Antelope Audio Zen Quadro

Zen Quadro pushes the boundaries of modern audio interface technology by incorporating premium components at an affordable price in a portable, bus-powered form factor.
Featuring AD/DA chips from Antelope Audio’s flagship Galaxy range, together with discrete console-grade preamps offering 75 dB of gain, Zen Quadro delivers creators of all kinds the same uncompromising sound quality enjoyed by the world’s premier recording studios.

Synergy Core real-time effects processing and enhanced standalone functionality are just some of the additional features included, while the revolutionary dual-USB design enables simultaneous playback and recording on two systems—making it seamless for all aspiring producers, musicians, and streamers who want to refine their production setup.

• High-precision conversion with up to 130 dB of headroom, combined with 64-bit AFC™ clocking technology for increased sonic width, separation, and detail;
• Four discrete 6-transistor console-grade preamps for crystal-clear recordings;
• Real-time Synergy Core processing for tracking, monitoring, and streaming with near-zero latency through faithful digital recreations of legendary studio equipment;
• Includes 37 effects modeled after vintage analog compressors, EQs, guitar amplifiers, modulation effects, and more;
• Dual-USB design with a secondary USB-C port (OTG) for simultaneous playback and recording on two systems;
• Easy access to routing and mixer settings, device control, and preset recall via a large color display provide complete standalone functionality;
• DC-coupled inputs and outputs for controlling synthesizers via control voltage (CV) signals.
• Unparalleled AD/DA conversion and clocking

The Zen Quadro Synergy Core features the latest generation of converters, offering up to 130 dB of dynamic range at 24-bit/192 kHz and outperforming competitors costing several times more. Combined with Antelope Audio’s proprietary 64-bit AFC™ clocking technology, the interface delivers a new level of detail in your recordings and a wider soundstage for exceptional stereo imaging during audio playback—allowing you to make the best decisions for your mix.

Crystal-clear preamps
The Zen Quadro’s four discrete preamps are built with a 6-transistor topology inspired by the design of British and American analog consoles from the 1980s and 1990s, providing maximum noise reduction and precise sound capture. With exceptionally low noise and up to 75 dB of gain, the Zen Quadro can handle even the quietest dynamic and ribbon microphones.
Synergy Core: The magic of real-time DSP and FPGA processing

Antelope Audio’s engineers combined DSP with FPGA chips to model every individual component of analog hardware. This ensures sound and behavior that are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing—with near-zero latency and zero load on your computer’s processor.

The Zen Quadro comes with 37 legendary compressors, EQs, guitar amplifiers and cabinets, modulation effects, and more, which can be applied in real time during recording, streaming, or live performances. Up to 48 mono effect instances can be loaded across 6 input chains simultaneously, putting the power of a complex multi-rack setup on your desktop.
You can expand your collection with more real-time effects at any time, such as Antares Auto-Tune Synergy and Grove Hill Liverpool, available as additional purchases.
Revolutionary Dual-USB design

The dual USB-C ports on Zen Quadro unlock a whole new world of possibilities for creators of all kinds. It is like having two interfaces in one—freely route signals and create mixes between the two USB connections while using Mac, PC, iOS (USB-C), or Android devices together. Convenient feedback makes it great for streaming, while the secondary port can charge your mobile device while the primary port powers Zen Quadro.
Enhanced standalone functionality for live performances and touring

Take your studio on the road with bus-powered USB-C connectivity and a durable metal housing.
With full standalone operation, you can easily access routing and mixer controls through the color display and recall presets and FX chains in real time, making it ideal for live performances. The secondary USB-C port even enables collaboration between live duo performers using two computers on stage!

Flexible connectivity for your entire studio
Four microphone/line inputs, two instrument inputs, an ADAT input, and S/PDIF I/O are available, allowing you to record up to 14 inputs simultaneously. In addition to the monitor outputs, you also get an extra pair of line outputs for connecting a second pair of speakers or using them for external processing. The second headphone output has an independent mixer, so two people can listen to different cue mixes simultaneously. The DC-coupled I/O can also send and receive control voltage (CV) signals and allows the Zen Quadro tobe part of a modular synthesizer setup.

Features:

Conversion and Clock

• Class-leading AD/DA conversion with up to 130 dB of headroom.
• Record, mix, and play back at up to 24-bit/192kHz.
• Proprietary 64-bit AFC™ (Acoustically Focused Clocking) technology and jitter control algorithm provide enhanced soundstage width, separation, and detail.

Connectivity

• 4 × discrete 6-transistor preamps with 75 dB of gain for clean recordings. All operate as mic/line inputs, and two also function as Hi-Z inputs, with combo XLR jacks and 48V phantom power.
• 2 monitor outputs and 2 line outputs via TRS
• Two stereo headphone outputs with independent gain and mix controls
• Two independent USB-C ports (OTG) for simultaneous playback and recording
• ADAT input (up to 8 channels) and S/PDIF I/O (2 channels)
• DC-coupled inputs and outputs for controlling modular synthesizers with control voltage (CV)

Workflow Enhancement Features

• Direct monitoring with Synergy Core effects processed in real time with near-zero latency.
• Easy routing—select audio sources for each channel and monitoring mix. Also available via the color display.
• Simultaneous playback and recording with two computers or a computer and mobile device.
• Flexible loopback options for streaming.
• Customizable presets with signal routing, level settings, mixer settings, and effects.
• Customizable monitoring mixes with adjustable levels, panning, and reverb.
• Class-compliant; no driver required for macOS and iOS.
• Standalone operation—simply connect to a phone charger and use it without being connected to a computer.
• Remotely control software functions from a separate computer connected to the same network.

Real-Time Effects Processing

• Includes a collection of 37 Synergy Core effects modeled after classic and rare analog outboard equipment.
• Synergy Core—proprietary FPGA+DSP platform for real-time effects processing, allowing up to 48 effects to be loaded simultaneously with near-zero latency.
• Mic Modeling Engine enables pairing with Edge microphones for real-time use of vintage microphone emulations.

What's in the box

• Zen Quadro Synergy Core
• USB-C cable
• USB-C to USB-A adapter
• Getting Started Guide

Included real-time effects

• 22 guitar amplifiers and cabinets (including Bluelux 1x12, a tube guitar amplifier)
• 5 compressors and limiters (including Stay-Levin, FET-A76, VCA160)
• 4 equalizers (including VEQ-1A, VMEQ-5)
• 2 preamplifiers (Gyraf Gyratec IX, BA-31)
• 2 special processing effects (Expander, Noise Gate)
• 1 reverb effect (Auraverb)
• 1 guitar tuner (A-Tuner)

Full list of effects:

• Gyraf Gyratec IX - Dual-tube microphone preamplifier with HPF
• VCA160 - VCA compressor / limiter
• Stay-Levin - Vari-Mu tube compressor
• FET-A76 - FET compressor / limiting amplifier
• VEQ-1A - 2-band tube equalizer
• VMEQ-5 - 3-band tube midrange equalizer
• X903 - VCA compressor / limiter
• PowerFFC - Feed-forward compressor
• Clear Q - Parametric EQ
• Power EX - Expander
• VEQ-HLF - Tube 2-band HPF / LPF
• Auraverb - Reverb
• BA-31 - Germanium microphone preamplifier
• Power Gate - Noise Gate
• A-Tuner - guitar tuner
• Plexi 59 (UK) - Tube guitar amplifier
• Bass SuperTube VR - Tube guitar amplifier
• Darkface 65 (USA) - Tube guitar amplifier
• Top30 (UK) Bright - Tube guitar amplifier
• Tweed Deluxe (USA) - Tube guitar amplifier
• Overange 120 (UK) - Tube guitar amplifier
• BurnSphere (DE) Lead - Tube guitar amplifier
• Marcus II (USA) Lead - Tube guitar amplifier
• Modern (US) CH3 - Tube guitar amplifier
• Rock 75 (UK) - Tube guitar amplifier
• Rock 22.10 (UK) - Tube guitar amplifier
• Darkface 65 2x12 - 2x12 guitar cabinet
• Top30 2x12 guitar cabinet - 2x12
• Modern 4x12 guitar cabinet - 4x12
• Green 2x12 - 2x12 guitar cabinet
• Vintage 4x12 - 4x12 guitar cabinet
• Green 4x12 - 4x12 guitar cabinet
• Caliper 50 1x10 - 1x10 guitar cabinet
• Bluelux 1x12 guitar cabinet - 1x12
• Clst 1x12 - 1x12 guitar cabinet
• England 4x12 - 4x12 guitar cabinet
• Bass tube 1x15 - 1x15 guitar cabinet

Technical specifications:

ANALOG PATH

Analog Inputs
2 x microphone / line inputs (DC-coupled)
2 x microphone / line / Hi-Z inputs (DC-coupled)

Analog Outputs
2 x Monitor Out on TRS jacks, +20 dBu max. (DC-coupled)
2 x Line Out on TRS jacks, +20 dBu max. (DC-coupled)
2 x stereo headphone outputs

Microphone Preamplifier
EIN: -128 dBu (A-weighted)
THD: -116 dB
Maximum Input: +20 dBu
Maximum Gain: 75 dB

A/D Converter
Dynamic Range: 122 dB
THD + N: -116 dB

D/A Monitor Converter
Dynamic Range: 130 dB
THD + N: -115 dB

D/A Converter (Line Output)
Dynamic Range: 130 dB
THD + N: -115 dB

DIGITAL PATH

Digital inputs
1 x ADAT input (up to 8 channels at 44.1/48 kHz)
1 x S/PDIF (2 channels)

Digital outputs
1 x S/PDIF (2 channels)

USB 1
USB 2.0 Type-C connector
16 playback and recording channels, 24-bit / 192 kHz
Compatible with Windows and macOS

USB 2
USB 2.0 Type-C connector
2 playback and recording channels, 24-bit / 192 kHz
Supports reverse charging for mobile devices
Compatible with Windows, macOS, Android* and iOS* (USB-C**) devices
*Compatibility depends on the power supply and specifications of the mobile device.
** An additional adapter, such as the Apple Camera Kit, is required for iOS devices with a Lightning port (not included)

Clock system
4th-generation acoustically focused clock
64-bit DDS