Hey sexies, I have the zen go interface and was wondering what do you think about the quality of the plugins that Antelope offer, I know that Fairchild 670 is one of the best emulations of that compressor, but what about the pultec, neve 1073, emulations that they have. Which ones of their plugins do you recommend?

 

i haven't seen much people share info about antelope in these forums, so i suggest you to look on youtube for something

 

So what's the deal with these plugins? Do you have to have the hardware to run them? I've never seen anyone use any or talk about them.

 

They use the same system as UAD plugins, 0 latency with the hardware, etc. And yes, in the web theres little info about them (I found just one rank of their plugins and is in german haha https://www.delamar.de/musiksoftware/audio-plugins/antelope-audio-plugins-62079/), I was hoping to find users of Antelope Audio plugins here, in the sister site comments I found someones talking about an Antelope plugin the Tubechild 670 saying thats the best emulation of the Fairchild 670 compressor, lets hope that they appear here.

 

Hi
I have a discrete 4 legacy first generation with afx to daw. So I have a large collection of their plugins included with this first card. I think now you have to pay for it.
And yes most of their plugins are good. For tracking with zero lantency it's great.
You should try vintage stuff. Preamps, comps, eq's.
And now you can buy some new plugin from other developpers.

 

Last edited: Jan 10, 2023

When I had them I liked it. I was using more of a vocal chain going in for recording. Tried it out for a while but I'm a heavy AA user so I stick with that. But no doubt you do get some good quality from them. The ones I used most were the 73 pre, pultec, distressor, and maag eq.

 

I'm an Antelope user. And i agree, their Fairchild is the best Fairchild emulation i've used. I'll go one step further, it's the most analog sounding digital compressor i've ever used. I really really like it. Prob my favourite compressor of all time. In fact, i'm wondering if i'm the same person who you saw talking about it? (show me the post)

Anyway, i stopped buying Antelope plugins because the Antelope workflow is a pain in the ass + i found out that you can't sell your plugins if you ever decide to step out of the Antelope ecosystem, which i will probably do in a few years because i don't like the workflow or their software. AFX2DAW isn't available on USB for my interface on Windows (thunderbolt only) so i can't load the plugins straight in my DAW, i have to load them as hardware inserts and then route them in their software mixer thing, and their software mixer thing is a real headfuck to use. Not intuitive at all. So there's extra steps using Antelope plugins for me and it pulls me out of the flow. Also, recall is also a hassle. So i found myself avoiding Antelope plugins to save the hassle. It should tell you something that i can't be bothered to use my favourite compressor.

Anyway, other good plugins. Well, to be honest i don't know how i feel about the other plugins because i haven't used them as extensively as the Fairchild. I watched a lot of videos and got excited about the FET-A78 and the BAE 10DCF comp, but haven't used them in a wide range of scenarios yet because i resist the workflow lol. But i'd start there (the BAE 10DCF in particular). The Diode 609 is another one worth checking out. Also check out the Blonder Tongue Audio Baton (an EQ), I haven't used it yet but the demo videos i found REALLY impressed me. It was next on my wishlist before i decided to stop buying their plugs. Sounded super natural. The ALT-436 and the Liverpool are worth checking out, although they do a similar sorta job.

And there's 3 more that i would've definitely checked but never did because i already have good TimP emulations of the same plugins already, so i haven't uesd them myself, but check out their Ba-6A, SMT-100A, and their Opto 2A

In general all their plugins are good, but nothing impressed me as much as the Fairchild

 

Warren is a great guy and always has a sincere presentation of plugs and gear:

 

They are like UAD (used to be before Spark), just less scammy.
You get all of their plugins if you buy their Apollo equivalent, and you get a good bunch if you get their Desktop Interfaces.
And their quality is good from what I have heard, this thread seems to confirm that, but I'd advise you to buy where you have a money back guarantee

 

Haha it was you! in the "Overloud Gem Comp670 v1.1.5" post of the sister site, looks like I summoned you for you to share your Antelope Audio experience. Funny thing that I looked afor that compressor and I got the idea for making this post reading your Vari-Mu compressor post early today.

Well it seems you're not the only one that thinks that tubechild 670 is one of the best from Antelope, in that german article that I shared before (https://www.delamar.de/musiksoftware/audio-plugins/antelope-audio-plugins-62079/) puts it in first place too.

I agree that using the Antelope's plugins is pain in the ass because the launcher's workflow, It happened to me the same as you, I stopped using that plugins, but today I got interested, thinking that maybe I have a hidden gem that is worth it in those ones. However, now the AFX2DAW does support the zon go USB, with more latency tan the thunderbolt, but maybe you can try it.

Luckily when I got the zen go they were giving plugin bundles for the recent purchases, so I have the Audio Baton a many other antelope plugins for free. Thank you for your Antelopes experience.

 

Last edited: Jan 10, 2023

Wow that is quite the coincidence haha.

I have the Discrete 4 Synergy Core interface, which doesn't support AFX2DAW over USB for me unfortunately (and my computer doesn't have a thunderbolt port). Sad face

Also, my Launcher doesn't work anymore after the v3 update for some reason, and support tried to help but nothing they suggested fixed it. So i can't even use plugins anymore even if i wanted to lol.
(They did offer to troubleshoot it by taking over my computer remotely but i haven't got around to making a decision on that yet)

It's lucky that the interface makes my speakers and headphones sound amazing otherwise i probably would've sold it for something else already

 

Check out the latest from Antelope. The Go and Z now support USB. I use the Apollo system on my main Desktop. Over the holidays I bought a AMD mini PC for a travel/back up system. It does not support TB so UA would not be supported on that AMD board. After research I found the Antelope stuff. I purchased a Q core and utilize the AFX2DAW on my PC without a problem. They provide a cable with USB-C to 2 usb 2 cables (one for power and the other for data I assume) or a USB-C to USB-C cable works even better.

On the Antelope site it states that the Go and Q now both support USB. I hope that helps!

 

I absolutely love my Zen Q thunderbolt. I have owned many interfaces over the decades but by far I'll take these DAC's over any other brand.
Just the sound and tightness alone is worth the money. Yes the software setup takes a while to learn but in the end if you want big time sound for an affordable price with the ability to run as much as 80 plugins on input I can't imagine anything else.
Workflow is a matter of needs and I don't need that much.

 

I have the Discrete 4 Synergy Core interface also Honestly i wouldnt recomend there hardware or plugs i wish i went with Uad few yrs back when i made my purchase was over 1200 us funds also bought a thunderbolt card to use there plugs inside the Daw not impressed with there plugs so my thought Do your research first and definetly go with Uad if making the big leap fyi ! there Tech Support is hit or miss theres some good techs and some rude ass techs that work for them......

 

I have a Discrete 8, and the plugins are great. But honestly, because there are so many good emulations of the hardware classics, they are not anything special regarding their sound. However the zero-latency thing is great for tracking. I can put a complete FX chain for the monitoring of the musicians I record, and set a decent buffer size to avoid any jitter. It's also great to play an electric guitar and a bass when you don't have an amp at hand.

It's also great to have emulations of some "obscure" units like the BA-6A or the Gyratecs.

 

UAD DAC's aren't even close to Antelope. There mediocre at best.
I don't base an interface on plugins. Sound first and foremost.
I have hundreds of plugins and a Mac Studio Ultra I don't need dsp power.

 

Like i said already, i have a Discrete 4 Synergy Core interface, which don't support AFX2DAW over USB. I know that the Zen Go does, but mine doesn't unfortunately