower (24) I/O count vs Thunderbolt (the full 32), plus as others have said, the afx2daw plugin doesn't work at all via USB, so be aware of that if you're running a Windows rig and don't have a Thunderbolt 3 port. I'd like to see this rectified if at all possible, plus the Orion should really come with USB3.0 now as USB 2.0 is pretty old. Overall though...for my setup, it's a great high-quality interface and worth the admittedly high price for the quality and future-proofing it provides. Good job Antelope.

Value 4Looks 4Durability 4

Mr John Clay14th Oct 2021

The Orion Studio Synergy Core ticks an awful lot of boxes, incredibly well built, sounds fabulous and has a lot going for it. Just be aware that AFX2DAW doesn't work in your DAW via the USB connection, only via Thunderbolt. Many of my problems came about because my older PC wasn't up to the task and my new build, which I thought I'd planned carefully, is still struggling to accept Thunderbolt. The routing matrix took me some time to get my head round, with lots of trial and error, so expect a learning curve. Once you're up and running the quality of the preamps, FX, convertors and sound are something else.

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Mr Christopher Frost19th Sep 2021

Without a doubt, the best parts of this product are the Edge Microphone (which sounds fantastic even without emulations on it), the pre-amps and the converters ... it has a gorgeous sound to it no matter what you put through it. Their proprietary Matrix and Routing system means you will never need 'Loopback' again, but it does have a learning curve to it. One of the selling points to me was the inclusion of DSP and FFGA effects, but unlike UAD equivalents, it's slightly more convoluted to use them in a DAW, fortunately the package I bought included the plugin bridge for this. I was somewhat disappointed to find that the DSP Reverb can only be used for input monitoring purposes and not for use as a Plugin, and equally disappointed that Antelope's range of effects extend only as far as EQ's, Compressors and Limiters (there's one chorus, one flanger, one vibrato, one auto wah (etc.,) all as additional purchases ... but no Reverb. So unlike UAD, Antelope's effects focus solely on recording via the preamps, and not for mixing/production. Setup and install was relatively painless, but not necessarily comprehensive. Not including a physical manual was a disappointment as you had to go through various online guides via their website to know what to do. Even then, I ended up needing their online chat with remote access to figure some things out. Another disappointment was in discovering that the drivers are not fully CoreAudio on Mac, and therefore cannot be controlled by the system, you are limited solely to their proprietary Control Panel software for everything. Even the front panel of the audio interface itself does not have full control of all functionality, you can only do this through the software. There is also no "remote" via an iPad app that works with this device, nor can you configure anything via MIDI (etc.,) to do it either. I found this somewhat limiting as a mouse isn't the ideal method of controlling an audio interface. Furthermore, changing things such as the Clock was also somewhat convoluted and requires a learning curve, unlike virtually any other interface out there. The Orion Studio Synergy Core comes with the connectivity of USB 2.0 or Thunderbolt 2, but what they don't tell you is that these two forms of connection have two different sets of functionality; you cannot do via USB what you can via Thunderbolt, so it was almost pointless including a USB connection. You will always need to go via Thunderbolt. The plethora of physical inputs and outputs was by far the biggest selling point to me, as it had everything I needed, plus having the "big knob" on the front for Monitor output level plus press-to-mute is very useful. The fact you cannot assign any physical button to DIM or MONO is again another disappointing oversight as you once again have to limit yourself to the Control Panel software, which is far from ideal in a production situation. The Edge Duo is absolutely wonderful and by far one of the best recording Mic's I've ever used. I actually haven't used any of the emulations since the mic itself sounds fantastic out-the-box. Being able to manually set your own cardoid pattern is a real gamechanger, but of course any Edge microphone will require at least two physical inputs on your interface, halving the amount you have to use. That's just the way it is, and it's not a problem, but if you're planning on doing a lot of recording, be aware of this and decide whether you'll have enough to work with. I don't believe this issue extends to the Verge mic range. The OLED display on the front of the interface is absolutely gorgeous, but you're warned in the manual to set the screensaver ASAP as it could lead to screen burnout over time. If the manual states this right off the bat, I am concerned about longevity. Overall, both the mic and interface have been absolutely rock solid in reliability since I received it a couple of weeks ago. I do love the build quality and the sound of both, but I am disappointed in the lack of available effects in the lineup. There's only so many vintage EQ's that can get someone excited, and as they form the majority of the available effects, I'm on the fence as to whether UAD would have been a more appropriate purchase for the money. I don't have buyers remorse, I do love these items, but I sincerely hope Antelope increase their available effects range soon.

Value 3Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Mr Matthew Rodwell21st May 2021

The Orion Synergy Core is a great interface and really is an all in one solution for all but the largest of commercial studios. As one would expect, the preamps are clear and uncoloured and, outputs are clear and have depth and stereo imaging is very tight (no doubt in part due to the oven controlled internal clock). The DSP processing and included plugins are very capable and run with good stability in my DAW (Logic Pro) (having bought the separately available AFX2DAW plugin so the DSP plugins can be loaded directly into the DAWs channel strips). In terms of build quality, the unit is extremely robust. It has received a few knocks here and there in the few months I have had it, which haven't left so much as a scratch. It seems like a very tough powder coating. The software mixer is initially slightly daunting, but is easy to master by watching Antelopes various instruction videos. As with other high-end convertor manufacturers, Antelope's after sales service is very good - you genuinely feel like you are receiving a VIP service.

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Mr Martin Latham9th Feb 2021

After using a few consoles and interfaces during my time at university. I knew what the level of equipment I could eventually have that was far superior to budget interfaces. This however, I was blown away by how much of an upgrade this interface is. I was shocked to have such high quality audio at home that I missed from the studios I had access too. Even more points for the fantastic customer service, it’s almost like having your own studio and staff on hand at home! Couldn’t recommend it more.

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

joseph zeitlin12th Oct 2020

Incredible interface. Sound quality and latency a huge improvement from my Apollo 8, but the AFX plugins really sound incredible. Amazing support on top. So happy

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Mr Brendyn Rossouw26th Mar 2020

Absolutely blown away with this interface. It has everything I would ever need and more. As an audio Professional, I can sleep easier knowing my sessions will be more fluid and efficient while also adding peace of mind that the converters and clock are out of the top drawer too. Some features that really stand out to me. -The I/O smokes anything else out there compared to other 1U units like this. -The DSP/FX are incredible (bonus that they are much cheaper than other options on the market too). -The converters and clock are exactly what I was hoping for. Deep, accurate imaging and open on the top. -The headphone amps have loads of headroom for ALL types of studio headphones. Impedances on point! I will be doing more tests on the preamps soon. So far they seem solid. I need to purchase some more of their Preamp emulations in the future so I can compare. Thanks Antelope! You guys are top notch!

Value 5Looks 4Durability 4Sound 5

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