Bring pro-grade conversion, clocking, and preamps to your studio with the Antelope Discrete 8 Pro Synergy Core, a 26x32 Thunderbolt 3 and USB 2.0 audio interface offering premium sound quality and plentiful connectivity in a rackmount format that's ideal for recording engineers, bands, and studio owners. In addition to the revealing quality of its hardware, the Discrete 8 Pro Synergy Core empowers you with 37 analog-modeled real-time effects, which are powered by the onboard DSP and FPGA chips to ensure ultralow latency and no burden on your computer's CPU.
Each of the eight Antelope Discrete mic preamps has its own phantom power and up to 65 dB of gain, so the interface is primed and ready for recording all sorts of microphones, instruments, or even line-level signals from outboard gear. Equipped with two independently adjustable headphone outputs, balanced monitor outs, eight line outputs, and two reamp sends, the Discrete 8 Pro Synergy Core can act as your studio's hub for multiple sets of headphones, mixes, monitor feeds, and more. Its ADAT and S/PDIF digital I/O ports are perfect for expanding your setup with digital gear such as external converters, and the wordclock input and outputs ensure professional synchronization with other interfaces and clocks.
Updates to the Pro Model
Compared to the Discrete 8 Synergy Core, the Discrete 8 Pro Synergy Core delivers improved performance with greater dynamic range, less total harmonic distortion and noise, and double the available channel strips for effects processing. Also, it replaces Thunderbolt 2 connectivity with Thunderbolt 3 (in addition to USB 2.0).
High-Fidelity Conversion and Clocking
The Discrete 8 Pro has been upgraded with studio-ready 192 kHz converters (up to 130 dB of headroom) and Antelope Audio's proprietary 64-bit AFC clocking. With the interface in your rack, you can experience a new level of detail in your recordings and enjoy a wider soundstage for an exceptional stereo image in audio playback.
Transparent Preamps
Antelope Audio's discrete preamp topology is a descendant of the great console preamps of the time. Designed using a combination of transistors, the Discrete preamps result in high gain (up to 65 dB), minimal noise, and precise sound capture for pristine, transparent recordings.
Extensive Connectivity
The Discrete 8 Pro Synergy Core offers impressive analog and digital I/O in one rack space. Eight mic/line inputs, two instrument inputs, eight DC-coupled line outputs on a DB25 connector, two reamp outputs, a pair of monitor outputs, two headphone outputs, plus 16-channel ADAT and stereo S/PDIF I/O are at your disposal. For your computer connection, you have USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3 ports. All I/O is available at any time and can be used simultaneously without the need to change setups, making it easy to work on multiple sessions.
Tools for Guitarists
Plug in your guitar directly to one of the two Hi-Z enabled inputs and instantly sculpt your tone with guitar amps and cabinet models. Add compression, EQ, and AuraVerb while playing through your preferred amp, cabinet, and microphone combination. The Discrete 8 Pro's two reamp outputs allow you to connect any of your effect pedals or outboard gear, and record that sound back into your preferred DAW.
Word Clock for Pro Sync
Three wordclock outputs let you distribute the interface's highly stable clock signal across your studio while the wordclock input allows you to sync the Discrete 8 Pro Synergy Core with other gear.
Versatile Control Panel
A virtual routing patch-bay on the Discrete 8 Pro Synergy Core streamlines the routing process and even adds creative possibilities. Apart from the intuitive routing, the software control panel allows you to create presets, quickly configure mixes, and more. With the enhanced processing, you can add effects on every input source.
Pushing the FX Further
The 37 effects included with Discrete 8 Pro are modeled after iconic studio equipment and can be applied in real time during monitoring, postproduction, and live recording. Aside from the exclusive compressors, EQs, and preamps, the interface comes with 22 guitar amps and cabs, a guitar tuner, and a signature reverb that are processed with near-zero latency entirely inside the interface, putting zero load on your host CPU.
The onboard Synergy Core contains the processing power of a complex multi-rack setup which enables you to load effects on up to 16 channel strips (double the available channel strips compared to the original Discrete 8 Synergy Core). At any time, you can expand your effects collection by purchasing more classic go-to units, true rarities never before recreated in digital form, and 3rd party effects like Antares Auto-Tune Synergy.
Session Recall
For every individual recording scenario, you can save session files and create exact snapshots of your effects chains, so you can load them later without losing your progress.
Ready for Mic Modeling
The interface's Modeling Engine is ready to be paired with the Edge line of microphones (available separately) for real-time use of vintage microphone emulations.
Workflow-Enhancing Features
37 Real-Time Effects
The collection of 37 Synergy Core effects is powered by the Synergy Core proprietary onboard platform, which uses two DSP chips and one FPGA chip for real-time effects processing with imperceptible latency.
Channels of I/O | Analog: 8 Inputs / 14 Outputs Digital: 18 Inputs / 18 Outputs |
Maximum Sampling Rate | 192 kHz / 24-Bit |
Number of Microphone Inputs | 8 Preamps |
Built-In Microphone | 2 x (Talkback) |
Input Level Adjustment | 8 x Knob |
Expansion Slots | No |
Signal Processing
Pad | No |
Gain/Trim Range | Mic Inputs: Up to +65 dB |
Connectivity
Analog Audio I/O | 2 x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Balanced/Unbalanced Mic/Line/Hi-Z Input (Front Panel) 6 x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Balanced Mic/Line Input 1 x DB-25 25-Pin Balanced Line Output (DC-Coupled) 2 x 1/4" TRS Unbalanced Headphone Output (Front Panel) 2 x 1/4" TRS Balanced Monitor Output 2 x 1/4" TRS Balanced/Unbalanced Monitor/Re-Amp Output |
Phantom Power | 48 V, Selectable On/Off (Selectable on Individual Inputs) |
Digital Audio I/O | 2 x TOSLINK Optical ADAT Input (S/MUX Support, S/MUX4 Support) 2 x TOSLINK Optical ADAT Output (S/MUX Support, S/MUX4 Support) 1 x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input 1 x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Output |
Host Connection | 1 x USB-C 1 x USB-B |
Host Connection Protocol | Thunderbolt 3 USB 2.0 |
USB (Non-Host) | No |
Sync I/O | 1 x BNC Word Clock Input 3 x BNC Word Clock Output |
Network I/O | No |
MIDI I/O | No |
Other I/O | 1 x 1/4" TS Footswitch Input |
Performance
Maximum Input Level | Mic Inputs: +18 dBu |
Maximum Output Level | Line/Monitor Outputs: +20 dBu |
Dynamic Range | Mic Inputs: 122 dB (A-Weighted) A/D Converters: 122 dB D/A Converters: 121 dB Monitor Outputs: 130 dB |
THD | Mic Inputs: -116 dB |
THD+N | A/D Converters: -116 dB D/A Converters: -100 dB Monitor Outputs: -115 dB |
EIN | Mic Inputs: -128 dBu A-Weighted |
Digital Audio
Sample Rates | 32 / 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 kHz |
Sample Rate Conversion | No |
Bit Depths | 24-Bit (AD/DA Conversion) 64-Bit (Clocking) |
Sync Sources | ADAT, Internal, S/PDIF, Word Clock |
Clocking | Word Clock: Input Termination: 75 Ohms Input Voltage: 3 V p-p Output Voltage: 3 V p-p Lock Range: 32 to 192 kHz |
Audio Storage & Playback
Memory Card Slot | No |
Compatibility
OS Compatibility | macOS Windows *As of February, 2022: Check with manufacturer for the most up-to-date compatibility |
Included Software | No |
Compatible Software (Not Included) | Any Core Audio (Mac) Compliant Software |
Included Plug-Ins | Preamp & Channel Strip: BA-31 Gyraf Gyratec IX Equalization: Clear Q VEQ-1A VEQ-HLF VMEQ-5 Dynamics: FET-A76 PowerFFC Power EX Power Gate Stay-Levin VCA160 X903 Reverb & Room: Auraverb Tuning: A-Tuner Guitar & Bass: Bass SuperTube VR Bass Tube 1x15 Bluelux 1x12 BurnSphere (DE) Lead Clst 1x12 Caliper 50 1x10 Darkface 65 2x12 Darkface 65 (US) England 4x12 Green 2x12 Green 4x12 Marcus II (US) Lead Modern 4x12 Modern (US) CH3 Overange 120 (UK) Plexi 59 (UK) Rock 22.10 (UK) Rock 75 (UK) Top30 2x12 Top30 (UK) Bright Tweed Deluxe (US) Vintage 4x12 |
Supported Drivers/API & Plug-Ins | Proprietary |
Mobile Device Compatibility | No |
Required Hardware | Available Thunderbolt 3 Port or USB 2.0 Port |
Internet Connection | Required for Registration, Software/Driver Download, Plug-In Authorization |
Power
Power Requirements | AC/DC Power Adapter (Included) |
AC/DC Power Adapter | 18 V, Center-Positive (Included) |
Physical
Rackmount Size | 1 RU |
Operating Temperature | 32 to 122°F / 0 to 50°C |
Dimensions | 19 x 8.7 x 1.7" / 48.3 x 22 x 4.4 cm |
Weight | 6.6 lb / 3.0 kg |
Packaging Info
Package Weight | 9.085 lb |
Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 25.6 x 14.1 x 3.8" |