Antelope Audio Discrete 4 Synergy Corechat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Several users report that the AFX2DAW feature only works over a Thunderbolt connection, effectively excluding Windows users whose motherboards lack Thunderbolt support. This is called a major disappointment given how central the feature is to the product's appeal.

@Barncore

Great review man. I bought one myself in May and i agree with everything you said. The conversion, clocking and preamps are where it really shines. Literally some of the best clocking in the biz, that's what Antelope are known for. The preamps are SUPER clean and seem to have a nice \"3D\" kind of element to it. Also the converters made my speakers and headphones sound way better too (i was using an Audient iD14 before) so in some ways getting this interface is like an upgrade to your existing gear too. \nThe one thing i disagree with you on is the mic modelling, i found it to be pretty underwhelming, i didn't think it matched the mics it was trying to model as far as sonic depth and stuff like that. It was a fine mic, it sounds decent as a standalone, but the noise floor isn't ideal and the modelling was just okay / not that convincing. (The Edge Duo is probably where its at for mic modelling.) I sold my Edge Solo mic and bought a different mic. \nI also think you understated how great their plugins are. Legit among the very best in the world imo. Especially the Fairchild, that thing sounds and FEELS more like hardware than any other plugin i've ever used. Got my eye on that BAE 10DCF and Audio Baton too.\n\nMy biggest gripe with it is that afx2daw only works through Thunderbolt connection. Pretty disappointing as a Windows user whose motherboard doesn't support Thunderbolt. Never in my life would i have thought i'd ever need Thunderbolt lol.\n\nBtw there IS an off switch. :) Took me a few months to realize it. You press the 3rd button down for 2 secs, a menu will pop up, the 1st option will be \"power off\", select it by pushing in the big knob in, then it shuts off. To power it back up just click any button on the interface. I usually choose the 3rd button down cos i'm just so crazy like that\n\nGood to hear that their customer support is good. They've had a bad rep for that over the years. Feel like they reinvented themselves a year or 2 ago and now they've really improved in that departmentlaunch

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November 30, 2021

@rjb7569

I found this overview thorough, despite the complaints of others.\n But, is it true the AFX2DAW is only for Mac? I'm a Windows user. Has this been added yet?launch

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February 4, 2021

@KeithMarvK

Is AFX2DAW available for Windows 10? I'm in the market to purchase this unit with the edge mic.launch

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December 12, 2019

@BlackMoses302

That Orion Studio SC look very intriguing! Too bad I'm a Windows guy and can't use AFX2DAWlaunch

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August 18, 2019

Windows users report USB pops and crackling, and needing workarounds with virtual mixers over Thunderbolt, leading one commenter to recommend the device mainly for Apple users. Another owner separately criticized slow, frustrating Windows drivers.

@andynonimuss6298

The issue with Antelope LED displays is that the white color fades out over time down to a dark orange color. I know this is the case, as I had a Discreet 8 Synergy Core for only two years and 80% of the white faded out in all of the different menu sections down to a dark orange color. It was hard to read at that color. A big flaw in the Antelope LED displays! Also the Antelope drivers for Windows are slow and frustrating to work with. I recently switched to a Focusrite and the ASIO and WDM drivers work flawlessly in Windows.launch

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March 24, 2022

@cristian-marius-albu

I see this examples are shown on Mac OS and seems to work perfect. As it should.\nIts a pity on Windows with usb connection sometimes there are problems like pops and cracklings. \nWith Thunderbolt in Windows you need to workaround with a virtual mixer in order to detect the interface...\nAll in all I think this device is more recommended for Apple users.launch

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December 22, 2019

Buyers note that getting the full premium plugin pack and AFX2DAW access can require significant extra spending, and secondhand buyers report losing bundled plugin access after re-registering the hardware.

@hazysativa3045

Thanks for all the details around the bundles/deals etc. In Canada the Antelope Edge (1400$ mic in Canada) and Discrete 4 combo is 2500$. But to think I wont be getting the 1600$ plug in deal, then after that I will need to spend another 200$ just so I can use in reaper puts it into a price point thats just not something that interests me. For 2500$ I would have thought I would be good to go with this.launch

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October 31, 2021

@MAzztockprod

hi...just to return my experience with transfering license to second hand.\nI'am a second hand and first time I plug it, I have all the plugins as well as the afx2daw working fine with my system. After 1 or 2 hours of testing those candies, a window appear and suggest me to register my new discrete 4 that i've done....but after alls are gone and juste have the basic pack :( no more candies and afx2daw not working any more too. We are actually seeing with them how to fixe that...or not. I tell you more details when we have a response from them but now....we are waiting and I cross the fingerslaunch

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September 10, 2021

One owner found the Edge Solo mic's modelling underwhelming and not very convincing sonically, with a noise floor that wasn't ideal, ultimately selling the mic for a different one.

@Barncore

Great review man. I bought one myself in May and i agree with everything you said. The conversion, clocking and preamps are where it really shines. Literally some of the best clocking in the biz, that's what Antelope are known for. The preamps are SUPER clean and seem to have a nice \"3D\" kind of element to it. Also the converters made my speakers and headphones sound way better too (i was using an Audient iD14 before) so in some ways getting this interface is like an upgrade to your existing gear too. \nThe one thing i disagree with you on is the mic modelling, i found it to be pretty underwhelming, i didn't think it matched the mics it was trying to model as far as sonic depth and stuff like that. It was a fine mic, it sounds decent as a standalone, but the noise floor isn't ideal and the modelling was just okay / not that convincing. (The Edge Duo is probably where its at for mic modelling.) I sold my Edge Solo mic and bought a different mic. \nI also think you understated how great their plugins are. Legit among the very best in the world imo. Especially the Fairchild, that thing sounds and FEELS more like hardware than any other plugin i've ever used. Got my eye on that BAE 10DCF and Audio Baton too.\n\nMy biggest gripe with it is that afx2daw only works through Thunderbolt connection. Pretty disappointing as a Windows user whose motherboard doesn't support Thunderbolt. Never in my life would i have thought i'd ever need Thunderbolt lol.\n\nBtw there IS an off switch. :) Took me a few months to realize it. You press the 3rd button down for 2 secs, a menu will pop up, the 1st option will be \"power off\", select it by pushing in the big knob in, then it shuts off. To power it back up just click any button on the interface. I usually choose the 3rd button down cos i'm just so crazy like that\n\nGood to hear that their customer support is good. They've had a bad rep for that over the years. Feel like they reinvented themselves a year or 2 ago and now they've really improved in that departmentlaunch

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November 30, 2021

Despite some praise for improvement, other users report unresolved technical issues with no response from Antelope's support chat for extended periods, even after providing serial numbers and screenshots.

@BaabyWaid

I’m having a technical issues with my discret 4 since 2 months now and I’m trying to find help on the antelope chatting online customers help but nobody’s responding to me I’ve even send pictures of my hardware serial number and the screen shot of my screen but still nobody’s answering to me . The server doesn’t match the descret 4 hardware and nobody’s helping me !!!!launch

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September 12, 2019

A commenter criticized the use of USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 2 rather than newer USB 3.1 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt 3, calling it a dealbreaker.

@FlorinMC

Seriously, USB 2.0 and thunderbolt 2 on 2019? \nWhy not USB 3.1 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 3 or only USB 3.1 Gen 2 type C?\nUSB 3.1 Gen 2 type C is fully compatible with thunderbolt 3 and is more than enough for every audio interface!\nAntelope philosophy... 🤔That is keep me away from Discrete 4 and Zen Tour. Maybe on zen tour 2!launch

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August 20, 2019

One long-term owner of a related Synergy Core unit reported the white LED display fading to a hard-to-read dark orange after about two years of use.

@andynonimuss6298

The issue with Antelope LED displays is that the white color fades out over time down to a dark orange color. I know this is the case, as I had a Discreet 8 Synergy Core for only two years and 80% of the white faded out in all of the different menu sections down to a dark orange color. It was hard to read at that color. A big flaw in the Antelope LED displays! Also the Antelope drivers for Windows are slow and frustrating to work with. I recently switched to a Focusrite and the ASIO and WDM drivers work flawlessly in Windows.launch

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March 24, 2022