Antelope Discrete 4 rant/overview

sdfalk

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So..

When writing a review for audio hardware, I’d usually think, quality of the
A/D’s the clock, the mic pre’s, and usability of the software that comes with the
Hardware etc (if any.)
That brings me to the Antelope Discrete Audio 4.
I’m not going to talk about any of the above except (very briefly) the mix
Software.
I’ll also briefly mention the hardware build quality which is reasonable enough.
There’s thunderbolt 2 and USB 2 on the back (which is great.)
So let’s discuss…oh wait…installing the software is pretty important right?
Welllll…the installation process is one of the worst I’ve ever seen on a modern
Computer operating system.
The installer crashed multiple times while accessing there server to install the
Software.
After finally (45 minutes later) getting the software installed, and launching the
Mixer/Control Panel I realized the Control panel launched itself 5 times.
Yes, there were 5 separate instances of the control panel that had launched
In the background.
WTF?
I hadn’t seen anything like that since around Windows 95.
So regardless it was “working” (sort of).
I then launched Logic X…and when I attempted to launch the antelope
Plugin to run plugins within the Daw, and it froze.
Fine..I’ll try this in Live 10..same thing.
So that’s my brief overview of An Antelope interface/software.
Admittedly not a review, more of an exasperated WTF?

So I didn’t Get to record anything, I have no idea how good/bad it sounds
(though I’ve heard from many it sounds great), So I went back to work on my
Apollo X6 which took five minutes to install and runs perfectly fine.
I realize there are likely people out there who’ve had a fine experience with
Antelope hardware/software, and done professional work with it, I’m just
Not going to be one of them.



1.The software installer is abysmally designed.
2.Huge compatibility issues/freezes with my 6 core I7 Mac mini
With 16gb of ram running Mojave.
3.Though I’m loathe to comment on gui’s, the Antelope control
panel/mixer is a dogs breakfast in terms of visual appeal.

I wanted this to be great, because the price is incredible considering
The specs, however I’d recommend this to only the very patient.
I’m not one of them.
It's 2019, and this kind of installation debacle is inexcusable.
I’ve heard their high end stuff (torry and his Goliath) but regardless of
How good their entry level hardware “might” sound, I’ll pass.
Redesign your software, redesign your entire installation experience Antelope…
as in yesterday.
 
So what you are saying is that Antelope are trying to jump ahead of everybody else, while in reality going in the wrong direction? :laughing:

 
Ah, fun with giphy :laughing:

In all seriousness though, I can’t even begin to understand what you are talking about... problems with Antelope interfaces, really? Who woulda thunk? o_O
 
Ah, fun with giphy :laughing:

In all seriousness though, I can’t even begin to understand what you are talking about... problems with Antelope interfaces, really? Who woulda thunk? o_O
HAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH.....GORP
 
Mine is working smoothly now but I'm still running my Goliath HD over MADI with my RME. I don't really want to rely on the Antelope drivers. Plus my system is a 2012 Mac Pro tower, so no Thunderbolt or USB 3.
 
Ive started dealing with some of Antelopes more introductory products, and the consensus has been that as always...great hardware,
software is a nightmare to get ups and running.
 
Since this thread started, I’ve upgraded to the 2019 16 core Mac Pro. I’m still using my Goliaths (x2) over MADI. I had an issue tonight with the touchscreen becoming unresponsive. I’m just doing a “golden boot” to see if that solves it. Apart from that and a minor graphics bug on Big Sur, it’s been pretty stable here.
 
Yeah don’t misunderstand me. The software (once it is installed) has generally been fine. What I’ve heard, ( And had some experience with) is it’s a huge pain in the ass to install more so than just about anything else.
 
This is what I’m currently doing :laughing:

7C143242-0098-4C59-8D8D-B2904C170EBC.jpeg
 
And it worked. I was worried for a bit. It just got stuck and I ended up pulling the ac cable out. It resumed in golden boot mode when I plugged it back in.

The touchscreen works again now...
 
Oops... I spoke too soon. Touchscreen is non responsive again :shock:
 
Good now. Recalibrated and seems to be back to normal. It was only letting me touch once before becoming unresponsive.
 
Damn, my touchscreen is unresponsive again tonight...
 
Just for the heck of it, an update;
I recently sold an apollo interface to a client with a Windows laptop that had thunderbolt on the motherboard.
Nothing but a nightmare.
Brought in one of the introductory portable interfaces from antelope (the zen go) had her tech do the installation, and it worked flawlessly.
Very impressed with the preamp‘s and the a/d d/A’s, and agreed with me on one other thing;
WORST installation he’d ever seen.
Hahahahha
 
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