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Average Price: $825

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$501+

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Description

The Antelope Orion Studio is a powerhouse of an audio interface that masterfully blends cutting-edge technology with a musician's love for vintage sound. Designed for both studio and mobile use, this sleek 1U chassis is packed with Antelope's proprietary FPGA technology, delivering near-zero latency and an impressive suite of vintage effects. Whether you're tracking a full band or laying down a solo masterpiece, the Orion Studio has you covered with its robust connectivity options and flexible routing capabilities.

This interface shines with 12 high-end mic preamps and 16 analog outputs, ensuring you have all the I/O you need for complex recording sessions. Integrated Thunderbolt and USB connections allow seamless compatibility with both Mac and Windows systems, while the acclaimed 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking technology ensures pristine audio quality with vast stereo imaging and remarkable depth.

The Orion Studio is not just about connections; it’s about creation. Its FPGA-powered effects suite includes authentic emulations of vintage EQs, compressors, and guitar amps, all running with virtually no latency. Plus, the advanced remote apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android let you control the interface from any device on your network, streamlining your workflow.

Whether you’re a professional producer or a home studio enthusiast, the Orion Studio offers an unparalleled blend of performance, versatility, and classic tone that will elevate your recording projects to new heights.

Key Features:

  • 12 high-end mic preamps, 16 analog outputs
  • FPGA modeling engine for latency-free vintage EQs, compressors, and more
  • 2 mastering-quality monitor outputs with A/B switching
  • Thunderbolt and USB connectivity
  • Integrated talkback microphone
  • Supports ADAT, S/PDIF, and word clock I/O
  • Advanced remote apps for seamless control across devices
  • Antelope's Acoustically Focused Clocking technology for superior audio fidelity

Product specs

Brand Antelope Audio
Model Orion Studio Thunderbolt / USB Audio Interface
Finish Silver
Year 2010s
Categories Audio Interfaces
Bit Depth 24-bit
Bus-Powered No
Compatibility Windows, iOS, macOS
Computer Connectivity Thunderbolt, USB
Digital Input Format ADAT/Optical, S/PIDF
Digital Output Format ADAT/Optical, S/PIDF
Electronics Analog, Digital, Solid State
Format 19-inch Rackmount
Number of Analog Inputs 12
Number of Analog Outputs 20
Number of Channels 32
Number of Digital Inputs 18
Number of Digital Outputs 18
Number of Headphone Outputs 2
Number of MIDI Inputs 0
Number of MIDI Outputs 0
Number of Mic Preamps 12
Sample Rate 192 khz
Simultaneous I/O 30 x 32

FAQs

What are the main connectivity options for the Antelope Orion Studio?

The Antelope Orion Studio offers Thunderbolt and USB connectivity, making it versatile for both Mac and Windows systems.

How many mic preamps does the Antelope Orion Studio have?

The Antelope Orion Studio features 12 mic preamps, providing ample input options for recording multiple sources simultaneously.

Is the Antelope Orion Studio suitable for high-resolution recording?

Yes, the Antelope Orion Studio supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz recording, ensuring high-resolution audio capture.

Does the Antelope Orion Studio require an external power source?

Yes, the Antelope Orion Studio is not bus-powered and requires an external power source to operate.

Can the Antelope Orion Studio interface with ADAT/Optical and S/PDIF devices?

Yes, the Antelope Orion Studio supports both ADAT/Optical and S/PDIF digital input and output formats for expanded connectivity options.

Production Expert

Production Expert

Review - Antelope Orion Studio

Video thumbnail for Review - Antelope Orion Studio by Production Expert

Review - Antelope Orion Studio

Production Expert

Production Expert

Video thumbnail for A Quick Home Recording Setup | Orion Studio by Antelope Audio

A Quick Home Recording Setup | Orion Studio

Antelope Audio

Antelope Audio

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional sound quality surpassing similar high-end interfaces

  • Includes over 50 hardware-assisted plug-ins, enhancing recording capabilities

  • Superior I/O capabilities and versatile software controller for routing and monitoring

  • Eliminates need for separate DAC for high-resolution audio

  • Double monitor output reduces need for external monitor controller

  • High-quality clocking enhances listening experience

  • Responsive customer support for technical queries

CONS

  • Software has a steep learning curve

  • Initial units can suffer from reliability issues

  • Updates may complicate existing problems

  • Preamps lack the depth of some competitors

  • Talkback feature has poor audio quality

  • Occasional compatibility issues with Pro Tools and sample rate switching

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Antelope Orion Studio.

Features and functionality

  • Owners have experienced issues with the mute function on line outputs, which may not be clearly indicated in the interface control panel.

    Source
  • The Orion Studio Synergy Core offers extensive I/O in a compact 1U rack with high gain preamps, line amps, and reamp outputs.

    Source
  • The FPGA FX in the Orion Studio are praised for their analog-like sound, offering a competitive edge against UAD plugins.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Some users struggle with routing configurations, particularly with signals from USB PLAY to LINE OUTPUTS not working as expected despite working with headphone outputs.

    Source
  • Antelope's control software requires turning off deep security settings on MacOS, involving booting in recovery mode, to install drivers.

    Source
  • Users have noted that the Antelope Orion Studio runs smoothly on Mac and Hackintosh systems over Thunderbolt and USB after setup instructions were corrected.

    Source

User experience

  • The interface’s control panel can be confusing, leading to overlooked settings such as muted outputs, which might hinder signal flow through DB25 connections.

    Source
  • Some users note that once the Antelope hardware is configured, it operates reliably as a set-and-forget system.

    Source
  • A factory reset has resolved initial setup issues for some Orion Studio users, improving overall functionality.

    Source

Build quality

  • The power input is a barrel jack that can become loose, causing clicks and pops if not properly secured.

    Source

Comparisons

  • RME interfaces are frequently recommended as more reliable alternatives to Antelope, especially for users who require frequent reconfiguration.

    Source
  • The Midas M32 interface is favored for live work due to its DAW control and solid preamps, contrasting with mixed reviews of the Orion Studio.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Orion Studio's 12 preamps in a single rack space are highlighted for on-location recording, providing excellent sound quality and routing options.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Antelope Audio Orion Studio Review - Gearspace

gearspace.com

The Antelope Orion Studio struggles with severe reliability and usability issues, overshadowing its excellent sound quality and feature set. Users report frequent hardware failures, problematic software, and poor customer support, marring the experience. Despite its promising specs and audio capabilities, the Orion Studio's instability and cumbersome setup processes leave much to be desired. The lack of effective driver updates and unresolved latency problems further contribute to a disappointing user experience. While it offers a plethora of I/O options and good sounding pres, the overall execution fails to meet professional standards. If reliability is crucial, consider alternatives.

negative

Antelope Orion Studio review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Antelope Orion Studio shines as a versatile and well-featured audio interface, earning high praise for its superb amp emulations and Pultec EQs. Musicians will appreciate its extensive connectivity options and the inclusion of DSP processing, which allows for complex routing and mix setups without latency. The review notes a slight learning curve with the routing matrix, but the support from Antelope is commendable. Minor setup issues on some systems are addressed effectively by their tech support. Overall, the Orion Studio is recommended for its impressive flexibility and quality, making it a worthy centerpiece for any studio.

positive

5.0 out of 5

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