Antelope

Z
en Go is the latest,
most affordable
interface from
Antelope’s Synergy
Core range and
again includes
internal DSP to
power their minimal latency onboard
processing and support mic modelling
for their Verge and Edge modelling
mics. The 4-in, 8-out USB-powered
design has great specs including
discrete mic preamps with up to
65dB gain, high quality 64-bit AFC
clocking, 24-bit operation at up to
192kHz, two separate headphone
outputs, mirrored main outputs on
both TRS and RCA connectors, and
minimum latency monitoring via the
Control Panel app.
The stylish compact desktop
design has a robust metal case and
the top panel includes a large rotary
encoder and three buttons (Gain, HP/
MON, Antelope) alongside an
eye-catching multipart display for
monitoring input and output levels,
sample rate and clock source. On the
back you’ll fi nd two XLR/TRS combo
inputs for mic/line/instrument
connection, the monitor outputs and
S/PDIF in/out. On the front edge are
the two headphone outs.
USB connectivity is via type C
connector and though I powered it
from both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0
connections, USB 2.0 doesn’t really
provide enough power. However,
there’s also a second type-C
connector so you can power Zen Go
from a hub or charger, widening your
hardware options to include iPads
and iPhones. Although at the moment
there’s no iOS control app for Zen Go.
Zen Go, like other Zen devices, is
a tech-driven interface and the
streamlined top panel controls can
access multiple functions including
input gain, 48V phantom, output
level, headphone levels and output
muting. Though not as immediate as
dedicated controls, this worked well.
Still, for more extensive controls you’ll
need the Control Panel app. This
includes mixer panels for setting up
not only headphone cues but also
general routing including internal
loopback. It’s also where you can add
Synergy Core processing via the
Synergy Core FX Rack (AFX) available
on the fi rst four faders either as four
mono or two linked stereo streams
with up to eight inserts on each.
Of course, this is one of the Zen
Go’s USPs and it ships with 37
Overall Zen Go Synergy Core is a
fantastic portable interface that
provides not only an audiophile front
end but also impressive onboard
processing – and all at a very
competitive price.
effects, including mic preamps, EQs,
compressors, guitar amps and
cabinets, and their Auraverb reverb.
You can also purchase further Synergy
Core effects as required, tantalisingly
listed in the plugin list. Among the
included 37 are plenty of analogue
emulations based on trusty favourites
such as FET-A76 (Urei) and VEQ-1A
(Pultec) and some more esoteric
examples such as BA-31 preamp
(RCA). There are also some rather
good guitar amp and cabinet effects.
Unlike Antelope’s Thunderbolt
interfaces, Zen Go can’t use their
AFXDAW plugin, which lets you
access Synergy Core plugins from
your DAW. However, if your DAW
supports hardware inserts you can
actually use the fl exible routing in the
Control Panel mixer to route signals
via the plugins.
THE PROS & CONS
+
Compact slick
desktop design
Well conceived
monitoring and
routing app
Bundled Synergy
Core effects
-
The Control Panel
app is required to
access many of the
features
FM VERDICT
8.5
Zen Go brings Antelope’s
impressive Synergy Core
system to a much wider
audience in a more
affordable and impressively
Audiophile front end and
impressive onboard processing
Antelope Audio Zen Go | Reviews
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FMU373.rev_antelope.indd 91FMU373.rev_antelope.indd 91 12/07/2021 18:0112/07/2021 18:01