Antelope Audio, the professional manufacturer of high-end audio equipment, has just announced its new DISCRETE 8 Thunderbolt™ and the USB interface with 8 microphone preamps, along with the accompanying EDGE and VERGE modeling mics, which bring a new level of sound quality and power to both studios and mobile devices. All of this comes with a cutting-edge interface that, in the manufacturer's words, marks a new era for recording.
The DISCRETE 8 Thunderbolt™ interface and the Antelope Audio USB version come complete with eight preamps of fully Discrete design, with six-console and six-transistor circuitry. It features 121 dB dynamic range conversion and has a solid clock built in. It includes all of Antelope Audio's major real-time FPGA FX, including authentic models of iconic gear from BAE, Gyraf Audio, LANG and many more. Built on Antelope Audio's AFX platform, it lets DISCRETE 8 add Accusonic preamp and microphone models (keeping the advantages of digital control and recall of gain levels), guitar amps, transformers and effects, adding a large selection of classic vintage tools to your recording arsenal.
Thanks to the new Antelope Audio ConnectAFX plug-in, everything is accessible from any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and the workflow runs flawlessly. While working, DISCRETE 8 users can create custom presets to quickly and easily set up various tracking scenarios.
The front panel features a large monitor volume knob and headphone output controls. In addition, the talkback mic is also built into the front panel above the TBK (talkback) button. And talkback can be triggered via the assignable FOOTSWITCH on the rear, in the EasyPanel software, or through the iOS / Android app.
It's also possible to watch the sound metering on the front panel display, within EasyPanel and also through the remote app.
As a 26-input / 32-output audio interface with eight analog inputs (A1 through A8), eight analog outputs (on a standard 25-pin D-SUB connector), a pair of MONITOR outputs, two REAMP outputs and a pair of headphone outputs, with additional digital connectivity courtesy of S/PDIF IN and OUT along with dual ADAT I/O, DISCRETE 8 was developed after extensive research into a microphone preamp circuit.
The DISCRETE preamps for the console were handcrafted to deliver world-class sound. In addition, the powerful Antelope Audio FPGA platform can transform the Accusonic preamps into various classic units through tube, transformer and FET-based circuits, all in real time!
Both engineers and performers can instantly hear authentic blends of 10 different mic preamps, without perceiving any latency or filtering of annoying noise
Fortunately, the mic source can be recorded with or without Accusonic modeling, letting engineers choose which preamp models they want to use during the mix. In addition, the entire signal path was designed to deliver optimal sound with any microphone, but you really notice it when working with Antelope Audio's new EDGE and VERGE modeling mics, which were specially designed for DISCRETE 8 preamps, since they're built with the matching Discrete electronics.
Antelope Audio EDGE and VERGE Microphones
The EDGE and VERGE microphones are perfect for Antelope Audio's real-time mic preamp modeling. Creatively combined with the effects in the company's vintage FPGA hardware, they span ever-expanding compressors and EQs. These new modeling mics open a new chapter in the world of recording.
- EDGE features dual capsules with an edge termination for a smooth, natural sound, reproducing the expressiveness and character of costly classic microphones, but without excessive expense. Antelope Audio CEO Igor Levin designed an innovative, fully Discrete electronic system specifically for this job, while the hand-selected capsules are housed in a carefully designed, contoured enclosure for optimal sonic performance. As a result, the EDGE large-diaphragm condenser modeling mics have excellent transient response and can handle multiple polar patterns.
- VERGE is visibly distinguished as a small-diaphragm condenser (back electret type), but it is a modeling mic suited to capturing nuanced precision and high-SPL recording. It is also considered one of the best small-diaphragm condensers and electrets in the world.
Stepping into the wonderful world of the DISCRETE 8 Accusonic 3D Modeling Engine FPGA, this platform lets users transform EDGE and VERGE into vintage replicas, achieving complete control over proximity effect and off-axis response, and even letting them change polar patterns during or after recording.
The new DISCRETE 8 Thunderbolt™ and the Antelope Audio USB interface with 8 discrete mic preamps, together with the EDGE and VERGE modeling mics, make a winning team, delivering great performance and thoroughly modern, fully equipped technology.
As an example, a DISCRETE 8 working with one EDGE and six VERGE modeling mics can run two chains of FPGA effect inserts and all the mic emulations for a single microphone. Musically speaking, the real-time FPGA platform delivers a complete professional studio experience.
The microphones, preamps, conversion, compressors, EQs, reverb and zero-latency monitoring, backed by Antelope Audio's signature clock, combine into a unified system with instantly recallable presets
Users can even load AFX presets from VIP Masters, with favorite combinations of FPGA effects regularly used on award-winning mixes, to transform their own productions. DISCRETE 8 can even save and load presets and swap settings with other professional audio interfaces equipped with Antelope Audio FPGA, making it an easy task for both new users and existing owners who use a second unit for travel, letting them leave their current studio setup intact when they're on the road or doing session work outside their studios.
The DISCRETE 8 Thunderbolt and the USB interface with 8 discrete mic preamps, plus the EDGE and VERGE modeling mics, will soon be available through Antelope Audio's growing global network of dealers.
Pack prices:
- 1x DISCRETE 8, 1x EDGE, and 6x VERGE (2,995.00€)
- 1x DISCRETE 8 and 6x VERGE (1,895.00€)
- 1x DISCRETE 8 and 1x EDGE (1,995.00€)
